But as they went on, Dick's melancholy fell from him, and he had only
pleasant recollections of the meeting. Besides, the continued movement
and freedom were inspiriting in the highest degree to youth. Although
it was August the day was cool, and the blue sky of Virginia was never
brighter. A refreshing breeze blew from dim, blue mountains that they
could see far ahead, and, as they entered a wide stretch of open country
where ambush was impossible, the trumpets called in the flankers.

"We shall make the lower mountains about midnight, and we'd better camp
then until dawn. Don't you think so, gentlemen?" asked Colonel Hertford
of his associate colonels, Winchester and Bedford.

"The plan seems sound to me," replied Bedford, the Pennsylvanian. "Of
course, we want to reach Sheridan as soon as possible, but if we push
the horses too hard we'll break them down."

Dick had dropped back with Warner and Pennington, but he heard the
colonels talking.

"We all saw General Sheridan at the great battles in the West," he said.
"I particularly remember how he planted himself and the batteries at
Perryville and saved us from defeat, but he seems to be looming up so
much more now in the East."

"He's become the Stuart of our side," said Warner. "I've heard some of
the people at Washington don't believe in him, but he has General Grant's
confidence and that's enough for me. Not that I put military authority
over civil rule, but war has to be fought by soldiers. I look for lively
times in the Valley of Virginia."