222 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



was alarmed. I knew that something was amiss, 

 and I rejoiced at the thought that I should soon 

 be at home, where she could have quiet, and, if 

 need be, the best of nursing. At length the morn- 

 ing dawned, and the mare and I took our last meal 

 together on Southern soil, — the last we ever took 

 together. The brigade was formed in line for the 

 last time, and, as I rode down the front to review 

 the boys, she moved with all her old battle grace 

 and power. Only now and then, by a shake of the 

 head, was I reminded of her actions during the 

 night. I said a few words of farewell to the men 

 whom I had led so often to battle, with whom I 

 had shared perils not a few, and by whom, as I had 

 reason to think, I was loved, and then gave, with 

 a voice slightly unsteady, the last order they would 

 ever receive from me : ' Brigade, attention ! Eeady 

 to break ranks. Break ranks!* The order was 

 obeyed. But ere they scattered, moved by a com- 

 mon impulse, they gave first three cheers for me, 

 and then, with the same heartiness and even more 

 power, three cheers for Gulnare. And she, stand- 

 ing there, looking with her bright, cheerful counte- 

 nance full at the men, pawing with her fore 

 feet, alternately, the ground, seemed to understand 

 the compliment ; for no sooner had the cheering 

 died away than she arched her neck to its proudest 

 curve, lifted her thin, delicate head into the air, 

 and gave a short, joyful neigh. 



