Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/218



"Guard! look to your prisoners; back to camp!

The man in the grass—can he mount and away?

Why, how he groans!" "Bad inward bruise—

Might lug him along in the ambulance"

"Coals to Newcastle! let him stay.

Boots and saddles!—our pains we lose,

Nor care I if Mosby hear the news!"

But word was sent to a house at hand,

And a flask was left by the hurt one's side.

They seized in that same house a man,

Neutral by day, by night a foe—

So charged his neighbor late, the Guide.

A grudge? Hate will do what it can;

Along he went for a Mosby-man.

No secrets now; the bugle calls;

The open road they take, nor shun

The hill; retrace the weary way.

But one there was who whispered low,

"This is a feint—we'll back anon;

Young Hair-Brains don't retreat, they say;

A brush with Mosby is the play!"