"All day, sir?"
"All day."
"He has ten thousand men. Will he not try to attack?"
"No, sir! No! He cannot do it. I should tear him to pieces."
A heavy sound came into being. The staff officer swung round on his horse. "Listen, sir!"
"Yes. Artillery firing to the northwest. Frémont will act without Shields."
A courier came at a gallop. "General Ewell's compliments, sir, and the battle of Cross Keys is beginning."
"Good! good! My compliments to General Ewell, and I expect him to win it."