"
"A very warm one."
"Then you can command me; and I will tell you at once that I am
awaiting the advance of General Grant."
"Ah! Now I begin to understand."
"I was sure you would at the first word I uttered, colonel. General
Grant will cross the Rapidan to-night--by to-morrow evening his whole
force will probably be over--and I expect to procure some important
information before I return to General Stuart. To you I am Mr.
Nighthawk, an humble friend of the cause, employed in secret
business,--to General Grant I shall be an honest farmer, of Union
opinions, who has suffered from the depredations of his troops, and
goes to head-quarters for redress. You see they have already stripped
me of every thing," continued Mr. Nighthawk, waving his arm and
smiling; "not a cow, a hog, a mule, or a mouthful of food has been left
me. They have destroyed the very furniture of my modest dwelling, and I
am cast, a mere pauper, on the cold charities of the world!"
Mr. Nighthawk had ceased smiling, and looked grave; while it was I who
burst into laughter. His eyes were raised toward heaven, with an
expression of meek resignation; he spread out both hands with the
eloquence of Mr. Pecksniff; and presented the appearance of a virtuous
citizen accepting meekly the most trying misfortunes.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235