CHAPTER XVI.
THE FORD OF THE RAPIDAN.
'Twas the same high summer weather through which I had ridden a fortnight ago with a dull heart on my way to the duel.

Now Grey rode by my side, and my spirits were as light as a bird's.

I had forgotten the grim part of the enterprise, the fate that might await me, the horrors we should certainly witness.

I thought only of the joys of movement into new lands with tried companions.

These last months I had borne a pretty heavy weight of cares.