"Forward—double-quick—march!" says Captain Bob Shorty, "we can catch the Confederacy alive if we're quick enough."
And now, my boy, the march was resumed with new vigor, for it was certain that the enemy was right in front, and might be strategically annihilated. A long time passed, however, without the discovery of a soul, and it was after midnight when the next house was gained.
A small black contraband came to the door, and says he:
"By gorry, mars'r sogerum, what you hab?"
"Tell me, young Christy's minstrel," says Captain Bob Shorty, "have any troops passed here to-night?"
The contraband turned a summerset, and says he:
"Mars' and misses hab seen two companies dis berry night, so helpum God."
"Forward—double-quick—march!" says Captain Bob Shorty. "Two companies is rather heavy for this here band of Spartans, but it is sweet to die for one's country."
The march went on, my boy, until we got to the next house, where the inmates refused to appear, but shouted that they had seen three companies go past. At this Captain Bob Shorty was heard to scratch his head in the darkness, and says he:
"This here strategy is a good thing at decent odds: but when it's three to one, it's more respectable to have all quiet on the Potomac. Halt, fellow wictims, and let us wait here until the daily sun is issued by the divine editor."