第9章

"Ihavetworevolvershere，sir；infactIhavethree。Ialwayskeeponeloaded，forthereisneveranysayingwhetheritmaynotbewanted；theothertwoIpickeduplastspring。Therewasafightaboutaquarterofamilefromhereandafteritwasoverandtheyhadmovedaway，fortheConfederateswonthattimeandchasedthembacktowardNashville，IwentoutwithChloewithsomewaterandbandagestoseeifwecoulddoanythingforthewounded。Wewereatworktheretillevening，andIthinkwedidsomegood。AswewerecomingbackIsawsomethinginalowbush，andgoingtherefoundaYankeeofficerandhishorsebothlyingdead；theyhadbeenkilledbyashell，Ishouldthink。

StoopingovertoseeifhewasquitedeadIsawarevolverinhisbeltandanotherintheholsterofhissaddle，soItookthemoutandbroughtthemhome，thinkingImightgivethemtosomeofourmen，forwewerethen，aswehavealwaysbeen，veryshortofarms；butIneverhadanopportunityofgivingthemaway，andI

amverygladnowthatIhavenot。Heretheyare，sir，andtwopacketsofcartridges，fortheyareofthesamesizeasthoseofthepistolmyfathergavemewhenhewentaway。Youareheartilywelcometothem。"

"Thankyouextremely，"Vincentsaid，ashetookthepistolsandplacedthepacketsofammunitioninhispocket。"WecuttwoheavysticksthenightweleftNashvillesoastobeabletomakesomethingofafight；butwiththeseweaponsweshallfeelamatchforanysmallpartieswemaymeet。Thenateighto"clockIwillcomebackagain。"

"Ishallbeready，"thegirlsaid；"butIwishyouwouldhavestopped，therearesomanythingsIwanttoaskyouabout，andtheseYankeepapers，whichareallweseenow，arefulloflies。"

"Theyexaggeratetheirsuccessesandtosomeextentconcealtheirdefeats，"Vinceufsaid；"butIdonotthinkitisthefaultofthenewspapers，whosecorrespondentsdoseemtometotryandtellthetruthtotheirreaders，butoftheofficialdespatchesofthegenerals。Thenewspaperstonemattersdown，nodoubt，becausetheyconsideritnecessarytokeepupthepublicspirit；butattimestheyspeakoutprettystronglytoo。IamquiteassorrytoleaveasyoucanbethatIshouldgo，MissKingston，butIamquitesurethatitisverymuchthewisestthingformetodo。Bytheway，ifI

shouldnotbeherebyhalf-pasteightIshallnotcomeatall，andyouwillknowthatsomethinghasoccurredtoalterourplans。I

trustthereisnochanceofanythingdoingso，butitisaswelltoarrangesothatyoushouldnotsitupexpectingme。ShouldInotcomebackyouwillknowthatIshallbealwaysgratefultoyouforyourkindness，andthatwhenthiswarisover，ifIamalive，Iwillcomebackandthankyoupersonally。"

"Good-bytillthisevening!"thegirlsaid。"Iwillnotevenletmyselfthinkthatanythingcanoccurtopreventyourreturn。"

"Golly，MassaVincent，whatatimeyouhabbeen!"DansaidwhenVincentrejoinedhim。"Dischildbegantotinkdatsomefinghadgonewrong，andwasgoinginanoderfiveminutestoknockatdodoortoaskwhatdeyhaddonetoyou。"

"Itisallright，Dan，Ihavehadbreakfast，andhavebroughtsomeforyou；hereissomebreadandbaconandabottleofcoffee。"

"Datgood，massa；myteethgochatterchatterwidsleepingindesedampwoods；datcoffeedomegood，sah。AfterdatIshallfeelfitforanyting。"

CHAPTERXILTHEBUSHWHACKERS。

"BYTHEway，Dan，"Vincentsaidwhenthenegrohadfinishedhismeal，"wehavenottalkedoverthatmatterofmyclothes。Ican"timaginehowthatlettersayingthatoneofuswasdisguisedasaministerandwouldhaveanegroservantcametobewritten。Didyouevertellthepeopleyoulodgedwithanythingaboutthedisguise？"

"No，sah，nebersaidonewordtodemaboutit；deyknownothingwhatsoeber。Dewaymedowidyourletterwasdis。Megooutsidetownandwaitforlongtime。Atlastsawblackfollowcomingalong。Mesaytohim，"Canyouread？"andhesaidashecould。I

said"Igotaletter，Iwanttoreadhim，Igibyouaquartertoreadhimtome；"sohesaidyes，andhereaddoletter。Healongtimeofmakingitout，becausehereadprintbutnotreadwritingwell。Hespellitoutwordbyword，butIdon"ttinkheunderstanddatitcomefromprison，onlydatitcomefromsomeonewhowantedsomeropeandaturn-screw。Medojustdesamewaywiddesecondletter。Asfordeclothes，mebuydemdatday，makedemupinbundle，andnotgobacktolodgingatall。MenotknowhowanyonecouldknowdatIbuydatministerclothesforyou，sah。

Metolddestorekeeperdatdeywasforcousinofmine，whopreachtodecoloredfolk，anddatIsendhimsuitaspresent。Onlessdatmanfollowmeandwatchmealldetimetillwegoofftogether，sah，menoseehowdedebbilheguessaboutit。"

"That"squiteimpossible，Dan；itnevercouldhavebeenthatway。

Itisverystrange，foritwouldreallyseemthatnoonebutyouandI

andtheothertwoofficerscouldpossiblyknowaboutit。"

"Perhapsoneofdemwanttodoyoubadturn，massa，andwritesoastogetyoucaughtandshutupagain。"

Vincentstartedatthesuggestion。WasitpossiblethatJacksoncouldhavedonehimthisbadturnafterhishavingaidedhimtomakehisescapeItwouldbeavillainoustrick；butthenhehadalwaysthoughthimcapableofvillainoustricks，anditwasonlythefactthattheywerethrowntogetherinprisonthathadinducedhimtomakeuphisquarrelwithhim；butthoughJacksonhadacceptedhisadvances，itwasprobableenoughthathehadretainedhisbadfeelingagainsthim，andhaddetermined，ifpossible，tohavehisrevengeonthefirstopportunity。

"Thescoundrel，"hesaidtohimself，"aftermygettinghimfree，toinformagainstme!OfcourseIhavenoproofofit，butIhavenottheleastdoubtthatitwashim。Ifweevermeetagain，Mr。Jackson，Iwillhaveitoutwithyou。"

"Yougottwopistols，sah，"Dansaidpresently。"Howyougetdem？"

"Theladyofthathousegavethemtome，Dan；theyareoneforyouandoneforme。"

"Dischilenowanthim，sah；notknowwhattodowidhim。Gooffandshootmyself，forsure。"

"Well，Idon"tsupposeyouwoulddomuchgoodwithit，Dan。AsI

amagoodshot，perhapsIhadbetterkeepthemboth。YoumightloadthemformeasIfirethem。"

"Berrywell，sah；youshowmehewtoload，meload。"

VincentshowedDanhowtoextricatethedischargedcartridge-

casesandtoputinfreshones，andafteraquarterofanhour"spracticeDanwasabletodothiswithsomespeed。

"Whenwegoingon，sah？"hesaidas，havinglearnedthelesson，hehandedthepistolbacktoVincent。

"Wearenotgoingonuntiltheevening，Dan。Whenitgetsdarktheladyisgoingtotakeustoaplacewherethereisaboathidden，andweshallthenbeabletocrosstheriver。"

"DenIwillhabasleep，sah。Notinglikesleepingwhenthereisachance。"

Ibelieveyoucouldsleepthree-quartersofyourtime，Dan。

However，youmayaswellsleepnowifyoucan，fortherewillbenothingtodotillnight。"

Vincentwentbacktotheedgeofthewood，andsatdownwherehecouldcommandaviewofthecottage。Thecountrywasforthemostpartcoveredwithwood，foritwasbutthinlyinhabitedexceptintheneighborhoodofthemainroads。Fewofthefarmershadclearedmorethanhalftheirground；manyonlyafewacres。Thepatch，inwhichthehousewithitslittleclumpoftreesstoodnearlyinthecenter，wasofsomefortyorfiftyacresinextent，andthoughnowrankwithweeds，hadevidentlybeencarefullycultivated，forallthestumpshadbeenremoved，andthefencerounditwasofastrongerandneatercharacterthanthatwhichmostofthecultivatorsdeemedsufficient。

Presentlyheheardthesoundofhorses"feetintheforestbehindhim，andhemadehiswaybacktoaroadwhichranalongahundredyardsfromtheedgeofthewood。Hereacheditbeforethehorsemencameup，andlaydownintheunderwoodafewyardsback。Inashorttimetwohorsemencamealongatawalkingpace。

"Icallthisafool"serrandaltogether，"oneofthemsaidinagrumblingtone。"Wedon"tknowthattheyhaveheadedthisway；

andiftheyhave，wemightsearchthesewoodsforamonthwithoutfindingthem。"

"That"sso，"theothersaid；"butMullenshassethisheartonit，andwemusttryforanotherdayortwo。MyideaisthatwhenthefellowheardwhatsortofachapMullenswas，hetookthehacktrainthatnightandwentupnorthagain。"

Vincentheardnomore，butitwasenoughtoshowhimthatasharphuntwasbeingkeptupforhim；andalthoughhehadnofearofbeingcaughtinthewoods，hewaswellpleasedatthethoughtthathewouldsoonbeacrossthewaterandbeyondthereachofhisenemy。Hewentbackagaintotheedgeoftheclearingandresumedhiswatch。Itwasjustgettingdusk，andhewasabouttojoinDanwhenhesawapartyoftwelvemenrideoutfromtheothersideofthewoodandmaketowardthehouse。Filledwithavaguealarmthatpossiblysomeonemighthavecaughtsightofhimandhisfolloweronthepreviousday，andmight，onbeingquestionedbythesearchers，havegiventhemaclewastothedirectioninwhichtheyweregoing，VincenthurriedtothespotwhereheleftDan。Thenegrojumpedupasheapproached。

"Meawakelongtime，sah。Begantowonderwhereyouhadgotto。"

"Takeyourstickandcomealong，Dan，asfastasyoucan。"

WithoutanotherwordVincentledthewayalongtheedgeofthewoodtothepointwheretheclumpoftreesatthebackofthehousehiditfromhisview。

"Now，Danstooplowandgetacrosstothosetrees。"

Greatlyastonishedatwhatwashappening，buthavingimplicitfaithinhismaster，Danfollowedwithoutaquestion。

ItwasbuttenminutessinceVincenthadseenthehorse-men，butthedarknesshadclosedinrapidly，andhehadlittlefearofhisapproachbeingseen。Hemadehiswaythroughthetrees，andcreptuptothehouse，andthenkeptclosealongituntilhereachedthefront。Therestoodthehorses，withthebridlesthrownovertheirneck……Theriderswereallinsidethehouse。

"Lookhere，Dan，"hewhispered，"youkeephereperfectlyquietuntilIjoinyouagainoryouhearapistol-shot。Ifyoudobearashot，rushatthehorseswithyourstickanddrivethemoffatfullgallop。Drivethemrightintothewoodsifyoucanandthenliequiettheretillyouhearmewhistleforyou。Ifyoudon"thearmywhistleyouwillknowthatsomethinghashappenedtome，andthenyoumustmakeyourwayhomeaswellasyoucan。"

"Oh，MasterVincent，"Danbegan；butVincentstoppedhim。

"It"snousetalking，Dan；youmustdoasIorderyou。Ihopeallwillbewell；butitmustbedoneanyhow。"

"Letmecomeandloadyourpistolandfightwithyou，sah。"

"Youcandomoregoodbystampedingthehorses，Dan。Perhaps，afterall，therewillbenotrouble。"

Sosaying，leavingDanwiththetearsrunningdownhischeeks，Vincentwenttothebackofthehouseandtriedthedoorthere。Itwasfastened。Thenhewenttotheotherside；andhere，thelightstreamingthoughthewindow，whichwasopen，andthesoundofloudvoices，showedhimtheroomwherethepartywere。Hecreptcautiouslyupandlookedin。MullenswasstandingfacingLucyKingston；therestofthemenwerestandingbehindhim。Thegirlwasaspaleasdeath，butwasquietandcomposed。

"Now，"Mullenssaid，"Iaskyouforthelasttime。Youhaveadmittedthatamanhasbeenhereto-day，andthatyougavehimfood。Yousayheisnotinthehouse；andaswehavesearcheditprettythoroughly，weknowthat"srightenough。Yousayyoudon"tknowwhereheis，andthatmaybetrueenoughinasense；butI

haveaskedyouwhetherheiscomingbackagain，andyouwon"tanswerme。Ijustgiveyouthreeseconds；"andheheldouthisarmwithapistolinit。"One!"Astheword"Two"lefthislips，apistolcracked，andMullensfellbackwithabulletinhisforehead。

AtthesametimeVincentshoutedatthetopofhisvoice，"Comeon，lads；wipe"emoutaltogether。Don"tletoneofthemescape。"

Ashespokehedischargedhispistolrapidlyintothemidstofthemen，whowereforthemomenttootakenbysurprisetomove，andeveryshottookeffectuponthem。Atthesamemomenttherewasagreatshoutingoutside，andthetramplingofhorses"feet。OneortwoofthemenhastilyreturnedVincent"sfire，buttherestmadeaviolentrushtothedoor。Severalfelloverthebodiesoftheircomrades，andVincenthademptiedoneofhisrevolversandfiredthreeshotswiththesecondbeforethelastofthoseabletoescapedidso。Fivebodiesremainedonthefloor。Astheywerestillseventooneagainsthim，Vincentrantothecornerofthehouse，preparedtoshootthemastheycameround；buttheruffiansweretooscaredtothinkofanythingbutescape，andtheycouldbeheardrunningandshoutingacrossthefields。

Vincentranintothehouse。HehadseenLucyKingstonfallprostrateatthesameinstantastheruffianfacingher。Strunguptothehighesttension，andexpectinginanothersecondtobeshot，thecrackofVincent"spistolhadbroughtherdownassurelyasthebulletofMullenswouldhavedone。Evenintheexcitementoffiring，Vincentfeltthankfulwhenhesawherfall，andknewthatshewassafefromthebulletsflyingabout。Whenheenteredtheroomhefoundtheoldnegresslyingbesideher，andthoughtatfirstthatshehadfalleninthefray。Hefoundthatshewasnotonlyalive，butunhurt，having，theinstantshesawheryoungmistressfall，thrownherselfuponhertoprotectherfromharm。

"Amdeyallgone，sah？"sheasked，asVincentsomewhatroughlypulledheroffthegirl"sbody。

"Theyhaveallgone，Chloe；butIdonotknowhowsoontheymaybehackagain。Getyourmistressroundassoonasyoucan。Iamsurethatshehasonlyfainted，forshefelltheinstantIfired，beforeanotherpistolhadgoneoff。"

LeavingtheoldwomantobringMissKingstonround，hereloadedhispistolsandwenttothedoor。Inafewminutesthesoundofhorsesgallopingwasheard。

"Halt，orIfire!"heshouted。

"Don"tshoot，sah!Don"tshoot!Itamme!"andDanrodeup，holdingasecondhorsebythebridle。"IthoughtImightaswellgettwoobdem，soIjumpondebackohoneandgetholdohanoderbridlewhileIwaswaitingtohearyourpistolfire。DendemomentIhearddatIsetdeodersoff，andchaseddemtodecornerwheredegatewaswheredeycameinat，andalongdoroadforhalfamile；deysofrighteneddeynotstopforalongtimetocome。DenI

turnintodewoodandwentthroughdetrees，soasnottomeetdemfellows，andliftedtwoofdebarsofthefence，andhereIam。Youarenothurt，massa？"

"Myleftarmisbroken，Ithink，Dan；butthatisofnoconsequence。

Ihaveshotfiveofthesefellows-theirleaderamongthem-andI

expectthreeoftheothershavegotabulletsomewhereorotherinthem。TherewassuchacrowdroundthedoorthatIdon"tthinkoneshotmissed。ItwaswellIthoughtofstampedingthehorses；

thatgavethemagreaterfrightthanmypistols。Nodoubttheythoughtthattherewasapartyofourbushwhackersuponthem。

Now，Dan，youkeepwatch，andletmeknowifyouseeanysignsoftheirreturning。Ithinktheyaretooshakenuptowantanymorefighting；butastherearesevenofthem，andtheymayguessthereareonlytwoorthreeofus，itispossibletheymaytryagain。"

"Medon"ttinkdeytryanymore，sah。Anyhow，Ilookoutsharp。"

Sosaying，Dan，fasteninguponeofthehorses，rodetheotherinacircleroundandroundthehouseandlittleplantation，sothatitwouldnotbepossibleforanyonetocrosstheclearingwithoutbeingseen。Vincentreturnedtothehouse，andfoundMissKingstonjustrecoveringconsciousness。Shesatuponthegroundinaconfusedway。

"Whathashappened，nurse？"

"Nevermindatpresent，deane。Jussyoukeepyourselfquiet，anddrinkalittlewater。"

Thegirlmechanicallyobeyed。TheminutesheputdowntheglasshereyefelluponVincent，whowasstandingnearthedoor。

"Oh!Iremembernow!"shesaid，startingup。"Thosemenwerehereandtheyweregoingtoshootme。One-two-andthenhefired，anditseemedthatIfelldead。AmInotwounded？"

"Heneverfiredatall，MissKingston；hewillneverfireagain。I

shothimashesaid"two，"andnodoubttheshockofthesuddenshotcausedyoutofaintdeadaway。Youfellthesameinstantthathedid。"

"Butwherearetheothers？"thegirlsaidwithashudder。"Howimprudentofyoutocomehere!Ihopedyouhadseenthemcomingtowardthehouse。"

"Ididseethem，MissKingston，andthatwasthereasonIcame。I

wasafraidtheymighttryroughmeasurestolearnfromyouwhereIwashidden。Iarrivedatthewindowjustasthescoundrelwaspointinghispistoltowardyou，andthentherewasnotimetogivemyselfup，andIhadnothingtodoforitbuttoputabulletthroughhisheadinordertosaveyou。ThenIopenedfireupontherest，andmyboydroveofftheirhorses。Theywereseizedwithapanicandbolted，thinkingtheyweresurrounded。OfcourseIkeptupmyfire，andtherearefouroftheminthenextroombesidestheircaptain。Andnow，ifyouplease，Iwillgetyou，inthefirstplace，tobindmyarmtightlyacrossmychest，foroneoftheirbulletshitmetheleftshoulder，andhas，Ifancy，brokenit。"

Thegirlgaveanexclamationofdismay。

Donotbealarmed，MissKingston；abrokenshoulderisnotaveryseriousmatter，onlyIwouldratherithadnothappenedjustatthepresentmoment；therearemoreimportantaffairsinhand。Thequestionis，Whatistobecomeofyou？Itisquiteimpossiblethatyoushouldstayhereafterwhathashappened。Thosescoundrelsaresuretocomebackagain。"

"WhatamItodo，Chloe？"Thegirlaskedinperplexity。"Iamsurewecannotstayhere。WemustfindourwaythroughthewoodstoNashville，andImusttryandgetsomethingtodothere。"

"Thereisanotherway，MissKingston，ifyouliketotryit，"Vincentsaid。"Ofcourseitwouldbetoilsomeandunpleasant，butIdonotthinkitwouldbedangerous，forevenifwegotcaughttherewouldbenofearofyourreceivinganyinjuryfromtheFederaltroops。

MyproposalisthatyouandChloeshouldgowithus。IfwegetsafelythroughtheFederallinesIwillescortyoutoGeorgiaandplaceyouwithyourfriendsthere。"

Thegirllookeddoubtfulforamoment，andthensheshookherbead。

"Icouldnotthinkofthat，sir。ItwouldbedifficultenoughforyoutogetthroughtheenemybyyourselvesItwouldaddterriblytoyourdangertohaveuswithyou。"

"Idonotthinkso，"Vincentreplied。"Twomenwouldbesuretobequestionedandsuspected，butapartylikeourswouldbefarlesslikelytoexcitesuspicion。Everyfootwegetsouthweshallfindourselvesmoreandmoreamongpeoplewhoarefriendlytous，andalthoughtheymightheafraidtogivesheltertomen，theywouldnotrefusetotakewomenin。Ireallythink，MissKingston，thatthisplanisthebest。InthefirstplaceitwouldbeadangerousjourneyforyouthroughthewoodstoNashvilleandifyoufallintothehandsofanyofthoseruffianswhohavebeenhereyoumayexpectnomercy。AtNashvilleyouwillhavegreatdifficultyinobtainingemploymentofanykindaudevensupposeyouwentfurthernorthyourpositionasafriendlessgirlwouldbeamostpainfulone。Astoyourstayingherethatisplainlyoutofthequestion。Ithinkthatthereisnotimetoloseinmakingadecision。

Thosefellowsmaygotothecampatthebridge，givetheiraccountoftheatlair，declaretheyhavebeenattackedbyapartyofConfederatesympathizers，andreturnherewithatroopofhorse。"

"Whatdoyousay，Chloe？"Lucyasked。

"I"sereadytogowidyouwhereberyoulike，MissLucy；hutIdotiukdatintimeslikedisdatayounggalisbestwidherownfolk。

Itmaybehardworkgettingacross，butastodangerdarcan"themuchmoredangerthandarhasbeeninstoppingalonghere，soitseemstomebesttodoasdisyoungofficersays。"

"Verywell，then，Iwill，sir。Wewillgounderyourprotection，andwillgiveyouaslittletroubleaswecan。Wewillbereadyinfiveminutes。Now，Chloe，letusputafewthingstogether。Thefewerthebetter。Justasmallbundlewhichwecancarrvinourhands。"

Inafewminutestheyreturnedtotheroom，Chloecarryingalargebasket，andlookingsomewhatruffled。

Chloeisalittleupset，"thegirlsaid，smiling，"becauseIwon"tputmybestthingson；andtheleavingherSun-daygownbehindisasoretroubletoher。"

"Nowonder，sah，"Chloosaid，"whydeysaydattharamnoprettydressesinde"Federacy，anddatbluegownwidredspotsisjustasgoodasnew，anditamdownrightawfultotinkdatdosefellowswillcomebackandtakeit。"

"Nevermind，CliIe，"Vincentsaid，smiling。"NodoubtweareshortofprettydressesintheSouth，butIdaresayweshallbeabletofindyousomethingthatwillbealmostasgood。Butwemustnotstandtalking。Youaresureyouhavegoteverythingofvalue，MissKingston？"

"Ihavegotmypurse，"shesaid，"andChloehasgotsomefood。I

don"tthinkthereisanythingelseworthtakinginthehouse。"

"Verywell，wewillbeoff，"Vincentsaid，leadingthewaytothedoor。

AminutelaterDanrodepast，andVincentcalledhimandtoldhimtheyweregoingtostart。

"Shallwetakedohorses，sah？"

"No，Dan。Wearegoingtocarryoutouroriginalplanofcrossingtheriverinaboat，andIthinkthehorseswouldberatherinourwaythannot。Butyouhadbetternotleavethemhere。Takethemtothefarthersideoftheclearingandgetthemthroughthefenceintotheforest，thenstrikeacrossasquicklyasyoucanandjoinuswherewewerestoppingto-day。MissKingstonandherservantaregoingwithus。Theycannotstayhereafterwhathastakenplace。"

Danatoncerodeoffwiththetwohorses，andtheotherswalkedacrosstotheedgeoftheclearingandwaiteduntilherejoinedthem。

"Now，MissKingston，youmustbeourguideatpresent。"

"Wemustcrosstheroadfirst，"thegirlsaid。"Nearlyoppositetowherewearethereisalittlepaththroughthewoodleadingstraightdowntotheriver。Theboatliesonlyashortdistancefromit。"

Thepathwasanarrowone，anditwasverydarkunderthetrees。

"Mindhowyougo，"Vincentsaidasthegirlsteppedlightlyonahead。"Youmightgetaheavyfallifyoucaughtyourfootonaroot。"

Sheinstantlymoderatedherpace。"Iknowthepathwell，butitwasthoughtlessofmetowalksofast。Iforgotyoudidnotknowit，andifyouweretostumbleyoumighthurtyourarmterribly。

Howdoesitfeelnow？"

"Itcertainlyhurtsabit，"Vincentrepliedinacheerfultone；"butnowitisstrappedtightlytomeitcannotmovemuch。Pleasedonotworryaboutme。"

"Ah!"shesaid，"Icannotforgethowyougotit-howyouattackedtwelvementosaveme!"

"StilllesscanIforget，MissKingston，howyou，ayounggirl，confronteddeathratherthansayawordthatwouldplacemeintheirpower。"

"Thatwasquitedifferent，Mr。Wingfield。Myownhonorwaspledgednottobetrayyou，whohadtrustedme。"

"Well，wewillcryquitsforthepresent，MissKingston；or，rather，wewillbecontenttoremainforthepresentineachother"sdebt。"

Aquarterofanhour"swalkingbroughtthemtotheriver。

"Now，"Lucysaid，"wemustmakeourwayabouttenyardsthroughthesebushestotheright。"

Withsomedifficultytheypassedthroughthethickscreenofbushes，thegirlstillleadingtheway。

"Hereitis，"shesaid；"Ihavemyhanduponit。"Vincentwassoonbesideher，andthenegroesquicklyjoinedthem。

"Therearenooarsintheboat，"Vincentsaid，feelingalongtheseat。

"Oh!Iforgot!Theyarestowedawaybehindthebushesontheright；theyweretakenout，sothatiftheYankeesfoundtheboatitwouldbeofnousetothem。"

Danmadehiswaythroughthebushes，andsoonfoundtheoars。

Thenunitingtheirstrengththeypushedtheboatthroughthehighrushesthatscreeneditfromtheriver。

"Itisafloat，"Vincentsaid。"Now，Dan，takeyourplaceinthebow。"

Iwillrow，Mr。Wingfleld。Iamaverygoodhandatit。SopleasetakeyourseatwithChloeinthestern。"

"Dancantakeoneoar，anyhow，"Vincentreplied；"butIwillletyourowinsteadofme。IamafraidIshouldmakeapoorhandofitwithonlyonearm。"

Theboatpushedquietlyout。Theriverwasaboutahundredyardswideatthispoint。TheyhadtakenbutafewstrokeswhenVincentsaid:

"Youmustrowhard，MissKingston，orweshallhavetoswimforit。Thewateriscomingthroughtheseamsfast。"

ThegirlandDanexertedthemselvestotheutmost；but，shortaswasthepassage，theboatwasfullalmosttothegunwalebeforetheyreachedtheoppositebank，theheatofthesunhavingcausedtheplankstoopenduringthemonthsithadbeenlyingashore。

"Thisisawetbeginning，"LucyKingstonsaidlaughasshetriedtowringthewateroutofthelowerpartofherdress。"Here，Chloe；

youwringmeandIwillwringyou。"

"Now，Dan，getholdofthathead-rope，"Vincentsaid；"haulheruplittlebylittleasthewaterrunsoutoverthestern。"

"Ishouldnottroubleabouttheboat，Mr。Wingfield；itisnotlikelyweshalleverwantitagain。"

"Iwasnotthinkingoftheboat；Iwasthinkingofourselves。Ifitshouldhappentobenoticedatthenextbridgeasitdrifteddown，itwouldatoncesuggesttoanyoneonthelookoutforusthatwehadcrossedtheriver；whereas，ifwegetitamongthebusheshere，theywillbelievethatwearehiddeninthewoodsorhaveheadedbacktothenorth，andweshallbealongwayacrosstheline，Ihope，beforetheygiveupsearchingforusinthewoodsontheotherside。"

"Yes；Ididn"tthinkofthat。Wewillhelpyouwiththerope。"

Theboatwasveryheavy，nowthatitwasfullofwater。Inchbyinchitwaspulledup，untilthewaterwasalloutexceptnearthestern。DanandVincentthenturneditbottomupward，anditwassoonhauledupamongthebushes。

"Now，MissKingston，whichdoyouthinkisourbestcourse？I

knownothingwhateverofthegeographyhere。"

"ThenexttownisMountPleasant；thatiswheretheWilliamsportroadpassestherailway。Ifwekeepsouthweshallstriketherailway，andthatwilltakeustoMountPleasant。AfterthattheroadgoesontoFlorence，ontheTennesseeRiver。TheonlyplacethatIknowofontheroadisLawrenceburg。Thatisaboutfortymilesfromhere，andIhaveheardthattheYankeesareonthelinefromthererightandleft。IbelieveourtroopsareatFlorence；butI

amnotsureaboutthat，becausebothpartiesareconstantlyshiftingtheirposition，andIhearverylittle，asyoumaysuppose，ofwhatisbeingdone。Anyhow，Ithinkwecannotdobetterthangoonuntilwestriketherailway，keepalongbythattillwegetwithinashortdistanceofMountPleasant，andthencrossit。Afterthatwecandecidewhetherwewilltravelbytheroadorkeeponthroughthewoods。Butwecannotfindourwaythroughthewoodsatnight；

weshouldloseourselvesbeforewehadgonetwentyyards。"

"Iamafraidweshould，MissKingston。"

"PleasecallmeLucy，"thegirlinterrupted。"Iamnevercalledanythingelse，andIamsurethisisnotatimeforceremony。"

"Ithinkthatitwillbebetter；andwillyoupleasecallmeVin。Itismuchshorterandpleasanterusingourfirstnames；andaswemustpassforbrotherandsisterifwegetamongtheYankees，itisbettertogetaccustomedtoit。Iquiteagreewithyouthatitwillbetoodarktofindourwaythroughthewoodsunlesswecandiscoverapath。

DanandIwillseeifwecanfindone。Ifwecan，Ithinkitwillbebettertogoonalittlewayatanyrate，soastogetourfeetwarmandletourclothesdryalittle。"

"Theywillnotdryto-night，"Lucysaid。"Itissodampinthewoodsthatevenifourclothesweredrynowtheywouldbewetbeforemorning。"

"Ididnotthihkofthat。Yes，inthatcaseIdonotseethatweshouldgainanythingbygoingfarther；wewillpushonfortwoorthreehundredyards，ifwecan，andthenwecanlightafirewithouttherebeinganychanceofitbeingseenfromtheotherside。"

"Thatwouldbecomfortable，Mr-ImeanVin，"thegirlagreed。

"Thatis，ifyouarequitesurethatitwouldbesafe。Iwouldratherbewetallnightthanthatweshouldrunanyrisks。"

"Iamsureifwecangetacoupleofhundredyardsintothisthickwoodthefirewouldnotbeseenthroughit，"Vincentsaid；"ofcourseIdonotmeantomakeagreatbonfirewhichwouldlightuptheforest。"

Forhalfanhourtheyforcedtheirwaythroughthebushes，andthenVincentsaidhewassurethattheyhadcomefarenough。Findingasmallopenspace，Dan，andLucy，andthenegresssettoworkcollectingleavesanddrysticks。VincenthadstillinhispocketthenewspaperhehadboughtinthestreetsofNashville，andhealwayscarriedlights。Apieceofthepaperwascrumpledupandlighted，afewofthedriestleavestheycouldfinddroppeduponit，thenafewtwigs，untilatlastagoodfirewasburning。

"Ithinkthatisenoughforthepresent，"Vincentsaid。wewillkeeponaddingwoodasfastasitburnsdown，soastogetagreatpileofembers，andkeeptwoorthreegoodbiglogsburningallnight。"

HethengavedirectionstoDan，whooutalongstickandfastenedittotwosaplings，oneofwhichgrewjustinfrontofthefire。Thenhesettoworkandcutoffbranches，andlaidthemslopingagainstit，andsoonhadanarborconstructedofsufficientthicknesstokeepoffthenightdews。

"Ithinkyouwillbesnuginthere，"Vincentsaidwhenhebadfinished。"Theheatofthefirewillkeepyoudryandwarm，andifyouliewithyourheadstheotherwayIthinkyourthingswillhedrybythemorning。DanandIwillliedownbytheothersideofthefire。Wearebothaccustomedtosleepintheopenair，andhavedonesoformonths。"

"Thankyouverymuch，"shesaid。"Ourthingsaredryingalready，andIamaswarmasatoast；but，indeed，youneednottroubleaboutus。Webroughtthesewarmshawlswithusonpurposefornight-workintheforest。Now，IthinkwewilltrythecontentsofthebasketDanhasbeencarrying。"

Thebasket，whichwasagood-sizedone，wasopened。Chloehadbeforestartingputalltheprovisionsinthehouseintoit，anditcontainedthreeloaves，fiveorsixpoundsofbacon，acanisterofteaandloaf-sugar，asmallkettle，andtwopintmugs，besidesanumberofoddsandends。ThekettleDanhad，byChloe"sdirection，filledwithwaterbeforeleavingtheriver，andthiswassoonplacedamongtheglowingembers。

"Butyouhavebroughtnoteapot，Chloe。"

"Darwasnotnoroomforit，MissLucy。Wecanmaketeaberrywellindokettle。"

"Sowecan。Iforgotthat。Weshalldocapitally。"

Thekettlewasnotlonginboiling。Chloeproducedsomespoonsandknivesandforksfromthebasket。

"Spoonsandforksareluxuries，Chloe，"Vincentsaidlaughing。

"Wecouldhavemanagedwithoutthem。"

"Yes，sah；butmenotgoingtoleavemassa"ssilverfordosevillainstofind。"

Lucylaughed。"Atanyrate，Chloe，wecanturnthesilverintomoneyifwerunshort。Nowthekettleisboiling。"

Itwastakenoffthefire，andLucypouredsometeaintoitfromthecanister，andthenproceededtocutupthebread。Anumberofslicesofbaconhadalreadybeencutoff，andastickthrustthroughthem，andDan，whowassquattedattheothersideofthefireholdingitovertheflames，nowpronouncedthemtobeready。Thebreadservedasplates，andthepartyweresoonengagedupontheirmeal，laughingandtalkingoveritasifithadbeenanordinarypicnicinthewoods，thoughattimesVincent"sfacecontractedfromthesharptwitchingofpaininhisshoulder。VincentandLucyfirstdranktheirtea，andthemugswerethenhandedtoDanandChlce。

"Thisisgreatfun，"Lucysaid。"Ifitgoesonlikeitallthroughourjourneyweshallhavenoneedtogrumble。ShallweChloe？"

"Ifyoudon"tgrumble，MissLucy，youmaybequitesuredatChloewillnot。Butwehabnotbegunourjourneyatpresent；andIspecdatweshallfinditprettyhardworkbeforewegettodeend。Butnebberminddat；anytingisbetterdanbeingallbyourselvesindathouse。Terriblesponsibilitydat。"

"Itwaslonely，"thegirlsaid，"andIamgladweareawayfromitwhateverhappens。Whatadaythishasbeen。WhocouldhavedreamedwhenIgotupinthemorningthatallthiswouldtakeplacebeforenight。Itseemsalmostlikeadream，andIcanhardlybelieve"-andhereshestoppedwithalittleshiverasshethoughtofthesceneshehadpassedthoughwiththebandofbushwhackers。

"Iwouldnotthinkanythingatallaboutit，"Vincentsaid。"AndnowIshouldrecommendyourturningin，andgettingtosleepassoonasyoucan。Wewillbeoffatdaybreak，anditisjusttwelveo"clocknow。"

FiveminuteslaterLucyandheroldnurseweresnuglyensconcedintheirlittlebower，whileVincentandDanstretchedthemselvesatfulllengthontheothersideofthefire。InspiteofthepaininhisshoulderVincentdozedoffoccasionally，butthewasheartilygladwhenhesawthefirstgleamoflightinthesky。Hewokeban。

"Dan，doyoutakethekettledowntotheriverandfillit。Wehadbetterhavesomebreakfastbeforewemakeourstart。Ifyoucan"tfindyourwayback，whistleandIwillansweryou。"

Dan，however，hadnooccasiontogivethesignal。Ittookhimlittlemorethanfiveminutestotraversethedistancethathadoccupiedthemhalfanhourinthethickdarkness，andVincentwasquitesurprisedwhenhereappearedagainwiththekettle。Notuntilitwasboiling，andthebaconwasready，didVincentraisehisvoiceandcallLucyandthenurse。

"Thisisreversingtheorderofthingsaltogether，"thegirlsaidasshecameoutandsawbreakfastalreadyprepared。"Ishallnotallowitanothertime，Icantellyou。"

"Weareoldcampaigners，yousee，"Vincentsaid，"andaccustomedtoearlymovements。Nowpleaseletuswastenotime，asthesoonerweareoffthebetter。"

Inaquarterofanhourbreakfastwaseatenandthebasketpacked，andtheywereontheirway。Nowthebright，glowinglightintheeastwassufficientguidetothemastothedirectiontheyshouldtake，andsettingtheirfacetothesouththeystartedthroughtheforest。Inaquarterofanhourtheycameuponalittlestreamrunningthroughthewood，andhereVincentsuggestedthatLucymightlikeawash，asuggestionwhichwasgratefullyaccepted。HeandDanwentashortdistancedownthestreamlet，andVincentbathedhisfaceandhead。

"Dan，Iwillgetyoutoundothisbandageandgetoffmycoat；thenIwillmakeapadofmyhandkerchiefanddipitinthewaterandyoucanlayitonmyshoulder，andthenhelpmeonagainwithmycoat。Myarmisgettinghorriblypainful。"

Vincent"srightarmwasaccordinglydrawnthroughthesleeveandthecoatturneddownsoastoenableDantolaythewetpadontheshoulder。

"Ithasnotbledmuch，"Vincentsaid，lookingdownatit。

"No，sah，notmuchbloodondeshirt。"

"Pullthecoatdownasfarastheelbow，Dan，andbatheitforabit。"

Usinghiscapasabaler，Danbathedthearmfortenminutes，thenthewetpadwasplacedinposition，andwithsomedifficultythecoatgotonagain。Thearmwasthenbandagedacrossthechest，andtheyreturnedtothewomen，whowerebeginningtowonderatthedelay。

CHAPTEPXIILLAIDUP。

"YOUMUSTseeasurgeonwhatevertherisk，"Lucysaidwhentheothersjoinedthem，fornowthatitwaslightshecouldse"bythepalenessofVincent"sface，andthedrawnexpressionofthemouth，howmuchhehadsuffered。

"Youhavemadesolightofyourwoundthatwehavenotthoughtofithalfasmuchasweoughttodo，andyoumusthavethoughtmeterriblyheartlesstobelaughingandtalkingwhenyouwereinsuchpain。Butitwillneverdotogoonlikethis；itisquiteimpossibleforyoutohetravelingsofarwithouthavingyourshoulderproperlyattendedto。"

"Ishouldcertainlybegladtohaveitlookedto，"Vincentreplied。

"Idon"tknowwhetherthebullet"sthereorifithasmadeitswayout，andifthatcouldbeseento，andsomesplintsorsomethingofthatsortputontokeepthingsintheirrightplace，nodoubtI

shouldbeeasier；hutIdon"tseehowitistohemanaged。Atanyrate，forthepresentwemustgoon，andIwouldmuchratherthatyousaidnothingaboutit。Thereitis，andfrettingoveritwon"tdoitanygood，whileifyoutalkofotherthingsImayforgetitsometimes。"

Intwohourstheycameupontherailway，whosecourselaydiagonallyacrossthattheyweretaking。TheyfollowedituntiltheycaughtsightofthehousesofMountPleasant，sometwomilesaway，andthencrossedit。Afterwalkingsomedistancefarthertheycameuponasmallclearingwithalog-hut，containingapparentlythreeorfourrooms，inthecenter。

"Wehadbetterskirtroundthis，"Vincentsuggested。

"No，"Lucysaidinadeterminedvoice。"IhavemadeupmymindI

wouldgotothefirstplacewecametoandseewhetheranythingcanbedoneforyou。Icanseeyouareinsuchpainyoucanhardlywalk，anditwillbequiteimpossibleforyoutogomuchfurther。

TheyaresuretobeConfederatesathearthere，andeveniftheywillnottakeusin，thereisnofearoftheirbetrayingus；atanyratewemustriskit。"

Vincentbegantoremonstrate，butwithoutpayinganyattentiontohimthegirllefttheshelterofthetreesandwalkedstraighttowardthehonso。Theothersfollowedher。Vincenthadopposedhersuggestion，buthehadforsometimeacknowledgedtohimselfthathecouldnotgomuchfurther。liehadbeentryingtothinkwhathadbestbedone，andhadconcludedthatitwouldbesafesttoarrangewithsomefarmertoboardLucyandhernurseforatime，whilehehimselfwithDanwentabitfurther；andthen，iftheycouldgetnoonetotakethemin，wouldcampupinthewoodsandrest。HedecidedthatinadayortwoifnoimprovementtookplaceinhiswoundhewouldgivehimselfuptotheFederalsatMountPleasant，ashewouldtherebeabletogethiswoundattendedto。

"Idon"tthinkthereisanyoneinthehouse，"Lucysaid，lookingbackoverhershoulder；"thereisnosmokecomingfromthechimney，andtheshuttersareclosed，andbesidesthewholeplacelooksneglected。"

Uponreachingthedoorofthehouseitwasevidentthatithadbeendeserted。Lucyhadnowassumedthecommand。

"Dan，"shesaid，"thereisnoshuttertothewindowofthatupperroom。Youmustmanagetoclimbupthereandgetinatthatwindow，andthenopenthedoortous。"

"Allright，missie，memanagedat，"Dansaidcheerfully。Lookingabouthesoonfoundalongpolewhichwouldanswerhispurpose，placedtheendofthisagainstthewindow，andclimbedup。Itwasnotmorethantwelvefeetabovetheground。Hebrokeoneofthewindows，andinsertinghishandundidthefasteningandclimbedinatthewindow。Aminutelatertheyheardagratingsound，andthenthelockshotbackundertheapplicationofhisknife，andthedoorswungopen。

"Thatwilldonicely，"Lucysaid，entering。"Wewilltakepossession。Iftheownershappentocomebackwecanpaythemfortheuseoftheplace。"