During the interval between the battles, the cavalrymen gave a demonstration of how to fight from horseback. They set a watermelon on a post and rode past it, striking it with sabers.
“That’s what they’d do to the enemy’s head,” Walter explained.
“Isn’t that something?” Mary said. “Ruining a perfectly good watermelon.” She would not wave her flag for that.
For the second part of the battle the Confederate forces lined up near the woods, the Union Army at the road. Both armies rolled out their cannons, and the cavalrymen’s horses danced on one side.
The Union advanced, shot their cannon, and immediately lost five men in a hail of rebel gunfire. One soldier died spectacularly, twitching horribly on the ground.
Mary shuddered. “That’s Ruby Willow’s boy,” she said.
Walter patted her arm. “It’s all in fun, Mary,” he said.
The rebels advanced; the Union moved forward to meet them. Cannons fired, rifles popped, and soon more bodies lay scattered across the field. A brief quiet followed.
“Is that it?” Mary asked, but as soon she’d spoken, they started again.
“They’re having a great time out there,” Walter said.
Mary looked at him, surprised. “Walter Evans, you’re jealous,” she said. “Before I know it, you’ll be wanting to get out there.” She turned to Katherine. “Where do they get those patterns?”
When the battle was over, the dead rose and the two armies, reconciled, marched around the field with horns and drums, led by the cavalry.
“That was great,” Walter said. “I’m sorry we haven’t done this before.” He tapped Mary on the arm with his flag. “I’ve been thinking, Mary.”
“Really? And I didn’t even smell wood burning,” Mary said. But she said it in a funny way, and Walter laughed.
“I was thinking you could move into the new house and use all of the old house as your salon. Then you could expand as much as you want. What do you think?”
Mary squinted, watching the soldiers turn at the corner of the field. They were coming closer. “It’s something to think about, I guess,” she said. The soldiers marched past, out of step. “It’d be nice to get away from the perm smell at night,” she admitted.
“Huzzah, huzzah!” some of the soldiers shouted.
Mary waved her flag at them, delighted. “What do you think about that?” she said. “I’ve always wanted to hear somebody say ‘huzzah.'”
END
I loved it! I’m slightly sad that it’s over — the same way I feel when I eat the last piece of pie (sigh).
OMG – I’m going to strangle Mary! What a pain she is! Her husband and daughter must be ready to pull their hair out!
That was awesome! I loved it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂