Part 46 (1/2)

”I might do that.”

The engine was detached to the disgust of the panic-stricken men and the cool-headed engineer nodded to the President, pulled his lever and the locomotive shot out of the station and in five minutes Davis alighted with his staff near the battle field. By the guidance of stragglers they found headquarters.

Adjutant General Jordan sent for horses and volunteered to conduct the President to the front.

While they were waiting he turned to Mr. Davis anxiously:

”I think it extremely unwise, sir, for you to take this risk.”

The thin lips smiled:

”I'll take the responsibility, General.”

The President and his staff mounted and galloped toward the front.

The stragglers came now in droves. They were generous in their warnings.

”Say, men, do ye want to die?”

”You're ridin' straight inter the jaws er death.”

”Don't do it, I tell ye!”

The President began to rally the men. As they neared the front he was recognized and the wounded began to cheer.

A big strapping soldier was carrying a slender wounded boy to the rear.

The boy put his trembling hand on the man's shoulder, s.n.a.t.c.hed off his cap and shouted: ”Three cheers for the President! Look, boys, he's here--we'll lick 'em yet!”

The President lifted his hat to the stripling, crying:

”To a hero of the South!”

The storm of battle was now rolling swiftly to the west--its roar growing fainter with each cannon's throb.

The President, sitting his horse with erect tense figure, dashed up the hill to General Johnston:

”How goes the battle, General?”

”We have won, sir,” was the sharp curt answer.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”'We have won, sir!' was the short, curt answer.”]

The President wheeled his horse and rode rapidly into the front lines until stopped by the captain of a command of cavalry.

”You are too near the front, sir, without an escort--”

The President rode beside the captain and watched him form his men for their last charge on the enemy. He inspected the field with growing amazement. For miles the earth was strewn with the wreck of the Northern army--guns, knapsacks, blankets, canteens--and Brooklyn-made handcuffs!