have sometimes thought these compliments were exchanged with the
very best of motives, intended only to change the monotony of camp
life with a little excitement.

When George and his army had toiled hard for nearly a month, had
thrown up a whole mountain of sand hills, and kept on crying for
more soldiers, and had got almost all his guns mounted; and was just
ready to bring Yorktown down about Mr. Johnston's ears, with a grand
display of substantial fireworks, that general made up his mind not
to be served in that way. Nor would he accommodate George by waiting
to see his grand display of fireworks. No, my son, he was not the
man to be caught at a disadvantage, or waste powder unnecessarily.
Some kind friend informed him of George's intentions, so he packed
up his baggage one night, and moved himself off, leaving Yorktown
and his sand hills as a legacy to George, who was very much
disappointed at being treated so shabbily by his old friend and
playmate.

People said General Johnston was a cunning fox, and not to be caught
in any trap our George could set. But George, like the Irishman, had
a deal of pluck, and a big heart, and, above both, a great deal of
chivalry. Now he was anxious that his old friend should not go away
so shabbily, but come back, and either breakfast with him or
accommodate him with a fight. So he sent his rough-riders after him,
and they proceeded at a rapid pace, and came up with him on the
outskirts of Williamsburg, where General Johnston prepared to fight
rather than come to breakfast. There both armies came together, and
a great battle was fought, which lasted two days. There was
desperate fighting on both sides, and a great many were killed and
wounded, and a great many more so badly frightened that they kept