Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/129

Rh saddle again, and rode along the halting and wondering line.

"We are going to have a good thing on them now, boys!" he shouted. "Come, follow me! Turn around! We are going back! We are going to sleep in our quarters to-night! Come on!"

The magic of that voice and that dashing, daring figure was wonderful. Old veterans threw up their caps and yelled themselves hoarse. Those in retreat turned and were the first to press upon the gallant leader's heels. The lines were re-formed, and when the Confederates made their next charge, company after company met it bravely, standing like rocks. Then other troops came up from the left and the right, and the cavalry burst from the woods. "The Yankees have been reënforced—Sheridan had brought on more regiments!" was the false news circulated on the other side, and then the Confederates began to halt in dismay.

This great change on the battlefield occurred about one o'clock, after almost eight hours of continual fighting. Driven back, the Confederates took another stand, but at