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。\"