“But still a word in his ear might have some influence,” persisted Colonel Talbot. “It might come at the very moment when he was hesitating over a choice, and it would probably decide him in our favor.”
“Then I shall do my best, sir,” said Harry. “You can rely upon me”
He returned to General Jackson, but found that his commander was yet inactive. He was still waiting and watching with a patience that seemed equal to that of the Sphinx. Noon came, food was served, and the hours trailed their slow length on.
Then they saw a great movement in the Union army. The Northern generals were about to make their supreme effort. Hooker, who had shown such desperate courage at Antietam and who had won the name of Fighting Joe, called for men who would cross the river in boats under the fire of the Mississippi rifles. It looked like certain death, but four entire regiments came forward at once. They entered the boats, which promptly pulled for the right bank, and the great batteries at once opened a covering fire.
The Mississippians once more sent forth their hail of bullets, but the boats were so numerous that, although some were stopped, the majority came on. Man after man, shot through, fell over the sides into the deep river. Sometimes a boat itself sank, but the main force rapidly approached the Southern side.
“They have lost many men, but they will make the crossing at last, Harry,” said Dalton.
“So it seems,” said Harry. “I suppose our generals could bring up enough men to drive them back, but it looks as if they don’t want to do it.”
“It may be that they’re holding the trap open for the victim to walk in.”
“However it may be, they’re across. See, they’re landing in thousands, and the Mississippians, leaving their rifle pits, are retreating. Now they can finish the bridge and as many more as they need at their leisure.”
The retreating Mississippians rejoined their comrades, and still the Southern army did not stir. The Northern army, almost unmolested, continued its bridge building, and the afternoon and a dark night passed.