from the north and west to lift anew the flag of the Union.

There was something in this steady, unyielding resolve that sent a chill
through Harry. It was possible that men who came on and who never
ceased coming would win in the end. The South--and he was sanguine that
such men as Lee and Jackson could not be beaten----might wear itself out
by the very winning of victories. The chill came again when he counted
the resources pitted against his side. He was a lad of education and
great intelligence, and he had no illusions now about the might of the
North and its willingness to fight.

But youth, in spite of facts, can forget odds as well as loss. The
doubts that would come at times were always dispelled when he looked
upon the glorious Army of Northern Virginia. It was now nearly eighty
thousand strong, with an almost unbroken record of victory, trusting
absolutely in its leadership and supremely confident that it could whip
any other army on the planet. Its brilliant generals were gathered with
Jackson or with Lee and Longstreet. They were as confident as their
soldiers and no movement of the enemy escaped them. Stuart, with his
plume and sash, at which no man now dared to scoff, hung with his
horsemen like a fringe on the flank of Burnside's own army, cutting off
the Union scouts and skirmishers and hiding the plans of Lee.

Messengers brought news that Burnside would certainly cross the
Rappahannock, covered by the Union artillery, which was always far
superior in weight and power to that of the South. Harry heard that the
passage of the river would not be opposed, because the Southern army
could occupy stronger positions farther back, but he did not know
whether the rumors were true.