CHAPTER XXII.
_Washington--a Man with Human Passions_ Half an hour later, after the four travellers had taken some refreshment, hasty steps were heard outside the door, followed by the sentry's hail.
"Ah!" said the general, looking up eagerly from the book he had been reading, "perhaps that is Mr.Martin with news from the enemy." Then laying aside his book, he rose to his feet to meet the new-comer, who proved to be the man he had expected.

The young man stood at attention and saluted, while the general addressed him sharply,-- "Well, sir, what have you learned ?" The young officer appeared extremely embarrassed.

"I--well, the fact is, sir, nothing at all," he stammered.
"Nothing!" said the general, loudly, with rising heat, "nothing, sir! Did you not cross the river as I directed you ?" "No, sir.

That is, I tried to, but there was so much floating ice, and it was so difficult to manage a boat that I thought it would be hardly worth while to attempt it, sir.

In fact, the crossing is impracticable for troops," he went on more confidently; but his face changed as he looked up at his infuriated superior.