Another boat fired. One of the cavalrymen was killed and several
wounded. Stuart promptly drew his men back to the edge of the wood,
unlimbered and posted his cannon. Quick as they were, the black wasps
on the river buzzed and stung as fast. Shells and solid shot were
whistling among them and about them. They were good gunners on those
boats and the men in gray acknowledged it by the rapidity with which
they took to shelter.

But Stuart's blood was at its utmost heat. He had no intention of being
driven off, and soon his own light guns were sending shell and solid
shot toward the boats, which had relanded their troops on the other side,
and which were now puffing up and down the river like the angry little
demons they were, sending shells, solid shot, grape and canister into
the woods and along the slopes where the horsemen had disappeared.

Harry and Dalton were glad to dismount and to get behind both the
trees and the curve of the embankment. Harry, despite a pretty full
experience now, could not repress involuntary shivers as the deadly
steel flew by. He and Dalton had nothing to do but hold their horses
and watch the combat, which they did with the keenest interest.

Stuart's cannon had unlimbered in a good place, where they were
protected partly by a ridge, and their deep booming note soon showed the
gunboats that they had an enemy worthy of their fire. Dalton and Harry
looked on with growing excitement. Dalton, for once, grew garrulous,
talking in an excited monotone.

"Look at that, Harry!" he cried. "See the water spurt right by the
bow of that boat! A shell broke there! And there goes another! That
struck, too! See the fallen men on the boat! Look at that little black