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. We ran to our horses—and I think I heard something like a kiss, in the shadow of the porch, as Tom and Katy parted.
We galloped into the woods, following a course parallel to that taken by the enemy’s cavalry, and keeping as close to it as was safe.