Part 82 (1/2)
Outside the Cavalry Commander was having trouble with Sweeney, his minstrel follower, an expert banjo player.
Stuart laughed heartily at his fears.
”Come on, Sweeney. Don't be a fool.”
The minstrel man still held back and Stuart continued to urge.
”Come on in, Sweeney. Don't be bashful. I promised you shall see General Lee and you shall. Come on!”
Taylor and Rives stood in the door of the tent watching the conflict.
”Never be afraid of a great man, Sweeney!” Stuart went on. ”The greater the man the easier it is to get along with him. General Lee wears no scarlet in his coat, no plume in his hat, no gold braid on his uniform.
He's as plain as a gray mouse--”
Stuart laughed and whispered:
”He's too great to need anything to mark his rank. But he never frowns on my gay colors.”
”He knows,” Taylor rejoined, ”that it's your way of telling the glory of the cause.”
”Sure! He just laughs at my foolishness and gives me an order to lick a crowd that outnumbers me, three to one.”
He took hold of Sweeney's arm.
”Don't be afraid, old boy. Ma.r.s.e Robert won't frown on your banjo.
He'll just smile as he recalls what the cavalry did in our last battle.
Minstrel man, make yourself at home.”
Sweeney timidly touched the strings, and Stuart wheeled toward Rives.
”Well, Senator, how goes it in Richmond?”
Rives answered with eager anxiety. His words were not spoken in despair but with an undertone of desperate appeal.
”Dark days have come, General Stuart. And great events are pending.
Events of the utmost importance to the army, to the country, to General Lee.”
”Just say General Lee and let it go at that,” Stuart laughed. ”He _is_ the army _and_ the country.”
He turned to Taylor.
”Where's Ma.r.s.e Robert?”
”Inspecting the lines. He fears a movement to turn our flank at Spottsylvania Court House.”
”My men are right there, watching like owls. They'll catch the first rustle of a leaf by Sheridan's cavalry.”
”I hope so.”