passage of their comrades.

The skeleton work of the trestle now rose more clearly into view.
The rain had almost ceased and faint rays of moonlight showed through
the rifts where the clouds had broken apart. The boys distinctly heard
the gurgling rush of waters, and they also saw the clear, bluish surface
of the mountain stream. The same quickening of light disclosed the
Southern force on their right flank and rear, only four or five hundred
yards away. Dick's hasty glance backward lingered for a moment on a
powerful man on a white horse just in advance of the Southern column.
He saw this man raise his hand and then command the men to fire.
He and twenty others under the impulse of excitement shouted to the
regiment to drop down, and the Northern lads did so.

Most of the volley passed over their heads. Rising they sent back a
return discharge, and then the head of the columns rushed into the
stream. Dick felt swift water whirling about him and tugging at his
body, but it rose no higher than his waist, although foam and spray were
dashed into his face. He heard all around him the splashing of his
comrades, and their murmurs of satisfaction. They realized now that
they were not only able to retreat before a much superior force, but
this same stream, when crossed, would form a barrier behind which they
could fight two to one.

The Confederate leader, whoever he might be, and Dick had no doubt that
he was the redoubtable Turner Ashby, also appreciated the full facts
and he drove his whole force straight at the regiment. It was well for
the young troops that part of them were already across, and, under the
skillful leadership of Colonel Newcomb, Major Hertford, and three or
four old, regular army sergeants, of whom the best was Whitley, were