The whole Southern army appeared, advancing in
masses, and Dick, who was now with Major Hertford again, saw the pale
rays falling on rifles and bayonets, and the faces of his own countrymen
as they marched upon the Union camp.
"There's danger for our army! Lots of it!" said Warner, as he watched
the steady advance of the Southern brigades.
Dick remembered Bull Run, but his thoughts ran back to the iron general
who commanded now.
"Thomas will save us," he said.
The skirmishers on both sides were driven in. Their scattered fire
ceased, but a moment later the whole front of the Southern army burst
into flame. It seemed to Dick that one vast sheet of light like a sword
blade suddenly shot forward, and then a storm of lead, bearing many
messengers of death, beat upon the Northern army, shattering its front
lines and carrying confusion among its young troops. But the officers
and a few old regulars like Sergeant Whitley steadied them and they
returned the fire.
Major Hertford, Dick and Warner were all on foot, and their own little
band, already tried in battle, yielded not an inch. They formed a core
of resistance around which others rallied and Thomas himself was passing
along the line, giving heart to the lads fresh from the farms.
But the Southern army fired again, and shouting the long fierce rebel
yell, charged with all its strength. Dick saw before him a vast cloud
of smoke, through which fire flashed and bullets whistled.
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