"No, sir. It went right along the line of sentries. I crawled out during the afternoon and climbed a tree in the field to our right. You can see it standing there, sir" (and, indeed, its outline was faintly visible against the stars). "I could see some distance off to the south and southwest. Lewinsville and the barns are in plain view, and some scattered farm-houses."
"Did you see any troops?"
"No, sir, but some saw me, and the bullets came a-singing, and I had to quit and crawfish back. But this path leads into a road half a mile or so out there."
And while the sergeant spoke the soldier had resumed his watch, and suddenly they heard him whisper, "Hist!"
"What do you see or hear?" murmured the sergeant, springing to his side.
"There is something out there, by thunder! coming this way. These gentlemen had better get back a bit. I can't tell how many there may be."
Somebody,—some party, possibly, stealing up to feel the pickets again, and here were the general and staff-officers unescorted! What a plum for Southern cavalry to pluck, did they but know! In breathless silence the watchers waited. The general refused to retire. Not a sound could the horsemen hear, but that sentry sprawled on the ground could not be mistaken. Not an object moving was visible. Suddenly, though low and cautious, they heard the click of a gun-lock. The sentry had brought his rifle to the ready. Then, indeed, must there be something in the wind. Ten seconds later, and low, firm, so as to be heard only a few paces away, there came the order, "Halt!" A brief pause, then, with menace in the tone, the challenge, "Who goes there?" For an instant no reply. Then in tremulous voice came an answer in the field to the right of the road.
"It's only me, suh; Marse Finlay's Brennus, suh," and there can be no doubting the Ethiopian accent.
"Who's with you, nigger? Who's back of you there?"
"Nobody, suh. I'se all alone, suh, but they's some gen'lemen way back, suh. They done give me a letter."