After this the whole party sat down to a picnic meal on the ground, and no stranger could have guessed that the merry party formed part of a population threatened with invasion by a powerful foe.

There were speeches and toasts, all of a patriotic character, and General Magruder raised the enthusiasm to the highest point by informing them that in a few days--the exact day was a secret, but it would be very shortly--the _Merrimac_, or, as she had been rechristened, the _Virginia_, would put out of Norfolk Harbor, and see what she could do to clear Hampton Roads of the fleet that now threatened them.

As they were riding back to Richmond the general said to Vincent: "I will tell you a little more than I told the others, Wingfield.

I believe the _Merrimac_ will go out the day after to-morrow.

I wish I could get away myself to see the affair; but, unfortunately, I cannot do so.