"We have been doing nothing long enough, and the sooner it comes the better." It was a fifty-mile ride; but it was done in five hours, and at the end of that time Vincent dismounted in front of General Johnston's quarters.
"Is the general in ?" he asked the sentry at the door.
"No, he is not in; but here he comes," the soldier replied, and two minutes later the general, accompanied by three or four officers, rode up.
Vincent saluted, and handed him the dispatch.

The general opened it and glanced at the contents.
"The storm is going to burst at last, gentlemen," he said to the officers.

"Stuart writes me that 2000 men, supposed to be the advance of McClellan's army, are at Romney, and that he hears Patterson is also advancing from Chambersburg on Williamsport.

His dispatch is dated this morning at nine o'clock.

He writes from near Cumberland.