"My friend," he said with gravity, "I judge from the extreme ignorance
you display concerning great affairs that you sleep a large part of the
time."
"Mebbe so, an' mebbe not. I most gen'ally sleep when I'm sleepy.
I've heard tell there was a big war goin' on in these parts, but this
is my land, an' I'm goin' to stay on it."
"A good farmer, if not a good patriot. Good day."
"Good day."
They rode on and, in spite of themselves, laughed.
"I'm willing to wager that he knows a lot about Lee and Jackson," said
Warner, "but the days of the rack and the thumbscrew passed long ago,
and there is no way to make him tell."
"No," said Dick, "but we ought to find out for ourselves."
Nevertheless, they discovered nothing. They saw no trace of a Southern
soldier, nor did they hear news of any, and toward nightfall they rode
back toward the army, much disappointed. The sunset was of uncommon
beauty. The hot day was growing cool. Pleasant shadows were creeping
up in the east. In the west a round mountain shouldered its black bulk
against the sky. Dick looked at it vaguely.
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