Looking at his young, smiling, care-free
face, one could easily imagine that he was taking part in a military
pageant; but the headlong career and flashing weapons of his men,
who deployed as they charged straight at the Confederates, dispelled
any such illusion.
The ridge began to grow black with Union men and Miss Lou soon
perceived the gleam of artillery as the guns were placed in
position. Mr. Baron, who had permitted his pipe to go out in the
excitement, groaned, "The Yanks have come in force and are forming a
line of battle yonder. If our troops come up, the fight will take
place on my land. Lord help us! What's coming next?"
Miss Lou began to receive impressions which filled her with awe.
Heretofore she had been intensely excited by what had been mere
skirmishes, but now she witnessed preparations for a battle. That
long line of dark blue on the ridge portended something more
terrible than she could imagine. The sounds of conflict died away
down the main road, the ring of axes was heard in the grove which
crowned the ridge near the mansion, and Mr.
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