26 WHIP AND SPUR. 



pitiless rain, as Monday's evening was closing 

 in. 0, the dreadful days that followed, when a 

 dozen resolute men might have taken Washing- 

 ton, and have driven the army across the Chesa- 

 peake, when everything was filled with gloom 

 and rain and grave uncertainty ! 



Again the old mare came to my aid. My regi- 

 ment was not a pleasant one to be with, for its 

 excellent material did not redeem its very bad 

 commander, and I longed for service with the 

 cavalry. Fremont was going to St. Louis, and 

 his chief of staff was looking for cavalry officers. 

 He had long known Vixen, and was kind enough 

 to tell me that he wanted her for the new organ- 

 ization, and (as I was her necessary appendage), 

 he procured my transfer, and we set out for the 

 West. It was not especially flattering to me 

 to be taken on these grounds ; but it was flatter- 

 ing to Vixen, and that was quite as pleasant. 



Arrived at St. Louis, we set about the organ- 

 ization of the enthusiastic thousands who rushed 

 to serve under Fremont. Whatever there was 

 of ostentatious display, Vixen and I took part 



