第10章

Thefurniturehadbeenremovedwiththeexceptionofafewoftheheavyarticles，aridChloeandLucyatoncesettowork，andwithbunchesoflonggrasssweptoutoneoftherooms。Dancutaquantityofgrassandpiledituponanoldbedsteadthatstoodinthecorner，andLucysmootheditdown。

"Now，sir，"shesaidperemptorilytoVincent，"youwillliedownandkeepyourselfquiet，butfirstofallIwillcutyourcoatoff。"

Oneofthetable-knivessooneffectedthework，andthecoatwasrolledupasapillow。Danremovedhisboots，andVincent，whowasnowbeyondevenremonstrating，laidhimselfdownonhiscoolbed。

"Now，Chloe，"MissKingstonsaidwhentheyhadleftVincent"sroom，"Iwillleavehimtoyourcare。Iamsurethatyoumustbethoroughlytired，forIdon"tsupposeyouhavewalkedsomanymilessinceyouwereagirl。"

"Iistired，missie；butIamreadytodoanytingyouwant。"

"Ionlywantyoutoattendtohim，Chloe。Firstofallyouhadbettermakesometea。Youknowwhatisagoodthingtogiveforafever，andifyoucanfindanythinginthegardentomakeadrinkofthatsort，do；butIhopehewilldozeoffforsometime。Whenyouhavedone，youhadbettergetthisplacetidyalittle；itisinaterriblelitter。Evidentlynoonehasbeeninsincetheymovedout。"

Theroom，indeed，wasstrewedwithlitterofallsorts，rubbishnotworthtakingaway，oldnewspapers，andoddsandendsofeverydescription。Lucylookedaboutamongtheseforsometime，andwithanexclamationofsatisfactionatlastpickeduptwocrumpledenvelopes。Theywerebothaddressed"WilliamJenkins，Woodford，nearMountPleasant。"

"ThatisjustwhatIwanted，"shesaid。

"Whatamyougoingtodo，MissLucy？"

"IamgoingtoMountPleasant，"shesaid。

"Lor"amarcy，dearie，youarenotgoingtowalkthatdistance!Youmusthavewalkedtwelvesmilesalready。"

"Ishouldifitweretwiceasfar，Chloe。Therearesomethingswemustget。Don"tlookalarmed，IshalltakeDanwithme。Now，letmesee。Inthefirstplacetherearelemonsformakingdrinkandlinseedforpoultices，somemeatformakingbroth，andsomeflour，andotherthingsforourselves；wemayhavetostayhereforsometime。TellmejustwhatyouwantandIwillgetit。"

Clilcemadeoutalistofnecessaries。

"Isha"n"tbegonelong，"thegirlsaid。"IfheasksaftermeorDan，makeoutwearelookingabouttheplacetoseewhatisuseful。

Don"tlethimknowIhavegonetoMountPleasant，itmightworryhim。"

DanatonceagreedtoaccompanythegirltoMountPleasantwhenheheardthatshewasgoingtogetthingsforhismaster。

Lookingabouthefoundanoldbasketamongthelitter，andtheystartedwithoutdelaybytheoneroadfromtheclearing，whichled，theyhadnodoubt，tothetown。Itwasabouttwomilesdistant，andwasreallybutalargevillage。AfewFederalsoldiersfromthecamphardbywereloungingaboutthestreetsbutthesepaidnoattentiontothem。Lucysoonmadeherpurchases，andthenwenttothehousethathadbeenpointedouttoherasbeinginhabitedbythedoctorwhoattendedtotheneedsofthepeopleofMountPleasantandthesurroundingdistrict。Fortunatelyhewasathome。

Lucylookedathimcloselyasheenteredtheroomandtookhisseat。Hewasamiddle-agedmanwithashrewdface，andsheatoncefeltthatshemighthaveconfidenceinit。

"Doctor，"shesaid，"Iwantyoutocomeouttoseesomeonewhoisveryill。"

"Whatisthematterwithhim？Orisithimorher？"

"Itis-it"s-"andLucyhesitated，"ahurthehasgot。"

"Awound，Isuppose？"thedoctorsaidquietly。"Youmayaswelltellmeatonce，asformetofindoutwhenIgetthere，thenIcantakewhateverisrequiredwithme。"

"Yes，sir。Itisawound，"Lucysaid。"Hisshoulderisbroken，I

believe，byapistolbullet。"

"Urnph!"thedoctorsaid。"Itmighthavebeenworse。Donothesitatetotellmeallaboutit，younglady。Ihavehadavastnumberofcasesonhandsincethesetroublesbegan。Bytheway，I

donotknowyourface，andIthoughtIkneweveryonewithinfifteenmilesaround。"

"IcomefromtheothersideoftheDuckriver。ButatpresentheislyingataplacecalledWoodford，buttwomilesfromhere。"

"Oh，yes!Iknowit。ButIthoughtitwasempty。Letmesee，amannamedJenkinslivedthere。HewaskilledatthebeginningofthetroublesinafightnearMurfreesboro。Hiswidowmovedinhere；

andshehasmarriedagainandgonefivemilesontheotherside。I

knowshewastryingtoselltheoldplace。"

"Wehavenotpurchasedit，sir；wehavejustsquattedthere。Myfriendwastakensohadthatwecouldgonofurther。Weweretrying，doctor，tomakeourwaydownsouth。"

"Yourfriend，whoeverheis，didaveryfoolishthingtobringayoungladylikeyourselfonsuchalongjourney。Youarenotapairofrunawaylovers，areyou？"

"No，indeed，"Lucysaid，flushingscarlet；"wehavenoideaofsuchathing。Iwaslivingalone，andthehousewasattackedbybushwhackers，thebandofavillainnamedMullens。"

"Oh!IsawallaboutthatintheNashvillepaperthismorning。

TheywereattackedbyabandofConfederateplunderers，itsaid。"

"Theywereattackedbyoneman，"thegirlreplied。"Theywereonthepointofmurderingmewhenhearrived。HeshotMullensandfourofhisbandandtherestmadeoff，buthegotthiswound。Andas1knewthevillainswouldreturnagainandburnthehouseandkillme，IandmyoldnursedeterminedtogosouthwardtojoinmyfriendsinGeorgia。"

"Well，youcantellmemoreaboutitaswego，"thedoctorsaid。"I

willordermybuggyroundtothedoor，anddriveyouback。Iwilltakemyinstrumentsandthingswithme。ItisnobusinessofminewhetherasickmanisaConfederateoraFederal；allmybusinessistohealthem。"

"Thankyouverymuch，doctor。WhilethehorseisbeingputinI

willgodownandtellthenegroboywithmetogostraightonwithabasketofthingsIhavebeenbuying。"

"Whereishenow？"thedoctorasked。

"Ithinkheissittingdownoutsidethedoor，sir。

"Thenyouneedn"tgodown，"thedoctorsaid。"Hecanjumpupbehindandgowithus。Hewillgetthereallthequicker。"

Infiveminutestheyweredrivingdownthevillage，withDaninthebackseat。OnthewaythedoctorobtainedfromLucyamoredetailedaccountoftheiradventures。

"SoheisoneofthoseConfederateofficerswhobrokeprisonatElmira，"hesaid。"Isawyesterdaythatoneofhiscompanionswascaptured。"

"Washe，sir？Howwasthat？"

"ItseemsthathehadmadehiswaydowntoWashington，andwasstayingatoneofthehotelsthereasaMr。JamesofBaltimore。Ashewasgoingthroughthestreethewassuddenlyattackedbyanegro，whoassaultedhimwithsuchfurythathewouldhavekilledhimhadhenotbeendraggedoffbypassers-by。Theblackwouldharebeenveryroughlytreated，buthedenouncedthemanhehadattackedasoneoftheConfederateofficerswhohadescapedfromtheprison。Itseemsthatthenegrohadbeenaslaveofhiswhohadbeenbarbarouslytreated，andfinallysucceededinmakinghisescapeandreachingEngland，afterwhichhewenttoCanada；andnowthatitissafeforanescapedslavetoliveintheNorthernStateswithoutfearofarrestorill-treatmenthehadcomedowntoWashingtonwiththeintentionofengagingasateamsterwithoneoftheNorthernarmies，inthehopewhenhemadehiswaytoRichmondofbeingabletogainsomenewsofhiswife，whomhismasterhadsoldbeforeheranawayfromhim。"

"Itservedthemanright!"Lucysaidindignantly。"It"sagoodthingthattheslavesshouldturnthetablessometimesuponmasterswhoill-treatthem。"

"Youdon"tthinkmypatientwouldill-treathisslaves？"thedoctoraskedwithalittlesmile。

"Iamsurehewouldn"t，"thegirlsaidindignantly。"Why，theboybehindyouisoneofhisslaves，andIamsurebewouldgivehislifeforhismaster。"

Danhadoverheardthedoctor"sstory，andnowexclaimed:

"No，sah。MassaVincentdokindestofmasters。Ifalllikehim，doslaveseberywberecontentedandhappy。

Whatwasdenameofdatman，sah，youwasspeakingof？"

"HisnamewasJackson，"thedoctoranswered。

"Itoughtso，"Danexclaimedinexcitement。"Massanevermentioneddenamesofdetwoofficerswhogotoutwidhim，anditwartoodarkformetoseetheirfaces，butdatstorymademetinkitmustbehim。Berrybadmanthat；helibsclosetous，andMassaVincentonedayprettynighkillhimbecausehebeatdatberymanwhohascatchedhimnowondestreetofWashington。WhendatmansellhimwifeMassaVincentbuyhersoastopreventherfallingintobadhands。ShesafenowwidhismotheratdeOrangery-dat"sthenameofherplantation。"

"Mypatientmustbequiteaninterestingfellow，younglady，"thedoctorsaid，witharatherslighttwinkleofhiseye。"Averyknight-errant。Butthereisthehousenow；weshallsoonseeallabouthim。"

Takingwithhimthecaseofinstrumentsandmedicineshehadbrought，thedoctorenteredVincent"sroom。Lucyenteredfirst；

andalthoughsurprisedtoseeastrangerwithher，Vincentsawbyherfacethattherewasnocauseforalarm。

"Ihavebroughtyouadoctor，"shesaid。"Youcouldnotgoonasyouwere，youknow。SoDanandIhavebeentofetchone。"

ThedoctornowadvancedandtookVincent"shand。

"Fererish，"hesaid，lookingathischeeks，whichwerenowflushed。

"Youhavebeendoingtoomuch，Ifancy。Nowletuslookatthiswoundofyours。Hasyourservantgotanywarmwater？"heaskedLucy。

Lucylefttheroom，andreturnedinaminutewithakettlefulofwarmwaterandabasin，whichwasamongthepurchasesshehadmadeatMountPleasant。

"Thatisright，"thedoctorsaid，takingitfromher。"Nowwewillcutopentheshirtsleeve。Ithink，younglady，youhadbetterleaveus，unlessyouareaccustomedtothesightofwounds。"

"Iamnotaccustomedtothem，sir；butasthousandsofwomenhavebeennursingthewoundedinthehospitals，IsupposeIcandosonow。"

Takingaknifefromthecase，thedoctorcutopentheshirtfromthenecktotheelbow。Theshoulderwasterriblyswollenandinflamed，andalittleexclamationofpainbrokefromLucy。

"Thatistheeffectofwalkingandinattention，"thedoctorsaid。"IfIcouldhavetakenhiminhandwithinanhourofhisbeinghitthematterwouldhavebeensimpleenough；butIcannotsearchfortheball，orinfactdoanything，tillwehavereducedtheswelling。Youmustputwarmpoulticesoneveryhalf-hour，andbyto-morrowI

hopetheinflammationwillhavesubsided，andIcanthenseeabouttheball。Itevidentlyissomewheretherestill，forthereisnosignofitshavingmadeitsexitanywhere。Inthemeantimeyoumustgivehimtwotablespoonfulsofthiscoolingdraughteverytwohours，andto-nightgivehimthissleepingdraught。Iwillbeoverto-morrowmorningtoseehim。Donotbeuneasyabouthim；

thewounditselfisnotserious，andwhenwehavegotridofthefeverandinflammationIhavenodoubtweshallpullhimroundbeforelong。"

"Iknowthewoundisnothing，"Vincentsaid；"IhavetoldMissKingstonsoallalong。ItisnothingatalltooneIgotatthefirstbattleofBullRun，whereIhadthreeribsbadlybrokenbyashell。

Iwaslaidupalongtimeoverthatbusiness。NowIhopeinaweekIshallhefittotravel。"

Thedoctorshookhishead。"Notassoonasthat。Stillwewillhopeitmaynotbelong。Nowallyouhavetodoistoliequietandnotworry，andtogettosleepasquickasyoucan。Youmustnotletyourpatienttalk，MissKingston。Itwillbesatisfactorytoyou，nodoubt，"hewentonturningtoVincent，"toknowthatthereisnofearwhateverofyourbeingdisturbedhere。Theroadleadsnowhere，andisentirelyoutofthewayoftraffic。Ishouldsayyoumightbeheresixmonthswithoutevenachanceofavisitor。

Everyoneknowsthehouseisshutup，andasyouhavenoneighborwithinhalfamilenooneislikelytocallin。Evenifanyonedidbyaccidentcomehereyouwouldbeinnodanger；weareallonewayofthinkingabouthere。"

"Shallwemakesomebrothforhim？"Lucyaskedaftertheyhadlefttheroom。

"No；hehadbesttakenothingwhateverduringthenexttwenty-fourhoursexcepthismedicineandcoolingdrinks。Thegreatthingistogetdownthefever。Wecansoonbuildhimupafterward。"

BynightfalltheexertionsofDan，Lucy，andChloehadmadethehousetidy。Bedsofrushesandgrasshadbeenmadeintheroomupstairsforthewomen，andDanhadnooccasionforoneforhimself，ashewasgoingtostopupwithhismaster。He，however，broughtabundleofrushesintothekitchen，andwhenitbecamedarkthrewhimselfdownuponthemforafewhours"sleep，LucyandheroldnursetakingtheirplaceinVincent"sroom，aLdpromisingtorouseDanattwelveo"clock。

DuringtheeasypartofthenightVincentwasrestlessanduneasy，buttowardmorninghebecamemorequietanddozedoff，andhadhutjustawokewhenthedoctordroveupatteno"clock。Hefoundtheinflammationandswellingsomuchabatedthathewasableatoncetoproceedtosearchfortheball。Chloewashisassistant。

Lucyfeltthathernerveswouldnotbeequaltoit，andDan"shandshooksothatbecouldnotholdthebasin。Inaquarterofanhour，whichseemedtoLucytobeanage，thedoctorcameoutoftheroom。

"Thereisthebullet，MissKingston。"

"Andishemuchhurt，sir？"

"Itisanastywound，"thedoctorreplied。"Thecollarboneisbadlybroken，andIfancytheheadoftheboneoftheupperarm，toputitinlanguageyouwillunderstand，isfractured；butofthatIcannotbequitesure。Iwillexamineitagaintomorrow，andwillthenbandageitinitsproperposition。AtpresentIhaveonlyputabandageroundthearmandbodytopreventmovement。Ishouldbatheitoccasionallywithwarmwater，andyoucangivehimalittleweakbrothto-day。Ithink，onthewhole，heisdoingverywell。Thefeelingthatyouareallforthepresentsafefromdetectionhashadasmuchtodowiththeabatementofthefeverasmymedicine。"

Thenextmorningthereportwasstillsatisfactory。Thefeverhadalmostdisappeared，andVincentwasingoodspirits。Thedoctorappliedthesplintstokeeptheshoulderupinitsproperposition，andthentightlybandagedit。

"Itdependsuponyourselfnow，"hesaid，"whetheryourshouldersarebothofthesamewidthasbeforeornot。Ifyouwillliequiet，andgivethebrokenbonestimetoreunite，IthinkIcanpromiseyouthatyouwillbeasstraightasbefore；butifnot-puttingasidethechancesofinflammation-thatshoulderwillbelowerthantheother，andyouwillnevergetyourfullstrengthinitagain。Quietandpatiencearetheonlymedicinesyourequire，andastherecanbenoparticularhurryforyoutogetsouth，andasyourcompanyhereispleasantandyouhavetwogoodnurses，thereisnoexcuseforyournotbeingquietandcontented。"

"Verywell，doctor。IpromisethatunlessthereisariskofourbeingdiscoveredIwillbeaspatientasyoucanwish。Asyousay，I

haveeverythingtomakemecontentedandcomfortable。"

ThedoctorhadachatwithLucy，andagreedwithherthatperhapsitwouldbebettertoinformthemistressofthehousethattherewerestrangersthere。Someofthepeoplelivingalongtheroadmightnoticehimgoingorcoming，orseeDanonhiswaytomarket，andmightcomeandascertainthatthehousewasinhabited，andcommunicatethefacttotheiroldneighbor。

"Iwillseehermyself，MissKingston，andtellherthatIhavesentapatientofminetotakeuphisquartershere。Iwillsayheisreadytopaysomesmallsumweeklyaslongasheoccupiesthehouse。I

havenodoubtshewouldbewillingenoughtoletyouhaveitwithoutthat；foralthoughIshallsaynothingactuallyIshallletherguessfrommymannerthatitisawoundedConfederate，andthatwillbeenoughforher。Still，Ihavenodoubtthattheideaofgettingafewdollarsfortherentofanemptyhousewilladdtoherpatriotism。Peopleofherclassaregenerallyprettyclose-fisted，andshewilllookuponthisasalittlepocket-money。Good-by!I

shallnotcallto-morrow，butwillberoundnextdayagain。"

OnhisnextvisitthedoctortoldLucythathehadarrangedthematterwithherlandlady，andthatshewastopayadollaraweekasrent。"Ishouldnottellyourpatientaboutthis，"hesaid。"ItwilllooktohimasifIconsideredhisstaywaslikelytobealongone，anditmightfidgethim。"

"Howlongwillitbe，doctor，doyouthink？"

"ThatIcannotsay。Ifallgoeswell，heoughtinamonthtobefairlycured；butbeforestartinguponajourneywhichwilltaxhisstrength，Ishouldsayatleastsixweeks。"

TendayslaterVincentwasup，andabletogetabout。Apileofgrasshadbeenheapedupbythedoor，sothathecouldsitdowninthesunandenjoytheair。Lucywasinhighspirits，andflittedinandoutofthehouse，sometimeshelpingChloe，atotherstalkingtoVincent。

"Whatareyoulaughingat？"sheaskedasshecameoutsuddenlyononeoftheseoccasions。

"Iwasjustthinking，"hesaid，"thatnostrangerwhodroppedinuponuswoulddreamthatwewerenotathomehere。ThereisDantidyingupthegarden；Chloeisquiteathereaseinthekitchen，andyouandImightpassverywellforbrotherandsister。"

"Idon"tseeanylikenessbetweenus-notabit。"

"No，thereisnopersonallikeness；butImeantinageandthatsortofthing。Ithink，altogether，wehaveaveryhomelikelook。"

"Theillusionwouldbeveryquicklydispelledifyourstrangerputhisheadinsidethedoor。Didanyoneeverseesuchabareplace？"

"Anyhow，it"sverycomfortable，"Vincentsaid，"thoughIgrantthatitwouldbeimprovedbyalittlefurniture。"

"Byagreatdealoffurniture，youmean。Why，thereisntachairinthehouse，noracarpet，noracurtain，noracupboard，norabed；infactallthereisistheroughdresserinthekitchenandthatplanktable，andyourbedstead。Ireallythinkthat"sall。Chloehasthekettleandtwocooking-pots，andthereisthedishandsixplateswebought。"

"Youbought，youmean，"Vincentinterrupted。

"Webought，sir；thisisajointexpedition。Then，thereisthebasinandapail。Ithinkthatisthetotalofourbelongings。"

"Well，yousee，itshowshowlittleonecanbequitecomfortableupon，"Vincentsaid。"Iwonderhowlongitwillbebeforethedoctorgivesmeleavetomove。Itisallverywellformewhoamaccustomedtocampaigning，butitisawfullyroughforyou。"

"Don"tyouputyourimpatiencedowntomyaccount，atanyrateuntilyoubegintohearmegrumble。Itisjustyourownrestlessness，whenyouarepretendingyouarecomfertable。"

"IcanassureyouthatIamnotrestless，andthatIaminnohurryatalltobeoffonmyownaccount。Iamperfectlycontentedwitheverything。IneverthoughtIwaslazybefore，butIfeelasifI

coulddowithagreatdealofthissortofthing。YouwillseethatyouwillbecomeimpatientforamovebeforeIdo。"

"Weshallsee，sir。Anyhow，Iamgladyouhavesaidthat，becausenowwhateveryoumayfeelyouwillkeepyourimpatiencetoyourself。"

Anotherfourweekspassedbysmoothlyandpleasantly。Danwentintothevillageonceaweektodotheshopping，andthedoctorhadreducedhisvisitstothesamenumber。Hewouldhavecomeoftener，forhisvisitstothelonelycottageamusedhim；buthefearedthathisfrequentpassageinhisbuggymightattractnotice。

Sofarnooneelsehadbrokenthesolitudeoftheirlives。Ifthedoctor"scallshadbeennoticed，theneighborshadnottakenthetroubletoseewhohadsettleddowninJenkins"oldplace。Hisvisitswereverywelcome，forhebroughtnewspapersandbooks，theformerbeingalsopurchasedbyDanwheneverhewentintothevillage，andthustheylearnedthecourseofeventsoutside。

SinceAntietamnothinghadbeendoneinNorthernVirginia；butBurnside，whohadsucceededMcClellan，waspreparinganothergreatarmy，whichwastomarchtoRichmondandcrushouttherebellion。Leewasstandingonthedefensive。Alongthewholelineofthefrontier，fromNewOrleanstoTennessee，desultoryfightingwasgoingon，andintheseconflictstheConfederateshadgenerallytheworseofthings，havingtherenogeneralssuchasLee，Jackson，andLongatreet，whohadmadethearmyofVirginiaalmostinvincible。

AtthelastofthesevisitsthedoctortoldVincentthatheconsideredhewasnearlysufficientlyrestoredinhealthtobeabletostartontheirjourney。

"ItisamuchbetterjobthanIhadexpecteditwouldturnout。I

wasalmostafraidthatyourshoulderwouldneverbequitesquareagain。However，asyoucanseeforyourselfithascomeoutquiteright；andalthoughIshouldnotadviseyoutoputanygreatstrainonyourleftarm，Ibelievethatinaveryshorttimeitwillbeasstrongastheother。"

"Andnow，doctor，whatamIindebttoyou？Yourkindnesscannotberepaid，butyourmedicalbillIwilldischargeassoonasIgethome。Wehavenotmorethantwentydollarsleftbetweenus，whichislittleenoughforthejourneythereisbeforeus。YoucanrelythattheinstantIgettoRichmondIwillsendyouthemoney。

Thereisnogreatdifficultyinsmugglinglettersacrossthefrontier。"

"Iamverypleasedtohavebeenabletobeofservicetoyou，"thedoctorsaid。"Ishouldnotthinkofacceptingpaymentforaidrenderedtoanofficerofourarmy；butitwillgivemerealpleasuretoreceivealettersayingyouhavereachedhomeinsafety。Itisadutytodoallwecanforthebravemenfightingforourcause。AsIhavetoldyou，Iamnotaveryhotpartisan，forIseefaultsonbothsides。Still，Ibelieveintheprincipleofourforefathers，thateachStatehasitsowngovernmentandismasterofitsownarmy，joiningwiththeothersforsuchpurposesasitmaythinkfit。IfI

hadbeenafightingmanIshouldcertainlyhavejoinedthearmyofmyState；butasitis，IhopeIcandomoregoodbystayingandgivingsuchaidandcomfortasIcantomycountrymen。Youwill，Iamsure，excusemysayingthatIthinkyoumustletmeaidyoualittlefurther。IunderstandyoutosaythatMissKingstonwillgotofriendsinGeorgia，andIsupposeyouwillseehersafelythere。

ThenyouhaveaconsiderablejourneytomaketoRichmond，andthesumthatyoupossessisutterlyinadequateforallthis。Itwillgivemerealpleasureifyouwillaccepttheloanofonehundreddollars，whichyoucanrepaywhenyouwritetomefromRichmond。Youwillneedmoneyforthesakeofyourcompanionsratherthanyourown。Whenyouhaveoncecrossedthelineyouwillthenbeabletoappearinyourpropercharacter。"

"Thankyougreatly，doctor。Iwillacceptyourofferasfranklyasitismade。IhadintendedtelegraphingformoneyassoonasIwasamongourownpeople，buttherewouldbedelayinreceivingit，anditwillbemuchmorepleasanttopushonatonce。"

"Bytheway，youcannotcrossatFlorence，forIhearthatHoodhasfallenbackacrosstheriver，theforcesadvancingagainsthimfromthissidebeingtoostrongtoberesisted。ButIthinkthatthisisnodisadvantagetoyou，foritwouldhavebeenfarmoredifficulttopasstheFederalsandgettoFlorencethantomakeforsomepointontheriverasfaraspossiblefromthecontendingarmies。"

"Wetalkedthatoverthelasttimeyouwerehere，doctor，andyouknowweagreeditwasbettertoruntheriskoffallingintothehandsoftheYankeetroopsthanintothoseofoneofthosepartisanbandswhoseexploitsarealwaysperformedatadistancefromthearmy。However，ifHoodhasretreatedacrosstheTennesseethereisanendofthatplan，andwemusttakesomeotherroute。Whichdoyouadvise？"

"TheYankeeswillbestrongallroundthegreatbendoftherivertothewestofFlorenceandalongthelinetotheeast，whichwould，ofcourse，beyourdirectway。Thepassage，however，isyourrealdifficulty，andIshouldsaythatinsteadofgoinginthatdirectionyouhadbetterbearnearlyduesouth。ThereisaroadfromMountPleasantthatstrikesintothemainroadfromColumbiauptoCamden。Youcancrosstheriveratthatpointwithoutanyquestionorsuspicion，asyouwouldbemerelytravelingtothewestoftheState。Onceacrossyoucouldworkdirectlysouth，crossingintotheStateofMississippi，andfromtheretaketrainthroughAlabamatoGeorgia。

"Itseemsaroundaboutway，butIthinkyouwouldfinditfarthesafest，fortherearenoarmiesoperatinguponthatline。Thepopulation，atanyrateasyougetsouth，areforus，andthereare，sofarasIhaveheard，veryfewofthesebushwhackingbandsabouteitherononesideortheother。ThedifficultpartofthejourneyisthatuptoCamden，butasyouwillbegoingawayfromtheseatofwarinsteadoftowardittherewillbelittleriskofbeingquestioned。"

"Ihadthoughtofbuyingahorseandcart，"Vincentsaid。"Joggingalongaroadlikethatweshouldattractnoattention。Igaveuptheideabecauseourfundswerenotsufficient，but，thankstoyourkindness，wemightmanagenowtopickupsomethingofthesort。"

Thedoctorwassilentforaminute。

"IfyouwillsendDanovertometo-morrowafternoonIwillseewhatcanbedone，"hesaid。"Itwouldcertainlybethesafestplanbyfar；butImustthinkitover。Youwillnotleavebeforethat，willyou？"

"Certainlynot，doctor。Inanycaseweshouldhavestayedanotherdaytogetafewmorethingsforourjourney。"

ThenextafternoonDanwentovertoMountPleasant。Hewasawaytwohourslongerthantheyhadexpected，andtheybegantofeelquiteuneasyabouthim，whenthesoundofwheelswasheard，andDanappearedcomingalongtheroaddrivingacart。Vincentgaveashoutofsatisfaction，andLucyandthenegressranoutfromthehouseindelight。

"Hereamdecart。Mehadtogotofivemilesfromdetowntogethim。Datwhattookmesolong。Hereamaletter，sah，fromthedoctorFirst-ratemandatGoodmanallober。"

Theletterwasasfollows:

"MyDEARMu。WINGFIELD:Ididnotseehowyouwouldbeabletobuyacart，andIwassurethatyoucouldnotobtainonewiththefundsinyourpossession。AsfromwhatyouhavesaidI

knewthatyouwouldnotintheleastmindtheexpense，Ihavetakenthematteruponmyself，andhaveboughtfromyourlandladyacartandhorse，whichwill，Ithink，suityouwell。Ihavepaidforthemahundredandfiftydollars，whichyoucanremitmewiththehundredIhandedyouyesterday。Sincerelytrustingthatyoumaysucceedincarryingoutyourplansinsafety，andwithkindregardstoyourselfandMissKingston，"Iremain，yourstruly，"JAMESSPENCER。"

"Thatisanoblefellow，"Vincentsaid，"andItrust，forhissakeaswellasourown，thatweshallgetsafelythrough。Now，Lucy，I

thinkyouhadbettergointothetownthefirstthingandbuysomeclothesofgoodhomelyfashion。Whatwiththewaterandthebushesyourdressisgrievouslydilapidated，tosaytheleastofit。

Dancangowithyouandbuyasuitforme-thosefittedforayoungfarmer。Weshalllooklikeayoungfarmerandhissisterjoggingcomfortablyalongtomarket；wecanstop-andbuyastockofgoodsatsomefarmontheway。"

"Thatwillbecapital，"thegirlsaid。"Ihavebeengreatlyashamedofmyolddress，hutknowingwewererunningsoshort，andthateverydollarwasofconsequence，Imadethebestofit；nowthatweareinfundswecanaffordtoberespectable。"

Lucystartedearlythenextmorningforthetown，andtheshoppingwassatisfactorilyaccomplished。Theyreturnedbyeleveno"clock。

Thenewpurchaseswereatoncedonned，andhalfanhourlatertheysetoffinthecart，Vincentsittingonthesidedriving，Lucyinthecornerfacinghimonabasketturnedtopsy-turvy，DanandChioeonathickbagofrushesinthebottomofthecart。

CHAPTERXIV。ACROSSTHEBORDER。

DANONhisreturnwiththecarthadbroughtbackamessagefromitslateownertosaythatifshecouldinanywaybeofusetothemsheshouldbegladtoaidthem。Herfarmlayontheroadtheywerenowfollowing，andtheydeterminedthereforetostopthere。Asthecartdrewupatthedoorthewomancameout。

"Gadtoseeyou，"shesaid；"comerightin。It"sstrangenowyoushouldhavebeenlodginginmyhouseformorethansixweeksandIshouldneverhaveseteyesonyoubefore。Thedoctortalkedtomeaheapaboutyou，butIdidn"tlooktoseequitesuchayoungcouple。"

Lucycoloredhotlyandwasabouttoexplainthattheydidnotstandinthesupposedrelationshiptoeachother，butVincentslightlyshookhishead。Itwasnotworthwhiletoundeceivethewoman，andalthoughtheyhadagreedtopassasbrotherandsisterVincentwasdeterminednottotellanuntruthaboutitunlessdeceitwasabsolutelynecessaryfortheirsafety。

"Andyouwanttogetoutofthewaywithoutquestionsbeingasked，Iunderstand？"thewomanwenton。"Therearemanysuchaboutatpresent。Idon"twanttoasknoquestions；thewarhasbroughttroubleenoughonme。NowisthereanythingIcando？Ifso，sayitrightout。"

"Yes，thereissomethingyoucandoforus。Wewanttofillupourcartwiththesortofstuffyoutaketomarket-applesandpumpkins，andthingsofthatsort。Ifwehadgonetobuythemanywhereelsetheremighthavebeenquestionsasked。Fromwhatthedoctorsaidyoucanletushavesome。"

"Icandothat。Thestoreroom"schuckfull；anditwasonlyafewdaysagoIsaidtoDaviditwastimewesetaboutgettingthemoff。

Iwillfillyourcart，sir；andnotoverchargeyouneither。ItwillsaveusthetroubleoftakingitovertoColumbiaorCamden，forthere"splentyofgardentruckroundMountPleasant，andonecannotgetenoughtopayforthetroubleoftakingthemthere。"

Thecartwassoonfilledwithapples，pumpkins，andothervegetables，andthepriceputuponthemwasverymoderate。

"Whatoughtwetoaskforthese？。"Vincentsooninquired。"Onedoesnotwanttobeextracheapordear。"

Thewomaninformedthemofthepricestheymightexpecttogetfortheproduce；andtheyatoncestartedamidmanywarmgoodwishesfromher。

BeforeleavingthefarmthewomanhadgiventhemalettertohersisterwholivedamilefromCamden。

"It"salwaysawkwardstoppingatastrangeplace，"shesaid，"andfarmersdon"toftenputupathotelswhentheydriveinwithgardentrucktoatown，thoughtheymaydososometimes；besidesit"salwaysnicebeingwithfriends。IwillwritealinetoJaneandtellheryouhavebeenmytenantsatWoodfordandwhereyouaregoing，andaskhertotakeyouinforthenightandgiveyouanoteinthemorningtoanyonesheorherhusbandmayknowagoodbitalongthatroad。"

Whentheyreachedthehouseitwasdark，butdirectlyVincentshowedthenotethefarmerandhiswifeheartilybadethemcomein。

"Yourboycanputupthehorseatthestab]e，andyouareheartilywelcome。Butthehouseisprettyfull，andwecan"tmakeyouascomfortableasweshouldwishatnight；butstillwewilldoourbest。"

VincentandLucyweresoonseatedbythefire。Theirhostessbustledaboutpreparingsupperforthem，andthechildren，ofwhomthehouseseemedfull，staredshylyatthenewcomers。Assoonasthemealwasover，Chloe"swantswereattendedto，andahunchofbreadandbacontakenoutbythefarmertoDaninthestables。Thechildrenwerethenpackedofftobed，andthefarmerandhiswifejoinedVincentandLucybythefire。

"Astosleeping，"thewomansaid，"JohnandIhavebeentalkingitover，andthebestwaywecanseeisthatyoushouldsleepwithme，ma"am，andwewillmakeupabedonthefloorhereformyhusbandandyours。"

"Thankyou-thatwilldoverynicely；thoughIdon"tlikeinterferingwithyourarrangements。"

"Notatall，ma"am，notatall，itmakesanicechangehavingsomeonecomein，especiallyoflate，whenthereisnomorepleasureingoingaboutinthiscountry，andpeopledon"tgooutafterdarkmorethantheycanhelp。Ah!it"sabadtime。Mysistersaysyouaregoingwest，butIseeyouhavegotyourcartfullofgardentruck。HowyouhaveraiseditsosoonIdon"tknow；forLizawrotetometwomonthssinceasshehadn"tbeenabletosellherplace，anditwasjustawilderness。AreyougoingtogetridofitatCamdento-morrow？"

Vincenthadalreadybeenassuredastothepoliticsofhispresenthostandhostess，andhethereforedidnothesitatetosay:

"Thefactis，madam，weareanxioustogetalongwithoutbeingquestionedbyanyYankeetroopswemayfallinwith；andwehaveboughtthethingsyouseeinthecartfromyoursister，as，goingalongwithacartfull，anyonewemetwouldtakeusforfarmerslivingclosebyontheirroadtothenextmarket-town。"

"Oh，oh!that"sit!"thefarmersaidsignificantly。"Wanttogetthroughthelines，eh？"

Vincentnodded。

"Didn"tIthinksot"thefarmersaid，rubbinghishands。"Ithoughtdirectlymyeyeshituponyouthatyoudidnotlookthecutofagranger。Beenfighting-eh？andtheyareafteryou？"

Idon"tthinktheyareaftermehere，"Vincentsaid。"ButIhaveseenagooddealoffightingwithJacksonandStuart；andIamjustgettingoveracollar-bonewhichwassmashedbyaYankeebullet。"

"Youdon"tsay!"thefarmerexclaimed。"Well，Ishouldhavegoneoutmyselfifithadn"tbeenforJaneandthechildren。ButtherearesuchalotofthemthatIcouldnotbringmyselftorunthechanceofleavingthemallonherhands。Still，Iamwiththemheartandsoul。"

"Yourwife"ssistertoldmethatyouwereontherightside，"

Vincentsaid，"andthatIcouldtrustyoualtogether。"

"Now，ifyoutellmewhichroadyouwanttogo，Idon"tmindifI

getonmyhorseto-morrowandridewithyouastage，andseeyouputforthenight。Iknowaheapofpeople，andIamsuretobeacquaintedwithsomeonewhicheverroadyoumaygo。Weareprettynearalltherightsideabouthere，though，asyougetfurtheron，therearelotsofNorthernmen。Now，whatareyourideasastotheroads？"

Vincenttoldhimtherouteheintendedtotake。

"Yououghttogetthroughthererightenough，"thefarmersaid。

"TherearesomeYankeetroopsmovingabouttothewestoftheriver，butnotmanyofthem；andovenifyoufellinwiththem，withyourcargoofstufftheywouldnotsuspectyou。Anyhow，Iexpectwecangetyoupasseddownsoasalwaystobeamongfriends。SoyoufoughtunderJacksonandStuart，didyou？Ah，theyhavedonewellinVirginia!Ionlywishwebadsuchmenhere。Whatmadeyoutakethosetwodarkiesalongwithyou？Ishouldhavethoughtyouwouldhavegotalongbetterbyyourself。"

"WeCouldn"tverywellleavethem，"Vincentsaid；"theboyhasbeenwithmeallthroughthewars，andisastrueassteel。OldChloewasLucy"snurse，andwouldhavebrokenherhearthadshebeenleftbehind。"

"Theyarefaithfulcreatureswhentheyarewelltreated。Mightyfewofthemhaverunawayallthistimefromtheirmasters，thoughinthepartstheYankeesholdthereisnothingtopreventtheirboltingiftheyhaveamindtoit。Ihaven"tgotnoniggersmyself。I

triedthem，buttheywantmorelookingafterthantheyareworth；

andIcanmakeashiftwithmyboystohelpme，andhiringahandinbusytimestoworkthefarm。Now，sir，whatdoyouthinkofthelook-out？"

Thesubjectofthewarfairlystarted，hishosttalkeduntilmidnight，longbeforewhichhourLucyandthefarmer"swifehadgoneofftobed。

"Wewillstartassoonasitislight，"thefarmersaid，asheandVincentstretchedthemselvesupontheheapofstrawcoveredwithblanketsthatwastoserveastheirbed，Chloehavinghoursbeforegoneuptosharethebedofthenegrogirlwhoassistedthefarmer"swifeinhermanagementofthehouseandchildren。

"It"sbesttogetthroughCamdenbeforepeopleareabout。ThereareYankeesoldiersatthebridge，butitwillbeallrightyoudrivingin，howeverearly，tosellyourstuff。Goingoutyouain"tlikelytomeetwithYankees；butasitwouldlookqueer，youtakingyourgardentruckoutofthetown，it"sjustaswelltobeontheroadbeforepeopleareabout。Onceyougetfiveorsixmilestheothersideyoumightbegoingtothenextplacetosellyourstuff。"

"ThatisjustwhatIhavebeenthinking，"Vincentsaid，"andIagreewithyoutheearlierwegetthroughCamdenthebetter。"

Accordinglyassoonasdaylightappearedthehorsowasputintbecart，thefarmermountinghisownanimal，andwithaheartygood-byfromhiswifethepartystartedaway。TheYankeesentinelsateachendofthebridgewerepassedwithoutquestions，forearlyasitwasthecartswerecominginwithfarmproduce。Asyetthestreetsofthetownwerealmostdeserted，andthefarmer，whobeforestartinghadtossedatarpaulinintothebackofthecart，said:

"Now，pullthatoverallthatstuff，andthenanyonethatmeetsuswillthinkthatyouaretakingoutbaconandgroceriesandsuchlikeforsomestorewayoff。"