abbreviate the narrative somewhat, I walked
through the Austrian lines for three hours, till I had discovered the
position of the infantry, cavalry and artillery. But the most singular
part of the affair was, that, when the long roll was beat once during
that eventful night, I placed myself at the head of the departed
general's division, and maneuvered it for an hour on the field, intending
to place it in such a position that the French could capture it.
Unfortunately, no attack was made by the Emperor's forces, and I could
not carry out my plan."

"Can you talk the Austrian lingo, captain?" asked Munroe.

"Of course I can," replied De Banyan with dignity.

"Here, Schrugenheimer, let us have a specimen of the lingo!" said the
tormentor, appealing to a German officer. "Ask him some questions in your
own language."

"Gentlemen, if my word is not sufficient, I shall not condescend to
demonstrate what I have said. You will notice the similarity between the
adventures of Lieutenant Somers and my own."

The officers of the mess all laughed heartily at the conclusion of the
comparison; for the story, like a fairy tale, was pleasant to hear, but
hard to believe. But weightier matters than these were at hand for these
gallant men; and before night the gay laugh had ceased, and they had
nerved themselves for the stern duties of the hour. Cannon had been
thundering to the right of them for three days; and in the afternoon they
had seen the smoke of burning bridges, which assured them that their
communications with White House had been cut off. At night, orders were
given to have the men ready to move, and to prepare for a hurried march.
Extra stores were destroyed, clothing thrown away, and tents were cut in
pieces, or otherwise rendered useless to the next occupants of the
ground. Everything to be transported was reduced to the smallest possible
compass.

These orders were ominous of disaster; but on the following morning a
general order was read, to the effect that all was right. The troubled
expression on the countenances of officers and men indicated their
incredulity; for the destruction in which they had been engaged belied
the words of the order. The brigade was then moved back three miles from
the camp. A portion of the regiment was posted near a house, in which was
a bedridden old woman, attended by her daughter. The rebels were
advancing by the Williamsburg road, and soon had a battery of artillery
in position to