And in his low, quiet voice Mr. Nighthawk, who had taken a seat and smoothed down his white cravat, proceeded to speak of his travels and what he had seen. The narrative astounded me. He spoke without reserve, for General Stuart had informed him that he might do so before me; and I was startled to find the number of private friends the South had in the North. Mr. Nighthawk was evidently _au fait_ at his trade. He had a perfect understanding plainly with persons of the highest political position; and Stuart listened with the greatest interest to the speaker, whose low voice never rose above the half-whisper by which I had been impressed on his first opening his lips. “So the summing up of all this,” said Stuart, “that our friends are not too hopeful?” “They are not, general.” “They say Lee must win a great victory on the soil of Pennsylvania?” “Yes, general. Without it there is no hope of peace, they declare.” “Well, I think they are right; and that we shall gain the victory.” Mr. Nighthawk made no reply; and Stuart reflected for some moments without speaking. Then rousing himself:-- “I forgot,” he said. “You have not given me your special information, Nighthawk.” The worthy smiled. “You know I am the ‘man before the battle,’ general?” “Yes, go on, Nighthawk.” “I have just left General Hooker’s head-quarters.” “Where are they?” “Beyond Centreville.” “You saw him?” “I conversed with him.” “Ah!” “An hour, general, as the Rev. Mr. Ward, from Massachusett, of the ‘Grand Union Sanitary Commission’.” And Mr. Nighthawk smiled. “Of course I urged active movements, and General Hooker became quite animated.” “He agreed with your views then?” said Stuart, laughing. “Perfectly, general.” “And he intends--” “There is the important thing. While we were conversing, General Hooker was called for a moment out of his tent, and by accident, my eyes fell upon an order which lay upon his desk.” “An order?” “For two divisions of cavalry, one of infantry, and a full complement of artillery, to advance and drive you back to the mountain.” “Ah! you saw that order?” “I did, general; it was just ready to be sent.” “What day did it fix?” “To-morrow, general.” “Ah, indeed! Two divisions of infantry and one of cavalry?” Mr. Nighthawk inclined in assent. “When did you leave Hooker’s head-quarters?” “This afternoon.” “And you came through the lines to-night?” “Yes, general, in the usual way, by passing through the pickets. I was on foot and nothing was easier.” Stuart knit his brows and reflected. Then he called to the orderly. “Wake the adjutant-general, and have three couriers ready at once!” Mr. Nighthawk arose. “By-the-by, general,” he said, “I saw Swartz, whom I have mentioned to you.” “Yes; the best spy, you say, in the Federal army.” “I think he is, general. He is a wonderful man. He recently played a trick upon you.” “Upon _me_?”