‘Shucks!’ exclaimed Ephraim with contempt. ‘I reckon ef the Yanks hes actually got across, they’ll be glad enough to git back agin. Why, old Stonewall, he’s thar himself.’
Such was the confidence that this general inspired that it never occurred to Ephraim or to any one else in the valley to doubt that where Jackson was, there also would the victory be.
‘Well, then, what do you propose to do?’ asked Lucius.
‘Waal,’ replied Ephraim, ‘ez they war so onmannerly ez to plump in upon us before we could git well started with our breakfast, and ez we hev the whole day ter git thar, I p’intedly advise thet we fortify our stummicks fust thing we do.’
‘Right!’ cried Lucius. ‘I’m with you there.’ And with much laughter the two boys fell to work upon the provisions, and made a hearty meal.
‘I feel better now,’ said the Grizzly, wiping his mouth a few minutes later. ‘Come along and let us take a squint at what’s goin’ on outside.’
They peeped, the one through the window, and the other through the door, and no one being in sight, issued from the latter into the open.
‘This hyar is mighty pleasant,’ remarked Ephraim, like the epicure, serenely full, and enjoying the warm June sunshine; ‘but I s’pose we’d better make fer the woods in case any wan comes along.’
‘I think so,’ agreed Lucius. ‘There’s no use running unnecessary risks.—Quick, Grizzly, quick! Here come some soldiers.’
‘Run, Luce, fer all ye’re wuth!’ cried Ephraim, setting the example. ‘Maybe we’ve not been seen.’