It was a beautiful friendship, indeed, and each
understood the value of the other as man and soldier. Stuart is dead,
and can not give his testimony; but General Fitz Lee is alive, and can
give his. Here and there a voice still denies Stuart's genius as a
commander. Ask his friend who survives; and if tears do not choke the
voice, you will learn the real rank of Stuart!
But I can not linger on these scenes. The narrative draws on.
I mounted my horse, after shaking hands with General Fitz Lee and his
brave staff, and, for the first time, remembered to ask, "Where was Tom
Herbert?"
At that question, a beaming smile came to every countenance.
"Done for!" said one.
"Captured!" laughed another.
"Demoralized, subjugated, and negotiating with the enemy!" said a
third.
"Well, where is the place of meeting--where are the terms being
arranged?" I said.
"At a place called Disaways, on the lower Rowanty!"
"Good! I know the road there," I said.
And with a laugh, which the general and his gay cavaliers echoed, I
touched my gray with the spur, and set out toward the south.
XII.
BY A FIRE IN THE WOODS.
I pushed on, having resolved, after finishing my duties, to visit
Disaways.
Soon Dinwiddie Court-House came in sight. I entered the small village,
and looked attentively--as I had done on more than one occasion
before--at the locality which General Davenant's narrative had
surrounded with so strange an interest.
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