I declare to you, general, that it made the sweat burst out
on my forehead, and it was fully an hour before we reached the boat. I
sprung in and seized the oars, for I saw a dozen soldiers approaching
us from the direction of the fort.
"'For heaven's sake, sit down, colonel,' I exclaimed; 'in five minutes
we will be lost!'
"He did not reply. He was feeling in the pockets of the lieutenant's
coat; and drew out a note-book with a pencil attached. Then, as the men
came toward us, he began to write. I looked over his shoulder--a bad
habit I acknowledge, general--and I read these words:---
"'Colonel Mohun, C.S.A., presents his compliments to the commanding
officer of Fort Delaware, and recommends the 10-inch Columbiad in place
of the 30-lb. Parrotts on the bastion near the southern angle of the
work.
"'As Colonel M. is _en route_ for Richmond _via_ Wilmington, and the
train will soon pass, he is compelled to refrain from other suggestions
which occur to him.
"'The commandant of the post will pardon the want of ceremony of his
departure. This distressing separation is dictated by necessity.'"
Nighthawk smiled as he repeated the words of _Mohun's note_.
"Did you ever hear of a cooler hand, general? But I must end my long
story. The colonel wrote this note while the soldiers were coming
toward us.
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