Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins Part 36

"Quite certain, general," said Mr. Nighthawk, serenely.

"You were in the camps?"

"In all, I believe, and at army head-quarters."

"You overheard your intelligence?"

"No, I captured it, general."

"How?"

"A courier was sent in haste--I saw the commander-in-chief speaking to him. I followed--came up with him in a hollow of the woods--and was compelled to blow his brains out, as he would not surrender. 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.

I saw Stuart was talking to rest himself.

"Well, at Mine Run, when you rode up to that fence lined with sharpshooters--and they fired on us at ten paces, nearly."

"In fact, you might have shot a marble at them--but I am not afraid of any ball _aimed_ at me."[1]

[Footnote 1: His words.]

"Then you believe in _chance_, general?"

"There is no chance, Surry," he said, gravely. "G.o.d rules over all things, and not a sparrow, we are told, can fall without his permission. How can I, or you, then?"

"You are right, general, and I have always been convinced of your religious faith."

"I believe in G.o.d and our Saviour, with all my heart," said Stuart, solemnly. "I may not show it, but I feel deeply."

"On the contrary, you show it--to me at least--even in trifles," I said, moved by his earnestness. "Do you remember the other day, when an officer uttered a sneer at the expense of a friend of his who had turned _preacher_? You replied that the calling of a minister was the n.o.blest in which any human being could engage[1]--and I regretted at that moment, that the people who laugh at you, and charge you with vicious things, could not hear you."

[Footnote 1: His words.]

Stuart shook his head, smiling with a sadness on his lips which I had never seen before.

"They would not believe me, my dear Surry; not one would give me credit for a good sentiment or a pure principle! Am I not a drunkard, because my face is burned red by the sun and the wind? And yet I never touched spirit in all my life! I do not know the taste of it![1] Am I not given to women? And yet, G.o.d knows I am innocent,--that I recoil in disgust from the very thought! Am I not frivolous, trifling,--laughing at all things, reverencing nothing? And yet my laughter is only from high health and animal spirits. I am young and robust; it is natural to me to laugh, as it is to be pleased with bright faces and happy voices, with colors, and music, and approbation. I am not as religious as I ought to be, and wish, with all my heart, I had the deep and devout piety of that good man and great military genius,[2] Stonewall Jackson.

I can lay no claim to it, you see, Surry; I am only a rough soldier, at my hard work. I am terribly busy, and my command takes every energy I possess; but I find time to read my Bible and to pray. I pray for pardon and forgiveness, and try to do my duty, and leave the rest to G.o.d. If G.o.d calls me--and He may call me very soon--I hope I will be ready, and be able to say, 'Thy will be done.' I expect to be killed in this war;[3]--Heaven knows, I would have my right hand chopped off at the wrist to stop it![4]--but I do not shrink from the ordeal before me, and I am ready to lay down my life for my country."[5]

[Footnote 1: His words.]

[Footnote 2: His words.]

[Footnote 3: His words.]

[Footnote 4: His words.]

[Footnote 5: His words.]

Stuart paused, and leaned his arm upon the rude shelf above the fireplace, pa.s.sing his hand over his forehead, as was habitual with him.

"A hard campaign is coming, Surry," he said, at length, more cheerfully; "I intend to do my duty in it, and deserve the good opinion of the world, if I do not secure it. I have perilled my life many times, and shall not shrink from it in future. I am a Virginian, and I intend to live or die for Old Virginia! The tug is coming; the enemy are about to come over and 'try again!' But we will meet them, and fight them like men, Surry! Our army is small, but with strong hands and brave hearts much can be done. We must be up and doing, and do our duty to the handle.[1] For myself, I am going to fight whatever is before me,--to win victory, with G.o.d's blessing, or die trying! Once more, Surry, remember that we are fighting for our old mother, and that Virginia expects every man to do his duty!"

[Footnote 1: His words.]

His face glowed as he spoke; in his dazzling blue eyes burned the fire of an unconquerable resolution, a courage that nothing seemed able to crush.

Years have pa.s.sed since then, a thousand scenes have swept before me; but still I see the stalwart cavalier, with his proud forehead raised, and hear his sonorous voice exclaim:--

"Virginia expects every man to do his duty!"[1]

[Footnote 1: His words.]

XXII.