In ten minutes their shots were no longer heard; their shouts died
away; and returning on our steps, we came once more in sight of
Disaways and reconnoitred.
The enemy were not visible, and riding up, we dismounted and
entered.[1]
[Footnote 1: "I have taken up too much space with this trifle," said
Colonel Surry when I read this, "but that hot tea was a real cup of
tea! I was really burned nearly to death, in attempting to swallow it!
The dialogue with my friend, the cavalryman, was real; and it is just
these trifles which cling to the memory, obscuring the 'greater
events!'"]
XIV.
MR. ALIBI.
The enemy had eaten up my supper! A glance at the table told the whole
tragic history;--but the unnerved family were scarce in a condition to
think of my misfortune.
The enemy had staid for a few moments only, but in that time the family
had gathered important information of their intentions. They were going
to surprise and attack General Fitz Lee that night; and had not so much
as halted, as they passed the house, to gain a by-road beyond. They
were commanded, the men said, by a General Darke, and guided by a man
living near Monk's Neck, whose name was Alibi.
This information of the enemy's design banished all other thoughts from
my mind and Tom's.
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