第16章

"Ican"thelpyouinthat，"thewomansaid；"buttherearecertainlysomeboatslaidupalongtheshore。Now，Maria，whohasgotboatsthathaven"tbeentaken？"

"IexpecttheJohnsonshavegotone，"theotherwomanreplied。

"Theyhadasmallboattheboysandgirlsusedtogooutfishingin。

Idon"tthinktheYankshavegotthat。Iexpecttheyhiditawaysomewhere；butIdon"tknowastheywouldletyouhaveit。Sheisaclose-fistedwomanisSarahJohnson。"

"Icouldpayherforitsvalue，"Vincentsaid。

"Oh，well，ifyoucouldpayhershewouldletyouhaveit。

Idon"tsayshewouldn"t，anyhow，seeingasyouareanofficer，andtheYanksareafteryou。Still，sheiscloseisSarahJohnson，andI

don"tknowassheissosetontheConfederacyasmostpeople。I

tellyouwhatIwilldo，sir。Iwillgodownandsayasastrangerwantstobuyherboat，andnoquestionsasked。Sheisjusttoshowwheretheboatishidden，andyouaretopayforitandtakeitawaywhenyouwantit。"

"Thatwouldbeaverygoodplan，"Vincentsaid，"ifyouwouldn"tmindthetrouble。"

"Thetroubleisnothing，"shesaid。"Johnson"splaceain"taboveamilealongtheshore。"

"Iwillgowithyouuntilyougetclosetothehouse，"Vincentsaid；

"then，whenyouhearwhatshewantsfortheboat，Iwillgiveyouthemoneyforit，andyoucanshowmewhereitishidden。"

Thiswasaccordinglydone。Mrs。Johnson，afteraconsidorableamountofbargainingwithVincent"sguide，agreedtotaketwentydollarsfortheboat，anduponreceivingthemoneysentdownoneofherboyswithhertoshowherwhereitwashidden。Itwasinaholethathadbeenscoopedoutinthesteepbanksometenfootabovethewater"sedge，andwascompletelyhiddenfromthesightofanyonerowingpastbyasmallclumpofbushes。WhentheboyshadreturnedtothefarmhousethewomantookVincenttothespot，andtheythenwentbacktogether。

HereheandTonyhadalongtalkastowhetheritwouldbebettertoputoutatonceortowaittillnightfall。Itwasfinallydeterminedthatitwasbesttomakeanimmediatestart。Aboatrowedbytwomenwouldattractlittleattention。Itmightbelongtoanyoftheshipsatanchorintheriver，andmightbesupposedtohavegoneonshoretofetcheggsorchickens，orwithaletteroramessage。

"Yousee，bothshoresareinthehandsoftheYankees，"Vincentsaid，"andtherewillnotbeanysuspicionofaboatinthedaytime。

Atnightwemightbehailed，andifwegavenoanswerfiredupon，andthatnightbringagunboatalongtoseewhatwasthematter。

No，Ithinkitwillbefarbesttogoonboldly。TherearenotlikelytobeanybodiesofFederaltroopsontheoppositeshoreexceptatFortressMonroe，andperhapsoppositethepointwheretheyhavegottheirlandingbelowPetersburg。Onceashoreweshallbesafe。

Thepeninsulaoppositeiscoveredwithforestandswamp，andweshallhavenodifficultyingettingthroughhowevermanytroopstheymayhaveacrossit。Youknowtheplaceprettywell，don"tyou，Tony？"

Tonynodded。"Onceacross，sah，alldeYankarmywouldn"tcatchus。Meknowoblotsobhiding-places。"

"Thembroadhatswillneverdo，"thewomansaid；"butIhavegotsomebluenightcapsIknittedformyhusband。TheyaresomethinglikethecapsIhavesoonsomesailorswear；anyhow，theywillpassatadistance，andwhenyoutakeyourcoatsandvestsoff，themcoloredflannelshirtswillbejusttherightthing。"

"Thatwilldocapitally，andthesoonerweareoffthebettor，"

Vincentsaid，andafterheartilythankingthetwowomen，andbestowingapresentuponeachofthechildren，theystartedalongtheshore。

Theboatwassoongotintothewater，theoarsputout，andtheystarted。Thetidewasjustlownow，andtheyagreedtopullalongatashortdistancefromtheshoreuntilitturned。Assoonasitdidsothevesselsatanchorwouldbegettingupsailtomakeuptothelanding-place，andevenhadanyoneonboardnoticedtheboatputout，andhadbeenwatchingit，theywouldhaveotherthingstothinkabout。

"Itissometimesincewelastrowedinaboattogether，Tony。"

"Aboutthreeyears，sah；dattimewhenyougotmesafeaway。I

hadabadfrightdatdayyouleftme，sah。Itcameontoblowberyhard，andsomeohdementoldmedatdeydidnottinkyouwouldevergetbacktoshore。Datmademeawfulbad，sah；andmewishoberandoberagaindatmehabdiedindeforestinsteadohyourtakingmeoffinaboatandtrowingawayyourlife。Ineberfelthappyagain，sah，tillIgotyourletterupinCanady，andknewyouhadgotbacksafedatday。"

"Wehadanarrowsqueakofit，Tony，andwereblownsomedistanceup。Wewerenearlyswampedascoreoftimes，andDanquitemadeuphismindthatitwasallupwithus。However，wegotthroughsafe，andIdon"tthinkasoul，exceptperhapsJacksonandthatrascallyoverseerofours，whoafterwardhadahandincarryingoffyourwife，andlosthislifeinconsequence，everhadasuspicionwehadbeendoingmorethanalongfishingexpedition。I

willtellyouallaboutitwhenwearegoingthroughthewoods。

NowIthinkit"sprettynearlydeadwater，andwewillbegintoedgeacross。"

CHAPTERXX。THEENDOFTHESTRUGGLE。

VINCENTdirectedhiscoursesothatwhiletheboat"sheadwasstillpointingupthestream，andshewasapparentlymovinginthesamedirectionastheships，shewasgradua]lygettingouttothemiddleoftheriver。Hadhetriedtorowstraightacrosssuspicionmightatoncehavebeenexcited。Inhalfanhourtheywereinthemiddleofthestream。Avesselpassingunderfullsailsweptalongatadistanceofahundredyards，andtheywerehailed。Vincentmerelywavedhishandandcontinuedhiscourse。

"Idaresaythosefellowswonderwhatweareupto，Tony；buttheyarenotlikelytostoptoinquire。Inanotherquarterofanhourweshallbeprettysafe。Ah!there"safellowwhomightinterferewithus，"headdedlookinground。"Doyouseethatlittleblackthingtwomilesaheadofus？that"sasteamlaunch。Ifsheseesusmakingovershe"slikelyenoughtocomeandaskussomequestions。Wehadbetterheadalittlemoretowardtheshorenow。

IfitcomestoaraceeveryfootisofimportanceUptonowtheyhadbeenrowinginaneasyandleisurelymanner，avoidingallappearanceofhaste。Theynowbenttotheiroars，andtheboatbegantotravelagooddealfasterthroughthewater。

Vincentglancedoverhisshoulderfrequentlyatthesteamlaunch。

"Sheiskeepingstraightoninthemiddleofthechannel，Tony；

evidentlyshehasn"tnoticedusyet。"

Tenminutesafterpassingtheshipheexclaimedsharply:

"Row，Tony，ashardasyoucan；thelaunchhasjustpassedthatship，andhaschangedhercourse。Iexpectthecaptainhascalledtheirattentiontous。It"saracenow。"

Theboat，atthemomentthelaunchchangedhercourse，wasrathermorethanhalfwaybetweenthecenterofthechannelandtheshore。Thelaunchwasinthecenterofthechannel，andthree-quartersofamilehigherup。Shehadevidentlyputonsteamasshestartedtocutofftheboat，fortherewasnowawhitewaveatherbow。

"Ithinkweshalldoit，Tony，"Vincentsaid。"Idon"tsupposeshecangoaboveeightmilesanhourandwearecertainlygoingfour，andshehasmorethantwiceasfartotravelaswehave。"

Thoseonboardthelaunchwereevidentlyconsciousthattheywerelikelytolosetherace，forinafewminutestheybegantoopenfirewiththeirrifles。

"Fireaway，"Vincentsaid。"Youain"tlikelytohitusathousandyardsoff，andwehaven"tanotherthreehundredtorow。"

Thebulletswhistledoverhead，butnoneofthemstruckthewaterwithinmanyyardsoftheboat，andthelaunchwasstillfourorfivehundredyardsawaywhenthebowoftheboattouchedtheshore。

SeveralmusketsweredischargedasVincentandTonyleapedoutandplungedintothebushesthatcamedowntothewater"sedge。

Thelaunchsentupasharpseriesofwhistles，andrandomshotswereforsometimefiredintothebushes。

"Itisluckyshedidn"tcarryasmallguninherbow，"Vincentsaid；

"forthoughsevenoreighthundredyardsisalongrangeforarifle，theymightlikelyenoughhavehitusiftheyhadhadagun。Now，Tony，weshallhavetobecareful，forthosewhistlesarenodoubtmeantasanalarm；andalthoughshecannottellwhoweare，shewillprobablysteamup，andiftheyhaveanyforceoppositeBurmudawillgivethemnewsthattwosuspiciouscharactershavelanded，andtheywillhavepartiesouttolookforus。"

"Deycanlookaslongasdeylike，sah。Efdoseslave-hunterscan"tfindpeopleindeswampswhatchanceyoutinkdosesoldiershave？Noneatall。Deyhaven"tgotnorewardbeforedereeyes，anddeywon"twanttobegoinginoberdereshoesintodemudanddirtingdereuniforms。Nofearobdem，sah。Deymakeasmuchnoisewhendeymarchindowoodasadroveohpigs。Youcanheardemaquarterobamileaway。"

TheytrampedonthroughthewoodsthroughwhichMcClellan"sforcehadsopainfullymadetheirwayduringtheirfirstadvanceagainstRichmond。Fromtimetotimetheycouldhearnoisesintheforest-shouts，andonceortwicethedischargeoffirearms。

"Deycalldathunting，1s"pose，"Tonysaidscornfully。

Theykeptsteadilyonuntilitbegantogrowdarkintheforest。

TheywerenowintheWhiteOakSwampandnoteightmilesfromRichmond，andtheythoughtitbettertopauseuntilitbecamequitedark，fortheymightbepickedupbyanyraidingpartyofcavalry。

Vincentwasinhighspirits。Now，thathehadsucceededinhisenterprise，andhadescapedalmostbyamiracle，hewaseagertogetbacktoRichmondandcarryhisnewsdowntoGeneralLee。

Tonywasevenmoreanxioustopushon。Atlast，afterthreeyears"

absence，hewastoseehiswifeandchildagain，andhereluctantlyagreedtoVincent"sproposalforahalt。

Wesha"n"tstopverylong，Tony；andIownIamwaitingquiteasmuchbecauseIamhungryandwanttoeat，andbecauseIamdesperatelytired，asfromanyfearoftheenemy。WewalkedtwentymileslastnightfromUnionGrovetotheriver，thenI

walkedtotheboat，backtothefarmandthenbacktotheboatagain-that"sthreemoremiles-andwehavegoneanothertwentynow。Iamprettynearlydeadbeat，Icantellyou。"

"I"setiredtoo，sah；butIfeelIcouldgoonwalkingallnightifI

wastoseeDinahindomorning。"

"Well，Icouldn"t，Tony；nottoseeanyone。Imightbewillingenough，butmylegswouldn"ttakeme。"

Theyateaheartymeal，andalmostassoonastheyhadfinishedVincentstoodupagain。

"Well，Tony，Icanfeelforyourimpatience，andsowewillstruggleon。IhavejustbeenthinkingthatwhenIlastleftmymotheraweeksinceshesaidshewasthinkingofgoingouttotheOrangeryforamonthbeforetheleavesfell，soitisprobablethatshemaybetherenow。ItisonlyaboutthesamedistanceasitistoRichmond，sowewillgostraightthere。Ishalllosealittletime，ofcourse；butIcanbedrivenovertoRichmond，soitwon"tbetoomuch。Besides，Icanputonapairofslippers。Thatwillbeacomfort，formyfeetfeelasiftheywereinvises。Acupofteawon"tbeabadthing，too。"

DuringtheirwalkthroughthewoodVincenthadrelatedthecircumstancesofthecarryingawayofDinahandofherrescue。

WhenhehadfinishedTonyhadsaid:

"Well，MassaWingfield，Idon"tknowwhattosaytoyou。ItoughtIowedyouenuffbefore，butitwarnothingtodis。JusttotinkdatyoushouldtakealldatpainstofetchDinahbackforme。Idunnohowitcametoyoutodoit。Itseemstomelikeasifyoubeensentspecialfromhebentododispoorniggergood。Wordsain"tnogood，sah；butofIcouldgivemylifeawayahundredtimesforyouIwoulddoit。"

Ittookthemnearlythreehours"walkingbeforetheycameinsightoftheOrangery。

"Therearelightsinthewindows，"Vincentsaid。"Thankgoodnesstheyarethere。"

Vincentlimpedslowlyalonguntilhereachedthehouse。

"Youstayouthere，Tony。IwillsendDinahouttoyoudirectly。Itwillbebetterforhertomeetyouherealone。"

Vincentwalkedstraightintothedrawing-room，wherehismotherandAnnieweresitting。

"Why，Vincent!"Mrs。Wingfieldexclaimed，startingup，whathashappenedtoyou？Whatareyoudresseduplikethatfor？Isanythingthematter？"

"Nothingisthematter，mother，exceptthatIamastiredasadog。

Yes，mydressisnotquitefitforadrawing-room，"helaughed，lookingdownattheroughtrouserssplashedwithmudtothewaist，andhisflannelshirt，fortheyhadnotwaitedtopickuptheircoatsastheylefttheboat；"butnothingisthematter，Icanassureyou。I

willtellyouaboutitdirectly，butfirstpleasesendforDinahhere。"

Mrs。Wingfleldrangthebellonthetablebesideher。

"TellDinahIwanttospeaktoheratonce，"shesaidtothegirlthatansweredit。Dinahappearedinaminute。

"Dinah，"Vincentsaid，"hasyourboygonetobed？"

"Yes，sah；beengoneanhourago。"

"Well，justgotohim，andputashawlroundhim，andgooutthroughthefrontdoor。Thereissomeonestandingthereyouwillbegladtosee。

Dinahstoodwithopeneyes，thenherhandsbegantotremble。

"IsitTony，sah；fordoLord"ssake，isitTony？"

Vincentnodded，andwithalittlescreamofjoysheturnedandranstraighttothefrontdoor。Shecouldnotwaitnoweventofetchherboy，andinanothermomentshewasclaspedinherhusband"sarms。

"Now，Vincent，tellusallaboutit，"hismothersaid。"Don"tyouseewearedyingofcuriosity？"

"AndIamdyingoffatigue，"Vincentsaid；"whichisamuchmorepainfulsortofdeath，andIcanthinkofnothingelseuntilIhavegotthesebootsoff。Annie，dorunandtellthemtobringmeapairofslippersandacupoftea，andIshallwantthebuggyatthedoorinhalfanhour。"

"Youarenotgoingawayagainto-night，Vincent，surely？"hismothersaidanxiously。"Youdolookcompletelyexhausted。"

"Iamexhausted，mother。Ihavewalkedsevenoreight-and-fortymiles，andthiscavalryworkspoilsoneforwalkingaltogether。"

"Walkedforty-eightmiles，Vincent!Whatonearthhaveyoudonethatfor？"

"Notfromchoice，Icanassureyou，mother；butyouknowtheoldsaying，"Needsmustwhenthedevildrives，"andinthepresentcaseyoumustread"Yankee"insteadof"thegentlemaninblack。"

"ButhasPetersburgfallen？"Mrs。Wingfieldaskedinalarm。

"No；Petersburgissafe，andislikelytocontinueso。Butyoumustreallybepatient，mother，untilIhavehadsometea，thenyoucanhearthestoryinfull。"

WhentheservantcameinwiththeteaVincenttoldherthatshewastotellDinah，whomshewouldfindontheveranda，tobringherhusbandintothekitchen，andtogivehimeverythinghewanted。Then，assoonashehadfinishedtea，hetoldhismotherandsistertheadventureshehadgonethrough。Bothwerecryingwhenhehadfinished。

"Iamproudofyou，Vincent，"hismothersaid。"Itishardonusthatyoushouldrunsuchrisks；stillIdonotblameyou，myboy，forifIhadtensonsIwouldgivethemallformycountry。"

Vincenthadbutjustfinishedhisstorywhentheservantcameinandsaidthatthebuggywasatthedoor。

"Iwillgoinmyslippers，mother，butIwillrunupandchangemyotherthings。It"sluckyIhavegotasparesuithere。Anyofourfellowswhohappenedtobegoingdownto-nightinthetrainwouldthinkthatIwasmadwereItogolikethis。"

Itwasoneo"clockinthemorningwhenVincentreachedPetersburg。Hewentstraighttohisquarters，asitwouldbenousewakingGeneralLeeatthathour。Alightwasburninginhisroom，andDanwasasleepatthetablewithhisheadonhisarms。Heleapedupwithacryofjoyashismasterentered。

"Well，Dan，hereIamsafeagain，"Vincentsaidcheerily。"Ihopeyouhadnotbeguntogivemeup。"

"Ibegantobeterriblyfrightened，sir-terriblyfrightened。IwentdisafternoonandaskedCaptainBurleyifhehadanynewsohyou。

Hesaid"No；"andaskedmeefIknewwhereyouwere。Isaid"No，sah；"thatIknewnuffinaboutitexceptthatyouhadgoneonsomedangerousjob。Hesaidhehopedthatyouwouldbebacksoon；

andcertainly，asfarasdeyhadheard，nuffinhadhappenedtoyou。

StillIwasberyanzious，andtoughtIwouldsituptilldelasttraincameinfromRichmond。DenItinkIdroppedofftosleep。"

"Ithinkyoudid，Dan。Well，Iamtootiredtotellyouanythingaboutitnow，butIhaveonepieceofnewsforyou；Tonyhascomebacktohiswife。"

"Dat"sgoodnews，sah；berygoodnews。IhadbeguntobeafraiddatTonyhadbeenshotorhungorsometing。IknowDinahhabbeenfrettingabouthimthoughsheneversaidmuch，butwhenI

amathomesheallusasksmeallsortsofquestions"bouthim。Sheberygladwomannow。"

ThenextmorningVincentwenttoGeneralLee"squarters。

"Iamheartilygladtoseeyouback，"thegeneralsaidwarmlyasheentered。"Ihaveblamedmyselfforlettingyougo。Well，whatsuccesshaveyouhad？"

"Hereisaroughplanoftheworks，general。Ihavenothadtimetodoitoutfairly，butitshowsthepositionsofalltheirprincipalbatteries，witharoughestimateastothenumberofgunsthateachisintendedtocarry。"

"Excellent!"thegeneralsaid，glancingovertheplan。"Thiswillgiveusexactlytheinformationwewant。Wemustsettowithourcounter-worksatonce。Thecountryisindeedindebtedtoyou，sir。

SoyoumanagedtocheattheYankeesaltogether？"

"Ishouldhavecheatedthem，sir；but"unfortunatelyIcameacrossanoldacquaintancewhodenouncedme，andIhadanarrowescapeofbeingshot。"

"Well，CaptainWingfield，Imustseeaboutthisbusiness，andgiveordersatonce。Willyoucomeandbreakfastwithmeathalf-pasteight？Thenyoucangivemeanaccountofyouradventures。"

Vincentreturnedtohisquarters，andspentthenexttwohoursinmakingadetaileddrawingoftheenemy"spositionsandbatteries，andthenathalf-pasteightwalkedovertoGeneralLee"squarters。

ThegeneralreturnedinafewminuteswithGeneralWadeHamptonandseveralotherofficers，andtheyatoncesatdowntobreakfast。Asthemealwasproceedinganorderlyenteredwithatelegramforthegeneral。GeneralLeeglancedthroughit。

"This，gentlemen，isfromtheministerofwar。IacquaintedhimbytelegraphthismorningthatCaptainWingfield，whohadvolunteeredforthedangerousservice，hadjustreturnedfromtheFederallineswithaplanofthepositionsandstrengthofalltheworksthattheyareerecting。IsaidthatItrustedthatsuchdistinguishedserviceashehadrenderedwouldbeatoncerewardedwithpromotion，andtheministertelegraphstomenowthathebaathismorningsignedthisyoungofficer"scommissionasmajor。Iheartilycongratulateyou，sir，onyourwell-earnedstep。

Andnow，asIseeyouhavefinishedyourbreakfast，perhaps，youwillgive"usanaccountofyourproceedings。"

Vincentgaveadetailedaccountofhisadventures，whichwereheardwithsurpriseandinterest。

"Thatwasanarrowescape，indeed，"thegeneralsaid，ashefinished。"Itwasamarvelousthingyourlightinguponthisnegro，whomyousayyouhadoncehadanopportunityofserving，justatthatmoment；andalthoughyoudonottelluswhatwasthenatureoftheserviceyouhadrenderedhim，itmusthavebeenaveryconsiderableserviceorhewouldneverhaveriskedhislifeinthatwaytosaveyours。Whenthesenegroesdofeelattachmentfortheirmasterstherearenomorefaithfulanddevotedfellows。Well，inyourcasecertainlyagoodactionhasmetwithitsreward；ifithadnotbeenforhimtherecouldbenoquestionthatyourdoomwassealed。Itisastrangethingtooyourmeetingthattraitor。I

rememberreadingaboutthatescapeofyoursfromtheYankeeprison。Hemusthavebeenanungratefulvillain，afteryourtakinghimwithyou。"

"Hewasabadfellowaltogether，Iamafraid，"Vincentsaid；"andthequarrelbetweenuswasalong-standingone。"

"Whateveryourquarrelwas，"thegeneralsaidhotly，"amanwhowouldbetrayevenanenemytodeathinthatwayisavillain。

However，hehasgonetohisaccount，andthecountrycanforgivehistreacherytoher，asIhavenodoubtyouhavealreadydonehisconducttowardyour-self。"

AshorttimeafterwardVincenthadleaveforaweek，asthingswerequietatPetersburg。

"Mother，"hesaidonthemorningafterhegothome9"Ifearthatthereisnodoubtwhatevernowhowthisstrugglewillend。IthinkwemightkeepGrantatbayhere，butShermanistoostrongforusdowninGeorgia。WearealreadycutofffrommostoftheSouthernStates，andintimeShermanwillsweeproundhere，andthenitwillbeallover。Youseeityourself，don"tyou，mother？"

"Yes，Iamafraiditcannotcontinuemuchlonger，Vincent。Well，ofcourse，weshallfighttotheend。"

"Iamnottalkingofgivingup，mother；Iamlookingforwardtothefuture。Thefirststepwillbethatalltheslaveswillbefreed。Now，itseemstomethathoweverattachedtheymaybetotheirmastersandmistressestbeywilllosetheirheadsoverthis，flockintothetowns，andnearlystarvethere；orelsetakeuplittlepatchesoflandandcultivatethem，andlivefromhandtomouth，whichwillberuintothepresentownersaswellastothem。Anyhowforatimeallwillbeconfusionanddisorder。Now，myideaisthis，ifyougiveallyourslavestheirfreedomatonce，offerthempatchesoflandfortheirowncultivationandemploythematwages，youwillfindthatagreatmanyofthemwillstopwithyou。Thereisnowhereforthemtogoatpresentandnothingtoexcitethem，sobeforethegeneralcrashcomestheywillhavesettleddownquietlytoworkhereintheirnewpositions，andwillnotbelikelytogoaway"Itisaserioussteptotake，Vincent，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid，afterthinkingthematteroverinsilenceforsometime。"Youdonotthinkthereisanyprobablityoftheultimatesuccessofourcause？"

"None，mother；Idonotthinkthereisevenapossibility。OnebyonetheSouthernStateshavebeenwrestedfromtheConfederacy。

Sherman"smarchwillcompletelyisolateus。Wehaveputourlastavailablemaninthefield，andtremendousasarethelossesoftheenemytheyareabletofillupthegapsasfastastheyaremade。

No，mother，donotletusdeceiveourselvesonthathead。Theendmustcome，andthatbeforelong。Theslaveswillunquestionablybefreed，andtheonlyquestionforusishowtosoftentheblow。

Thereisnodoubtthatourslaves，bothattheOrangeryandattheotherplantations，arecontentedandhappy；butyouknowhowfickleandeasilyledthenegroesare，andintheexcitementoffindingthemselvesfreeandabletogowheretheyplease，youmaybesurethatthegreaternumberwillwanderaway。Myproposalis，thatweshouldatoncemarkoutaplotoflandforeachfamilyandtellthemthataslongastheystayhereitistheirsrent-free；theywillbepaidfortheirworkupontheestate，three，four，orfivedaysaweek，astheycansparetimefromtheirownplots。Inthiswaytheywillbesettleddown，andhavecropsupontheirplotsofland，beforethewholeblackpopulationisupsetbythesuddenabolitionofslavery。"

"Butsupposingtheywon"tworkatall，evenforwages，Vincent？"

"Ishouldnotgivethemtheoption，mother；itwillbeaconditionoftheirhavingtheirplotsoflandfreethattheyshallworkatleastthreedaysaweekforwages。"

"Iwillthinkoverwhatyousay，Vincent，andtellyoumydecisioninthemorning。Icertainlythinkyourplanisagoodone。"

ThenextmorningMrs。WingfieldtoldVincentthatshehaddecidedtoadopthisplan。Heatonceheldalongconsultationwiththeoverseer，anddecidedwhichfieldsshouldbesetasidefortheallotments，choosinglandClosetothenegroes"quartersandsuitablefortheraisingofvegetablesforsaleinthetown。

IntheafternoonMrsWingfieldwentdownwithhim。Thebellwasrungandthewholeoftheslavesassembled。Vincentthenmadethemaspeech。Hebeganbyremindingthemofthekindtreatmenttheyhadalwaysreceived，andofthegoodfeelingthathadexistedbetweentheownersoftheOrangeryandtheirslaves。Hepraisedthemfortheirgoodconductsincethebeginningofthetroubles，andsaidthathismotherandhimselfhadagreedthattheywouldnowtakestepstorewardthem，andtostrengthenthetiebetweenthem。Theywouldallbegrantedtheirfreedomatonce，andalargeplotoflandwouldbegiventoeachman，asmuchasheandhisfamilycouldcultivatewithanaverageoftwodaysaweeksteadylabor。

Thosewholikedwould，ofcourse，beatlibertytoleave；buthehopedthatnoneofthemwouldavailthemselvesofthisfreedom，fornowherewouldtheydosowellasbyacceptingtheofferhemadethem。Allwhoacceptedtheofferofaplotoflandrent-freemustunderstandthatitwasgrantedthemupontheconditionthattheywouldlaborupontheestateforatleastthreedaysaweek，receivingarateofpaysimilartothatearnedbyotherfreednegroes。Ofcoursetheywouldbeatlibertytoworkfourorfivedaysaweekiftheychose；butatleasttheymustworkthreedaysandanyonefailingtodothiswouldforfeithisplotofland。"Threedays"work，"hesaid，"willbesufficienttoprovideallnecessariesforyourselvesandfamiliesandtheproduceofyourlandyoucansell，andwillsobeabletolaybyanamplesumtokeepyourselvesinoldage。Ihavealreadyplottedoutthelandandyoushallcastlotsforchoiceoftheplots。Therewillbealittledelaybeforeallyourpapersoffreedomcanbemadeout，butthearrangementwillbeginfromto-day，andhenceforthyouwillbepaidforalllabordoneontheestate。"

ScarcelyawordwasspokenwhenVincentconcluded。Thenewswastoosurprisingtothenegroesforthemtobeabletounderstanditallatonce。DanandTony，towhomVincenthadalreadyexplainedthematter，wentamongthem，andtheygraduallytookinthewholeofVincent"smeaning。Afewreceivedthenewswithgreatjoy，butmanyothersweredepressedratherthanrejoicedattheresponsibilitiesoftheirnewpositions。Hithertotheyhadbeenclothedandfed，thedoctorattendedtheminsickness，theirmasterwouldcarefortheminoldage。Theyhadbeenliterallywithoutacareforthemorrow，andthethoughtthatinfuturetheywouldhavetothinkofallthesethingsforthemselvesalmostfrightenedthem。SeveraloftheoldermenwentuptoMrs。Wingfieldandpositivelydeclinedtoaccepttheirfreedom。Theywerequitecontentedandhappy，andwantednothingmore。Theyhadworkedontheplantationsincetheyhadbeenchildren，andfreedomofferedthemnotemptationswhatever。

"Whathadwebetterdo，Vincent？"Mrs。Wingfieldasked。

"Ithink，mother，itwillbebesttotollthemthatallwhowishcanremainupontheoldfooting，butthattheirpaperswillbemadeoutandifatanytimetheywishtohavetheirfreedomtheywillonlyhavetosayso。Nodoubttheywillsoonbecomeaccustomedtotheidea，andseeinghowcomfortabletheothersarewiththeirpayandtheproduceoftheirgardenstheywillsoonfallinwiththerest。Ofcourseitwilldecreasetheincomefromtheestate，butnotsomuchasyouwouldthink。Theywillbepaidfortheirlabor，butweshallhaveneithertofeednorclothethem；andIthinkweshallgetbetterlaborthanwedonow，fortheknowledgethatthosewhodonotworksteadilywilllosetheirplotsofland，andhavetogooutintheworldtowork，theirplacesbeingfilledbyothers，willkeepthemsteady。"

"It"sanexperiment，Vincent，andweshallseehowitworks。"

"It"sanexperimentIhaveoftenthoughtIshouldliketomake，mother，andnowyouseeitisalmostforceduponus。To-morrowI

willrideovertotheotherplantationsandmakethesamearrangements。"

DuringthemonthofAugustmanybattlestookplaceroundPetersburg。Onthe12ththeFederalsattacked，butwererepulsedwithheavyloss，and2，500prisonersweretaken。Onthe21sttheConfederatesattacked，andobtainedacertainamountofsuccess，killing，wounding，andcapturing2，400men。Petersburgwasshelleddayandnight，andalmostcontinuousfightingwenton。

Nevertheless，uptothemiddleofOctoberthepositionsofthearmiesremainedunaltered。Onthe27thofthatmouththeFederalsmadeanothergeneralattack，butwererepulsedwithalossof1，500men。Duringthenextthreemonthstherewaslittlefighting，theConfederateshavingnowsostrengthenedtheirlinesbyincessanttoilthatevenGeneralGrant，recklessofthelivesofhistroopsashewas，hesitatedtorenewtheassault。

ButintheSouthGeneralShermanwascarryingallbeforehim。

GeneralsHoodandJohnston，whocommandedtheConfederatearmiesthere，hadfoughtseveraldesperatebattles，buttheforcesopposedtothemweretoostrongtobedrivenback。TheyhadmarchedthroughGeorgiatoAtlantaandcapturedthatimportanttownonthe1stofSeptember，andobtainedcommandofthenetworkofrailways，andthuscutoffalargeportionoftheConfederacyfromRichmond。ThenShermanmarchedsouth，wastingthecountrythroughwhichhemarched，andcapturingSavannahonthe21stofSeptember。

Whilehewassodoing，GeneralHoodhadmarchedintoTennessee，andaftervariouspettysuccesseswasdefeated，aftertwodays"hardfighting，nearNashville。InthethirdweekinJanuary，1865，Shermansetoutwith60，000infantryand10，000

cavalryfromSavannah，layingwastethewholecountry-burning，pillaging，anddestroying。ThetownofColumbiawasoccupied，sacked，andburned，thewhitemenandwomenandeventhenegroesbeinghorriblyill-treated。

TheConfederatesevacuatedCharlestonattheapproachoftheenemy，settingitinflamesratherthanallowittofallintoSherman"shands。TheFederalarmythencontinueditsdevastatingroutethroughSouthCarolina，andattheendofMarchhadestablisheditselfatGoldsboro，inNorthCarolina，andwasinreadinesstoaidGrantinhisfinalattackonRichmond。

Lee，seeingtheimminenceofthedanger，madeanattackupontheenemyinfrontofPetersburg，butwasrepulsed。Hehadnowbut37，000menwithwhichtoopposeanenemyofnearlyfourtimesthatstrengthinfrontofhim，whileSheridan"scavalry，10，000

strong，threatenedhisflank，andShermanwithhisarmywasbutafewdays"marchdistant。Therewasfiercefightingonthe29th，30th，and31stofMarch，andonthe2dofAprilthewholeFederalarmyassaultedthepositionsatPetersburg，andafterdesperatefightingsucceededincarryingthem。TheConfederatetroops，outnumberedandexhaustedastheywerebythepreviousweek"smarchingandfighting，yetretainedtheirdiscipline，andLeedrewoffwith20，000menandmarchedtoendeavortoeffectajunctionwithJohnston，whowasstillfacingSherman。Buthismenhadbutoneday"sprovisionwiththem。Thestoresthathehadorderedtoawaitthematthepointtowhichhedirectedhismarchhadnotarrivedtherewhentheyreachedit，and，harassedateveryfootoftheirmarchbySheridan"scavalryandOrd"sinfantry，theforcefoughtitswayon。Thehorsesandmulesweresoweakfromwantoffoodthattheywereunabletodragtheguns，andthemendroppedinnumbersfromfatigueandfamine。SheridanandOrdcutofftwocorps，butGeneralLee，withbut8，000infantryand2，000cavalry，stillpressedforwardtowardLynchburg。ButSheridanthrewhimselfintheway，and，findingthatnomorecouldbedone，GeneralLeeandtheinfantrysurrendered，andafewdayslaterGeneralsLeeandGrantmetandsignedtermsofpeace。

GeneralJohnston"sarmysurrenderedtoGeneralSherman，andthelonganddesperatestrugglewasatanend。

ItwasadreadfuldayinRichmondwhenthenewscamethatthelinesofPetersburgwereforced，andthatGeneralLeenolongerstoodbetweenthecityandtheinvaders。Thepresidentandministersleftatonce，andwerefollowedbyallthebetterclassofinhabitantswhocouldfindmeansofconveyance。Thenegroes，Irish，andsomeofthelowerclassesatoncesettoworktopillageandburn，andthewholecitywouldhavebeendestroyedhadnotaFederalforcearrivedandatoncesuppressedtherioting。

WhateverbadbeentheconductoftheFederaltroopsduringthelastyearofthewar，howevergreatthesufferingtheyhadinflictedupontheunarmedandinnocentpopulationofthecountrythroughwhichtheymarched，thetermsofpeacethatGeneralGrantagreedupon，andwhichwere，althoughwithsomereluctance，ratifiedbythegovernment，wereinthehighestdegreeliberalandgenerous。

Noonewastobeinjuredormolestedforthesharehehadtakeninthewar。Ageneralamnestywasgrantedtoall，andtheStatesweresimplytoreturntothepositionintheUnionthattheyoccupiedprevioustothecommencementofthestruggle。

Moreliberaltermswerenevergrantedbyaconquerortothevanquished。

VincentwaswiththecavalrywhoescapedpriortoLee"ssurrender，butassoonasthetermsofpeacewereratifiedtheforcewasdisbandedandhereturnedhome。Hewasreceivedwiththedeepestjoybyhismotherandsister。

"ThankGod，mydearboy，thatallisover，andyouhavebeenpreservedtous。Wearebeaten，butnoonecansaythatwehavebeendisgraced。HadeveryStatedoneitsdutyasVirginiahasweshouldneverhavebeenoverpowered。Ithasbeenaterriblefouryears，andtherearefewfamiliesindeedthathavenolossestomourn。"

"ItwaswellyouwerenotinRichmond，mother，thedayoftheriots。"

"Yes；butwehadourtroubleheretoo，Vincent。Anumberoftheslavesfromsomeoftheplantationscamealongthisway，andwantedourhandstojointhemtoburndowntheirquartersandthehouse，andtomarchtoRichmond。TonyandDan，hearingoftheirapproach，armedthemselveswithyourdouble-barreledguns，wentdownandcalledoutthehandsandarmedthemwithhoesandotherimplements。Whenthenegroescameuptherewasadesperatequarrel，butourhandsstoodfirm，andTonyandDandeclaredthattheywouldshootthefirstfourmenthatadvanced，andatlasttheydrewoffandmadetheirwaytoRichmond。

"Yourplanhassucceededadmirably。OneortwoofthehandswenttoRichmondnextday，butreturnedadayortwoafterwardandbeggedsohardtobetakenonagainthatIforgavethem。Sincetheneverythinghasbeengoingonasquietlyandregularlyasusual，whilethereisscarcelyamanleftonanyoftheestatesnear。"

"Andnow，mother，thatIfindthingsarequietandsettledhere，I

shallgodowntoGeorgiaandfetchLucyhome。Ishallbeofageinafewmonths，andthehouseontheestatethatcomestomethencanbeenlargedabit，andwilldoverywell。"

"Notatall，Vincent。Anniewillbemarriednextmonth。HerbertRowsellwasheretwodaysago，andit"sallsettled。SoIshallbealonehere。Itwillbeverylonelyanddullforme，Vincent，andI

wouldrathergiveupthereinsofgovernmenttoLucyandliveherewithyou，ifyouliketheplan。"

"Certainly，Ishouldlikeit，mother，andso，Iamsure，wouldLucy。"

"Well，atanyrate，Vincent，wewilltrytheexperiment，andifitdoesnotworkwellIwilltakepossessionoftheotherhouse。"

"Thereisnofearofthat，mother，nonewhatever。"

"Andwhenareyouthinkingofgettingmarried，Vincent？"

"Atonce，mother。IwrotetoherthedayweweredisbandedsayingthatIshouldcomeinaweek，andwouldallowanotherweekandnolongerforhertogetready。"

"Then，inthatcase，Vincent，AnnieandIwillgodownwithyou。

Anniewillnothavemuchtodotogetreadyforherownwedding。

Itmust，ofcourse，beaveryquietone，andtherewillbenoarrayofdressestoget；forIsupposeitwillbesometimeyetbeforetherailwaysareopenagainandthingsbegintocomedownfromtheNorth。"

HappilyAntiochhadescapedtheravagesofwar，andtherewasnothingtomarthehappinessofthewedding。Lucy"sfatherhadreturned，havinglostaleginoneofthebattlesoftheWildernessayearbefore，andherbrotherhadalsoescaped。AftertheweddingtheyreturnedtotheirfarminTennessee，andMrs。Wingfield，Annie，Vincent，andLucywentbacktotheOrangery。

ForthenextthreeorfouryearstimeswereverybardinVirginia，andMrs。Wingfleldhadtodrawuponhersavingstokeepupthehouseinitsformerstate；whilethegreatmajorityoftheplanterswereutterlyruined。

Thenegroes，however，forthemostpartremainedsteadilyworkingentheestate。Afewwanderedaway，buttheirplaceswereeasilyfilled；forthemajorityofthefreedslavesverysoondiscoveredthattheirlotwasafarharderonethanithadbeenbefore，andthatfreedomsosuddenlygivenwasacurseratherthanablessingtothem。

Thus，whilesomanywentdown，theWingfieldsweatheredthestorm，andthestepthathadbeentakeninpreparingtheirhandsforthegeneralabolitionofslaverywasacompletesuccess。

WiththegradualreturnofprosperitytotheSouththepricesofproduceimproved，andtenyearsaftertheconclusionoftherebelliontheincomeoftheOrangery。wasnearlyaslargeasithadbeenprevioustoitsoutbreak。Vincent，twoyearsaftertheconclusionofthestruggle；tookhiswifeovertovisithisrelationsinEngland，and，sincethedeathofhismotherin1879，haseveryyearspentthreeorfourmonthsathome，andwillnotimprobablyerelongsellhisestatesinVirginiaandsettleinEnglandaltogether。