I then
searched his body, and found what I wanted. There it is general."
And Nighthawk drew forth a paper.
"What is it?" exclaimed Stuart.
"Grant's confidential order to his corps commanders, general, directing
the movements of his army."
Stuart seized it, read it hastily, and uttered an exclamation of
satisfaction. Ten minutes afterward he was going at full speed,
accompanied by Nighthawk, toward General Lee's head-quarters.
XXI.
"VIRGINIA EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY!"
Soon after daylight, on the next morning, Stuart was up, and writing
busily at his desk.
He was perfectly cool, as always, and his manner when I went in
exhibited no sort of flurry. But the couriers going and coming with
dispatches indicated clearly that "something was in the wind."
I was seated by the fireplace when Stuart finished a dispatch and came
toward me. The next moment he threw himself upon a chair, leaned his
head upon my shoulder, and began to caress one of his dogs, who leaped
into his lap.
"Well, Surry, old fellow, we are going to get into the saddle. Look out
for your head!"
"Excellent advice," I replied. "I recommend you to follow it."
"You think I expose myself, do you?"
"In the most reckless manner."
"For instance--come, an instance!" he laughed.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214