Anothertwoyards，andheknewthattheknifewashangingayardfromthegroundagainstthewall。Henowdrewitupanddown，hopingthattheslightnoisetheknifemadeagainstthewallmightaidDaninfindingit。Intwoorthreeminuteshefeltajerk，andknewthatDanhadgotit。Hefastenedtheendofthestringtotheropeandwaited。Theropewasgraduallydrawnup；whenitnearedtheendhefastenedittothestoneseat。
\"Now，\"hesaid，\"upyougo，Geary。\"
Theorderinwhichtheyweretoascendhadbeensettledbylot，asGearyinsistedthatVincent，whohadcontrivedthewholeaffair，shouldbethefirsttoescape；butVincentdeclinedtoaccepttheadvantage，andthethreehadaccordinglytossedupforprecedence。
Gearywasquicklyover，andloweredhimselfontheoppositeside。
Theothersfollowedsafely，butnotwithoutagooddealofscrapingagainstthewall，forthesmallnessoftheropeaddedtothedifficultyofclimbingit。However，thenoisewassoslightthattheyhadlittlefearofattractingattention，especiallyasthesentrieswouldbestandingintheirboxes，fortherainwasnowcomingdownprettybriskly。AssoonastheyweredownVincentseizedDanbythehand。
\"Mybravelad，\"hesaid，\"Ioweyoumyfreedom，andIsha\'n\'tforgetit。Now，wherearetheclothes？\"
\"Heredayare，sah。Oneisaroughsuit，likeaworkingman\'s；
anotherisablack-and-whitesortofsuit-acheck-suit；deoderoneisforyou-aclargy\'ssuit，sir。Youmakeveryniceyoungminister，forsure。\"
\"Allright，Dan!\"Vincentsaidlaughing；\"givemetheminister\'ssuit。\"
\"ThenIwillbethecountryman，\"Gearysaid。
Therewasalittesuppressedlaughterastheychangedtheirclothesinthedark；andthen，leavingtheiruniformsbythewall，theyshookhandsandstartedatonceindifferentdirections，lesttheymightcomeacrosssomeonewhowould，whentheescapewasknown，rememberfourmenhavingpassedhiminthedark。
\"Now，Dan，whatisthenextmove？\"Vincentaskedastheywalkedoff。\"Haveyoufixeduponanyplan？\"
\"Nospecialplan，sah，butIhavebroughtabag；youseeIhavehiminmyhand。\"
\"Isupposethat\'swhatyoucarriedtheclothesin？\"
\"No，sir；Icarrieddaminabundle。Disbaghasgotlinen，andboots，andodertingsforyou，sah。WhatItinkamdebestwayisdis。Daramatrainpasstronhereattwoo\'clockandstopatdisstation。Somepeoplealwaysgetout。Darisanhoteljustoppositethestation，andsomeofdepassengersmostalwaysgothere。I
thoughtthebestwayforyouwouldbetogooutsidethestation。
Justwhenthetraincomeinwewalkacrossderoadwidtheothersandgotohotel。Yousayyouwantbedroomforyo\'self，andthatyoursarvantcansleepindoball。Denindemorningyougetupandbreakfast，andgooffbydofusttrain。\"
\"Butthentheymaysenddowntolookatthepassengersstarting，andIshouldbetakenatonce。\"
\"Detraingooutatseveno\'clock，sah。Idon\'texpectdayfinddatyouhavegotawaybeforedat。\"
\"No，Dan。Weallturnoutatseven，andIshallbemissedthen；butitwillbesomelittletimebeforethealarmisgiven，andtheyfindouthowwegotaway，andsendoutsearch-parties。Ifthetrainisanythinglikepunctualweshallbeofflongbeforetheygettothestation。\"
\"Besides，sab，dararenotmanypeopleknowsyourface，anditnotlikelydeberymandatknowyoucometothestation。Lotsofoderplacestosearch，anddaymostsuretotinkyougorightaway-nottinkyouventuretostopintowntillthemorning。\"
\"Thatisso，Dan；andIthinkyourplanisacapitalone。\"
Dan\'ssuggestionwascarriedout，andatseveno\'clocknextmorningtheywarestandingontheplatformamonganumberofotherparsonswaitingforthetrain。Justasthelocomotive\'swhistlewasheardthesoundofacannonboomedoutfromthedirectionoftheprison。
\"Thatmeanssomeoftheprisonershaveescaped，\"oneoftheportersontheplatformsaid。\"Therehavebeenfiveorsixofthemgotawayinthelasttwomonths，butmostofthemhavebeencaughtagainbeforetheyhavegonefar。Yousee，tohaveachanceatall，theyhavegottogetridoftheiruniforms，andasweareallUnionistsaboutherethatain\'taneasyjobfor\'amtomanage。\"
Everyoneontheplatformjoinedintheconversation，askingwhichwaythefugitivewouldbelikelytogo，whethertherewareanycavalrytosendafterhim，whatwouldbedonetohimifhewerecaptured，andotherquestionsofthesamekind，Vincentjoininginthetalk。Itwasarelieftohimwhenthetraindrewup，andheandDantooktheirplaceinit，traveling，however，indifferentcars。
Oncefairlyaway，Vincenthadnofearwhateverofbeingdetected，andcouldtravelwhereheliked，foroutsidetheprisontherewerenottenpeoplewhoknewhisfacethroughouttheNorthernStates。
ItwouldbedifficultforhimtomakohiswaydownintoVirginiafromtheNorthasthewholelineoffrontiertherewasoccupiedbytroops，andpatrolswereonthewatchnightanddaytopreventpersonsfromgoingthroughthelines。HethereforedeterminedtogowesttoSt。Louis，andfromthereworkhiswaydownthroughMissouri。Aftertwodays\'railwaytravelingtheyreachedSt。Louis，acityhavingalargetradewiththeSouth，andcontainingmanysympathizerswiththeConfederatecause。Vincent，havingnownofearofdetection，wentatoncetoanhotel，andtakingupthenewspaper，oneofthefirstparagraphsthatmathiseyewasheaded:
\"EscapeofthreeConfederateofficersfromElmira。GreatexcitementwascausedonWednesdayatElmirabythediscoverythatthreeConfederateofficershad，duringthenight，effectedtheirescapefromprison。Oneofthebarsofthewindowofthewardonthefirstfloorinwhichtheywere，withfifteenotherConfederateofficers，confined，hadbeenremoved；thescrewshavingbeentakenoutbyalargescrew-driverwhichtheyleftbehindthem。
Theyhadloweredthemselvestotheyard，andclimbedoverthewallbymeansofaropewhichwasfoundinpositioninthemorning。Therestoftheprisonersprofessedanentireignoranceoftheaffair，anddeclarethatuntiltheyfoundthebedsunoccupiedinthemorningtheyknewnothingoftheoccurrence。
\"Thisisasitmaybe，butitiscertaintheymusthavebeenaidedbytraitorsoutsidetheprison，fortheropehunglooseontheoutsideofthewall，andmusthavebeenheldbysomeonethereastheyclimbedit。Theinsideendwasfastenedtoastoneseat，andtheywerethusenabledtoslidedownitontheotherside。Theiruniformswerefoundlyingatthefootofthewall，andtheiraccomplicehaddoubtlessdisguisesreadyforthem。Theauthoritiesoftheprisonareunabletoaccountforthemannerinwhichtheturn-screwandropewerepassedintothem，orhowtheycommunicatedwiththeirfriendsoutside。\"
Thenfollowedthepersonaldescriptionofeachofthefugitives，andarequestthatallloyalcitizenswouldbeonthelook-outforthem，andwouldatoncearrestanysuspiciouscharacterunabletogiveasatisfactoryaccountofhimself。AsVincentsatsmokinginthehallofthehotelheheardseveralpresentdiscussingtheescapeoftheprisoners。
\"Itdoesnotmatteraboutthemonewayortheother，\"oneofthespeakerssaid。\"Theyseemtobemerelads，andwhethertheyescapeornotwillnotmakeanydifferencetoanyone。Theseriousthingisthattheremustbesometraitorsamongtheprisonofficials，andthatnexttime。perhapstwoorthreegeneralsmayescape，andthatwouldbeareallyseriousmisfortune。\"
\"Weneednotreckonthatoutatpresent，\"anothersmokersaid。
\"Wehaven\'tgotthreeoftherebelgeneralsyet，andasfarasthingsseemtobegoingon，wemayhavetowaitsometimebeforewehave。Theyareprettywellabletotakecareofthemselves，I
reckon。\"
\"Theyaregoodmen，someofthem，Idon\'tdeny，\"thefirstspeakersaid；\"buttheymightaswellgiveupthegame。Inthespringweshallhaveanarmybigenoughtoeatthemup。\"
\"SoIhaveheardtwoorthreetimesbefore。Scottwasgoingtoeatthemup，McClellanwasgoingtoeatthemup，thenPopewasgoingtomakeanendof\'emaltogether。NowMcClellanishavingatryagain，butsomehoworothertheeatinguphasn\'tcomeoffyet。
Itlookstomerathertheotherway。\"
Therewasanangrygrowlfromtwoorthreeofthosesittinground，whileothersutteredacordial\"That\'sso。\"
\"Itseemstome，bythewayyouputit，thatyoudon\'twishtoseethisbusinesscometoanend。\"
\"That\'swhereyouarewrongnow。Idowishtoseeitcometoanend。Idon\'twanttoseetensofthousandsofmenlosingtheirlivesbecauseoneportionoftheseStateswantstorideroughshodovertheother。ThesoonertheNorthlooksthisaffairsquarelyinthefaceandseesthatithastakenupabiggerjobthanitcancarrythrough，andagreestoletthosewhowishtoleaveitgoiftheylike，thebetterforallparties。That\'swhatIthinkaboutit。\"
\"Idon\'tcallthatUniontalk，\"theothersaidangrily。
\"UnionornotUnion，Imeantotalkit，andIwanttoknowwhoisgoingtopreventme？\"
Thetwomenrosesimultaneouslyfromtheirchairs，andinasecondthecrackoftworevolverssounded。Asiftheyhadonlybeenwaitingforthesignal，ascoreofothermenleapedupandsprangateachother。Theyhad，asthealtercationgrewhotter，joinedinwithexclamationsofangerorapproval，andVincentsawthatalthoughtheUnionistswerethemajoritythepartyofsympathizerswiththeSouthwasastrongone。Havingneitherarmsnorinclinationtojoininabroilofthiskindhemadehisescapeintothestreettheinstanthostilitiesbegan，andhurriedawayfromthesoundofshouts，oaths，thesharpcracksofpistols，andthebreakingofglass。Tenminuteslaterhereturned。Thehotelwasshutup，butanangrymobwereassembledroundthedoorshouting，\"Downwiththerebels!downwiththeSecessionists!\"andwerekeepingupaloudknockingatthedoor。
Presentlyawindowupstairsopened，andtheproprietorputouthishead。
\"Gentlemen，\"hasaid，\"Icanassureyouthatthepersonswhowerethecauseofthisdisturbanceallleftthehotelbythebackwayassoonastheaffairwasover。Ihavesentforthepolicecommissioner，anduponhisarrivalhewillbefreetosearchthehouse，andtoarrestanyoneconcernedinthisaffair。\"
Thecrowdwerenotsatisfied，andrenewedtheirknockingatthedoor；buttwoorthreeminuteslateranofficer，withastrongbodyofpolice，arrivedonthespot。Inafewwordshetoldthecrowdtodisperse，promisingthatthepartiesconcernedintheaffairwouldbetakenunanddulydealwith。Hethanenteredthehousewithfourofhismen，leavingtheresttowait。Vincententeredwiththeconstables，sayingthathewasstayingatthehouse。Thefumesofgunpowderwerestillfloatingaboutthehall，threebodieswerelyingonthefloor，andseveralmenwerebindinguptheirwounds。
Thepolice-officerinquiredintotheoriginofthebroil，andallpresentconcurredinsayingthatitarosefromsomeSecessionistsspeakinginsultinglyofthearmyoftheUnion。
Searchwasthenmadeinthehotel，anditwasfoundthateightpersonsweremissing。Oneofthekilledwasawell-knowncitizenofthetown；hewasthespeakerontheUnionsideoftheargument。
Theothertwowerestrangers，andnoonecouldsaywhichsidetheyespoused。AllthosepresentdeclaredthattheythemselveswereUnionmen，anditwassupposedthattheeightwhoweremissingwerethepartywhohadtakentheothersideofthequestion。Theevidenceofeachwastakendownbythepolice-
officer。Vincentwasnotquestioned，as，havingenteredwiththeconstables，itwassupposedhewasnotpresentattheaffair。
InthemorningVincentreadinthelocalpaperahighlycoloredaccountofthefray。Aftergivingalargenumberofwhollyfictitiousdetailsofthefray，itwentontosay:
\"ThevictimswereCyrusD。Jenkins，amuch-esteemedcitizenandaprominentUnionist；theothertwowereguestsatthehotel；onehadregisteredasP。J。MooreofVermont，theotherJamesHarveyofTennessee。Nothingisasyetknownastothepersonswhoseroomswereunoccupied，andwhohaddoubtlessmadetheirescapeassoonastheaffraywasover；buttheexaminationoftheireffects，whichwillbemadebythepoliceinthemorning，willdoublessfurnishaclewbywhichtheywillbebroughttojustice。\"
Havingreadthis，VincentlookedforthenewsastotheescapefromElmira，beinganxioustoknowwhetherhiscompanionshadbeenasfortunateashimselfingettingclearaway。Hewasstartledbyreadingthefollowingparagraph:\"WeareenabledtostatethatthepolicehavereceivedaletterstatingthatoneoftheofficerswhoescapedfromElmiraprisonhasadoptedthedisguiseofaminister，andistravelingthroughthecountrywithablackservant。
Atpresenttheauthoritiesarenotdisposedtoattachmuchcredittothisletter，andareinclinedtobelievethatithasbeensentinordertoputthemonawrongscent。Howeverawatchwilldoubtlessbekeptbythepolicethroughoutthecountryforapersonansweringtothisdescription。\"
Accustomedtoriseearly，Vincentwastakinghisbreakfastalmostalone，onlytwoorthreeoftheotherguestshavingmadetheirappearance。Hefinishedhismealhastily，andwentouttoDan，whowaslounginginfrontofthehotel。
\"Dan，goupstairsatonce，packthebag，bringitdownandgetoutwithitimmediately。Iwillpaythebill。Don\'tstoptoaskquestionsnow。\"
Vincentthenwalkeduptothedeskattheandofthehall，atwhichaclerkwassittingreadingthepaper。Sincerelyhopingthattheman\'seyehadnotfallenonthisparagraph，heaskedifhisaccountwasmadeout。Ashehadfortunatelymentionedontheprecedingeveningthatheshouldbeleavinginthemorning，thebillwasready；andtheclerk，scarcelookingupfromthepaper，handedittohim。Vincentpaidhimtheamount，sayingcarelessly，\"IthinkI
haveplentyoftimetocatchthetrainfortheeast？\"
Theclerkglancedattheclock。
\"Yes，itgoesat8，andyouhavetwentyminutes。It\'sonlyfiveminutes\'walktothestation。\"
CHAPTERXI。FUGITIVES。
ONLEAVINGthehotelVincentwalkedashortdistance，andthenstoppeduntilDancameuptohim。
\"Anytingdematter，sah？\"
\"Yes，Dan。ThereisanoticeinthepaperthatthepolicehaveobtainedinformationthatIamtravelingdisguisedasaminister，andhaveanegroservantwithme……\"
\"Whotolddamdat？\"Danaskedinsurprise。
\"Wecantalkaboutthatpresently，Dan；thegreatthingatpresentistogetawayfromhere。Thetrainforthesouthstartsatten。Givemethebag，andfollowmeatadistance。IwillgetyouaticketforNashville，andasyoupassmeinthestationIwillhandittoyou。
Itmustnotbenoticedthatwearetravelingtogether。Thatistheonlyclewtheyhavegot。\"
Danobeyedhisinstructions。Thejourneywasalongone。Thetrainwasslowandstoppedfrequently；passengersgotinandoutateverystation。Themorning\'snewsfromthevariouspointsatwhichtherespectiveforceswerefacingeachotherwasthegeneraltopicofconversation，andVincentwasinterestedinseeinghowthetonegraduallychangedasthepassengersfromSt。Louisonebyoneleftthetrainandtheirplacesweretakenbythoseofthemoresoutherndistricts，AtfirstthesentimentexpressedhadbeenviolentlyNorthern，andtherewasnodissentfromthegeneralchorusofhopeandexpectationthattheSouthwereontheirlastlegsandthattherebellionwouldshortlybestampedout；butgradually，asthetrainapproachedtheStateofTennessee，theUnionistopinion，althoughexpressedwithevengreaterforceandviolence，wasbynomeansuniversal。Manymanreadtheirpapersinsilenceandtooknopartwhateverintheconversation，butVincentcouldseefromtheangryglanceswhichtheyshotatthespeakersthatthesentimentsutteredweredistastefultothem。Hehimselfhadscarcelyspokenduringthewholejourney。Hehadforsometimedevotedhimselftothenewspaper，andhadthenpurchasedabookfromthenewsboywhoperambulatedthecars。
Presentlyarough-lookingmanwhohadbeenamongthewildestandmostviolentinhisdenunciationoftheSouthsaid，lookingatVincent:
\"Iseebythepapersto-daythatoneofthecursedrebelofficerswhogavethemtheslipatElmiraistravelinginthedisguiseofaminister。Iguessit\'smightyunpleasanttoknowthatevenifyoumeetaparsoninatrainlikeasnotheisarebelindisguise。Now，mister，mayIaskwhereyouhavecomefromandwhereyouaregoingto？\"
\"Youmayaskwhatyoulike，\"Vincentsaidquietly；\"butIamcertainlynotgoingtoanswerimpertinentquestions。\"
Ahumofapprovalwasheardfromseveralofthepassengers。
\"Ifyouhadn\'tgotthatblackcoaton，\"themansaidangrily，\"I
wouldputyouoffthecarinnotime。\"
\"Blackcoatornoblackcoat，\"Vincentsaid，\"youmayfinditmoredifficultthanyouthink。Myprofessionisapeacefulone；butevenapeacefulman，ifassaulted，maydefendhimself。Yousayit\'sunpleasanttoknowthatifyoutravelwithamaninablackcoathemaybeatraitor。It\'squiteasunpleasanttometoknowthatifI
travelwithamaninabrownonehemaybeanotoriousruffian，andmayaslikelyasnothavejustservedhistimeinapenitentiary。\"
Twoorthreeofthapassengerslaughedloudly。Theman，startingup，crossedthecartowhereVincentwassittingandlaidhishandroughlyonhisshoulder。
\"Youhavegottogetout!\"hesaid。\"NomaninsultsJimMullenstwice。\"
\"Takeyourhandoffmyshoulder，\"Vincentsaidquietly，oryouwillbesorryforit。\"
ThemanshiftedhisholdtothecollarofVincent\'scoatamidcriesofshamefromsomeofthepassengers，whiletheotherswaresilent，eventhoseofhisownpartyobjectingtoanassaultuponaminister。Itwasonlythefactthatthefellowwasanotoriouslocalruffianthatpreventedtheirexpressingopendisapprovaloftheact。
AsthemangraspedVincent\'scollarwithhisrighthandVincentsawhisleftgounderhiscoattowardthepocketinthebackofthetrouserswhererevolverswerealwayscarried。Inaninstanthesprangtohisfeet，andbeforetheman，whowastakenbysurpriseatthesuddennessofthemovement，couldsteadyhimself，hestruckhimatremendousblowbetweentheeyes，andatthesamemoment，springingathisthroat，threwhimbackwardontothefloorofthecarriage。Ashefellthemandrewouthisrevolver，butVincentgraspedhisarmandwithasharptwistwrenchedtherevolverfromhisgrasp，andleapingup，threwitoutoftheopenwindow。Theruffianrosetohisfeat，foramomenthalfdazedbytheviolencewithwhichhahadfallen，andpouredoutastringofimprecationsuponVincent。Thelatterstoodcalmlyawaitingafreshattack。Foramomenttheruffianhesitated，andthen，goadedtofurybythetauntinglaughterofthelookers-on，wasabouttospringuponhimwhenhewasseizedbytwoorthreeofthepassengers。
\"Ireckonyouhavemadeafoolenoughofyourselfalready，\"oneofthcmsaid；\"andwearenotgoingtoseeaministerill-treated，notifweknowit。\"
\"Youneednotholdhim，\"Vincentsaid。\"Itisnotbecauseonewearsablackcoatandisadversetofightingthatoneisnotabletodefendone\'sself。Wealllearnthesamethingsatcollegewhetherwearegoingintothechurchoranyotherprofession。Youcanlethimaloneifhereallywantsanymore，whichIdonotbelieve。I
shouldbeashamedofmyselfifIcouldnotpunisharuffianofhiskind。\"
\"Letmegetathim!\"yelledMullens；andthemenwhoheldhim，takingVincentathisword，releasedhirn。Herushedforward，butwasreceivedwithanothertremendousblowonthemouth。Hepausedamomentinhisrush，andVincent，springingforward，administeredanotherblowuponthesamespot，knockinghimoffhislegsontothefloor。Ongettinguphegavenosignofadesiretorenewtheconflict。Hislipswerebadlycutandtheboodwasstreamingfromhismonth，andhelookedatVincentwithanairofabsolutebewilderment。Thelatter，seeingthattheconflictwasover，quietlyresumedhisseat；whileseveralofthepassengerscameuptohim，and，shakinghimwarmlybytheband，congratulatedhimuponhavingpunishedhisassailant。
\"Iwishwehadafewmoreministersofyoursortdownthisway，\"
onesaid。\"That\'sthesortofpreachingfellowslikethisunderstand。
Itwaswellyougothissix-shooteroutofhishand，forhewouldhaveuseditassureasfate。Heoughttohavebeenlynchedlongago，butsincethetroublesbeganthesefellowshavehadalltheirownway。Butlooktoyourselfwhenhegetsout；hebelongstoahandwhocallthemselvesUnionists，butwhoarenothingbutplunderersandrobbers。Ifyoutakemyadvice，whenyougettotheendofyourjourneyyouwillnotleavethestation，buttakeaticketstraightbacknorth。Itellyouyourlifewon\'tbesafefiveminuteswhenyouoncegetoutsidethetown。Theydaren\'tdoanythingthere，forthoughfolkshavehadtoputupwithagooddealtheywouldn\'tstandtheshootingofaminister；still，outsidethetownI
wouldnotanswerforyourlifeforanhour。\"
\"Ihavemydutiestoperform，\"Vincentsaid，\"andIshallcertainlycarrythemthrough；butIamobligedtoyouforyouradviceIcanquiteunderstandthatruffian，\"andhelookedatMullens，who，withhishandkerchieftohismouth，wassittingaloneinacorner-fortheresthadalldrawnawayfromhimindisgust-andglaringferociousslyathim，\"willrevengehimselfifhehastheopportunity。
HoweverasfaraspossibleIshallbeonmyguard。\"
\"Atanyrate，\"themansaid，\"IshouldadviseyouwhenyougettoNashvilletochargehimwithassault。Wecanalltestifythathelaidhandsonyoufirst。Thatwayhewillgetlockedupforsomedaysanyhow，andyoucangoawayaboutyourbusiness，andhewon\'tknowwheretofindyouwhenhegetsout。\"
\"Thankyou-thatwouldbeaverygoodplan；butImightloseadayortwoinhavingtoappearagainsthim；IampressedfortimeandhavesomeimportantbusinessonhandandIhavenodoubtIshallbeabletothrowhimoffmytrack，finishmybusiness，andbeoffagainbeforehecancomeacrossme。\"
\"Well，Ihopenoharmwillcomeofit，\"theothersaid。\"Ilikeyou，andIneversawanyonehitsoquicklyandsohard。It\'sadownrightpityyouareapreacher。Myname\'sJohnMorrison，andmyfarmistenmilesfromNashville，ontheCumberlandRiver。IfyoushouldbegoinginthatdirectionIshouldberightgladifyouwoulddropinonme。\"
TherealreasonthatdecidedVincentagainstfollowingtheadvicetogivehisassailantinchargewasthathefearedhehimselfmightbequestionedastotheobjectofhisjourneyandhisdestination。
ThefellowwouldnotimprobablysaythathebelievedhewastheConfederateofficerwhowastryingtoescapeinthedisguiseofaclergymanandthathehadthereforetriedtoarresthim。Hecouldofcoursegivenogroundsfortheaccusation，stillquestionsmightbeaskedwhichwouldbeimpossibleforhimtoanswer；and，howeverplausibleastoryhemightinvent，thelawyerwhomthefellowwoulddoubtlessemploytodefendhimmightsuggestthatthetruthofhisstatementsmightbeeasilytestedbythedespatchofatelegram，inwhicheasehewouldbeplacedinamostawkwardsituation。Itwasbettertoruntheriskoftroublewiththefellowandhisgangthantodoanythingwhichmightleadtoinquiriesastohisidentity。
WhenthetrainreachedNashville，Vincentproceededtoanhotel。
Itwasalreadylateintheafternoon，forthejourneyhadoccupiedmorethanthirtyhours。AssoonasitwasdarkbewentoutagainandjoinedDan，whomhehadorderedtofollowhimatadistanceandtobeatthecornerofthefirstturningtotherightofthehotelassoonasitbecamedark。Danwasatthepointagreedupon，andhefollowedVincentuntilthelatterstoppedinaquietandbadlylightedstreet。
\"Thingsaregoingbadly，Dan。Ihadarowwitharuffianinthetrain，andhehasgotfriendshere，andthiswilladdgreatlytoourdangeringettingtoourlines。Imustgetanotherdisguise。Whatmoneyhaveyouleft？\"
\"Notacent，sah。Ihadonlyafive-centpieceleftwhenweleftSt。
Louis，andIspenthimonbreadondojourney。\"
\"Thatisbad，Dan。Ididnotthinkyourstockwassonearlyexpended。\"
\"Ihadtokeepmyself，sah，andtopayfordorailroad，andtobuydemtreesuitsofclothes，andtomakedeniggerIlodgedwithapresenttokeephimmouthshut。\"
\"Oh，Iknowyouhavehadlotsofexpenses，Dan，andIamsurethatyouhavenotwastedyourmoney；butIhadnotthoughtaboutit。I
haveonlygottendollarsleft，andwemayhaveahundredandfiftymilestotravelbeforewearesafe。Anyhow，youmustgetanotherdisguise，andtrusttoluckfortherest。Wehavetrampedahundredandfiftymilesbeforenowwithouthavinganythingbeyondwhatwecouldpickupontheroad。Here\'sthemoney。Getaroughsuitofworkingman\'sclothes，andjoinmehereagaininanhour\'stime。
Letusfindoutthenameofthestreetbeforeweseparate，forwemaymissourwayandnotbeabletomeetagain。\"
Passingupintothebusystreets，Vincentpresentlystoppedandpurchasedapaperofanewsboywhowasrunningalongshouting，\"Newsfromthewar。Defeatoftherebels。FightinarailwaycarnearNashville；aministerpunishesaborderruffian。\"
\"Confoundthosenewspaperfellows!\"Vincentmutteredtohimselfashewalkedaway。\"Theypickupeveryscrapofnews。Isupposeareportergotholdofsomeonewhowasinthecar。\"Turningdownaquietstreet，heopenedthepaperandbythelightofthelampreadagraphicandminuteaccountofthestruggleinthetrain。
\"Iwon\'tgobacktothehotel，\"hesaidtohimself。\"Ishallbehavingreporterstointerviewme。Ishallbeexpectedtogivethemahistoryofmywholelife；whereIwasborn，andwhereIwenttoschool，andwhetherIpreferbeeftomutton，andwhetherIdrinkbeer，andathousandotherthings。No；thesoonerIamawaythebetter。Astothehotel，Ihaveonlyhadonemeal，andtheyhavegotthebagwithwhatclothesthereare；thatwillpaythemwell。\"
AccordinglywhenherejoinedDanhetoldhimthattheywouldstartatonce。
\"Itisthebestway，anyhow，\"hesaid。\"To-morrow，nodoubt，thefellowIhadtherowwithwillbewatchingthehoteltoseewhichwayIgooff，butafteronceseeingmegotothehotelhewillnotguessthatIshallbestartingthisevening。Whathaveyougotleft，Dan？\"
\"Igottwodollars，sah。\"
\"Thatmakesusquiterichmen。Wewillstopatthefirstshopwecometoandlayinastockofbreadandapoundortwoofham。\"
\"Andabottleofrum，sah。Berrywetandcoldsleepingoutofdoorsnow，sah。Wantalittlecomfortanyhow。\"
\"Verywell，Dan；Ithinkwecanaffordthat。\"
\"Getoneforhalfadollar，massa。Couldnotlayouthalfadollarbetter。\"
HalfanhourlatertheyhadleftNashvillebehindthem，andweretrampingalongtheroadtowardtheeast，Daricarryingabundleinwhichtheprovisionswerewrapped，andtheneckofthebottleofrumstickingoutofhispocket。AssoonastheywerewellinthecountryVincentchangedhisclothesforthoseDanhadjustboughthim，andmakingtheothersupintoabundlecontinuedhisway。
\"Whyyounotleavedemblackclothesbehind，sah？Whatgoodtakedemwidyou？\"
\"Iamnotgoingtocarrythemfar，Dan。ThefirstwoodorthickclumpofbusheswecometoIshallhidethemaway；butifyouweretoleavethemheretheywouldbefoundthefirstthinginthemorning，andperhapsbecarriedintothetownandhandedovertothepolice，andtheymightputthatandthefactofmynothavingreturnedtothehotel-whichissuretobetalkedabout-together，andcometotheconclusionthateitherMullenswasrightandthatIwasanescapedConfederate，orthatIhadbeenmurderedbyMullens。
Ineithercasetheymightgetupasearch，andperhapssendtelegramstothetroopsinthetownsbeyondus。Anyhow，it\'sbesttheclothesshouldnotbefound。\"
Allnighttheytrampedalong，pausingonlyforhalfanhouraboutmidnight，whenDansuggestedthatashehadonlyhadsomebreadtoeat-andnottoomuchofthat-duringthelastforty-eighthours，hethoughtthathecoulddowithsomesupper。Accordinglythebundlewasopened，andtheysatdownandpartookofaheartymeal。Danhadwiselytakentheprecautionofhavingthecorkdrawnfromthebottlewhenheboughtit，replacingitsothatitcouldbeeasilyextractedwhenrequired，andVincentacknowledgedthatthespiritwasanotunwelcomeadditiontothemeal。WhenmorningbroketheyhadreachedDuck\'sRiver，abroadstreamcrossingtheroad。
Heretheydrewasideintoathickgrove，anddeterminedtogetafewhours\'sleepbeforeproceeding。Itwasnearlymiddaybeforetheywokeandproceededtotheedgeofthetrees。Vincentreconnoiteredtheposition。
\"Itisjustaswellwedidnottrytocross，Dan。Iseethetentsofatleastaregimentontheotherbank。Nodoubttheyarestationedtheretoguardtheroadandrailwaybridge。Thispartofthecountryisprettyequallydividedinopinion，thoughmoreofthepeoplearefortheSouththanfortheNorth；butIknowthereareguerrillapartiesonbothsidesmovingabout，andifaConfederatebandwastopouncedownonthesebridgesanddestroythemitwouldcutthecommunicationwiththeirarmyinfront，andputtheminaveryuglypositioniftheyweredefeated。Nodoubtthat\'swhytheyhavestationedthatregimentthere。Anyhow，itmakesitawkwardforus。Weshouldbesuretobequestionedwherewearegoing，andasIknownothingwhateverofthegeographyoftheplaceweshouldfinditverydifficulttosatisfythem。Wemustcrosstheriversomewhereelse。Therearesuretobesomeboatssomewherealongthebanks；atanyrate，thefirstthingtodoistomovefurtherawayfromtheroad。\"
Theywalkedfortwoorthreemilesacrossthecountry。Thefieldsforthemostpartweredeserted，andalthoughhereandtheretheysawcultivatedpatches，itwasevidentthatmostoftheinhabitantshadquittedthatpartofthecountry，whichhadbeenthesceneofalmostcontinuedfightingfromthecommencementofthewar；thesufferingsoftheinhabitantsbeinggreatlyheightenedbythebandsofmarauderswhomovedaboutplunderinganddestroyingunderthepretenseofpunishingthosewhomtheyconsideredhostiletothecauseinwhosefavor-nominally，atleast-theyhadenrolledthemselves。ThesightofruinedfarmsandburnedhousesrousedVincent\'sindignation；forinVirginiaprivatepropertyhad，uptothetimeofPope\'sassumingcommandofthearmy，beenrespected，andthisphaseofcivilwarwasnewandverypainfultohim。
\"Itwouldheagoodthing，\"hesaidtoDan，\"ifthegeneralsonbothsidesinthisdistrictwouldagreetoamonth\'struce，andjoineachotherinhuntingdownandhangingthesemaraudingscoundrels。
OnoursideMosbyandafewotherleadersofhandscomposedalmostentirelyofgentlemen，haveneverbeenaccusedofpracticesofthiskind；but，withtheseexceptions，thereislittletochoosebetweenthem。\"
Afterwalkingforfourorfivemilestheyagainsatdowntillevening，andthengoingdowntotheriverendeavoredtofindaboatbywhichtheycouldcross，buttotheirdisappointmentnocraftofanykindwasvisible，althoughinmanyplacestherewerestagesbytheriverside，evidentlyusedbyfarmersforunloadingtheirproduceintoboats。Vincentconcludedatlastthatatsomeperiodofthestrugglealltheboatsmusthavebeencollectedandeithersunkorcarriedawaybyoneofthepartiestopreventtheothercrossingtheriver。
Hithertotheyhadcarefullyavoidedallthefarmhousesthatappearedtobeinhabited；butVincentnowdeterminedtoapproachoneofthemandendeavortogainsomeinformationastothedistancefromthenextbridge，andwhetheritwasguardedbytroops，andtofindoutifpossiblethepositioninwhichtheNorthernforcesinTennesseewereatpresentposted-allofwhichpointshewasatpresentignorantof。Hepassedtwoorthreelargefarmhouseswithoutentering，foralthoughthegreaterpartofthemalepopulationwereawaywithoneorotherofthearmies，hemightstillfindtwoorthreehandsinsuchbuildings。Besides，itwasnowlate，andwhateverthepoliticsoftheinmatestheywouldbesuspiciousofsuchlatearrivals，andwouldprobablyaltogetherrefusethemadmittance。Accordinglyanothernightwasspentinthewood。
Thenextmorning，afterwalkingamileortwo，theysawahouseatwhichVincentdeterminedtotrytheirfortune。Itwassmall，butseemedtohavebelongedtopeopleabovetheclassoffarmer。Itstoodinalittleplantation，andwassurroundedbyaveranda。Mostoftheblindsweredown，andVincentjudgedthattheinmatescouldnotbenumerous。
\"Youremainhere，Dan，andIwillgoandknockatthedoor。Itisbetterthatweshouldnotbeseentogether。\"Vincentaccordinglywentforwardandknockedatthedoor。Anoldnegressopenedit。
\"Wehavenothingfortramps，\"shesaid。\"Dehouseamprettywellclearedoutoheberyting。\"ShewasabouttoshutthedoorwhenVincentputhisfootforwardandpreventeditclosing。\"MassaCharles，\"thenegresscalledout，\"bringyo\'shot-gunquick；hereamtiefwanttobreakintothehouse。\"
\"Iamneitherathiefnoratramp，\"Vincentsaid；\"andIdonotwantanything，exceptthatIshouldbegladtobuyaloafofbreadifyouhaveonethatyoucouldspare。Ihavelostmyway，andIwanttoaskdirections。\"
\"Datamprettylikelystory，\"theoldwomansaid。\"Bringupdatshot-gunquick，MassaCharles。\"
\"Whatisit，Chloe？\"anotherfemalevoiceasked。
\"Hereamamanpretendhehablosthiswayandwantstobuyaloaf。Youstandback，MissLucy，andletyourbrodershootdevillaindead。\"
\"IcanassureyouthatIamnotarobber，madam，\"Vincentsaidthroughthepartlyopeneddoor。\"Iamalone，andonlybegsomeinformation，whichIdoubtnotyoucangiveme。\"
\"Openthedoor，Chloe，\"thesecondvoicesaidinside；\"thatisnotthevoiceofarobber。\"
Theoldwomanreluctantlyobeyedtheorderandopenedthedoor，andVincentsawinthepassageayounggirlofsomesixteenyearsold。Hetookoffhishat。
\"Iamverysorrytodisturbyou，\"hesaid；\"butIamanentirestrangerhere，andammostdesirousofcrossingtheriver，butcanfindnoboatwithwhichtodoso。\"
\"Whydidyounotcrossbythebridge？\"thegirlasked。\"Howdidyoumissthestraightroad？\"
\"Frankly，becausetherewereNortherntroopsthere，\"Vincentsaid，\"andIwishtoavoidthemifpossible。\"
\"YouareaConfederate？\"thegirlasked，whentheoldnegressinterruptedher:
\"Hush!MissLucy，don\'tyoutalkaboutdemtings；derplentyofmischiefdonealready。Whathabyoutodowidonesideordooder？\"
Thegirlpaidnoattentiontoherwords，butstoodawaitingVincent\'sanswer。Hedidnothesitate。Therewassomethinginherfacethattoldhimthat，friendorfoe，shewasnotlikelytobetrayafugitive，andheanswered:
\"IamaConfederateofficer，madam。IhavemademyescapefromElmiraprison，andamtryingtofindmywaybackintoourlines。\"
\"Comein，sir，\"thegirlsaid，holdingoutherhand。\"WeareSecessionists，heartandsoul。Myfatherandmybrotherarewithourtroops-thatis，iftheyarebothalive。Ihavelittletoofferyou，fortheYankeebandshavebeenhereseveraltimes，havedrivenoffourcattle，emptiedourbarns，andovenrobbedourhen-nests，andtakeneverythinginthehousetheythoughtworthcarryingaway。
Butwhateverthereis，sir，youareheartilywelcometo。Ihadapaperyesterday-itisnotoftenIgetone-andIsawtherethatthreeofourofficershadescapedfromElmira。Areyouoneofthem？\"
\"Yes，madam。IamLieutenantWingfield。\"
\"Ah!thenyouareinthecavalry。YouhavefoughtunderStuart，\"
thegirlsaid。\"Thepapersaidso。Oh，howIwishwehadStuartandStonewallJacksononthisside!weshouldsoondrivetheYankeesoutofTennessee。\"
\"Theywouldtryto，anyhow，\"Vincentsaid，smiling，\"andifitwerepossibletheywouldassuredlydoit。IwasinAshley\'shorsewiththeStonewalldivisionthroughthefirstcampaignintheShenandoahValleyanduptoBullRun，andafterthatunderStuart。
Butisnotyourbrotherhere？Yourservantcalledtohim。\"
\"Thereisnooneherebutourselves，\"thegirlreplied。\"ThatwasafictionofChloe\'s，andithassucceededsometimeswhenwehavehadroughvisitors。AndnowwhatcanIdoforyou，sir？Yousaidyouwantedtobuyaloafofbread，andtherefore，Isuppose，youarehungry。Chloe，putthebaconandbreadonthetable，andmakesomecoffee。Iamafraidthatisallwecando，sir，butsuchasitisyouareheartilywelcometoit。\"
\"Ithankyougreatly，\"Vincentreplied，\"andwill，ifyouwillallowme，takehalfmybreakfastouttomyboywhoiswaitingoverthere。\"
\"Whydidyounotbringhimin？\"thegirlasked。\"Ofcoursehewillbewelcometoo。\"
\"Ididnotbringhiminbeforebecausetwomeninthesedaysarelikelytoalarmalonelyhousehold；andIwouldrathernotbringhiminnow，because，ifbyanypossibilitythesearchers，whoarenodoubtafterme，shouldcallandaskyouwhethertwomen，oneawhiteandtheotheranegro，hadbeenhere，voucouldanswerno。\"
\"Buttheycannotbetroublingmuchaboutprisoners，\"thegirlsaid。
\"Why，inthefightinghereandinMissouritheyhavetakenmanythousandsofprisoners，andyouhavetakenstillmoreoftheminVirginia；surelytheycannottroublethemselvesmuchaboutonegettingaway。\"
\"Iamnotafraidofasearchofthatkind，Vincentsaid；\"but，unfortunately，onmywaydownIhadarowinthetrainwitharuffiannamedMullens，whois，Iunderstand，connectedwithoneofthesebandsofbrigands，andIfeelsurethathewillhuntmedownifhecan。\"
Thegirlturnedpale。
\"Oh!\"shesaid，\"Isawthatinthepapertoo，butitsaidthatitwasaminister。Anditwasyouwhoheatthatmanandthrewhisrevolveroutofthewindow？Oh，then，youareindangerindeed，sir。HeisoneoftheworstruffiansintheState，andistheleaderofthepartywhostrippedthishouseandthreatenedtoburnittotheground。
LuckilyIwasnotathome，havinggoneawaytospendthenightwithaneighbor。Hisbandhavecommittedmurdersalloverthecountry，hangingupdefenselesspeopleonpretensethattheywereSecessionists。Theywillshowyounomercyiftheycatchyou。\"
\"No。IshouldnotexpectanygreatmercyifIfellintotheirhands，MissLucy。Idon\'tknowyourothername。\"
\"MynameisKingston。Ioughttohaveintroducedmyselftoyouatonce。\"
\"Nowyouunderstand，MissKingston，howanxiousIamtogetacrosstheriver，andthatbringsmetothequestionoftheinformationIwantyoutogiveme。Howfarisitfromthenextbridgeonthesouth，andarethereanyFederaltroopsthere？\"
\"ItisaboutsevenmilestothehridgeatWilliamsport，wearejusthalfwaybetweenthatandtherailwaybridgeatColumbus。Yes，therearecertainlytroopsthere-\"
\"ThenIseenowayforitbuttomakeasmallrafttocarryusacross，MissKingston。Iamagoodswimmer，buttheriverisfullandofconsiderablewidth；still，IthinkIcangetacross。Butmyboycannotswimastroke。\"
\"Iknowwherethereisaboathidinthewoodneartheriver，\"thegirlsaid。\"Itbelongstoaneighborofours，andwhentheYankeesseizedtheboatshehadhishauledupandhiddeninthewoods。HewasaSoutherner，heartandsoul，andthoughtthathemightbeablesometimestotakeusefulinformationacrosstherivertoourpeople；butafewweeksafterwardhishousewasattackedbyoneofthesebands-itwasalwayssaiditwasthatofMullens-andhewaskilleddefendingittothelast。Hekilledseveralofthebandbeforehefell，andtheyweresoenragedthatafterplunderingittheysetitonfireandfastenedthedoor，andhiswifeandtwomaid-servantswereburnedtodeath。\"
\"IwishinsteadofthrowinghispistoloutofthewindowIhadblownhisbrainsoutwithit，\"Vincentsaid；\"andIwouldhavedonesoifIhadknownwhatsortoffellowhewas。However，astotheboat，canyougivemeinstructionswheretofindit，andisitlightenoughfortwomentocarry？\"
\"Nottocarry，perhaps，buttopushalong。Itisalightboathehadforpleasure。Hehadalargeone，butthatwascarriedawaywiththeothers。Icannotgiveyoudirections，butIcanleadyoutotheplace。\"
\"Ishouldnotlikeyoutodothat，\"Vincentsaid。\"Wemighthecaught，andyourshareintheaffairmightbesuspected。\"
\"Oh!thereisnofearofthat，\"thegirlsaid；\"besides，Iamnotafraidofdanger。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkitisright，MissKingston，forayoungladylikeyoutobelivingherealonewithanoldservantinsuchtimesasthese。
Yououghttogointoatownuntilit\'sallover。\"
\"Ihavenoonetogoto，\"thegirlsaidstmply。\"MyfatherboughtthisplaceandmovedherefromGeorgiaonlysixyearsago，andallmyfriendsareinthatState。ExceptourneighborsroundhereIdonotknowasoulinTennessee。Besides，whatcanIdoinatown？
Wecanmanagehere，becausewehaveafewfowls，andsomeofourneighborslastspringplowedanacreortwoofgroundandplantedcornforus，andIhavealittlemoneyleftforbuyingotherthings；butitwouldnotlastusamonthifwewentintoatown。
No，IhavenothingtodobuttostayhereuntilyoudrivetheYankeesback。Iwillwillinglytakeyoudowntotheboatto-night。
Chloecancomewithusandkeepmecompanyonthewayback。
Ofcourseitwouldnotbesafetocrossinthedaytime。\"
\"Ithankyougreatly，MissKingston，andshallalwaysrememberyourkindness。Now，whenIfinishmymealIwillgooutandjoinmyboy，andwillcomeforyouateighto\'clock；itwillbequitedarkthen。\"
\"Whyshouldyounotstayheretillthen，Mr。Wingfield？Itisveryunlikelythatanyonewillcomealong。\"
\"Itisunlikely，butitisquitepossible，\"Vincentreplied，\"andwereI
caughtherebyMullens，theconsequencewouldbeveryserioustoyouaswellastomyself。No，Icouldnotthinkofdoingthat。Iwillgoout，andcomebackateighto\'clock。Ishallnotbefaraway；butifanyoneshouldcomeandinquire，youcanhonestlysaythatyoudonotknowwhereIam。\"