But it was well known that in this particular
General Early was the champion of the East. Harry did not know that in
the person of Colonel Charles Woodville, his cousin, Dick Mason, had
encountered one of equal ability in the Southwest.
Presently General Lee and his two young aides mounted their horses for
the return. The commander-in-chief seemed gayer than usual. He was
always very fond of Stuart, whose high spirits pleased him, and before
his departure he thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
"Whenever we get any particularly choice shipments from the North I shall
always be pleased to notify you, General, and send you your share,"
said Stuart, sweeping the air in front of him again with his great plumed
hat. With his fine, heroic face and his gorgeous uniform he had never
looked more a knight of the Middle Ages.
General Lee smiled and thanked him again, and then rode soberly back,
followed at a short distance by his two young aides. Although the
view of hills and mountains and valleys and river and brooks was now
magnificent, the sumach burning in red and the leaves vivid in many
colors, Lee, deeply sensitive, like all his rural forbears, to rural
beauty, nevertheless seemed not to notice it, and soon sank into deep
thought.
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