"No escort, boys. See you at sunrise."
The farmer's house was only half a mile inside his lines. When the army of the North was hurled back into Washington he had sent for his wife and babies and arranged for their board at the nearest farmhouse.
The little mother's heart was fluttering with love and pride. Richmond was already ringing with the praises of her soldier man. They were recruiting the first brigade of Cavalry. He was slated for Brigadier-General of the mounted forces. And he was only twenty-eight!
Stuart sprang from his horse and rushed to meet his wife. She was waiting in the glow of the sunset, her eyes misty with joyous tears.
It was a long time as she nestled in his arms before she could speak.
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"You've passed through your first baptism of blood safely, my own!"
"Baptism of blood—nothing!" He laughed. "It wasn't a fight at all. We had nothing to do till the blue birds flew. And then we flew after 'em. Oh, honey girl, it was just a lark. I laughed till I cried—"
She raised her eyes to his.
"And you didn't see my dear old daddy anywhere?"
"No. I wish I had! I'd have taken the loyal old rascal prisoner and made you keep him till the war's over."