Then the war office had a time of it. I besieged the
nabobs of the red tape day and night, and they got so tired of me at
last that they told me to find a general who wanted an aid and they
would assign me."
"Well, as I was coming out of the den I met General Jeb Stuart going
in. I knew him well, and he was tenth cousin to my grandmother, which
you know counts for a great deal in Virginia."
"What's the matter, Tom?" he said.
"I want a place in the cavalry, general."
"What claim have you?"
"Shot in the leg--can't walk--am tired of drilling men in bomb-proof."
"Good!" he said. "That's the way to talk. Come in here."
"And he dragged me along. I found that one of his aids had just been
captured--he wanted another, and he applied for me. A month afterward
his application was approved--short for the war office. That was five
days ago. I got into the saddle,--pushed for the Rapidan--got to
Middleburg--and arrived in time for supper."
"That's my history, old fellow, except that I have just fallen in
love--with the young angel who waited on me at supper, Miss Katy Dare.
I opened the campaign in a corner last night--and I intend to win her,
Surry, or perish in the attempt!"
XVII.
STUART GRAZES CAPTURE.
As Tom Herbert uttered these words, a loud shout in front startled us.
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