But Williams was not disconcerted. He was used to such badinage.
He spread out his large hands soothingly.

"Boys," he said, "those shoes wore out so fast because you chased the
Yankees so hard. They were made for walking, not for foot races.
Why do you want to buy blankets on time when you can get them more
cheaply by capturing them from the enemy?"

His answers pleased them, and some one called for three cheers for
Williams, which were given with a will, and he rode on, unmolested.
But in a few minutes another and greater roar arose. Now it was
swelling, continuous, and there was in it no note whatever of criticism
or derision. It was made up wholly of affection and admiration, and
it rolled in unceasing volume along the stream and through the forest.

The four lads and Sherburne sprang to their feet, shading their eyes
with their hands as they looked.

"By the great Jupiter!" exclaimed Sherburne, "it's Old Jack himself in a
new uniform on Little Sorrel! The boys, I imagine, have heard that he's
been made lieutenant-general."

"I knew that nothing could stir up the corps this way except Old Jack
or a rabbit," said Happy Tom, as he sprang to his feet--he meant no
disrespect to his commander, as thousands would give chase to a rabbit
when it happened to be roused out of the bushes.

"Thunderation! What a change!" exclaimed St. Clair, as he ran with the
others to the edge of the road to see Stonewall Jackson, the victor of
twenty battles, go past in a uniform that at first had almost disguised