With which words I spurred on, and soon debouched on the Orange plank road, leading toward Mine Run.
As I entered it, I heard hoof-strokes on the resounding boards, and a company of horsemen cantered toward me through the darkness. As they came, I heard a gay voice singing the lines:—
“I wake up in the morning,
I wake up in the morning,
I wake up in the morning,
Before the break o’ day!”
There was no mistaking that gay sound. It was Stuart, riding at the head of his staff and couriers.
In a moment he had come up, and promptly halted me.
“Ah! that’s you, Surry!” he exclaimed with a laugh, “wandering about here in the Wilderness! What news?”
I reported the state of things in front, and Stuart exclaimed:—
“All right; we are ready for them! Coon Hollow is evacuated—head-quarters are in the saddle! Hear that whippoorwill! It is a good omen. Whip ‘em well! Whip ‘em well!—and we’ll do it too!”{1} Stuart laughed, and began to sing—
“Never mind the weather
But get over double trouble!
We are bound for the Happy land of Lincoln!”
{Footnote 1: His words.}