The Cavalry and Howitzers having been arranged in such order that each supported the other, and a prospect of some carnage supported them both, the word was given to advance, and the warlike pageant swept onward very much as we read in the reliable morning journals. I was proceeding at the head of the cavalcade, with Villiam, pleasantly discussing with him the propriety of digging a canal to Richmond, and using the Cavalry on the tow-path, when there rode forth from the cover of a wood near at hand a horseman, whose stately bearing and dishevelled hat announced Captain Munchausen, of the celebrated Southern Confederacy. He waved his sword courteously to Villiam, and says he:
"You bring your hordes to measure sabres with us, I presume?"
Villiam rattled his good sword Escalibar[4]in its scabbard, and says he, grimly, "We are met together for that purpose."
Captain Munchausen smiled superciliously, and says he, "Is this intended by your vandals to be what you call a brilliant cavalry dash?"
Villiam waved his hand majestically, and says he:
"That is the exciting phrase."
"Then," says Munchausen, with unseemly levity of tone, "I can tell you, before you go any farther, that you are out of ammunition."
Here Captain Samyule Sa-mith, of the Howitzers, who had come up while the talking was going on, suddenly slapped his knee, and says he:
"That's so. I knew I had forgotten something in this here expedition, and it's the ammunition."
So we all went back to camp, Captain Munchausen being too much demoralized by the bad example to pursue us.