Part 82 (2/2)

”Never fear. Well, Sweeney, while we wait for General Lee, Senator Rives needs a little cheer. We've medicine in that box for every ill that man is heir to. Things look black in Richmond, he tells us. All right. Give us the old familiar tune--_Hard Times and Wuss Er Comin'!_--Go it!”

Sweeney touched his strings sharply.

”You don't mind, sir?” he asked Taylor.

”Certainly not. I like it.”

Sentinels, orderlies, aides and scouts gathered around the door as Sweeney played and sang with Stuart. The Cavalryman's spirit was contagious. Before the song had died away, they were all singing the chorus in subdued tones. Sweeney ended with Stuart's favorite--_Rock of Ages_.

General John B. Gordon joined the group, followed by General E.P.

Alexander.

Taylor called the generals together.

”Senator Rives, gentlemen, is the bearer of an important message from the Confederate Congress to General Lee. I have asked you informally to join him in this meeting.”

Rives entered his appeal.

”I am going to ask you to help me to-night in paying the highest tribute to General Lee in our power.”

Gordon responded promptly.

”We shall honor ourselves in honoring him, sir.”

”Always,” Alexander agreed.

Rives plunged into the heart of his mission.

”Gentlemen, so desperate is the situation of the South that our only hope lies in our great Commander. The Confederate Congress has sent me to offer him the Dictators.h.i.+p--”

”You don't mean it?” Stuart exploded.

”Will you back me?”

The Cavalry leader grasped his hand.

”Yours to count on, sir!”

”Yes,” Gordon joined.

”We'll back you!” Alexander cried.

Rives' face brightened.

”If he will only accept. The question is how to approach him?”

”It must be done with the utmost care,” Alexander warned.

”Exactly.” Rives nodded. ”Shall I announce to him it once the vote of Congress conferring on him the supreme power?”

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