48 CONFEDERATE PORTRAITS
copious streams. All had perfect confidence in their leader. . . . The discipline of the soldiers for a while gave way to the wild revelry of Comus." ^^
And this spirit of adventure, of romance, of buoyant optimism and energy, was not merely reserved for occa- sions of excitement, was not the triumphant outcome of glory and success. It was constant and unfailing. To be- gin with, Stuart had a magnificent physique. " Nothing seemed strong enough to break down his powerful or- ganization of mind and body," ^^ says his biographer; and Mosby, ** Although he had been in the saddle two days and nights without sleep, he was as gay as a lark." 43 When exhaustion finally fell upon him, he would drop off his horse by the roadside, anywhere, sleep for an hour, and arise as active as ever. Universal testimony proves that he was overcome and disheartened by no disaster. He would be thoughtful for a moment, pulling at his beard, then seize upon the best decision that pre- sented itself and push on. Dreariness sometimes crushes those who can well resist actual misfortune. Not Stuart.
- In the midst of rainstorms, when everybody was rid-
ing along grum and cowering beneath the flood poun ing down, he would trot on, head up, and singing
The list of his personal adventures and achievements is endless. He braved capture and death with entire in- difference, trusting in his admirable horsemanship, which often saved him, trusting in Providence, trusting in no-
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