thoughtfully, "how powerful is instink, even in a
dumb animal. I once had a dog," says Villiam, reflectively, "whose
instink was so powerful, that to stop his vocal barking it was only
necessary to show him a good-sized piece of bark. He felt," says
Villiam, explainingly, "that it was a larger bark than his, and it made
him silent."

Truly, my boy, there is often a marvellous similarity between instinct
and reason, the former serving as the foundation of the latter, and not
unfrequently being entirely destitute of a superstructure in military
men.

The Cavalry and Howitzers having been arranged in such order that each
supported the other, and a prospect of some carnage supported them
both, the word was given to advance, and the warlike pageant swept
onward very much as we read in the reliable morning journals. I was
proceeding at the head of the cavalcade, with Villiam, pleasantly
discussing with him the propriety of digging a canal to Richmond, and
using the Cavalry on the tow-path, when there rode forth from the cover
of a wood near at hand a horseman, whose stately bearing and
dishevelled hat announced Captain Munchausen, of the celebrated
Southern Confederacy. He waved his sword courteously to Villiam, and
says he:

"You bring your hordes to measure sabres with us, I presume?"

Villiam rattled his good sword Escalibar[4] in its scabbard, and says
he, grimly, "We are met together for that purpose."

[4] It is hardly necessary to state that this sword,
"Escalibar," is probably identical with the invincible blade,
of the same name, presented to King Arthur by the Lady of the
Lake.

Captain Munchausen smiled superciliously, and says he, "Is this
intended by your vandals to be what you call a brilliant cavalry dash?"

Villiam waved his hand majestically, and says he:

"That is the exciting phrase."

"Then," says Munchausen, with unseemly levity of tone, "I can tell you,
before you go any farther, that you are out of ammunition."

Here Captain Samyule Sa-mith, of the Howitzers, who had come up while
the talking was going on, suddenly slapped his knee, and says he:

"That's so. I knew I had forgotten something in this here expedition,
and it's the ammunition."

So we all went back to camp, Captain Munchausen being too much
demoralized by the bad example to pursue us.

Our latest cavalry dashes, my boy, being reduced to their simplest
meaning, signify devised charges of cavalry, whi