“Thank you, Colonel,” he said, “I've got to go out and get a little food now. All I say will be proved soon enough.”
The three boys, like Colonel Winchester, did not doubt the truth of Shepard's news, and they looked northeast for the dust clouds which should mark the approach of Jackson.
“We've been outmaneuvered,” said Warner to Dick, “but it's no reason why we should be outfought.”
“No, George, it isn't. We've eighty thousand men as brave as any in the world, and, from what we hear they haven't as many. We ought to smash their old trap all to pieces.”
“If our generals will only give us a chance.”
Shepard's prediction that his news would soon prove true was verified almost at once. General Pope himself returned to his army and dispatch after dispatch arrived stating that Jackson and his whole force had been at Bristoe Station while the Union stores were burning.
“Now is our chance,” said Dick to his comrades, “why doesn't the general move on Jackson at once, and destroy him before Lee can come to his help?”
“I'm praying for it,” said Warner.
“From what I hear it's going to be done,” said Pennington.
Their hopes came true. Pope at once took the bold course, and marched on Jackson, but the elusive Stonewall was gone. They tramped about in the heat and dust in search of him. One portion of the army including Colonel Winchester's regiment turned off in the afternoon toward a place of a few houses called Warrenton. It lay over toward the Gap through which Jackson had gone and while the division ten thousand strong did not expect to find anything there it was nevertheless ordered to look.