- end_line
- 4474
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:58.829Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4416
- text
- “Major! look how the lads advance--
Mosby we’ll have in the ambulance!”
“No doubt, no doubt:--was that a hare?--
First catch, then cook; and cook him brown”
“Trust me to catch,” the other cried--
“The lady’s letter!--a dance, man, dance
This night is given in Leesburg town”
“He’ll be there too!” wheezed out the Guide;
“That Mosby loves a dance and ride!”
“The lady, ah!--the lady’s letter--
A _lady_, then, is in the case”
Muttered the Major. “Ay, her aunt
Writes her to come by Friday eve
(To-night), for people of the place,
At Mosby’s last fight jubilant,
A party give, though table-cheer be scant.”
The Major hemmed. “Then this night-ride
We owe to her?--One lighted house
In a town else dark.--The moths, begar!
Are not quite yet all dead!” “How? how”
“A mute, meek mournful little mouse!--
Mosby has wiles which subtle are--
But woman’s wiles in wiles of war!”
“Tut, Major! by what craft or guile--”
“Can’t tell! but he’ll be found in wait.
Softly we enter, say, the town--
Good! pickets post, and all so sure--
When--crack! the rifles from every gate,
The Gray-backs fire--dashes up and down--
Each alley unto Mosby known!”
“Now, Major, now--you take dark views
Of a moonlight night.” “Well, well, we’ll see”
And smoked as if each whiff were gain.
The other mused; then sudden asked,
“What would you do in grand decree”
I’d beat, if I could, Lee’s armies--then
Send constables after Mosby’s men.”
“Ay! ay!--you’re odd.” The moon sailed up;
On through the shadowy land they went.
“_Names must be made and printed be!_”
Hummed the blithe Colonel. “Doc, your flask!
Major, I drink to your good content.
My pipe is out--enough for me!
One’s buttons shine--does Mosby see?
“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!”
- title
- Chunk 5