"We have been having lightning for some time, and I fear we are in for a wet ride." The contingent from the other regiments soon arrived, and just as the last came up General Stuart himself appeared and took his place at the head of the party, now some 500 strong.

Short as the time had been since Vincent felt the first drop, the rain was now coming down in torrents.
One by one the bright flames of the fires died down, and the darkness became so intense that Vincent could scarcely see the officer on his right hand.
"I hope the man who rode up with the general, and is no doubt to be our guide, knows the country well.

It is no joke finding our way through a forest on such a night as this." "I believe Stuart's got eyes like a cat," the officer said.

"Sometimes on a dark night he has come galloping up to a post where I was in command, when one could scarcely see one's hand before one.

It never seems to make any difference to him; day or night he rides about at a gallop." "He trusts his horse," Vincent said.