Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/226



"But what comes here?" A man from the front

Reported a tree athwart the road.

"Go round it, then; no time to bide;

All right—go on! Were one to stay

For each distrust of a nervous mood,

Long miles we'd make in this our ride

Through Mosby-land.—Oh! with the Guide!"

Then sportful to the Surgeon turned:

"Green sashes hardly serve by night"

"Nor bullets nor bottles," the Major sighed,

"Against these moccasin-snakes—such foes

As seldom come to solid fight:

They kill and vanish; through grass they glide;

Devil take Mosby!—" his horse here shied.

"Hold! look—the tree, like a dragged balloon;

A globe of leaves—some trickery here;

My nag is right—best now be shy"

A movement was made, a hubbub and snarl;

Little was plain—they blindly steer.

The Pleiads, as from ambush sly,

Peep out—Mosby's men in the sky!