or whichever of the white men he chose to use.

"I confess, Hector," said Colonel Talbot at length, "that this move
puzzles me greatly."

"It would puzzle me too, Leonidas, were I in your place," said
Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hilaire; "but you must recall that just before
the Second Manassas you seemed to have me checkmated, and that I have
escaped from a most dangerous position."

"True, true, Hector! I thought I had you, but you slipped from my net.
Those were, beyond all dispute, most skillful and daring moves you made.
It pays to be bold in this world."

"Do you know," whispered St. Clair to Harry, "that this unfinished game
is the one they began last spring in the valley? We saw them playing
it in a fence corner before action. They've taken it up again at least
four or five times between battles, but neither has ever been able to
win. However, they'll fight it out to a finish, if a bullet doesn't get
one first. They always remember the exact position in which the figures
were when they quit."

Colonel Talbot happened to look up and saw the boys.

"Come down," he said, "and join us. It is pleasant to see you again,
Harry. I heard of your mission, its success and your safe return.
Hector, I suppose we'll have to postpone the next stage of our game
until we whip the Yankees again or are whipped by them. I believe I
can yet rescue that red king."