"
"A fine song! A fine song most truly," said Colonel Talbot. "It
heartens one gloriously!"
But Harry, usually so quick to respond, strangely enough felt depression.
He felt suddenly in all its truth that they had not only failed in their
invasion, but the escape of the army was yet a matter of great doubt.
The mood was only momentary, however, and he joined with all his heart as
the mighty chorus rolled out another verse:
"Now Georgia marches to the front
And beside her come
Her sisters by the Mexique sea
With pealing trump and drum,
Till answering back from hill and glen
The rallying cry afar,
A Nation hoists the bonnie blue flag
That bears a single star!"
They sang it all through, and over again, and then, after a little
silence, came the notes of a trumpet from a far-distant point. It was
played by powerful lungs and the wind was blowing their way but they
heard it distinctly. It was a quaint syncopated tune, but not one of the
Invincibles had any doubt that it came from some daring detachment of the
Union Army. The notes with their odd lilt seemed to swell through the
forest, but it was strange to both of the colonels.
"Do any of you know it?" asked Colonel Talbot.
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