“Well, late in the afternoon we were trotting along, feeling pretty secure.  I’d left the Kelly’s Ford road at the last turn, and was beginning to think that we ought to be within a few miles of the river, when all of a sudden, coming out of some woods into a small clearing with a farmhouse about the centre of it, we rode on a strong outpost of the enemy, infantry and cavalry both.  We were in the open before I saw them, so there was nothing to do but make a dash for it and rush past the cabin before they could reach their arms, and we drew our revolvers and put the spurs in deep and flew past with a fire that settled some of them.  But a surprise of this sort doesn’t last long, and it was only a few minutes before they were after us—­and with fresh mounts.  Then it was a horse-race for the river, and I wasn’t certain of the roads.  However, I knew a trick or two about this business, and I was sure some of the pursuers would forge ahead; so three times I got behind a turn and fired as a man came on alone.  I dismounted several that way.  This relieved the strain enough so that I got within sight of the river with all my men.  It was a quarter of a mile away when I saw it, and at that point the road split, and which branch led to the ford for the life of me I didn’t know.  There wasn’t time for meditation, however, so I shot down the turn to the left, on the gamble, and sure enough there was the ford—­only it wasn’t any ford.  The Rappahannock was full to the banks and perhaps two hundred yards across.  The Confederates were within rifle-shot, so there were exactly two things to do—­surrender or swim.  I gave my men the choice—­to follow me or be captured—­and I plunged in, without any of them.”

“What!” I demanded here, puzzled.  “Didn’t the men know how to swim?”

“Oh, yes, they knew how,” the General answered, and looked embarrassed.

“Well, then, why didn’t they?” It began to dawn on me, “Were they afraid—­was it dangerous—­was the river swift?”

“Yes,” he acknowledged.  “The river was swift—­it was a foaming torrent.”

“They were afraid—­all ten of them—­and you weren’t—­you alone?” The General looked annoyed.  “I didn’t want to be captured,” he explained crossly.  “I had the despatches besides.”  He went on:  “I slipped off my horse, keeping hold of the bridle to guide him, and swam low beside him, because they were firing from the bank.  But all at once the shots stopped, and I heard shouting, and shortly after I got a glimpse, over my horse’s back, of a rider in the water near me, and there was a flash of a gray cap.  One of the Southerners was swimming after me, and I was due for a tussle when we landed.  I made it first.  I scrambled to shore and snatched out my sword—­the pistols were wet—­and rushed for the other man as he jumped to the bank, and just as I got to him—­just in time—­I saw him.  It wasn’t him—­it was her—­the girl.  Heavens!” gasped the General; “she gave me a start that time.  I dropped my sword on the ground, I was so surprised, and stared at her with my mouth open.