"
Stuart shook his head.
"Strike that word out of your dictionary, my friend."[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
"That is good advice, general; but this time they nonplussed me. They
blocked every road, and I had to join their army."
"Well, I hope you got the $600 bounty," said Stuart, laughing.
"That was another impossibility, general; but I enjoyed the very best
society yonder."
"What society, Nighthawk?"
"That of Grant, Meade, and Sedgwick."
"Ah! my old friend, General Sedgwick! But where are Grant's
headquarters, Nighthawk? Tell me every thing!"
"At Old Wilderness Tavern, general."
"And you saw him there?"
"In the midst of his generals,--I was temporarily one of his couriers."
"I understand. Well, their intended movements?"
Nighthawk shook his head.
"I could have foretold you those of to-day, general."
"How?"
"I heard General Meade dictating his order, through the window of his
head-quarters, and can repeat it _verbatim_, if you desire."
"By all means, Nighthawk,--it will reveal his programme. But is it
possible that you can do so?"
"I can, general; I engraved every word on my memory."
And, fixing his eyes intently upon vacancy, Nighthawk commenced in a
low, monotonous voice:--
"The following movements are ordered for the 5th May, 1864.
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