Part 98 (1/2)

”You are well mounted?”

”One of the best horses in the country.”

”I am at home,” he added generously. ”I can command what I want, and if you need anything, I can supply you--”

”Thank you, General,” Reagan responded heartily.

Toombs hesitated a moment, and then asked suddenly:

”Has President Davis money?”

”No, but I have enough to take us both across the Mississippi.”

”Is Mr. Davis well mounted?”

”He has his fine bay, 'Kentucky,' and General Lee sent him at Greensboro by his son Robert, his gray war horse 'Traveler,' as a present. He has two first cla.s.s horses.”

Again Toombs was silent.

”Mr. Davis and I,” he went on thoughtfully, ”have had our quarrels. We have none now. I want you to say to him that my men are around me here, and if he desires it I will call them together and see him safely across the Chattahoochee River at the risk of my life--”

”I'll tell him, General Toombs,” Reagan cordially responded. ”And I appreciate your n.o.ble offer. It differs from others who have pretended to be his best friends. They are getting away from him as fast as they can. Some are base enough to malign him to curry favor with the enemy.

I've known Jefferson Davis intimately for ten years. The past four years of war I've been with him daily under every condition of victory and defeat, and I swear to you that he's the truest, gentlest, bravest, tenderest, manliest man I have ever known--”

”Let me know,” Toombs urged, ”if I can serve him in any possible way.”

When Reagan delivered the message to the President he responded warmly:

”That's like Toombs. He was always a whole souled man. If it were necessary I should not hesitate to accept his offer.”

He was slowly reading his wife's last letters which had been delivered to him by scouts who were still faithful.

They were riding in a wagon with picked Mississippi teamsters twenty miles below Was.h.i.+ngton:

”All well, with Winnie sweet and smiling. Billy plenty of laughter and talk with the teamsters keeps quiet. Jeff is happy beyond expression. Maggie one and two quite well.

”I have $2,500, something to sell, and have heart and a hopeful one, but above all, my precious only love, a heartful of prayer. May G.o.d keep you and have His sword and buckler over you. Do not try to make a stand on this side. It is not in the people. Leave your escort and take another road often. Alabama is full of cavalry, fresh and earnest in pursuit. May G.o.d keep you and bring you safe to the arms of

”Your devoted,

”Winnie.”

He opened and read another:

”_My own precious Banny_:

”May G.o.d give us both patience against this heavy trial. The soldiers are very unruly and have taken almost all the mules and horses from the camp. Do not try to meet me. I dread the Yankees getting news of you so much. You are the country's only hope and the very best intentions do not advise a stand this side of the river. Why not cut loose from your escort? Go swiftly and alone with the exception of two or three.