第30章

"He was the greatest fun," one of the young men said; "the stiffest and most awkward-looking fellow in the institute.He used to work about as if he never saw anything or anybody.He was always known as Old Tom, and nobody ever saw him laugh.He was awfully earnest in all he did, and strict, I can tell you, about everything.There was no humbugging him.The fellows liked him because he was really so earnest about everything, and always just and fair.But he didn't look a hit like a soldier except as to his stiffness, and when the fellows who had been at Lexington heard that he was in command here they did not think he would have made much hand at it; but I tell you, be did.You never saw such a fellow to work.

"Everything had to be done, you know.There were the guns, but no horses and no harness.The horses had to be got somehow, and the harness manufactured out of ropes; and you can imagine the confusion of nine battalions of infantry, all recruits, with no one to teach them except a score or two of old army and militia officers.

Old Tom has done wonders, I can tell you.You see, be is so fearfully earnest himself every one else has got to be earnest.

There has been no playing about anything, but just fifteen hours'

hard work a day.Fellows grumbled and growled and said it was absurd, and threatened to do all sorts of things.You see, they had all come out to fight if necessary, but hadn't bargained for such hard work as this.

"However, Jackson had his way, and I don't suppose any one ever told him the men thought they were too hard worked.He is not the sort of man one would care about remonstrating with.I don't know yet whether he is as good at fighting as he is at working and organizing; but I rather expect a fellow who is so earnest about everything else is sure to be earnest about fighting, and I fancy that when he once gets into the thick of it he will go through with it.

He had such a reputation as an oddity at Lexington that there were a lot of remarks when lie was made colonel and sent here; but there is no doubt that he has proved himself the right man so far, and although his men may grumble they believe in him.

"My regiment is in his brigade, and I will bet any money that we have our share of fighting What sort of man is Johnston? He is a fine fellow-a soldier, heart and soul.You could tell him anywhere, and we have a first-rate fellow in command of the cavalry -Colonel Stuart-a splendid dashing fellow, full of life and go.His fellows swear by him.I quite envy you, for I expect you will astonish the Yankee horsemen.They are no great riders up there, you know, and I expect the first time you meet them you will astonish them."Here he suddenly stopped, stood at attention, and saluted.

Vincent at once did the same, although, had he not been set the example by his friend, lie would never have thought of doing so to the figure who passed.

"Who is it?" he asked, as his companion resumed his easy attitude.

"Why, that's Old Tom."

"What! Colonel Jackson!" Vincent said in surprise."Well, he is an odd-looking fellow."The figure that had passed was that of a tall, gaunt luau, leaning awkwardly forward in his saddle.He wore an old gray coat, and there was no sign of rank, nor particle of gold lace upon the uniform.He wore on his head a faded cadet cap, with the rim coming down so far upon his nose that he could only look sideways from under it.He seemed to pay but little attention to what was going on around him, and did not enter into conversation with any of the officers he met.

The brigade commanded by Jackson was the first of the army of the Shenandoah, and consisted of the 2d, 4th, 5th, and 27th Virginians, to which was shortly afterward added the 33d.They were composed of men of all ranks and ages, among them being a great number of lads from fifteen and upward; for every school had been deserted.Every boy capable of carrying a musket had insisted upon joining, and among them were a whole company of cadets from Lexington.The regiments selected their own officers, and among these were many who were still lads.Many of the regiments had no accouterments, and were without uniforms, and numbers carried no better arms than a double-barreled shot-gun;but all were animated with the same spirit of enthusiasm in their cause, and a determination to die rather than to allow the invaders to pass on through the fertile valleys of their native ]and.

Of all these valleys that of Shenandoah was the richest and most beautiful.It was called the Garden of Virginia; and all writers agreed in their praises of the beauties of its fields and forests, mountains and rivers, its delicious climate, and the general prosperity which prevailed among its population.

It was a pleasant evening that Ashley's horse spent at Harper's Ferry on the day they marched in.All had many friends among the other Virginian regiments, and their camp-fires were the center toward which men trooped by scores.The rest was pleasant after their hard marches; and, although ready to do their own work when necessary, they appreciated the advantage of having their servants again with them to groom their horses and cook their food.

The negroes were not less glad at being again with their masters.

Almost all were men who had, like Dan, been brought up with their young owners, and felt for them a strong personal attachment, and, if it had been allowed, would gladly have followed them in the field of battle, and fought by their side against the "Yankees."Their stay at Harper's Ferry was to be a short one.Colonel Stuart, with his 200 horse, was scouting along the whole bank of the Potomac, watching every movement of the enemy, and Ashley's horse was to join them at once.