ld although
some of them started tame. And then we could forage for pears, peaches,
plums, damsons, all kinds of apples, paw paws, and then later for the
nuts, hickory nuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazel nuts, chinquapins, and a
lot more. We could have almost lived in the woods and fields from early
spring until late fall."

"We did the same in Virginia," said the commander-in-chief. "I've often
thought that our forest Indians did not develop a higher civilization,
because it was so easy for them to live, save in the depths of a hard
winter. They had most of the berries and fruits and nuts that we white
boys had. The woods were full of game, and the lakes and rivers full
of fish. They were not driven by the hard necessity that creates
civilization."

"Dinner is ready, sir," announced General Stuart, who had been directing
the orderlies. "I can offer you and the others nothing but boxes and
kegs to sit on, but I can assure you that this Northern food, some of
which comes in cans, is excellent."

The two lads and General Stuart fell to work with energy. General Lee
ate more sparingly. Stuart was a boy himself, talking much and running
over with fun.

"Have you heard what happened to General Early, sir?" he asked the
commander-in-chief.

"Not yet."

"But you will, sir, to-morrow. Early will be slow in sending you
that dispatch. He hasn't had time to write it yet. He's not through
swearing."

"General Early is a valiant and able man, but I disapprove of his
swearing."

"Why, sir, 'Old Jube' can't help it. It's a part of his breathing,
and man cannot live without breath. He sent one of his best aides with
a dispatch to General Hill, who is posted some distance away. Passing
through a thick cedar wood the aide was suddenly set upon by a genuine
stage villain, large, dark and powerful, who clubbed him over the head
with the butt of a pistol, and then departed with his dispatch."

"And what happened then?"

"The aide returned to General Early with his story, but without his
dispatch. The general believed his account, of course, but he called
him names for allowing himself to be surprised and overcome by a single
Yankee. He cursed until the air for fifty yards about him smelled
strongly of sulphur and brimstone."

"Did he do anything more?"

"Yes, General. He sent a duplicate of the dispatch by an aide whom he
said he could trust. In an hour the second man came back with the same
big lump on his