第8章

Anothertwoyards，andheknewthattheknifewashangingayardfromthegroundagainstthewall。Henowdrewitupanddown，hopingthattheslightnoisetheknifemadeagainstthewallmightaidDaninfindingit。Intwoorthreeminuteshefeltajerk，andknewthatDanhadgotit。Hefastenedtheendofthestringtotheropeandwaited。Theropewasgraduallydrawnup；whenitnearedtheendhefastenedittothestoneseat。

"Now，"hesaid，"upyougo，Geary。"

Theorderinwhichtheyweretoascendhadbeensettledbylot，asGearyinsistedthatVincent，whohadcontrivedthewholeaffair，shouldbethefirsttoescape；butVincentdeclinedtoaccepttheadvantage，andthethreehadaccordinglytossedupforprecedence。

Gearywasquicklyover，andloweredhimselfontheoppositeside。

Theothersfollowedsafely，butnotwithoutagooddealofscrapingagainstthewall，forthesmallnessoftheropeaddedtothedifficultyofclimbingit。However，thenoisewassoslightthattheyhadlittlefearofattractingattention，especiallyasthesentrieswouldbestandingintheirboxes，fortherainwasnowcomingdownprettybriskly。AssoonastheyweredownVincentseizedDanbythehand。

"Mybravelad，"hesaid，"Ioweyoumyfreedom，andIsha"n"tforgetit。Now，wherearetheclothes？"

"Heredayare，sah。Oneisaroughsuit，likeaworkingman"s；

anotherisablack-and-whitesortofsuit-acheck-suit；deoderoneisforyou-aclargy"ssuit，sir。Youmakeveryniceyoungminister，forsure。"

"Allright，Dan!"Vincentsaidlaughing；"givemetheminister"ssuit。"

"ThenIwillbethecountryman，"Gearysaid。

Therewasalittesuppressedlaughterastheychangedtheirclothesinthedark；andthen，leavingtheiruniformsbythewall，theyshookhandsandstartedatonceindifferentdirections，lesttheymightcomeacrosssomeonewhowould，whentheescapewasknown，rememberfourmenhavingpassedhiminthedark。

"Now，Dan，whatisthenextmove？"Vincentaskedastheywalkedoff。"Haveyoufixeduponanyplan？"

"Nospecialplan，sah，butIhavebroughtabag；youseeIhavehiminmyhand。"

"Isupposethat"swhatyoucarriedtheclothesin？"

"No，sir；Icarrieddaminabundle。Disbaghasgotlinen，andboots，andodertingsforyou，sah。WhatItinkamdebestwayisdis。Daramatrainpasstronhereattwoo"clockandstopatdisstation。Somepeoplealwaysgetout。Darisanhoteljustoppositethestation，andsomeofdepassengersmostalwaysgothere。I

thoughtthebestwayforyouwouldbetogooutsidethestation。

Justwhenthetraincomeinwewalkacrossderoadwidtheothersandgotohotel。Yousayyouwantbedroomforyo"self，andthatyoursarvantcansleepindoball。Denindemorningyougetupandbreakfast，andgooffbydofusttrain。"

"Butthentheymaysenddowntolookatthepassengersstarting，andIshouldbetakenatonce。"

"Detraingooutatseveno"clock，sah。Idon"texpectdayfinddatyouhavegotawaybeforedat。"

"No，Dan。Weallturnoutatseven，andIshallbemissedthen；butitwillbesomelittletimebeforethealarmisgiven，andtheyfindouthowwegotaway，andsendoutsearch-parties。Ifthetrainisanythinglikepunctualweshallbeofflongbeforetheygettothestation。"

"Besides，sab，dararenotmanypeopleknowsyourface，anditnotlikelydeberymandatknowyoucometothestation。Lotsofoderplacestosearch，anddaymostsuretotinkyougorightaway-nottinkyouventuretostopintowntillthemorning。"

"Thatisso，Dan；andIthinkyourplanisacapitalone。"

Dan"ssuggestionwascarriedout，andatseveno"clocknextmorningtheywarestandingontheplatformamonganumberofotherparsonswaitingforthetrain。Justasthelocomotive"swhistlewasheardthesoundofacannonboomedoutfromthedirectionoftheprison。

"Thatmeanssomeoftheprisonershaveescaped，"oneoftheportersontheplatformsaid。"Therehavebeenfiveorsixofthemgotawayinthelasttwomonths，butmostofthemhavebeencaughtagainbeforetheyhavegonefar。Yousee，tohaveachanceatall，theyhavegottogetridoftheiruniforms，andasweareallUnionistsaboutherethatain"taneasyjobfor"amtomanage。"

Everyoneontheplatformjoinedintheconversation，askingwhichwaythefugitivewouldbelikelytogo，whethertherewareanycavalrytosendafterhim，whatwouldbedonetohimifhewerecaptured，andotherquestionsofthesamekind，Vincentjoininginthetalk。Itwasarelieftohimwhenthetraindrewup，andheandDantooktheirplaceinit，traveling，however，indifferentcars。

Oncefairlyaway，Vincenthadnofearwhateverofbeingdetected，andcouldtravelwhereheliked，foroutsidetheprisontherewerenottenpeoplewhoknewhisfacethroughouttheNorthernStates。

ItwouldbedifficultforhimtomakohiswaydownintoVirginiafromtheNorthasthewholelineoffrontiertherewasoccupiedbytroops，andpatrolswereonthewatchnightanddaytopreventpersonsfromgoingthroughthelines。HethereforedeterminedtogowesttoSt。Louis，andfromthereworkhiswaydownthroughMissouri。Aftertwodays"railwaytravelingtheyreachedSt。Louis，acityhavingalargetradewiththeSouth，andcontainingmanysympathizerswiththeConfederatecause。Vincent，havingnownofearofdetection，wentatoncetoanhotel，andtakingupthenewspaper，oneofthefirstparagraphsthatmathiseyewasheaded:

"EscapeofthreeConfederateofficersfromElmira。GreatexcitementwascausedonWednesdayatElmirabythediscoverythatthreeConfederateofficershad，duringthenight，effectedtheirescapefromprison。Oneofthebarsofthewindowofthewardonthefirstfloorinwhichtheywere，withfifteenotherConfederateofficers，confined，hadbeenremoved；thescrewshavingbeentakenoutbyalargescrew-driverwhichtheyleftbehindthem。

Theyhadloweredthemselvestotheyard，andclimbedoverthewallbymeansofaropewhichwasfoundinpositioninthemorning。Therestoftheprisonersprofessedanentireignoranceoftheaffair，anddeclarethatuntiltheyfoundthebedsunoccupiedinthemorningtheyknewnothingoftheoccurrence。

"Thisisasitmaybe，butitiscertaintheymusthavebeenaidedbytraitorsoutsidetheprison，fortheropehunglooseontheoutsideofthewall，andmusthavebeenheldbysomeonethereastheyclimbedit。Theinsideendwasfastenedtoastoneseat，andtheywerethusenabledtoslidedownitontheotherside。Theiruniformswerefoundlyingatthefootofthewall，andtheiraccomplicehaddoubtlessdisguisesreadyforthem。Theauthoritiesoftheprisonareunabletoaccountforthemannerinwhichtheturn-screwandropewerepassedintothem，orhowtheycommunicatedwiththeirfriendsoutside。"

Thenfollowedthepersonaldescriptionofeachofthefugitives，andarequestthatallloyalcitizenswouldbeonthelook-outforthem，andwouldatoncearrestanysuspiciouscharacterunabletogiveasatisfactoryaccountofhimself。AsVincentsatsmokinginthehallofthehotelheheardseveralpresentdiscussingtheescapeoftheprisoners。

"Itdoesnotmatteraboutthemonewayortheother，"oneofthespeakerssaid。"Theyseemtobemerelads，andwhethertheyescapeornotwillnotmakeanydifferencetoanyone。Theseriousthingisthattheremustbesometraitorsamongtheprisonofficials，andthatnexttime。perhapstwoorthreegeneralsmayescape，andthatwouldbeareallyseriousmisfortune。"

"Weneednotreckonthatoutatpresent，"anothersmokersaid。

"Wehaven"tgotthreeoftherebelgeneralsyet，andasfarasthingsseemtobegoingon，wemayhavetowaitsometimebeforewehave。Theyareprettywellabletotakecareofthemselves，I

reckon。"

"Theyaregoodmen，someofthem，Idon"tdeny，"thefirstspeakersaid；"buttheymightaswellgiveupthegame。Inthespringweshallhaveanarmybigenoughtoeatthemup。"

"SoIhaveheardtwoorthreetimesbefore。Scottwasgoingtoeatthemup，McClellanwasgoingtoeatthemup，thenPopewasgoingtomakeanendof"emaltogether。NowMcClellanishavingatryagain，butsomehoworothertheeatinguphasn"tcomeoffyet。

Itlookstomerathertheotherway。"

Therewasanangrygrowlfromtwoorthreeofthosesittinground，whileothersutteredacordial"That"sso。"

"Itseemstome，bythewayyouputit，thatyoudon"twishtoseethisbusinesscometoanend。"

"That"swhereyouarewrongnow。Idowishtoseeitcometoanend。Idon"twanttoseetensofthousandsofmenlosingtheirlivesbecauseoneportionoftheseStateswantstorideroughshodovertheother。ThesoonertheNorthlooksthisaffairsquarelyinthefaceandseesthatithastakenupabiggerjobthanitcancarrythrough，andagreestoletthosewhowishtoleaveitgoiftheylike，thebetterforallparties。That"swhatIthinkaboutit。"

"Idon"tcallthatUniontalk，"theothersaidangrily。

"UnionornotUnion，Imeantotalkit，andIwanttoknowwhoisgoingtopreventme？"

Thetwomenrosesimultaneouslyfromtheirchairs，andinasecondthecrackoftworevolverssounded。Asiftheyhadonlybeenwaitingforthesignal，ascoreofothermenleapedupandsprangateachother。Theyhad，asthealtercationgrewhotter，joinedinwithexclamationsofangerorapproval，andVincentsawthatalthoughtheUnionistswerethemajoritythepartyofsympathizerswiththeSouthwasastrongone。Havingneitherarmsnorinclinationtojoininabroilofthiskindhemadehisescapeintothestreettheinstanthostilitiesbegan，andhurriedawayfromthesoundofshouts，oaths，thesharpcracksofpistols，andthebreakingofglass。Tenminuteslaterhereturned。Thehotelwasshutup，butanangrymobwereassembledroundthedoorshouting，"Downwiththerebels!downwiththeSecessionists!"andwerekeepingupaloudknockingatthedoor。

Presentlyawindowupstairsopened，andtheproprietorputouthishead。

"Gentlemen，"hasaid，"Icanassureyouthatthepersonswhowerethecauseofthisdisturbanceallleftthehotelbythebackwayassoonastheaffairwasover。Ihavesentforthepolicecommissioner，anduponhisarrivalhewillbefreetosearchthehouse，andtoarrestanyoneconcernedinthisaffair。"

Thecrowdwerenotsatisfied，andrenewedtheirknockingatthedoor；buttwoorthreeminuteslateranofficer，withastrongbodyofpolice，arrivedonthespot。Inafewwordshetoldthecrowdtodisperse，promisingthatthepartiesconcernedintheaffairwouldbetakenunanddulydealwith。Hethanenteredthehousewithfourofhismen，leavingtheresttowait。Vincententeredwiththeconstables，sayingthathewasstayingatthehouse。Thefumesofgunpowderwerestillfloatingaboutthehall，threebodieswerelyingonthefloor，andseveralmenwerebindinguptheirwounds。

Thepolice-officerinquiredintotheoriginofthebroil，andallpresentconcurredinsayingthatitarosefromsomeSecessionistsspeakinginsultinglyofthearmyoftheUnion。

Searchwasthenmadeinthehotel，anditwasfoundthateightpersonsweremissing。Oneofthekilledwasawell-knowncitizenofthetown；hewasthespeakerontheUnionsideoftheargument。

Theothertwowerestrangers，andnoonecouldsaywhichsidetheyespoused。AllthosepresentdeclaredthattheythemselveswereUnionmen，anditwassupposedthattheeightwhoweremissingwerethepartywhohadtakentheothersideofthequestion。Theevidenceofeachwastakendownbythepolice-

officer。Vincentwasnotquestioned，as，havingenteredwiththeconstables，itwassupposedhewasnotpresentattheaffair。

InthemorningVincentreadinthelocalpaperahighlycoloredaccountofthefray。Aftergivingalargenumberofwhollyfictitiousdetailsofthefray，itwentontosay:

"ThevictimswereCyrusD。Jenkins，amuch-esteemedcitizenandaprominentUnionist；theothertwowereguestsatthehotel；onehadregisteredasP。J。MooreofVermont，theotherJamesHarveyofTennessee。Nothingisasyetknownastothepersonswhoseroomswereunoccupied，andwhohaddoubtlessmadetheirescapeassoonastheaffraywasover；buttheexaminationoftheireffects，whichwillbemadebythepoliceinthemorning，willdoublessfurnishaclewbywhichtheywillbebroughttojustice。"

Havingreadthis，VincentlookedforthenewsastotheescapefromElmira，beinganxioustoknowwhetherhiscompanionshadbeenasfortunateashimselfingettingclearaway。Hewasstartledbyreadingthefollowingparagraph:"WeareenabledtostatethatthepolicehavereceivedaletterstatingthatoneoftheofficerswhoescapedfromElmiraprisonhasadoptedthedisguiseofaminister，andistravelingthroughthecountrywithablackservant。

Atpresenttheauthoritiesarenotdisposedtoattachmuchcredittothisletter，andareinclinedtobelievethatithasbeensentinordertoputthemonawrongscent。Howeverawatchwilldoubtlessbekeptbythepolicethroughoutthecountryforapersonansweringtothisdescription。"

Accustomedtoriseearly，Vincentwastakinghisbreakfastalmostalone，onlytwoorthreeoftheotherguestshavingmadetheirappearance。Hefinishedhismealhastily，andwentouttoDan，whowaslounginginfrontofthehotel。

"Dan，goupstairsatonce，packthebag，bringitdownandgetoutwithitimmediately。Iwillpaythebill。Don"tstoptoaskquestionsnow。"

Vincentthenwalkeduptothedeskattheandofthehall，atwhichaclerkwassittingreadingthepaper。Sincerelyhopingthattheman"seyehadnotfallenonthisparagraph，heaskedifhisaccountwasmadeout。Ashehadfortunatelymentionedontheprecedingeveningthatheshouldbeleavinginthemorning，thebillwasready；andtheclerk，scarcelookingupfromthepaper，handedittohim。Vincentpaidhimtheamount，sayingcarelessly，"IthinkI

haveplentyoftimetocatchthetrainfortheeast？"

Theclerkglancedattheclock。

"Yes，itgoesat8，andyouhavetwentyminutes。It"sonlyfiveminutes"walktothestation。"

CHAPTERXI。FUGITIVES。

ONLEAVINGthehotelVincentwalkedashortdistance，andthenstoppeduntilDancameuptohim。

"Anytingdematter，sah？"

"Yes，Dan。ThereisanoticeinthepaperthatthepolicehaveobtainedinformationthatIamtravelingdisguisedasaminister，andhaveanegroservantwithme……"

"Whotolddamdat？"Danaskedinsurprise。

"Wecantalkaboutthatpresently，Dan；thegreatthingatpresentistogetawayfromhere。Thetrainforthesouthstartsatten。Givemethebag，andfollowmeatadistance。IwillgetyouaticketforNashville，andasyoupassmeinthestationIwillhandittoyou。

Itmustnotbenoticedthatwearetravelingtogether。Thatistheonlyclewtheyhavegot。"

Danobeyedhisinstructions。Thejourneywasalongone。Thetrainwasslowandstoppedfrequently；passengersgotinandoutateverystation。Themorning"snewsfromthevariouspointsatwhichtherespectiveforceswerefacingeachotherwasthegeneraltopicofconversation，andVincentwasinterestedinseeinghowthetonegraduallychangedasthepassengersfromSt。Louisonebyoneleftthetrainandtheirplacesweretakenbythoseofthemoresoutherndistricts，AtfirstthesentimentexpressedhadbeenviolentlyNorthern，andtherewasnodissentfromthegeneralchorusofhopeandexpectationthattheSouthwereontheirlastlegsandthattherebellionwouldshortlybestampedout；butgradually，asthetrainapproachedtheStateofTennessee，theUnionistopinion，althoughexpressedwithevengreaterforceandviolence，wasbynomeansuniversal。Manymanreadtheirpapersinsilenceandtooknopartwhateverintheconversation，butVincentcouldseefromtheangryglanceswhichtheyshotatthespeakersthatthesentimentsutteredweredistastefultothem。Hehimselfhadscarcelyspokenduringthewholejourney。Hehadforsometimedevotedhimselftothenewspaper，andhadthenpurchasedabookfromthenewsboywhoperambulatedthecars。

Presentlyarough-lookingmanwhohadbeenamongthewildestandmostviolentinhisdenunciationoftheSouthsaid，lookingatVincent:

"Iseebythepapersto-daythatoneofthecursedrebelofficerswhogavethemtheslipatElmiraistravelinginthedisguiseofaminister。Iguessit"smightyunpleasanttoknowthatevenifyoumeetaparsoninatrainlikeasnotheisarebelindisguise。Now，mister，mayIaskwhereyouhavecomefromandwhereyouaregoingto？"

"Youmayaskwhatyoulike，"Vincentsaidquietly；"butIamcertainlynotgoingtoanswerimpertinentquestions。"

Ahumofapprovalwasheardfromseveralofthepassengers。

"Ifyouhadn"tgotthatblackcoaton，"themansaidangrily，"I

wouldputyouoffthecarinnotime。"

"Blackcoatornoblackcoat，"Vincentsaid，"youmayfinditmoredifficultthanyouthink。Myprofessionisapeacefulone；butevenapeacefulman，ifassaulted，maydefendhimself。Yousayit"sunpleasanttoknowthatifyoutravelwithamaninablackcoathemaybeatraitor。It"squiteasunpleasanttometoknowthatifI

travelwithamaninabrownonehemaybeanotoriousruffian，andmayaslikelyasnothavejustservedhistimeinapenitentiary。"

Twoorthreeofthapassengerslaughedloudly。Theman，startingup，crossedthecartowhereVincentwassittingandlaidhishandroughlyonhisshoulder。

"Youhavegottogetout!"hesaid。"NomaninsultsJimMullenstwice。"

"Takeyourhandoffmyshoulder，"Vincentsaidquietly，oryouwillbesorryforit。"

ThemanshiftedhisholdtothecollarofVincent"scoatamidcriesofshamefromsomeofthepassengers，whiletheotherswaresilent，eventhoseofhisownpartyobjectingtoanassaultuponaminister。Itwasonlythefactthatthefellowwasanotoriouslocalruffianthatpreventedtheirexpressingopendisapprovaloftheact。

AsthemangraspedVincent"scollarwithhisrighthandVincentsawhisleftgounderhiscoattowardthepocketinthebackofthetrouserswhererevolverswerealwayscarried。Inaninstanthesprangtohisfeet，andbeforetheman，whowastakenbysurpriseatthesuddennessofthemovement，couldsteadyhimself，hestruckhimatremendousblowbetweentheeyes，andatthesamemoment，springingathisthroat，threwhimbackwardontothefloorofthecarriage。Ashefellthemandrewouthisrevolver，butVincentgraspedhisarmandwithasharptwistwrenchedtherevolverfromhisgrasp，andleapingup，threwitoutoftheopenwindow。Theruffianrosetohisfeat，foramomenthalfdazedbytheviolencewithwhichhahadfallen，andpouredoutastringofimprecationsuponVincent。Thelatterstoodcalmlyawaitingafreshattack。Foramomenttheruffianhesitated，andthen，goadedtofurybythetauntinglaughterofthelookers-on，wasabouttospringuponhimwhenhewasseizedbytwoorthreeofthepassengers。

"Ireckonyouhavemadeafoolenoughofyourselfalready，"oneofthcmsaid；"andwearenotgoingtoseeaministerill-treated，notifweknowit。"

"Youneednotholdhim，"Vincentsaid。"Itisnotbecauseonewearsablackcoatandisadversetofightingthatoneisnotabletodefendone"sself。Wealllearnthesamethingsatcollegewhetherwearegoingintothechurchoranyotherprofession。Youcanlethimaloneifhereallywantsanymore，whichIdonotbelieve。I

shouldbeashamedofmyselfifIcouldnotpunisharuffianofhiskind。"

"Letmegetathim!"yelledMullens；andthemenwhoheldhim，takingVincentathisword，releasedhirn。Herushedforward，butwasreceivedwithanothertremendousblowonthemouth。Hepausedamomentinhisrush，andVincent，springingforward，administeredanotherblowuponthesamespot，knockinghimoffhislegsontothefloor。Ongettinguphegavenosignofadesiretorenewtheconflict。Hislipswerebadlycutandtheboodwasstreamingfromhismonth，andhelookedatVincentwithanairofabsolutebewilderment。Thelatter，seeingthattheconflictwasover，quietlyresumedhisseat；whileseveralofthepassengerscameuptohim，and，shakinghimwarmlybytheband，congratulatedhimuponhavingpunishedhisassailant。

"Iwishwehadafewmoreministersofyoursortdownthisway，"

onesaid。"That"sthesortofpreachingfellowslikethisunderstand。

Itwaswellyougothissix-shooteroutofhishand，forhewouldhaveuseditassureasfate。Heoughttohavebeenlynchedlongago，butsincethetroublesbeganthesefellowshavehadalltheirownway。Butlooktoyourselfwhenhegetsout；hebelongstoahandwhocallthemselvesUnionists，butwhoarenothingbutplunderersandrobbers。Ifyoutakemyadvice，whenyougettotheendofyourjourneyyouwillnotleavethestation，buttakeaticketstraightbacknorth。Itellyouyourlifewon"tbesafefiveminuteswhenyouoncegetoutsidethetown。Theydaren"tdoanythingthere，forthoughfolkshavehadtoputupwithagooddealtheywouldn"tstandtheshootingofaminister；still，outsidethetownI

wouldnotanswerforyourlifeforanhour。"

"Ihavemydutiestoperform，"Vincentsaid，"andIshallcertainlycarrythemthrough；butIamobligedtoyouforyouradviceIcanquiteunderstandthatruffian，"andhelookedatMullens，who，withhishandkerchieftohismouth，wassittingaloneinacorner-fortheresthadalldrawnawayfromhimindisgust-andglaringferociousslyathim，"willrevengehimselfifhehastheopportunity。

HoweverasfaraspossibleIshallbeonmyguard。"

"Atanyrate，"themansaid，"IshouldadviseyouwhenyougettoNashvilletochargehimwithassault。Wecanalltestifythathelaidhandsonyoufirst。Thatwayhewillgetlockedupforsomedaysanyhow，andyoucangoawayaboutyourbusiness，andhewon"tknowwheretofindyouwhenhegetsout。"

"Thankyou-thatwouldbeaverygoodplan；butImightloseadayortwoinhavingtoappearagainsthim；IampressedfortimeandhavesomeimportantbusinessonhandandIhavenodoubtIshallbeabletothrowhimoffmytrack，finishmybusiness，andbeoffagainbeforehecancomeacrossme。"

"Well，Ihopenoharmwillcomeofit，"theothersaid。"Ilikeyou，andIneversawanyonehitsoquicklyandsohard。It"sadownrightpityyouareapreacher。Myname"sJohnMorrison，andmyfarmistenmilesfromNashville，ontheCumberlandRiver。IfyoushouldbegoinginthatdirectionIshouldberightgladifyouwoulddropinonme。"

TherealreasonthatdecidedVincentagainstfollowingtheadvicetogivehisassailantinchargewasthathefearedhehimselfmightbequestionedastotheobjectofhisjourneyandhisdestination。

ThefellowwouldnotimprobablysaythathebelievedhewastheConfederateofficerwhowastryingtoescapeinthedisguiseofaclergymanandthathehadthereforetriedtoarresthim。Hecouldofcoursegivenogroundsfortheaccusation，stillquestionsmightbeaskedwhichwouldbeimpossibleforhimtoanswer；and，howeverplausibleastoryhemightinvent，thelawyerwhomthefellowwoulddoubtlessemploytodefendhimmightsuggestthatthetruthofhisstatementsmightbeeasilytestedbythedespatchofatelegram，inwhicheasehewouldbeplacedinamostawkwardsituation。Itwasbettertoruntheriskoftroublewiththefellowandhisgangthantodoanythingwhichmightleadtoinquiriesastohisidentity。

WhenthetrainreachedNashville，Vincentproceededtoanhotel。

Itwasalreadylateintheafternoon，forthejourneyhadoccupiedmorethanthirtyhours。AssoonasitwasdarkbewentoutagainandjoinedDan，whomhehadorderedtofollowhimatadistanceandtobeatthecornerofthefirstturningtotherightofthehotelassoonasitbecamedark。Danwasatthepointagreedupon，andhefollowedVincentuntilthelatterstoppedinaquietandbadlylightedstreet。

"Thingsaregoingbadly，Dan。Ihadarowwitharuffianinthetrain，andhehasgotfriendshere，andthiswilladdgreatlytoourdangeringettingtoourlines。Imustgetanotherdisguise。Whatmoneyhaveyouleft？"

"Notacent，sah。Ihadonlyafive-centpieceleftwhenweleftSt。

Louis，andIspenthimonbreadondojourney。"

"Thatisbad，Dan。Ididnotthinkyourstockwassonearlyexpended。"

"Ihadtokeepmyself，sah，andtopayfordorailroad，andtobuydemtreesuitsofclothes，andtomakedeniggerIlodgedwithapresenttokeephimmouthshut。"

"Oh，Iknowyouhavehadlotsofexpenses，Dan，andIamsurethatyouhavenotwastedyourmoney；butIhadnotthoughtaboutit。I

haveonlygottendollarsleft，andwemayhaveahundredandfiftymilestotravelbeforewearesafe。Anyhow，youmustgetanotherdisguise，andtrusttoluckfortherest。Wehavetrampedahundredandfiftymilesbeforenowwithouthavinganythingbeyondwhatwecouldpickupontheroad。Here"sthemoney。Getaroughsuitofworkingman"sclothes，andjoinmehereagaininanhour"stime。

Letusfindoutthenameofthestreetbeforeweseparate，forwemaymissourwayandnotbeabletomeetagain。"

Passingupintothebusystreets，Vincentpresentlystoppedandpurchasedapaperofanewsboywhowasrunningalongshouting，"Newsfromthewar。Defeatoftherebels。FightinarailwaycarnearNashville；aministerpunishesaborderruffian。"

"Confoundthosenewspaperfellows!"Vincentmutteredtohimselfashewalkedaway。"Theypickupeveryscrapofnews。Isupposeareportergotholdofsomeonewhowasinthecar。"Turningdownaquietstreet，heopenedthepaperandbythelightofthelampreadagraphicandminuteaccountofthestruggleinthetrain。

"Iwon"tgobacktothehotel，"hesaidtohimself。"Ishallbehavingreporterstointerviewme。Ishallbeexpectedtogivethemahistoryofmywholelife；whereIwasborn，andwhereIwenttoschool，andwhetherIpreferbeeftomutton，andwhetherIdrinkbeer，andathousandotherthings。No；thesoonerIamawaythebetter。Astothehotel，Ihaveonlyhadonemeal，andtheyhavegotthebagwithwhatclothesthereare；thatwillpaythemwell。"

AccordinglywhenherejoinedDanhetoldhimthattheywouldstartatonce。

"Itisthebestway，anyhow，"hesaid。"To-morrow，nodoubt，thefellowIhadtherowwithwillbewatchingthehoteltoseewhichwayIgooff，butafteronceseeingmegotothehotelhewillnotguessthatIshallbestartingthisevening。Whathaveyougotleft，Dan？"

"Igottwodollars，sah。"

"Thatmakesusquiterichmen。Wewillstopatthefirstshopwecometoandlayinastockofbreadandapoundortwoofham。"

"Andabottleofrum，sah。Berrywetandcoldsleepingoutofdoorsnow，sah。Wantalittlecomfortanyhow。"

"Verywell，Dan；Ithinkwecanaffordthat。"

"Getoneforhalfadollar，massa。Couldnotlayouthalfadollarbetter。"

HalfanhourlatertheyhadleftNashvillebehindthem，andweretrampingalongtheroadtowardtheeast，Daricarryingabundleinwhichtheprovisionswerewrapped，andtheneckofthebottleofrumstickingoutofhispocket。AssoonastheywerewellinthecountryVincentchangedhisclothesforthoseDanhadjustboughthim，andmakingtheothersupintoabundlecontinuedhisway。

"Whyyounotleavedemblackclothesbehind，sah？Whatgoodtakedemwidyou？"

"Iamnotgoingtocarrythemfar，Dan。ThefirstwoodorthickclumpofbusheswecometoIshallhidethemaway；butifyouweretoleavethemheretheywouldbefoundthefirstthinginthemorning，andperhapsbecarriedintothetownandhandedovertothepolice，andtheymightputthatandthefactofmynothavingreturnedtothehotel-whichissuretobetalkedabout-together，andcometotheconclusionthateitherMullenswasrightandthatIwasanescapedConfederate，orthatIhadbeenmurderedbyMullens。

Ineithercasetheymightgetupasearch，andperhapssendtelegramstothetroopsinthetownsbeyondus。Anyhow，it"sbesttheclothesshouldnotbefound。"

Allnighttheytrampedalong，pausingonlyforhalfanhouraboutmidnight，whenDansuggestedthatashehadonlyhadsomebreadtoeat-andnottoomuchofthat-duringthelastforty-eighthours，hethoughtthathecoulddowithsomesupper。Accordinglythebundlewasopened，andtheysatdownandpartookofaheartymeal。Danhadwiselytakentheprecautionofhavingthecorkdrawnfromthebottlewhenheboughtit，replacingitsothatitcouldbeeasilyextractedwhenrequired，andVincentacknowledgedthatthespiritwasanotunwelcomeadditiontothemeal。WhenmorningbroketheyhadreachedDuck"sRiver，abroadstreamcrossingtheroad。

Heretheydrewasideintoathickgrove，anddeterminedtogetafewhours"sleepbeforeproceeding。Itwasnearlymiddaybeforetheywokeandproceededtotheedgeofthetrees。Vincentreconnoiteredtheposition。

"Itisjustaswellwedidnottrytocross，Dan。Iseethetentsofatleastaregimentontheotherbank。Nodoubttheyarestationedtheretoguardtheroadandrailwaybridge。Thispartofthecountryisprettyequallydividedinopinion，thoughmoreofthepeoplearefortheSouththanfortheNorth；butIknowthereareguerrillapartiesonbothsidesmovingabout，andifaConfederatebandwastopouncedownonthesebridgesanddestroythemitwouldcutthecommunicationwiththeirarmyinfront，andputtheminaveryuglypositioniftheyweredefeated。Nodoubtthat"swhytheyhavestationedthatregimentthere。Anyhow，itmakesitawkwardforus。Weshouldbesuretobequestionedwherewearegoing，andasIknownothingwhateverofthegeographyoftheplaceweshouldfinditverydifficulttosatisfythem。Wemustcrosstheriversomewhereelse。Therearesuretobesomeboatssomewherealongthebanks；atanyrate，thefirstthingtodoistomovefurtherawayfromtheroad。"

Theywalkedfortwoorthreemilesacrossthecountry。Thefieldsforthemostpartweredeserted，andalthoughhereandtheretheysawcultivatedpatches，itwasevidentthatmostoftheinhabitantshadquittedthatpartofthecountry，whichhadbeenthesceneofalmostcontinuedfightingfromthecommencementofthewar；thesufferingsoftheinhabitantsbeinggreatlyheightenedbythebandsofmarauderswhomovedaboutplunderinganddestroyingunderthepretenseofpunishingthosewhomtheyconsideredhostiletothecauseinwhosefavor-nominally，atleast-theyhadenrolledthemselves。ThesightofruinedfarmsandburnedhousesrousedVincent"sindignation；forinVirginiaprivatepropertyhad，uptothetimeofPope"sassumingcommandofthearmy，beenrespected，andthisphaseofcivilwarwasnewandverypainfultohim。

"Itwouldheagoodthing，"hesaidtoDan，"ifthegeneralsonbothsidesinthisdistrictwouldagreetoamonth"struce，andjoineachotherinhuntingdownandhangingthesemaraudingscoundrels。

OnoursideMosbyandafewotherleadersofhandscomposedalmostentirelyofgentlemen，haveneverbeenaccusedofpracticesofthiskind；but，withtheseexceptions，thereislittletochoosebetweenthem。"

Afterwalkingforfourorfivemilestheyagainsatdowntillevening，andthengoingdowntotheriverendeavoredtofindaboatbywhichtheycouldcross，buttotheirdisappointmentnocraftofanykindwasvisible，althoughinmanyplacestherewerestagesbytheriverside，evidentlyusedbyfarmersforunloadingtheirproduceintoboats。Vincentconcludedatlastthatatsomeperiodofthestrugglealltheboatsmusthavebeencollectedandeithersunkorcarriedawaybyoneofthepartiestopreventtheothercrossingtheriver。

Hithertotheyhadcarefullyavoidedallthefarmhousesthatappearedtobeinhabited；butVincentnowdeterminedtoapproachoneofthemandendeavortogainsomeinformationastothedistancefromthenextbridge，andwhetheritwasguardedbytroops，andtofindoutifpossiblethepositioninwhichtheNorthernforcesinTennesseewereatpresentposted-allofwhichpointshewasatpresentignorantof。Hepassedtwoorthreelargefarmhouseswithoutentering，foralthoughthegreaterpartofthemalepopulationwereawaywithoneorotherofthearmies，hemightstillfindtwoorthreehandsinsuchbuildings。Besides，itwasnowlate，andwhateverthepoliticsoftheinmatestheywouldbesuspiciousofsuchlatearrivals，andwouldprobablyaltogetherrefusethemadmittance。Accordinglyanothernightwasspentinthewood。

Thenextmorning，afterwalkingamileortwo，theysawahouseatwhichVincentdeterminedtotrytheirfortune。Itwassmall，butseemedtohavebelongedtopeopleabovetheclassoffarmer。Itstoodinalittleplantation，andwassurroundedbyaveranda。Mostoftheblindsweredown，andVincentjudgedthattheinmatescouldnotbenumerous。

"Youremainhere，Dan，andIwillgoandknockatthedoor。Itisbetterthatweshouldnotbeseentogether。"Vincentaccordinglywentforwardandknockedatthedoor。Anoldnegressopenedit。

"Wehavenothingfortramps，"shesaid。"Dehouseamprettywellclearedoutoheberyting。"ShewasabouttoshutthedoorwhenVincentputhisfootforwardandpreventeditclosing。"MassaCharles，"thenegresscalledout，"bringyo"shot-gunquick；hereamtiefwanttobreakintothehouse。"

"Iamneitherathiefnoratramp，"Vincentsaid；"andIdonotwantanything，exceptthatIshouldbegladtobuyaloafofbreadifyouhaveonethatyoucouldspare。Ihavelostmyway，andIwanttoaskdirections。"

"Datamprettylikelystory，"theoldwomansaid。"Bringupdatshot-gunquick，MassaCharles。"

"Whatisit，Chloe？"anotherfemalevoiceasked。

"Hereamamanpretendhehablosthiswayandwantstobuyaloaf。Youstandback，MissLucy，andletyourbrodershootdevillaindead。"

"IcanassureyouthatIamnotarobber，madam，"Vincentsaidthroughthepartlyopeneddoor。"Iamalone，andonlybegsomeinformation，whichIdoubtnotyoucangiveme。"

"Openthedoor，Chloe，"thesecondvoicesaidinside；"thatisnotthevoiceofarobber。"

Theoldwomanreluctantlyobeyedtheorderandopenedthedoor，andVincentsawinthepassageayounggirlofsomesixteenyearsold。Hetookoffhishat。

"Iamverysorrytodisturbyou，"hesaid；"butIamanentirestrangerhere，andammostdesirousofcrossingtheriver，butcanfindnoboatwithwhichtodoso。"

"Whydidyounotcrossbythebridge？"thegirlasked。"Howdidyoumissthestraightroad？"

"Frankly，becausetherewereNortherntroopsthere，"Vincentsaid，"andIwishtoavoidthemifpossible。"

"YouareaConfederate？"thegirlasked，whentheoldnegressinterruptedher:

"Hush!MissLucy，don"tyoutalkaboutdemtings；derplentyofmischiefdonealready。Whathabyoutodowidonesideordooder？"

Thegirlpaidnoattentiontoherwords，butstoodawaitingVincent"sanswer。Hedidnothesitate。Therewassomethinginherfacethattoldhimthat，friendorfoe，shewasnotlikelytobetrayafugitive，andheanswered:

"IamaConfederateofficer，madam。IhavemademyescapefromElmiraprison，andamtryingtofindmywaybackintoourlines。"

"Comein，sir，"thegirlsaid，holdingoutherhand。"WeareSecessionists，heartandsoul。Myfatherandmybrotherarewithourtroops-thatis，iftheyarebothalive。Ihavelittletoofferyou，fortheYankeebandshavebeenhereseveraltimes，havedrivenoffourcattle，emptiedourbarns，andovenrobbedourhen-nests，andtakeneverythinginthehousetheythoughtworthcarryingaway。

Butwhateverthereis，sir，youareheartilywelcometo。Ihadapaperyesterday-itisnotoftenIgetone-andIsawtherethatthreeofourofficershadescapedfromElmira。Areyouoneofthem？"

"Yes，madam。IamLieutenantWingfield。"

"Ah!thenyouareinthecavalry。YouhavefoughtunderStuart，"

thegirlsaid。"Thepapersaidso。Oh，howIwishwehadStuartandStonewallJacksononthisside!weshouldsoondrivetheYankeesoutofTennessee。"

"Theywouldtryto，anyhow，"Vincentsaid，smiling，"andifitwerepossibletheywouldassuredlydoit。IwasinAshley"shorsewiththeStonewalldivisionthroughthefirstcampaignintheShenandoahValleyanduptoBullRun，andafterthatunderStuart。

Butisnotyourbrotherhere？Yourservantcalledtohim。"

"Thereisnooneherebutourselves，"thegirlreplied。"ThatwasafictionofChloe"s，andithassucceededsometimeswhenwehavehadroughvisitors。AndnowwhatcanIdoforyou，sir？Yousaidyouwantedtobuyaloafofbread，andtherefore，Isuppose，youarehungry。Chloe，putthebaconandbreadonthetable，andmakesomecoffee。Iamafraidthatisallwecando，sir，butsuchasitisyouareheartilywelcometoit。"

"Ithankyougreatly，"Vincentreplied，"andwill，ifyouwillallowme，takehalfmybreakfastouttomyboywhoiswaitingoverthere。"

"Whydidyounotbringhimin？"thegirlasked。"Ofcoursehewillbewelcometoo。"

"Ididnotbringhiminbeforebecausetwomeninthesedaysarelikelytoalarmalonelyhousehold；andIwouldrathernotbringhiminnow，because，ifbyanypossibilitythesearchers，whoarenodoubtafterme，shouldcallandaskyouwhethertwomen，oneawhiteandtheotheranegro，hadbeenhere，voucouldanswerno。"

"Buttheycannotbetroublingmuchaboutprisoners，"thegirlsaid。

"Why，inthefightinghereandinMissouritheyhavetakenmanythousandsofprisoners，andyouhavetakenstillmoreoftheminVirginia；surelytheycannottroublethemselvesmuchaboutonegettingaway。"

"Iamnotafraidofasearchofthatkind，Vincentsaid；"but，unfortunately，onmywaydownIhadarowinthetrainwitharuffiannamedMullens，whois，Iunderstand，connectedwithoneofthesebandsofbrigands，andIfeelsurethathewillhuntmedownifhecan。"

Thegirlturnedpale。

"Oh!"shesaid，"Isawthatinthepapertoo，butitsaidthatitwasaminister。Anditwasyouwhoheatthatmanandthrewhisrevolveroutofthewindow？Oh，then，youareindangerindeed，sir。HeisoneoftheworstruffiansintheState，andistheleaderofthepartywhostrippedthishouseandthreatenedtoburnittotheground。

LuckilyIwasnotathome，havinggoneawaytospendthenightwithaneighbor。Hisbandhavecommittedmurdersalloverthecountry，hangingupdefenselesspeopleonpretensethattheywereSecessionists。Theywillshowyounomercyiftheycatchyou。"

"No。IshouldnotexpectanygreatmercyifIfellintotheirhands，MissLucy。Idon"tknowyourothername。"

"MynameisKingston。Ioughttohaveintroducedmyselftoyouatonce。"

"Nowyouunderstand，MissKingston，howanxiousIamtogetacrosstheriver，andthatbringsmetothequestionoftheinformationIwantyoutogiveme。Howfarisitfromthenextbridgeonthesouth，andarethereanyFederaltroopsthere？"

"ItisaboutsevenmilestothehridgeatWilliamsport，wearejusthalfwaybetweenthatandtherailwaybridgeatColumbus。Yes，therearecertainlytroopsthere-"

"ThenIseenowayforitbuttomakeasmallrafttocarryusacross，MissKingston。Iamagoodswimmer，buttheriverisfullandofconsiderablewidth；still，IthinkIcangetacross。Butmyboycannotswimastroke。"

"Iknowwherethereisaboathidinthewoodneartheriver，"thegirlsaid。"Itbelongstoaneighborofours，andwhentheYankeesseizedtheboatshehadhishauledupandhiddeninthewoods。HewasaSoutherner，heartandsoul，andthoughtthathemightbeablesometimestotakeusefulinformationacrosstherivertoourpeople；butafewweeksafterwardhishousewasattackedbyoneofthesebands-itwasalwayssaiditwasthatofMullens-andhewaskilleddefendingittothelast。Hekilledseveralofthebandbeforehefell，andtheyweresoenragedthatafterplunderingittheysetitonfireandfastenedthedoor，andhiswifeandtwomaid-servantswereburnedtodeath。"

"IwishinsteadofthrowinghispistoloutofthewindowIhadblownhisbrainsoutwithit，"Vincentsaid；"andIwouldhavedonesoifIhadknownwhatsortoffellowhewas。However，astotheboat，canyougivemeinstructionswheretofindit，andisitlightenoughfortwomentocarry？"

"Nottocarry，perhaps，buttopushalong。Itisalightboathehadforpleasure。Hehadalargeone，butthatwascarriedawaywiththeothers。Icannotgiveyoudirections，butIcanleadyoutotheplace。"

"Ishouldnotlikeyoutodothat，"Vincentsaid。"Wemighthecaught，andyourshareintheaffairmightbesuspected。"

"Oh!thereisnofearofthat，"thegirlsaid；"besides，Iamnotafraidofdanger。"

"Idon"tthinkitisright，MissKingston，forayoungladylikeyoutobelivingherealonewithanoldservantinsuchtimesasthese。

Yououghttogointoatownuntilit"sallover。"

"Ihavenoonetogoto，"thegirlsaidstmply。"MyfatherboughtthisplaceandmovedherefromGeorgiaonlysixyearsago，andallmyfriendsareinthatState。ExceptourneighborsroundhereIdonotknowasoulinTennessee。Besides，whatcanIdoinatown？

Wecanmanagehere，becausewehaveafewfowls，andsomeofourneighborslastspringplowedanacreortwoofgroundandplantedcornforus，andIhavealittlemoneyleftforbuyingotherthings；butitwouldnotlastusamonthifwewentintoatown。

No，IhavenothingtodobuttostayhereuntilyoudrivetheYankeesback。Iwillwillinglytakeyoudowntotheboatto-night。

Chloecancomewithusandkeepmecompanyonthewayback。

Ofcourseitwouldnotbesafetocrossinthedaytime。"

"Ithankyougreatly，MissKingston，andshallalwaysrememberyourkindness。Now，whenIfinishmymealIwillgooutandjoinmyboy，andwillcomeforyouateighto"clock；itwillbequitedarkthen。"

"Whyshouldyounotstayheretillthen，Mr。Wingfield？Itisveryunlikelythatanyonewillcomealong。"

"Itisunlikely，butitisquitepossible，"Vincentreplied，"andwereI

caughtherebyMullens，theconsequencewouldbeveryserioustoyouaswellastomyself。No，Icouldnotthinkofdoingthat。Iwillgoout，andcomebackateighto"clock。Ishallnotbefaraway；butifanyoneshouldcomeandinquire，youcanhonestlysaythatyoudonotknowwhereIam。"