Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/209

Rh Commanded and done. Ere the sun stood steep,

Back came the Blues, with a troop of Grays,

Ten riding double—luckless ten!—

Five horses gone, and looped hats lost,

And love-locks dancing in a maze—

Certes, but sophomores from the glen

Of Mosby—not his veteran men.

"Colonel," said the Major, touching his cap,

"We've had our ride, and here they are"

"Well done! how many found you there"

"As many as I bring you here"

"And no one hurt?" "There'll be no scar—

One fool was battered." "Find their lair"

"Why, Mosby's brood camp every where."

He sighed, and slid down from his horse,

And limping went to a spring-head nigh.

"Why, bless me, Major, not hurt, I hope"

"Battered my knee against a bar

When the rush was made; all right by-and-by.—

Halloa! they gave you too much rope—

Go back to Mosby, eh? elope?"