And he shut his umbrella and went in peacefully.
The Conic Section was to make its great strategic movement, my boy, under Captain Bob Shorty; and, led by that fearless warrior, it set out at twilight. Onward tramped the heroes according to Hardee, for about an hour, and then they reached a queer-looking little house with a great deal of piazza and a very little ground-floor. With his cap cocked very much over one eye, Captain Bob Shorty knocked at the door, and was answered by a young maiden of about forty-two.
"Hast seen any troops pass here of late?" asked Captain Bob Shorty, with much dignity.
The Southern maiden, who was a First Family, sniffed indignantly, and says she:
"I reckon not, poor hireling Hessian."
"Forward—double-quick—march!" says Captain Bob Shorty, with much vehemence; "that ere young woman has been eating onions."
Onward, right onward through the darkness, went the Conic Section of the Mackerel Brigade, eager to engage the rebel foe and work out the genius of strategy. Half an hour, and another house was reached. In response to the captain's knock a son of chivalry stuck his head out of a window, and says he:
"There's nobody at home."
"Peace, ignoramius!" says Captain Bob Shorty, majestically; "the United States of America wishes to know if you have seen any troops go by to-night."
"Yes," says the chivalry, "my sister saw a company go by just now, I reckon."