Part 81 (1/2)

”General Lee never promotes his sons or allows them on his staff, Sam.

General Custis Lee, General Rooney Lee, and Captain Robbie won their spurs without a word from him. They won by fighting.”

”Ya.s.sah! Dey sho's been some fightin' in dis here wilderness. Hopes ter G.o.d we git outen here pretty quick. Gitten too close tergedder ter suit me.”

The clatter of a horse's hoofs rang out in the little clearing in front of the tent.

Taylor looked up again.

”See if that's Stuart. General Lee's expecting him.”

Sam peered out the door of the tent.

”Dey ain't no plume in his hat an' dey ain't no banjo man wid him.

Nasah. Tain't Gin'l Stuart.”

”All right. Pull up a stool.”

”Ya.s.sah!”

Sam unfolded a camp stool and placed it at the table. A sentinel approached and called:

”Senator William C. Rives of the Confederate Congress to see General Lee.”

Taylor rose.

”Show him in.”

The Senator entered with a quick, nervous excitement he could not conceal.

”Colonel Taylor--”

”Senator.”

The men clasped hands and Taylor continued to watch the nervous manner of his caller.

”My coming from Richmond is no doubt a surprise?”

”Naturally. We're in pretty close quarters with Grant here to-night--”

Rives raised his hand in a gesture of despair.

”No closer than our Government in Richmond is with the end at this moment, in my judgment. I couldn't wait. I had to come to-night. You have called an informal council as I requested?”

”The moment I got your message an hour ago.”

Taylor caught his excitement and bent close.

”What is it, Senator?”