\"ButI\'mgladIcamesonear。Iwantedtoseeyouoncemore。IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstand。Butnobodyunderstands。Ihardlyunderstandmyself。ButpleasetrytobelievethatwhatIsayistrue。I\'mjustbackfromthemountains，andlisten，Margaret——\"Hehaltedamomenttosteadyhisvoice。
\"TheTurnersdowntheretookmeinwhenIwasaraggedoutcast。Theyclothedme，fedme，educatedme。TheMajortookmewhenIwaslittlemore；andhefedme，clothedme，educatedme。TheTurnersscornedme——MelissatoldmetogoherdwiththeDillons。TheMajorallbutturnedmefromhisdoor。Yourfatherwasbittertowardme，thinkingthatIhadhelpedturnHarrytotheUnioncause。Butletmetellyou！IftheTurnersdied，believingmeatraitor；ifLissydiedwithacurseonherlipsforme；iftheMajordiedwithout，ashebelieved，everhavingpollutedhislipsagainwithmyname；ifHarrywerebroughtbackheredead，andyourfatherdied，believingthathisbloodwasonmyhands；andifIlostyouandyourlove，andyoudied，believingthesamething——Imuststillgo。Oh，Margaret，Ican\'tunderstand——Ihaveceasedtoreason。IonlyknowImustgo！\"
Thegirlinthemountainshadletherrageandscornlooselikeastorm，butthegentlewomanonlygrewmorecalm。Everyvestigeofcolorlefther，buthereyesneverforamomentwaveredfromhisface。Hervoicewasquietandevenandpassionless。
\"Then，whydon\'tyougo？\"
Thelashofanoverseer\'swhipacrosshisfacecouldnothavemadehissoulsobleed。Eventhenhedidnotlosehimself。
\"Iaminyourway，\"hesaid，quietly。AndbackingDixiefromtheroad，andwithoutbendinghisheadorloweringhiseyes，hewaited，hatinhand，forMargarettopass。
AllthatdayChadrode，and，nextmorning，DixieclimbedtheUnionbankoftheOhioandtrottedintotherecruitingcampoftheFourthOhioCavalry。ThefirstmanChadsawwasHarryDean——grave，sombre，taciturn，thoughhesmiledandthrustouthishandeagerly。Chad\'seyesdroppedtothesergeant\'sstripesonHarry\'ssleeves，andagainHarrysmiled。
\"You\'llhave\'emyourselfinaweek。Thesefellowsridelikealotofmeal-bagsoverhere。Here\'smycaptain，\"headded，inalowervoice。
Apompousofficerrodeslowlyup。HepulledinhishorsewhenhesawChad。
\"Youwanttojointhearmy？\"
\"Yes，\"saidChad。
\"Allright。That\'safinehorseyou\'vegot。\"
Chadsaidnothing。
\"What\'shisname？\"
\"HERnameisDixie。\"
Thecaptainstared。Somesoldiersbehindlaughedinasmotheredfashion，soberingtheir\'facesquicklywhenthecaptainturneduponthem，furious。
\"Well，changehername！\"
\"I\'llnotchangehername，\"saidChad，quietly。
\"What！\"shoutedtheofficer。\"Howdareyou——\"Chad\'seyeslookedominous。
\"Don\'tyougiveanyorderstome——notyet。Youhaven\'ttheright；andwhenyouhave，youcansaveyourbreathbynotgivingthatone。ThishorsecomesfromKentucky，andsodoI；hernamewillstayDixieaslongasIstraddleher，andIproposetostraddleheruntiloneofusdies，or，\"——hesmiledandnoddedacrosstheriver——\"somebodyovertheregetsherwhowon\'tobjecttohernameasmuchasyoudo。\"
Theastonishedcaptain\'slipsopened，butaquietvoicebehindinterruptedhim：
\"Nevermind，Captain。\"Chadturnedandsawashort，thick-setmanwithastubblybrownbeard，whoseeyesweretwinkling，thoughhisfacewasgrave。\"A
boywhowantstofightfortheUnion，andinsistsoncallinghishorseDixie，mustbeallright。Comewithme，mylad。\"
AsChadfollowed，heheardthemansalutedasColonelGrant，buthepaidnoheed。FewpeopleatthattimedidpayheedtothenameofUlyssesGrant。
CHAPTER22。MORGAN\'SMEN
Bootsandsaddlesatdaybreak！
Overtheborder，inDixie，twovidettesingraytrotbrisklyfromoutaleafywoodland，sidebyside，andlookingwithkeeneyesrightandleft；one，erect，boyish，bronzed；theother，slouching，bearded，huge——theboy，DanielDean；
theman，RebelJerryDillon，oneofthegianttwins。
Fiftyyardsbehindthememergesasinglepicket；afterhimcomethreemorevidettes，thesamedistanceapart。Fiftyyardsbehindthelastrides\"theadvance\"——aguardoftwenty-fivepickedmen。Nocommissionamong\"Morgan\'sMen\"wasmoreeagerlysoughtthanaplaceonthatguardofhourlyriskandhonor。Behindittrotstillthreemorevidettes，atintervalsofonehundredyards，andjustthatintervalbehindthelastoftheserideMorgan\'sMen，theflowerofKentucky\'syouth，incolumnsoffours——ColonelHunt\'sregimentinadvance，thecolorsbornebyRenfrewtheSilentinabrilliantZouavejacketstuddedwithbuttonsofredcoral。IntherearrumbletwoParrotguns，affectionatelychristenedthe\"BullPups。\"
Skirtingthenextwoodlandranacross-road。DownonewaygallopsDan，anddowntheotherlumbersRebelJerry，eachtwohundredyards。Acryringsfromvidettetovidettebehindthemandbacktotheguard。Twohorsemenspurfromthe\"advance\"andtaketheplacesofthelasttwovidettes，whilethevidettesinfronttakeandkeeptheoriginalformationuntilthecolumnpassesthatcross-road，whenDeanandDillongallopuptotheiroldplacesintheextremefrontagain。Farinfront，andonbothflanks，arescoutingparties，milesaway。
ThiswasthewayMorganmarched。
Yankeesahead！Notmany，tobesure——nomorenumerousthantwoorthreetoone；sobackfallthevidettesandforwardchargesthatadvanceguardlikeathunderbolt，nottroublingthecolumnbehind。Wildyells，aclatteringofhoofs，thecrackofpistol-shots，awildflight，amerrychase，afewriderlesshorsesgatheredinfromthefleeingYankees，andtheincidentisover。
Tenmilesmore，andmanyhostilebayonetsgleamahead。Aseriousfight，this，perhaps——sobackdropstheadvance，thistimeasareserve；upgallopsthecolumnintosinglerankanddismounts，whiletheflankcompanies，deployingasskirmishers，coverthewholefront，onemanoutofeachsetoffoursandthecorporalsholdingthehorsesintherear。The\"BullPups\"barkandtheRebelyellringsastheline——thefilestwoyardsapart——\"alongflexiblelinecurvingforwardateachextremity\"——slipsforwardatahalfrun。ThistimetheYankeescharge。
Fromeverypointofthatcurvinglinepoursamercilessfire，andthechargingmeninbluerecoil——allbutone。Warisfullofgrimhumor。OncomesoneloneYankee，hatless，red-headed，pullingonhisreinswithmightandmain，hishorsebeyondcontrol，andnotoneoftheenemyshootashesweepshelplesslyintotheirline。Ahugerebelgrabshisbridle-rein。
\"Idon\'tknowwhethertokillyounow，\"hesays，withpretendedferocity，\"orwaittillthefightisover。\"
\"ForGod\'ssake，don\'tkillmeatall！\"shoutstheYankee。\"I\'madissipatedcharacter，andnotpreparedtodie。\"
Shotsfromtherightflankandrear，andthelineisthrownaboutlikearope。
ButthemainbodyoftheYankeesistotheleft。
\"Leftface！Double-quick！\"istheringingorder，and，bymagic，thelineconcentratesinasolidphalanxandsweepsforward。
ThiswasthewayMorganfought。
Andthus，marchingandfighting，hewenthistriumphantwayintothelandoftheenemy，withoutsabres，withoutartillery，withouteventhe\"BullPups，\"
sometimes——fightinginfantry，cavalry，artillerywithonlymuzzle-loadingrifles，pistols，andshotguns；scatteringHomeGuardsliketurkeys；destroyingrailroadsandbridges；takingtownsandburningGovernmentstores，andencompassed，usually，withforcestreblehisown。
ThiswaswhatMorgandidonaraid，waswhathehaddone，whathewasstartingoutnowtodoagain。
Darknessthreatens，andthecolumnhaltstobivouacforthenightontheveryspotwhere，nearlyayearbefore，Morgan\'sMenfirstjoinedJohnston\'sarmy，which，likeagreat，lean，hungryhawk，guardedtheSouthernborder。
DanielDeanwasawar-wornveterannow。Hecouldridetwentyhoursoutofthetwenty-four；hecouldsleepinhissaddleoranywherebutonpicketduty，andtherewasnotrickofthetradeincamp，oronthemarch，thatwasnotathisfinger\'send。
Firefirst！Nobodyhadamatch，theleaveswerewetandthetwigssoggy，butbysomemagicatinysparkglowsundersomeshadowyfigure，bitesatthetwigs，snapsatthebranches，andwrapsaloginflames。
Waternext！Atincuprattlesinabucket，andanothershadowyfigurestealsoffintothedarkness，withaninstinctasunerringastheskillofawater-witchwithawillowwand。TheYankeeschoseopenfieldsforcamps，butyourrebeltooktothewoods。Eachmanandhischumpickedatreeforahome，hungupcanteensandspreadblanketsatthefootofit。Supper——Heavens，whatluck——freshbeef！Onemanbroilsitoncoals，pinningpiecesoffattoittomakegravy；anotherroastsitonaforkedstick，forMorgancarriednocookingutensilsonaraid。
Here，onemanmadeupbreadinanoilclothandeveryMorgan\'smanhadonesoonaftertheywereissuedtotheFederals；anotherworkedupcorn-mealintodoughinthescooped-outhalfofapumpkin；onebakedbreadonaflatrock，anotheronaboard，whileathirdhadtwistedhisdougharoundhisram-rod；ifitwerespring-time，afourthmightbefittinghisintoacornshucktoroastinashes。AllthisDanDeancoulddo。
Theroaringfirethickensthegloomofthewoodswherethelonelypicketsstand。Pipesareoutnow。Anoracleoutlinesthegeneralcampaignofthewarasitwillbeandasitshouldhavebeen。Along-winded，innocentbraggarttellsofhispersonalprowessthatday。Alittlegroupisguyingthenewrecruit。Awagshavesabeardedcomradeononesideofhisface，pocketshisrazorandrefusestoshavetheotherside。Apoet，withabandagedeye，andhairlikeawindblownhay-stack，recites\"Iamdying，Egypt——dying，\"andthenapure，clear，tenorvoicestartsthroughtheforest-aisles，andthereissuddensilence。Everymanknowsthatvoice，andlovestheboywhoownsit——littleTomMorgan，Dan\'sbrother-in-arms，theGeneral\'sseventeen-year-oldbrother——andtherehestandsleaningagainstatree，fullinthelightofthefire，ahandsome，gallantfigure——asonglikeaseraph\'spouringfromhislips。Onebeardedsoldierisgazingathimwithcuriousintentness，andwhenthesongceases，liesdownwithasuddenlytroubledface。Hehasseenthe\"death-look\"intheboy\'seyes——thatpropheticdeath-lookinwhichhehasunshakenfaith。Thenightdeepens，figuresrollupinblankets，quietcomes，andDanlieswideawakeanddeepinmemories，andlookingbackonthoseearlyhelplessdaysofthewarwithatolerantsmile。
Hewasawar-wornveterannow，buthowvividlyhecouldrecallthatfirstnightinthecampofabigarmy，intheverywoodswherehenowlay——dusksettlingovertheGreenRivercountry，whichMorgan\'sMengrewtolovesowell；amocking-birdsingingafarewellsongfromthetopofastuntedoaktothedeadsummerandthedyingday；Morganseatedonacracker-boxinfrontofhistent，contemplativelychewingoneendofhismustache；LieutenantHuntswingingfromhishorse，smilinggrimly。
\"Itwouldmakeahorselaugh——aYankeecavalryhorse，anyhow——toseethisarmy。\"
Hunthadbeenoverthecampthatfirstafternoononapersonaltourofinvestigation。TheywerenotathousandSpringfieldandEnfieldriflesatthattimeinJohnston\'sarmy。Halfofthesoldierswerearmedwithshotgunsandsquirrelrifleandthegreaterpartoftheotherhalfwithflintlockmuskets。
Butnearlyeveryman，thinkinghewasinforarough-and-tumblefight，hadabowieknifeandarevolverswungtohisbelt。
\"ThoseArkansasandTexasfellowshavegotknivesthatwouldmakeaMalay\'sbloodruncold。\"
\"Well，they\'lldotohewfirewoodandcutmeat，\"laughedMorgan。
Thetroopswerenotonlybadlyarmed。Onhistour，Hunthadseenmenmakingblanketsofpiecesofoldcarpet，linedononesidewithapieceofcottoncloth；menwearingox-hidebuskins，orcomplicatedwrappingofrags，forshoes；orderlysergeantsmakingoutreportsonshingles；surgeonusingatwistedhandkerchiefinsteadofatourniquet。Therewasatotallackofmedicine，andcampdiseaseswerealreadybreakingout——measles，typhoidfever，pneumonia，boweltroubles——eachfatal，itseemed，intimeofwar。
\"GeneralJohnstonhasaskedRichmondforastandofthirtythousandarms，\"
Morganhadmused，andHuntlookedupinquiringly。
\"Mr。Daviscanonlyspareathousand。\"
\"That\'slucky，\"saidHunt，grimly。
Andthenthemilitaryorganizationofthatarmy，socharacteristicoftheSoutherner！Anofficerwhowantedtobemorethanacolonel，andcouldn\'tbeabrigadier，wouldhavea\"legion\"——ahybridunitbetweenaregimentandabrigade。Sometimestherewasaregimentwhoseroll-callwasmorethantwothousandmen，sopopularwasitscolonel。Companieswouldoftenrefusetodesignatethemselvesbyletter，butbythethrillingtitlestheyhadgiventhemselves。HowMorganandHunthadlaughedover\"TheYellowJackets，\"\"TheDeadShots，\"\"TheEarthquakes，\"\"TheChickashaDesperadoes，\"and\"TheHellRoarers\"！Regimentswouldbearthenamesoftheircommanders——asingularinstanceoftheSoutherner\'spassionforindividuality，asaman，acompany，aregiment，orabrigade。Andtherewaslittleornodiscipline，asthewordisunderstoodamongthemilitaryelect，andwithnoarmythattheworldhaseverseen，RichardHuntalwaysclaimed，wastheresolittleneedofit。ForSouthernsoldiers，heargued，were，fromthestart，obedient，zealous，andtolerablypatient，fromgoodsenseandastrongsenseofduty。Theywerebornfighters；aspiritofemulationinducedthemtolearnthedrill；prideandpatriotismkeptthemtrueandpatienttothelast，buttheycouldnotbemade，bypunishmentorthefearofit，intomachines。Theyreadtheirchanceofsuccess，notinopposingnumbers，butinthecharacterandreputationoftheircommanders，who，inturn，believed，asarule，that\"theunthinkingautomaton，formedbyroutineandpunishment，couldnomorestandbeforethehigh-strungyoungsoldierwithbrainsandgoodblood，andsomepracticeandknowledgeofwarfare，thanatreecouldresistastrokeoflightning。\"SothatwithSouthernsoldiersdisciplinecametomean\"thepridewhichmadesoldierslearntheirdutiesratherthanincurdisgrace；thesubordinationthatcamefromself-respectandrespectforthemanwhomtheythoughtworthytocommandthem。\"
Bootsandsaddlesagainatdaybreak！BynoonthecolumnreachedGreenRiver，overtheKentuckyline，whereMorgan，evenonhiswaydowntojoinJohnston，hadbeguntheoperationswhichweretomakehimfamous。Nopicketdutythatinfantrycoulddoaswell，forMorgan\'scavalry！Hewanteditkeptoutonthefrontortheflanksofanarmy，andascloseaspossibleupontheenemy。Rightaway，therehadbeenthrillingtimesforDanintheGreenRivercountry——settingoutatdark，chasingcountrymeninFederalpayorsympathy，prowlingallnightaroundandamongpicketsandoutposts；entrappingtheunwary；takingapositiononthelineofretreatatdaybreak，andturningleisurelybacktocampwithprisonersandinformation。Howmemoriesthronged！
Atthisveryturnoftheroad，Danremembered，theyhadtheirfirstbrushwiththeenemy。Noplanofbattlehadbeenadopted，otherthantohideonbothsidesoftheroadandsendtheirhorsestotherear。
\"Ithinkweoughttocharge\'em，\"saidGeorgieForbes，Chad\'soldenemy。Dansawthathisliptrembled，and，amomentlater，Georgie，mutteringsomething，disappeared。
TheYankeeshadcomeon，and，discoveringthem，halted。Morganhimselfsteppedoutintheroadandshottheofficerridingattheheadofthecolumn。Hismenfellbackwithoutreturningthefire，deployedandopenedup。Danrecognizedtheverytreebehindwhichhehadstood，andagainhecouldalmosthearRichardHuntchucklingfrombehindanothercloseby。
\"Wewouldbeinbadshape，\"saidRichardHunt，asthebulletswhistledhighoverhead，\"ifwewereinthetopsofthesetreesinsteadofbehindthem。\"
Therehadbeennomaneuvering，nocommandgivenamongtheConfederates。Eachmanfoughthisownfight。Intenminutesahorse-holderranupfromtherear，breathless，andannouncedthattheYankeeswereflanking。Everymanwithdrew，straightway，afterhisownfashion，andinhisowntime。Onemanwaswoundedandseveralwereshotthroughtheclothes。
\"Thatwaslikeacamp-meetingoranelectionrow，\"laughedMorgan，whentheywereincamp。
\"OranaffairbetweenAustrianandItalianoutposts，\"saidHunt。
Achucklerosebehindthem。Alamecolonelwaslimpingpast。
\"Igotyourcourier，\"hesaid。
\"Isentnocourier，\"saidMorgan。
\"ItwasForbeswhowantedtocharge\'em，\"saidDan。
AgaintheColonelchuckled。
\"TheYankeesranwhenyoudid，\"hesaid，andlimped，chuckling，away。
Butitwasgreatfun，thosemoonlitnights，burningbridgesandchasingHomeGuardswhowouldfleefifteenortwentymilessometimesto\"rally。\"HerewasalittletownthroughwhichDanandRichardHunthadmarchedwithnineprisonersinacolumn——takenbythemalone——andacapturedUnitedStatesflag，flyinginfront，scaringConfederatesympathizersandstragglingsoldiers，asHuntreported，horribly。Danchuckledatthememory，fortheprisonerswerequarteredwithdifferentmesses，and，thatnight，severalbottlesofsparklingCatawbahappened，bysomemystery，tobeonhand。Theprisonersweretoldthatthiswasregularlyissuedbytheircommissaries，andthereupontheyplead，withtears，tobereceivedintotheConfederateranks。
ThiskindofservicewasvaluabletrainingforMorgan\'slaterwork。Slightasitwas，itsoonbroughthimthirtyold，condemnedartillery-horses——Dansmilednowatthememoryofthoseancientchargers——whichwereturnedovertoMorgantobenurseduntiltheywouldbearamount，and，byandby，itgainedhimacolonelcyandthreecompanies，superblymountedandequipped，which，as\"Morgan\'sSquadron，\"becameknownfarandnear。Thenrealservicebegan。
InJanuary，therightwingofJohnston\'shungryhawkhadbeenbrokenintheCumberlandMountains。EarlyinFebruary，JohnstonhadwithdrawnitfromKentuckybeforeBuell\'shosts，withitsbeakalwaystothefoe。Bythemiddleofthemonth，GranthadwontheWesternborderStatestotheUnion，withthecaptureofFortDonelson。InApril，thesunofShilohroseandsetonthefailureofthefirstConfederateaggressivecampaignattheWest；andinthatfightDansawhisfirstrealbattle，andCaptainHuntwaswounded。InMay，BuellhadpushedtheConfederatelinessouthandeasttowardChattanooga。ToretainaholdontheMississippivalley，theConfederatesmustmakeanotherpushforKentucky，anditwasthisgreatSouthernneedthatsoonputJohnMorgan\'snameonthelipsofeveryrebelandYankeeinthemiddleSouth。InJune，provost-marshalswereappointedineverycountyinKentucky；thedogsofwarbegantobeturnedlocalsonthe\"seceshsympathizers\"throughouttheState，andJeromeConners，overseer，begantorenderslyservicetotheUnioncause。
ForitwasinJunethatMorganpaidhisfirstmemorablelittlevisittotheBluegrass，andDanielDeanwrotehisbrotherHarrytheshorttaleoftheraid。
\"WeleftDixiewithninehundredmen，\"theletterran，\"andgotbackintwenty-fourdayswithtwelvehundred。Travelledoveronethousandmiles，capturedseventeentowns，destroyedallGovernmentsuppliesandarmsinthem，scatteredfifteenhundredHomeGuards，andparoledtwelvehundredregulartroops。Lostoftheoriginalninehundred，inkilled，wounded，andmissing，aboutninetymen。How\'sthat？WekepttwentythousandmenbusyguardingGovernmentpostsorchasingus，andwe\'regoingbackoften。OhHarry，IAM
gladthatyouarewithGrant。\"
ButHarrywasnotwithGrant——notnowWhileMorganwasmarchingupfromDixietohelpKirbySmithinthelastgreateffortthattheConfederacywasabouttomaketowinKentucky——downfromtheyellowrivermarchedtheFourthOhioCavalrytogointocampatLexington；andwithitmarchedChadwickBufordandHarryDeanwho，too，wereveteransnow——who，too，weregoinghome。Bothladsworeasecondlieutenant\'semptyshoulder-straps，whichbothyetmeanttofillwithbars，butChad\'spromotionhadnotcomeasswiftlyasHarryhadpredicted；theCaptain，whosedispleasurehehadincurred，preventedthat。Ithadcome，intime，however，andwithoneleaphehadlanded，afterShiloh，atHarry\'sside。Inthebeginning，youngDeanhadwantedtogototheArmyofthePotomac，asdidChad，butonequietwordfromthetaciturncolonelwiththestubblyreddish-brownbeardandtheperpetualblackcigarkeptbothwheretheywere。
\"Though，\"saidGranttoChad，ashiseyeranoverbeautifulDixiefromtipofnosetotipoftail，andcamebacktoChad，slightlytwinkling，\"I\'veagreatnotiontoputyouintheinfantryjusttogetholdofthathorse。\"
SoitwasnoqueerturnoffatethathadsoonsentboththeladstohelpholdZollicofferatCumberlandGap，thatstoppedthematCampDickRobinsontojoinforceswithWolford\'scavalry，andbroughtChadfacetofacewithanoldfriend。Wolford\'scavalrywasgatheredfromthemountainsandthehills，andwhensomescoutscameinthatafternoon，Chad，tohisgreatjoy，saw，mountedonagauntsorrel，noneotherthanhisoldschool-master，CalebHazel，who，aftershakinghandswithbothHarryandChad，pointedsilentlyatagreat，strangefigurefollowinghimonasplendidhorsesomefiftyyardsbehind。Themanworeaslouchhat，towlinenbreeches，home-madesuspenders，abeltwithtwopistols，andonhisnakedheelsweretwohugeTexanspurs。Harrybrokeintoalaugh，andChad\'spuzzledfaceclearedwhenthemangrinned；itwasYankeeJakeDillon，oneofthegianttwins。Chadlookedathimcuriously；thatblowontheheadthathisbrother，RebelJerry，hadgivenhim，hadwroughtamiracle。Thelipsnolongerhungapart，butweresetfirmly，andtheeyewasalmostkeen；thefacewasstillratherstupid，butnotfoolish——anditwasstillkind。Chadknewthat，somewhereintheConfederatelines，RebelJerrywaslookingforJake，asYankeeJake，doubtless，wasnowlookingforJerry，andhebegantothinkthatitmightbewellforJerryifneitherwaseverfound。DawsDillon，sohelearnedfromCalebHazelandJake，wasalreadymakinghisnameawatchwordofterroralongtheborderofVirginiaandTennessee，andwasprowling，likeawolf，nowandthen，alongtheedgeoftheBluegrass。OldJoelTurnerhaddiedofhiswound，RubehadgoneofftothewarandMotherTurnerandMelissawereleftathome，alone。
\"Dawsfitfustononesideandthenont\'other，\"saidJake，andthenhesmiledinawaythatChadunderstood；\"an\'senceyouwasdowntharlastDawsdon\'tseemtohankermuchattermeddlin\'withtheTurners，thoughthetwowomendidhavetorunoverintoVirginny，onceinawhile。Melissy，\"headded，\"wasa-goin\'tomarryDaveHilton，sofolkssaid；andhereckonedthey\'dalreadyhitchedmostlikely，senceChadthar——\"
AflashfromChad\'seyesstoppedhim，andChad，seeingHarry\'spuzzledface，turnedaway。HewasgladthatMelissawasgoingtomarry——yes，hewasglad；
andhowhedidpraythatshemightbehappy！
FightingZollicoffer，onlyafewdayslater，ChadandHarryhadtheirbaptismoffire，andstrangebattleorderstheyheard，thatmadethemsmileeveninthethickofthefight。
\"Huddleupthar！\"\"Scatterout，now！\"\"Formalineoffight！\"\"Waittillyouseetheshineoftheireyes！\"
\"Isee\'em！\"shoutedaprivate，and\"bang\"wenthisgun。Thatwasthewaythefightopened。ChadsawHarry\'seyesblazinglikestarsfromhispaleface，whichlookedpainedandhalfsick，andChadunderstood——theladswerefightingtheirownpeople，andtherewasnohelpforit。Avoicebellowedfromtherear，andamaninaredcaploomedinthesmoke-mistahead：
\"Now，now！Gitupandgit，boys！\"
Thatwastheorderforthecharge，andthebluelinewentforward。Chadneverforgotthatfirstbattle-fieldwhenhesawitafewhourslaterstrewnwithdeadandwounded，thedeadlying，astheydropped，ineveryconceivableposition，featuresstark，limbsrigid；onemanwithahalf-smokedcigaronhisbreast；thefacesofsomanybeardless；somefrowning，someasifasleepanddreaming；andthewounded——sometalkingpitifully，someindelirium，somecourteous，patient，anxioustosavetrouble，othersmorose，sullen，stolid，independent；neverforgotit，eventheterriblenightafterShiloh，whenhesearchedheapsofwoundedandslainforCalebHazel，wholayallthroughthenightwoundedalmosttodeath。
Later，theFourthOhiofollowedJohnston，ashegavewaybeforeBuell，andmanytimesdidtheyskirmishandfightwithubiquitousMorgan\'sMen。SeveraltimesHarryandDansenteachothermessagestosaythateachwasstillunhurt，andbothwereinconstanthorrorofsomedaycomingfacetoface。
Once，indeed，Harry，chasingarebelandfiringathim，sawhimlurchinhissaddle，andChad，comingup，foundtheladontheground，cryingoveracanteenwhichtherebelhaddropped。ItwasmarkedwiththeinitialsD。D。，thestrapwascutbythebulletHarryhadfired，andnotforaweekofagonizingtorturedidHarrylearnthatthecanteen，thoughDan\'s，hadbeencarriedthatdaybyanotherman。
Itwasonthesescoutsandskirmishesthatthefour——HarryandChad，andCalebHazelandYankeeJakeDillon，whosedog-likedevotiontoChadsoonbecamearegimentaljoke——becameknown，notonlyamongtheirownmen，butamongtheirenemies，astheshrewdestandmostdaringscoutsintheFederalservice。EveryMorgan\'smancametoknowthenameofChadBuford；butitwasnotuntilShilohthatChadgothisshoulder-straps，leadingachargeundertheveryeyeofGeneralGrant。AfterShiloh，theFourthOhiowentbacktoitsoldquartersacrosstheriver，andnosoonerwereChadandHarrytherethanKentuckywasputundertheDepartmentoftheOhio；andsoitwasalsonoqueerturnoffatethatnowtheywereontheirwaytonewhead-quartersinLexington。
StraightalongtheturnpikethatranbetweentheDeanandtheBufordfarms，theFourthOhiowentinacloudofthickdustthatroseandsettledlikeagraychokingmistonthesearedfields。SidebysiderodeHarryandChad，andneitherspokewhen，ontheleft，thewhitecolumnsoftheDeanhousecameintoview，and，ontheright，theredbrickofChad\'soldhomeshowedthroughthedustyleaves；notevenwhenbothsawontheDeanporchthefiguresoftwowomenwho，standingmotionless，werelookingatthem。Harry\'sshouldersdrooped，andhestaredstonilyahead，whileChadturnedhisheadquickly。ThefrontdoorandshuttersoftheBufordhousewereclosed，andtherewerefewsignsoflifeabouttheplace。OnlyatthegatewastheslouchingfigureofJeromeConners，theoverseer，who，wavinghishatatthecolumn，recognizedChad，asherodeby，andspoketohim，Chadthought，withacovertsneer。
Fartherahead，andonthefarthestboundaryoftheBufordfarm，wasaFederalfort，nowdeserted，andthebeautifulwoodlandthathadoncestoodinperfectbeautyarounditwassadlyravagedandnearlygone，aswastheDeanwoodlandacrosstheroad。ItwasplainthatsomepeoplewerepayingtheYankeepiperforthedeath-danceinwhichamightynationwasshakingitsfeet。
Ontheywent，pasttheoldcollege，downBroadway，wheelingatSecondStreet——Harrygoingonwiththeregimenttocampontheotheredgeofthetown；ChadreportingwithhiscolonelatGeneralWard\'shead-quarters，acolumnedbrickhouseononecornerofthecollegecampus，andstraightacrossfromtheHunthome，wherehehadfirstdancedwithMargaretDean。
ThatnightthetwolayontheedgeoftheAshlandwoods，lookingupatthestars，theripenedbluegrass——ayellow，moonlitsea——aroundthemandthewoodsdarkandstillbehindthem。Bothsmokedandweresilent，buteachknewthattotheotherhisthoughtswereknown；forbothhadbeenonthesameerrandthatday，andthemiserabletaleofthelasttenmonthsbothhadlearned。
Troublehadsoonbegunfortheoneswhoweredeartothem，whenbothleftforthewar。AtonceGeneralAndersonhadpromisedimmunityfromarresttoeverypeaceablecitizenintheState，butatoncetheshiftless，theprowling，thelawless，gatheredtotheHomeGuardsforself-protection，tomaskdeviltryandtowreakvengeanceforprivatewrongs。Atoncemischiefbegan。AlongtheOhio，menwithSouthernsympathieswereclappedintoprison。CitizenswhohadjoinedtheConfederateswerepronouncedguiltyoftreason，andBreckinridgewasexpelledfromtheSenateasatraitor。Morgan\'sgreatraidinJune，\'61，spreadconsternationthroughthelandand，straightway，everydistrictandcountywereatthemercyofapettylocalprovost。NomanofSouthernsympathiescouldstandforoffice。Courtsinsessionwerebrokenupwiththebayonet。Civilauthoritywasoverthrown。Destructionofproperty，indemnityassessmentsoninnocentmen，arrests，imprisonment，andmurderbecameofdailyoccurrence。Ministerswerejailedandlatelyprisonshadevenbeenpreparedfordisloyalwomen。MajorBuford，forcedtostayathomeonaccountofhisrheumatismandtheseriousillnessofMissLucy，hadbeensenttoprisononceandwasnowunderarrestagain。GeneralDean，oldashewas，hadescapedandhadgonetoVirginiatofightwithLee；andMargaretandMrs。Dean，withafewservants，wereoutonthefarmalone。
Butneitherspokeoftheworstthatbothfearedwasyettocome——and\"Taps\"
soundedsoftanddearonthenightair。
CHAPTER23。CHADCAPTURESANOLDFRIEND
MeanwhileMorganwascomingon——ledbythetwovidettesingray——DanielDeanandRebelJerryDillon——comingontomeetKirbySmithinLexingtonafterthatgeneralhadledtheBluegrassintotheConfederatefold。Theyweretakingshortcutsthroughthehillsnow，andRebelJerrywasguide，forhehadjoinedMorganforthatpurpose。Jerryhadlongbeennotoriousalongtheborder。Henevergavequarteronhisexpeditionsforpersonalvengeance，anditwassaidthatnotevenheknewhowmanymenhehadkilled。EveryMorgan\'smanhadheardofhim，andwasanxioustoseehim；andseehimtheydid，thoughtheyneverheardhimopenhislipsexceptinanswertoaquestion。ToDanheseemedtotakeastrangefancyrightaway，buthewasasvoicelessasthegrave，exceptforanoccasionaloath，whenbush-whackersofDawsDillon\'silkwouldpopattheadvanceguard——sometimesfromarockdirectlyoverhead，forchasewasuseless。Ittookaroundaboutclimbofonehundredyardstogettothetopofthatrock，sotherewasnothingforvidettesandguardstodobutpopback，whichtheydidtonopurpose。Onthethirdday，however，afteraskirmishinwhichDanhadchargedwithalittlemoredare-deviltrythanusual，thebigDillonrippedoutanoathofprotest。Anhourlaterhespokeagain：
\"Igotabrotheront\'otherside。\"
Danstarted。\"Why，sohaveI，\"hesaid。\"What\'syourbrotherwith？\"
\"Wolford\'scavalry。\"
\"That\'scurious。Sowasmine——forawhile。He\'swithGrantnow。\"Theboyturnedhisheadawaysuddenly。
\"Imightmeethim，ifhewerewithWolfordnow，\"hesaid，halftohimself，butJerryheardhimandsmiledviciously。
\"Well，that\'swhatI\'mgoin\'withyoufellersfer——tomeetmine。\"
\"What！\"saidDan，puzzled。
\"We\'vebeenlookin\'fereachothersencethewarbrokeout。Ireckonhewentont\'othersidetokeepmefromkillin\'him。\"
Danshrankawayfromthegiantwithhorror；butnextdaythemountaineersavedtheboy\'slifeinafightinwhichDan\'schum——gallantlittleTomMorgan——losthis；andthatnight，asDanlaysleeplessandcryinginhisblanket，JerryDilloncameinfromguard-dutyandlaydownbyhim。
\"I\'mgoin\'totakekeero\'you。\"
\"Idon\'tneedyou，\"saidDan，gruffly，andRebelJerrygrunted，turnedoveronhissideandwenttosleep。Nightanddaythereafterhewasbytheboy\'sside。
AthrillranthroughtheentirecommandwhenthecolumnstruckthefirstBluegrassturnpike，andacheerrangfromfronttorear。NearMidway，alittleBluegrasstownsomefifteenmilesfromLexington，ahaltwascalled，andanotherdeafeningcheeraroseintheextremerearandcameforwardlikearushingwind，asacoal-blackhorsegallopedthelengthofthecolumn——itsrider，hatinhand，bowingwithaproudsmiletotheflatteringstorm——fortheidolatryofthemanandhismenwasmutual——withtheerectgraceofanIndian，theairofacourtier，andthebearingofasoldierineverylineofthesixfeetandmoreofhistirelessframe。NomanwhoeversawJohnMorganonhorsebackbuthadthepicturestampedforeveronhisbrain，asnomanwhoeversawthatcoal-blackhorseeverforgotBlackBess。Behindhimcamehisstaff，andbehindthemcameawizenedlittleman，whosenicknamewas\"Lightning\"——telegraphoperatorforMorgan\'sMen。TherewasneedofLightningnow，soMorgansenthimonintotownwithDanandJerryDillon，whileheandRichardHuntfollowedleisurely。
Thethreetroopersfoundthestationoperatorseatedontheplatform——pipeinmouth，andenjoyinghimselfhugely。Helookedlazilyatthem。
\"CallupLexington，\"saidLightning，sharply。
\"Gotohell！\"saidtheoperator，andthenhenearlytoppledfromhischair。
Lightning，withaviciousgesture，hadswungapistolonhim。
\"Here——here！\"hegasped，\"what\'dyoumean？\"
\"CallupLexington，\"repeatedLightning。Theoperatorseatedhimself。
\"WhatdoyouwantinLexington？\"hegrowled。
\"Askthetimeofday？\"Theoperatorstared，buttheinstrumentclicked。
\"What\'syourname？\"askedLightning。
\"Woolums。\"
\"Well，Woolums，you\'rea\'plug。\'Iwantedtoseehowyouhandledthekey。Yes，Woolums，you\'reaplug。\"
ThenLightningseatedhimself，andWoolums\'mouthflewopen——Lightningcopiedhisstylewithsuchexactness。AgaintheinstrumentclickedandLightninglistened，smiling：
\"WilltherebeanydangercomingtoMidway？\"askedarailroadconductorinLexington。Lightninganswered，grinning：
\"None。Comerighton。Nosignofrebelshere。\"AgainaclickfromLexington。
\"GeneralWardordersGeneralFinnellofFrankforttomovehisforces。GeneralWardwillmovetowardGeorgetown，towhichMorganwitheighteenhundredmenismarching。\"
Lightningcaughthisbreath——thiswasMorgan\'sforceandhisintentionexactly。Heanswered：
\"MorganwithupwardoftwothousandmenhastakentheroadtoFrankfort。Thisisreliable。\"Tenminuteslater，Lightningchuckled。
\"WardordersFinnelltorecallhisregimenttoFrankfort。\"
HalfanhourlateranotherideastruckLightning。HeclickedasthoughtelegraphingfromFrankfort：
\"Ourpicketsjustdrivenin。Greatexcitement。Forceofenemymustbetwothousand。\"
ThenLightninglaughed。\"I\'vefooled\'em，\"saidLightning。
TherewasturmoilinLexington。ThestreetsthunderedwiththetrampofcavalrygoingtocatchMorgan。Daylightcameandnothingwasdone——nothingknown。Theafternoonwaned，andstillWardfrettedathead-quarters，whilehisimpatientstaff-satonthepiazzatalking，speculating，wonderingwherethewilyraiderwas。Leaningonthecampus-fencenearbywereChadwickBufordandHarryDean。
Ithadbeenasaddayforthosetwo。Themutualtolerancethatprevailedamongtheirfriendsinthebeginningofthewarhadgivenwaytointensebitternessnow。Therewasnothrillforthemintheflagsflutteringawelcometothemfromthewindowsofloyalists，forunderthoseflagsoldfriendspassedtheminthestreetwithnosignofrecognition，butasullen，avertedface，orastareofopencontempt。ElizabethMorganhadmetthem，andturnedherheadwhenHarryraisedhiscap，thoughChadsawtearsspringtohereyesasshepassed。Sadasitwasforhim，ChadknewwhatthesilenttortureinHarry\'sheartmustbe，forHarrycouldnotbringhimself，thatday，eventovisithisownhome。AndnowMorganwascoming，andtheymightsoonbeinadeath-fight，Harrywithhisownblood-brotherandbothwithboyhoodfriends。
\"Godgrantthatyoutwomaynevermeet！\"
ThatcryfromGeneralDeanwasbeatingceaselesslythroughHarry\'sbrainnow，andhebroughtonehanddownonthefence，hardlynoticingthedropofbloodthatoozedfromtheforceoftheblow。
\"Oh，IwishIcouldgetawayfromhere！\"
\"Ishallthefirstchancethatcomes，\"saidChad，andheliftedhisheadsharply，staringdownthestreet。Aphaetonwascomingslowlytowardthemandinitwereanegroservantandagirlinwhite。Harrywasleaningoverthefencewithhisbacktowardthestreet，andChad，thebloodrushingtohisface，lookedinsilence，forthenegrowasSnowballandthegirlwasMargaret。
Hesawherstartandflushwhenshesawhim，herhandsgivingalittleconvulsiveclutchatthereins；butshecameon，lookingstraightahead。
Chad\'shandwentunconsciouslytohiscap，andwhenHarryrose，puzzledtoseehimbareheaded，thephaetonstopped，andtherewasahalf-brokencry：
\"Harry！\"
Capstillinhand，Chadstrodeawayasthebrother，withanansweringcry，sprangtowardher……
Whenhecameback，anhourlater，atdusk，Harrywasseatedontheportico，andthelongsilencebetweenthemwasbrokenatlast。
\"She——theyoughtn\'ttocometotownatatimelikethis，\"saidChad，roughly。
\"Itoldherthat，\"saidHarry，\"butitwasuseless。Shewillcomeandgojustasshepleases。\"
Harryroseandleanedforamomentagainstoneofthebigpillars，andthenheturnedimpulsively，andputonehandlightlyontheother\'sshoulder。
\"I\'msorry，oldman，\"hesaid，gently。
Apairofheelsclickedsuddenlytogetheronthegrassbeforethem，andanorderlystoodatsalute。
\"GeneralWard\'scompliments，andwillLieutenantBufordandLieutenantDeanreporttohimatonce？\"
Thetwoexchangedaswiftglance，andthefacesofbothgrewgravewithsuddenapprehension。
Inside，theGenerallookedworried，andhitmannerwasrathersharp。
\"DoyouknowGeneralDean？\"heasked，lookingatHarry\"Heismyfather，TheGeneralwheeledinhischair。
\"What！\"heexclaimed。\"Well——um——Isupposeoneofyouwillbeenough。Youcango。\"
WhenthedoorclosedbehindHarry，helookedatChad。
\"TherearetworebelsatGeneralDean\'shouseto-night，\"hesaid，quietly。
\"Oneofthem，Iamtold——why，hemustbethatboy\'sbrother，\"andagaintheGeneralmused；thenheadded，sharply：
\"Takesixgoodmenoutthererightawayandcapturethem。AndwatchoutforDawsDillonandhisbandofcut-throats。Iamtoldheisinthisregion。I\'vesentacompanyafterhim。ButyoucapturethetwoatGeneralDean\'s。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidChad，turningquickly，buttheGeneralhadseenthelad\'sfacegrowpale。
\"Itisverystrangedownhere——theymaybehisbestfriends，\"hethought，and，beingakindheartedman，hereachedouthishandtowardabelltosummonChadback，anddrewitinagain。
\"Icannothelpthat；butthatboymusthavegoodstuffinhim。\"
Harrywaswaitingforhimoutside。HeknewthatDanwouldgohomeifitwaspossible，andwhatChad\'smissionmustbe。
\"Don\'thurthim，Chad。\"
\"Youdon\'thavetoaskthat，\"answeredChad，sadly……
SoChad\'soldenemy，DawsDillon，wasabroad。TherewasabigmanwiththeboyattheDeans\'，GeneralWardhadsaid，butChadlittleguessedthatitwasanotheroldacquaintance，RebelJerryDillon，who，atthathour，washavinghissupperbroughtouttothestabletohim，sayingthathewouldsleepthere，takecareofthehorses，andkeeponthelook-outforYankees。JeromeConners\'shandmustbeinthis，Chadthought，forheneverforamomentdoubtedthattheoverseerhadbroughtthenewstoGeneralWard。Hewasplayingafinegameofloyaltytobothsides，thatoverseer，andChadgrimlymadeuphismindthat，fromonesideortheother，hisdaywouldcome。Andthiswasthefortuneofwar——tobetrotting，attheheadofsixmen，onsuchamission，alongaroadthat，ateveryturn，oneverylittlehill，andalmostineveryfence-corner，wasstoredwithhappymemoriesforhim；toforceentranceasanenemyunderaroofthathadshoweredcourtesyandkindnessdownonhimlikerain，thatinalltheworldwasmostsacredtohim；tobringdeathtoanoldplaymate，thebrotherofthewomanwhomheloved，orcapture，whichmightmeanaworsedeathinaloathsomeprison。HethoughtofthatdawnwhenhedrovehomeafterthedanceattheHunts\'withtheoldMajorasleepathissideandhisheartalmostburstingwithhighhopeandhappiness，andheranhishandoverhiseyestobrushthememoryaway。Hemustthinkonlyofhisdutynow，andthatdutywasplain。
Acrossthefieldstheywentinanoiselesswalk，andleavingtheirhorsesinthewoods，underthecareofonesoldier，slippedintotheyard。Twomenwerepostedattherearofthehouse，onewasstationedateachendofthelongporchtocommandthewindowsoneitherside，and，withasergeantathiselbow，Chadclimbedthelongstepsnoiselesslyandknockedatthefrontdoor。
Inamomentitwasthrownopenbyawoman，andthelightfellfullinChad\'sface。
\"You——you——YOU！\"saidavoicethatshookwithmingledterrorandcontempt，andMargaretshrankback，stepbystep。Hearingher，Mrs。Deanhurriedintothehallway。HerfacepaledwhenshesawtheFederaluniforminherdoorway，butherchinrosehaughtily，andhervoicewassteadyandmostcourteous：
\"Whatcanwedoforyou？\"sheasked，andshe，too，recognizedChad，andherfacegrewsternasshewaitedforhimtoanswer。
\"Mrs。Dean，\"hesaid，halfchoking，\"wordhascometohead-quartersthattwoConfederatesoldiersarespendingthenighthere，andIhavebeenorderedtosearchthehouseforthem。Mymenhavesurroundedit，butifyouwillgivemeyourwordthattheyarenothere，notamanshallcrossyourthreshold——notevenmyself。\"
WithoutawordMrs。Deanstoodaside。
\"Iamsorry，\"saidChad，motioningtotheSergeanttofollowhim。Ashepassedthedoorofthedrawing-room，hesaw，underthelamp，apipewithashesstrewnaboutitsbowl。Chadpointedtoit。
\"Spareme，Mrs。Dean。\"Butthetwowomenstoodwithclinchedhands，silent。
Danhadflashedintothekitchen，andwasabouttoleapfromthewindowwhenhesawthegleamofarifle-barrel，nottenfeetaway。Hewouldbepottedlikearatifhesprangoutthere，andhedashednoiselesslyupthebackstairs，asChadstartedupthefrontstairwaytowardthegarret，wherehehadpassedmanyahappyhourplayingwithMargaretandHarryandtheboywhomhewasafterasanenemy，now。Thedoorwasopenatthefirstlanding，andthecreakofthestairsunderDan\'sfeet，heardplainly，stopped。TheSergeant，pistolinhand，startedtopushpasthissuperior。
\"Keepback，\"saidChad，sternly，andashedrewhispistol，aterrifiedwhisperrosefrombelow。
\"Don\'t，don\'t！\"AndthenDan，withhandsup，steppedintosight。
\"I\'llspareyou，\"hesaid，quietly。\"Notaword，mother。They\'vegotme。Youcantellhimthereisnooneelseinthehouse，though。\"
Mrs。Dean\'seyesfilledwithtears，andasobbrokefromMargaret。
\"Thereisnooneelse，\"shesaid，andChadbowed。\"Inthehouse，\"sheadded，proudly，scorningthesubterfuge。
\"Searchthebarn，\"saidChad，\"quick！\"TheSergeantrandownthesteps。
\"Ireckonyouarealittletoolate，myfriend，\"saidDan。\"Why，blessme，it\'smyoldfriendChad——andalieutenant！Icongratulateyou，\"headded，buthedidnotoffertoshakehands。
Chadhadthoughtofthebarntoolate。Snowballhadseenthemencreepingthroughtheyard，hadwarnedJerryDillon，andJerryhadslippedthehorsesintothewoodland，andhadcreptbacktolearnwhatwasgoingon。
\"Iwillwaitforyououthere，\"saidChad。\"Takeyourtime。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidDan。
HecameoutinamomentandMrs。DeanandMargaretfollowedhim。AtagesturefromtheSergeant，asoldierstationedhimselfoneachsideofDan，and，asChadturned，hetookoffhiscapagain。Hisfacewasverypaleandhisvoicealmostbroke：
\"Youwillbelieve，Mrs。Dean，\"hesaid，\"thatthiswassomethingIHADtodo。\"
Mrs。Deanbentherheadslightly。
\"Certainly，mother，\"saidDan。\"Don\'tblameLieutenantChad。MorganwillhaveLexingtoninafewdaysandthenI\'llbefreeagain。MaybeI\'llhaveLieutenantChadaprisoner——notelling！\"
Chadsmiledfaintly，andthen，withaflush，hespokeagain——warningMrs。
Dean，inthekindliestway，that，henceforth，herhousewouldbeundersuspicion，andtellingheroftheseveremeasuresthathadbeeninauguratedagainstrebelsympathizers。
\"Suchsympathizershavetotakeoathofallegianceandgivebondstokeepit。\"
\"Iftheydon\'t？\"
\"Arrestandimprisonment。\"
\"Andiftheygivetheoathandviolateit？\"
\"Thepenaltyisdeath，Mrs。Dean。\"
\"Andiftheyaidtheirfriends？\"
\"Theyaretobedealtwithaccordingtomilitarylaw。\"
\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Ifloyalcitizensarehurtordamagedbyguerrillas，disloyalcitizensofthelocalitymustmakecompensation。\"
\"IsittruethataConfederatesympathizerwillbeshotdownifonthestreetsofLexington？\"
\"Therewassuchanorder，Mrs。Dean。\"
\"Andifaloyalcitizeniskilledbyoneoftheseso-calledguerillas，forwhoseactsnobodyisresponsible，prisonersofwararetobeshotinretaliation？\"
\"Mother！\"criedMargaret。
\"No，Mrs。Dean——notprisonersofwar——guerillas。\"
\"Andwhenwillyoubeginwaronwomen？\"
\"Never，Ihope。\"HishesitancybroughtascornintothesearchingeyesofhispalequestionerthatChadcouldnotface，andwithoutdaringeventolookatMargaretheturnedaway。
SuchretaliatorymeasuresmadestartlingnewstoDan。Hegrewverygravewhilehelistened，butashefollowedChadhechattedandlaughedandjokedwithhiscaptors。MorganwouldhaveLexingtoninthreedays。HewasreallygladtogetachancetofillhisbellywithYankeegrub。Ithadn\'tbeenfullmorethantwoorthreetimesinsixmonths。
AllthetimehewaswatchingforJerryDillon，who，heknew，wouldnotleavehimiftherewastheleastchanceofgettinghimoutoftheYankee\'sclutches。
Hedidnothavetowaitlong。Twomenhadgonetogetthehorses，andasDansteppedthroughtheyard-gatewithhiscaptors，twofiguresroseoutoftheground。Onecamewithheadbentlikeabattering-ram。HeheardSnowball\'sheadstrikeastomachononesideofhim，andwithanastonishedgroanthemanwentdown。Hesawthemanonhisothersidedropfromsomecrashingblow，andhesawChadtryingtodrawhispistol。Hisownfistshotout，catchingChadonthepointofthechin。AtthesameinstanttherewasashotandtheSergeantdropped。
\"Comeon，boy！\"saidahoarsevoice，andthenhewasspeedingawayafterthegiganticfigureofJerryDillonthroughthethickdarkness，whileaharmlessvolleyofshotsspedafterthem。Attheedgeofthewoodstheydropped。JerryDillonhadhishandoverhismouthtokeepfromlaughingaloud。
\"Thehossesain\'tferaway，\"hesaid。\"Oh，Lawd！\"
\"Didyoukillhim？\"
\"Ireckonnot，\"whisperedJerry。\"Ishothimonthewrongside。I\'mal\'aysa-fergettin\'whichsideaman\'sheart\'son。\"
\"WhatbecameofSnowball？\"
\"Herunjes\'assoonashebuttedthefelleronhisright。Hesaidhe\'dgitone，butIdidn\'tknowwhathewasdoin\'whenIseedhimstartlikeasheep。
Listen！\"
Therewasatumultatthehouse——movinglights，excitedcries，andagreathurrying。BlackRufuswasthefirsttoappearwithalantern，andwhenheheldithighasthefence，ChadsawMargaretinthelight，herhandsclinchedandhereyesburning。
\"Haveyoukilledhim？\"sheasked，quietlybutfiercely。\"Younearlydidoncebefore。Haveyousucceededthistime？\"ThenshesawtheSergeantwrithingontheground，hisrightforearmhugginghisbreast，andherhandsrelaxedandherfacechanged。
\"DidDandothat？DidDandothat？\"
\"Danwasunarmed，\"saidChad，quietly。
\"Mother，\"calledthegirl，asthoughshehadnotheardhim，sendsomeonetohelp。Bringhimtothehouse，\"sheadded，turning。Asnomovementwasmade，sheturnedagain。
\"Bringhimuptothehouse，\"shesaid，imperiously，andwhenthehesitatingsoldiersstoopedtopickupthewoundedman，shesawthestreakofbloodrunningdownChad\'schinandshestaredopen-eyed。Shemadeonesteptowardhim，andthensheshrankbackoutofthelight。
\"Oh！，\"shesaid。\"Areyouwounded，too？Oh！\"
\"No！\"saidChad，grimly。\"Dandidn\'tdothat\"——pointingtotheSergeant——\"hedidthis——withhisfist。It\'sthesecondtimeDanhasdonethis。Easy，men，\"
headded，withlow-voicedauthority。
Mrs。Deanwasholdingthedooropen。
\"No，\"saidChad，quickly。\"Thatwickerloungewilldo。Hewillbecoolerontheporch。\"Thenhestooped，andlooseningtheSergeant\'sblouseandshirtexaminedthewound。
\"It\'sonlythroughtheshoulder，Lieutenant，\"saidtheman，faintly。Butitwasundertheshoulder，andChadturned。
\"Jake，\"hesaid，sharply，\"gobackandbringasurgeon——andanofficertorelieveme。Ithinkhecanbemovedinthemorning，Mrs。Dean。WithyourpermissionIwillwaithereuntiltheSurgeoncomes。Pleasedon\'tdisturbyourselffurther\"——Margarethadappearedatthedoor，withsomebandagesthatsheandhermotherhadbeenmakingforConfederatesandbehindheraservantfollowedwithtowelsandapailofwater——\"Iamsorrytotrespass。\"
\"Didthebulletpassthrough？\"askedMrs。Dean，simply。
\"No，Mrs。Dean，\"saidChad。
Margaretturnedindoors。Withoutanotherword，hermotherkneltabovethewoundedman，cuttheshirtaway，staunchedthetricklingblood，anddeftlyboundthewoundwithlintandbandages，whileChadstood，helplesslywatchingher。
\"Iamsorry，\"hesaidagain，whensherose，\"sorry——\"
\"Itisnothing，\"saidMrs。Dean，quietly。\"Ifyouneedanything，youwillletmeknow。Ishallbewaitinginside。\"
SheturnedandafewmomentslaterChadsawMargaret\'swhitefigureswiftlyclimbthestairs——butthelightstillburnedinthenoiselessroombelow……
MeanwhileDanandJerryDillonwerefaracrossthefieldsontheirwaytorejoinMorgan。Whentheyweretenmilesaway，Dan，whowasleading，turned。
\"Jerry，thatLieutenantwasanoldfriendofmine。GeneralMorganusedtosayhewasthebestscoutintheUnionArmy。Hecomesfromyourpartofthecountry，andhisnameisChadBuford。Everheardofhim？\"
\"I\'veknowedhimsencehewasachunkofaboy，butIdon\'trickollecteverhearin\'hislastnameafore。Inaverknowedhehadany。\"
\"Well，IheardhimcalloneofhismenJake——andhelookedexactlylikeyou。\"
Thegiantpulledinhishorse。
\"I\'mgoin\'back。\"
\"No，youaren\'t，\"saidDan；\"notnow——it\'stoolate。That\'swhyIdidn\'ttellyoubefore。\"Thenheadded，angrily：\"Youareasavageandyououghttobeashamedofyourselfharboringsuchhatredagainstyourownblood-brother。\"
DanwasperhapstheonlyoneofMorgan\'sMenwhowouldhavedaredtotalkthatwaytotheman，andJerryDillontookitonlyinsullensilence。
Amilefarthertheystruckapike，and，astheysweptalong，abrilliantlightglaredintotheskyaheadofthem，andtheypulledin。Ahousewasinflamesontheedgeofawoodland，andbyitslighttheycouldseeabodyofmendashoutofthewoodsandacrossthefieldonhorseback，andanotherbodydashaftertheminpursuit——thepursuersfiringandthepursuedsendingbackdefiantyells。DawsDillonwasathisworkagain，andtheYankeeswereafterhim……
LongaftermidnightChadreportedthelossofhisprisoner。Hewasmuchchagrined——forfailurewasrarewithhim——andhisjawandteethachedfromtheblowDanhadgivenhim，butinhishearthewasgladthattheboyhadgotawayWhenhewenttohistent，Harrywasawakeandwaitingforhim。
\"It\'sIwhohaveescaped，\"hesaid；\"escapedagain。Fourtimesnowwehavebeeninthesamefight。Somehowfateseemstobepointingalwaysoneway——alwaysoneway。Why，nightafternight，IdreamthateitherheorI——\"
Harry\'svoicetrembled——hestoppedshort，and，leaningforward，staredoutthedoorofhistent。AgroupoffigureshadhaltedinfrontoftheColonel\'stentopposite，andavoicecalled，sharply：
\"Twoprisoners，sir。Wecaptured\'emwithDawsDillon。Theyareguerillas，sir。\"
\"It\'salie，Colonel，\"saidaneasyvoice，thatbroughtbothChadandHarrytotheirfeet，andplaininthemoonlightbothsawDanielDean，palebutcool，andnearhim，RebelJerryDillon——bothwiththeirhandsboundbehindthem。
CHAPTER24。ARACEBETWEENDIXIEANDDAWN
Butthesunsanknextdayfromaskythatwasaflamewithrebelvictories。Itroseonadayrosywithrebelhopes，andthepropheticcoolnessofautumnwasintheearlymorningairwhenMargaretinherphaetonmovedthroughthefrontpastureonherwaytotown——alone。Shewasinhighspiritsandherheadwasliftedproudly。Dan\'sboasthadcometrue。KirbySmithhadrisenswiftlyfromTennessee，hadstrucktheFederalArmyontheedgeoftheBluegrassthedaybeforeandsentithelter-skeltertothefourwinds。OnlythatmorningshehadseenaregimentofthehatedYankeesmovealongtheturnpikeinflightfortheOhio。ItwastheFourthOhioCavalry，andHarryandonewhosenameneverpassedherlipswereamongthosedustycavalrymen；butshewasglad，andsherandownothestileand，fromthefence，wavedtheStarsandBarsatthemastheypassed——whichwasveryfoolish，butwhichbroughtherdeepcontent。NowherebelsdidholdLexington。Morgan\'sMenwerecomingthatdayandshewasgoingintotowntoseeDanandColonelHuntandGeneralMorganandbefearlesslyhappyandtriumphant。AttheMajor\'sgate，whomshouldsheseecomingoutbutthedearoldfellowhimself，and，whenhegotoffhishorseandcametoher，sheleanedforwardandkissedhim，becausehelookedsothinandpalefromconfinement，andbecauseshewassogladtoseehim。Morgan\'sMenwerereallycoming，thatveryday，theMajorsaid，andhetoldhermuchthrillingnews。JacksonhadobliteratedPopeatthesecondbattleofManassas。
EleventhousandprisonershadbeentakenatHarper\'sFerryandLeehadgoneonintoMarylandontheflankofWashington。RecruitswerecomingintotheConfederacybythethousands。Bragghadfifty-fivethousandmenandanimpregnablestrongholdinfrontofBuell，whohadbutfewmenmore——notenoughtocountaminute，theMajorsaid。
\"Leehasrouted\'emoutofVirginia，\"criedtheoldfellow，\"andBuellisdoomed。Itellyou，littlegirl，thefightisalmostwon。\"
JeromeConnersrodetothegateandcalledtotheMajorinatonethatarrestedthegirl\'sattention。Shehatedthatmanandshehadnotedaqueerchangeinhisbearingsincethewarbegan。ShelookedforaflashofangerfromtheMajor，butnonecame，andshebegantowonderwhatholdtheoverseercouldhaveonhisoldmaster。
Shedroveon，puzzled，wondering，anddisturbed；buthercheekswereflushed——theSouthwasgoingtowin，theYankeesweregone，andshemustgettotownintimetoseethetriumphantcomingofMorgan\'sMen。TheywerecominginwhenshereachedtheYankeehead-quarters，which，shesaw，hadchangedflags——thankGod——comingproudlyin，amidthewavingoftheStarsandBarsandfrenziedshoutsofwelcome。WhereweretheBluegrassYankeesnow？TheStarsandStripesthathadflutteredfromtheirwindowshadbeendrawninandtheywerekeepingveryquiet，indeed——Oh！itwasjoy！TherewasgallantMorganhimselfswingingfromBlackBesstokisshismother，whostoodwaitingforhimathergate，andtherewasColonelHunt，gay，debonair，jesting，shakinghandsrightandleft，andcrowdingthestreets，Morgan\'sMen——theproudestbloodinthelandeverygallanttroopergettinghiswelcomefromthelipsandarmsofmother，sister，sweetheart，orcousinoffarthestdegree。ButwherewasDan？
Shehadheardnothingofhimsincethenighthehadescapedcapture，andwhileshelookedrightandleftforhimtodashtowardherandswingfromhishorse，sheheardhernamecalled，andturningshesawRichardHuntatthewheelofherphaeton。Hewavedhishandtowardthehappyreunionsgoingonaroundthem。
\"Theenforcedbrotherhood，MissMargaret，\"hesaid，hiseyesflashing，\"I
belongtothat，youknow。\"
ForoncethesubtleColonelmadeamistake。Perhapsthegirlinhertremblinghappinessandundertheexcitementofthemomentmighthavewelcomedhim，asshewaswaitingtowelcomeDan，butshedrewbacknow。
\"Oh！no，Colonel——notonthatground。\"
Hereyesdanced，sheflushedcuriously，assheheldoutherhand，andtheColonel\'sbraveheartquickened。Straightwayhebegantowonder——butaquickshadowinMargaret\'sfacecheckedhim。
\"Butwhere\'sDan？WhereisDan？\"sherepeated，impatiently。
RichardHuntlookedpuzzled。HehadjustjoinedhiscommandandsomethingmusthavegonewrongwithDan。Soheliedswiftly。
\"Danisoutonascout。Idon\'tthinkhehasgotbackyet。I\'llfindout。\"
MargaretwatchedhimridetowhereMorganstoodwithhismotherinthemidstofajoyousgroupofneighborsandfriends，and，amomentlater，thetwoofficerscametowardheronfoot。
\"Don\'tworry，MissMargaret，\"saidMorgan，withasmile。\"TheYankeeshavegotDanandhavetakenhimawayasprisoner——butdon\'tworry，we\'llgethimexchangedinaweek。I\'llgivethreebrigadier-generalsforhim。\"
Tearscametothegirl\'seyes，butshesmiledthroughthembravely。
\"Imustgobackandtellmother，\"shesaid，brokenly。\"Ihoped——\"
\"Don\'tworry，littlegirl，\"saidMorganagain。\"I\'llhavehimifIhavetocapturethewholeStateofOhio。\"
AgainMargaretsmiled，butherheartwasheavy，andRichardHuntwasunhappy。
Hehungaroundherphaetonallthewhileshewasintown。Hewenthomewithher，cheeringheronthewayandtellingheroftheConfederatetriumphthatwasathand。HecomfortedMrs。DeanoverDan\'scapture，andherodebacktotownslowly，withhishandsonhissaddle-bow——wonderingagain。PerhapsMargarethadgottenoverherfeelingforthatmountainboy——thatYankee——andthereRichardHuntcheckedhisownthoughts，forthatmountainboy，hehaddiscovered，wasabraveandchivalrousenemy，andtosuch，hisownhighchivalrygavesalutealways。
Hewasverythoughtfulwhenhereachedcamp。Hehadanunusualdesiretobealone，andthatnight，helookedlongatthestars，thinkingofthegirlwhomhehadknownsinceherbabyhood——knowingthathewouldneverthinkofherexceptasawomanagain。
SotheConfederateswaitednowintheUnionhourofdarknessforBraggtostrikehisblow。Hedidstrikeit，butitwasattheheartoftheSouth。HestunnedtheConfederacybygivingwaybeforeBuell。HebroughthopebackwiththebloodybattleofPerryville。AgainhefacedBuellatHarrodsburg，andthenhewroughtbroadcastdespairbyfallingbackwithoutbattle，dividinghisforcesandretreatingintoTennessee。Thedreamofabattle-linealongtheOhiowithahundredthousandmoremenbehinditwasgoneandthelastandbestchancetowinthewarwaslostforever。Morgan，furiouswithdisappointment，leftLexington。KentuckyfellunderFederalcontroloncemore；andMajorBuford，dazed，dismayed，unnerved，hopeless，broughtthenewsouttotheDeans。
\"They\'llgetmeagain，Isuppose，andIcan\'tleavehomeonaccountofLucy。\"
\"Pleasedo，Major，\"saidMrs。Dean。\"SendMissLucyoverhereandmakeyourescape。Wewilltakecareofher。\"TheMajorshookhisheadsadlyandrodeaway。
NextdayMargaretsatonthestileandsawtheYankeescomingbacktoLexington。OnonesideofhertheStarsandBarswerefixedtothefencefromwhichtheyhadfloatedsincethedayshehadwavedtheflagatthemastheyfled。Shesawtheadvanceguardcomeoverthehillandjogdowntheslopeandthentheregimentslowlyfollowingafter。Intherearshecouldseetwomen，ridingunarmed。Suddenlythreecavalrymenspurredforwardatagallopandturnedinathergate。Thesoldierinadvancewasanofficer，andhepulledoutahandkerchief，waveditonce，and，withagesturetohiscompanions，cameonalone。Sheknewthehorseevenbeforesherecognizedtherider，andhercheeksflushed，herlipswereset，andhernostrilsbegantodilate。Thehorsemanreinedinandtookoffhiscap。
\"Icomeunderaflagoftruce，\"hesaid，gravely，toaskthisgarrisontohauldownitscolors——and——tosaveuselesseffusionofblood，\"headded，stillmoregravely。
\"Yourwaronwomenhasbegun，then？\"
Iamobeyingorders——nomore，noless。\"
\"IcongratulateyouonyourluckoryourgoodJudgmentalwaystobeonhandwhendisagreeabledutiesaretobedone。\"
Chadflushed。
\"Won\'tyoutaketheflagdown？\"
\"No，makeyourattack。Youwillhaveoneofyourusualvictories——withoverwhelmingnumbers——anditwillbesafeandbloodless。Thereareonlytwonegroesdefendingthisgarrison。Theywillnotfight，norwillwe。\"
\"Won\'tyoutaketheflagdown？\"
\"No！\"
Chadliftedhiscapandwheeled。TheColonelwaswatchingatthegate。
\"Well，sir\"heasked，frowning。
\"Ishallneedhelp，sir，totakethatflagdown，\"saidChad。
\"Whatdoyoumean，sir？\"
\"Awomanisdefendingit。\"
\"What！\"shoutedtheColonel。
\"Thatismysister，Colonel，\"saidHarryDean。TheColonelsmiledandthengrewgrave。
\"Youshouldwarnhernottoprovoketheauthorities。TheGovernmentisadvisingverystrictmeasuresnowwithrebelsympathizers。\"Thenhesmiledagain。
\"Fours！Leftwheel！Halt！Present——sabres！\"
Alineofsabresflashedinthesun，andMargaret，notunderstanding，snatchedtheflagfromthefenceandwaveditbackinanswer。TheColonellaughedaloud。Thecolumnmovedon，andeachcaptain，following，caughtthehumorofthesituationandeachcompanyflasheditssabresasitwentby，whileMargaretstoodmotionless。
Intherearrodethosetwounarmedprisoners。Shecouldseenowthattheiruniformsweregrayandsheknewthattheywereprisoners，butshelittledreamedthattheywereherbrotherDanandRebelJerryDillon，nordidChadBufordorHarryDeandreamofthepurposeforwhich，justatthattime，theywerebeingbroughtbacktoLexington。Perhapsonemanwhosawthemdidknow：
forJeromeConners，fromthewoodsopposite，watchedtheprisonersridebywithamalicioussmilethatnothingbutimpendingdangertoanenemycouldeverbringtohisface；andwiththesamesmilehewatchedMargaretgoslowlybacktothehouse，whileherflagstillflutteredfromthestile。
ThehightideofConfederatehopeswasfastrecedingnow。ThearmyofthePotomac，afterAntietam，whichoverthrewthefirstConfederateaggressivecampaignattheEast，wasretreatingintoitsSouthernstronghold，aswasthearmyoftheWestafterBragg\'sabandonmentofMumfordsville，andtherebelretirementhadgiventheprovost-marshalsinKentuckyfullsway。TwohundredSouthernsympathizers，underarrest，hadbeensentintoexilenorthoftheOhio，andlargesumsofmoneywereleviedforguerillaoutrageshereandthere——aheavysumfallingonMajorBufordforaviciousmurderdoneinhisneighborhoodbyDawsDillonandhisbandonthenightofthecaptureofDanielDeanandRebelJerry。TheMajorpaidthelevywiththefirstmortgagehehadevergiveninhislife，andstraightwayJeromeConners，whohadbeendealinginmulesandotherGovernmentsupplies，tookanattitudethatwaslittleshortofinsolencetowardhisoldmaster，whosefarmwaspassingintotheoverseer\'sclutchesatlast。Onlytwonightsbefore，anotherbandofguerillashadburnedafarm-house，killedaUnionist，andfledtothehillsbeforetheincomingYankees，andtheKentuckyCommandanthadswornvengeanceaftertheoldMosaicwayonvictimsalreadywithinhispower。
ThatnightChadandHarryweresummonedbeforeGeneralWard。Theyfoundhimseatedwithhischininhishand，lookingoutthewindowatthemoonlitcampus。Withoutmoving，heheldoutadirtypieceofpapertoChad。
\"Readthat，\"hesaid。
\"YOUHAVEKETCHEDTWOOFMYMENANDIHEARASHOWYOUMEANTOHANG\'EM。IFYOU
HANGTHEMTWOMEN，I\'MA-GOIN\'TOHANGEVERYMANOFYOURSICANGITMYHANDS
ON。
DAWSDILLON——Captain。
ChadgavealowlaughandHarrysmiled，buttheGeneralkeptgrave。
\"Youknow，ofcourse，thatyourbrotherbelongstoMorgan\'scommand？\"
\"Ido，sir，\"saidHarry，wonderingly。
\"Doyouknowthathiscompanion——themanDillon——JerryDillon——does？\"
\"Idonot，sir。\"
\"TheywerecapturedbyasquadthatwasfightingDawsDillon。ThisJerryDillonhasthesamenameandyoufoundthetwotogetheratGeneralDean\'s。\"
\"ButtheyhadbothjustleftGeneralMorgan\'scommand，\"saidHarry，indignantly。
\"Thatmaybetrue，butthisDawsDillonhassentasimilarmessagetotheCommandant，andhehasjustbeeninhereagainandcommittedtwowantonoutragesnightbeforelast。TheCommandantisenragedandhasissuedordersforsternretaliation。\"
\"It\'satrickofDawsDillon，\"saidChad，hotly，\"aninfamoustrick。HehateshisCousinJerry，hehatesme，andhehatestheDeans，becausetheywerefriendsofmine。\"GeneralWardlookedtroubled。
\"TheCommandantsayshehasbeenpositivelyinformedthatboththemenjoinedDawsDilloninthefightthatnight。Hehasissuedordersthatnotonlyeveryguerillacapturedshallbehung，butthat，wheneveraUnioncitizenhasbeenkilledbyoneofthem，fourofsuchmaraudersaretobetakentothespotandshotinretaliation。Itistheonlymeansleft，hesays。\"
Therewasalongsilence。ThefacesofboththeladshadturnedwhiteaseachsawthedriftoftheGeneral\'smeaning，andHarrystrodeforwardtohisdesk。
\"Doyoumeantosay，GeneralWard——\"
TheGeneralwheeledinhischairandpointedsilentlytoanorderthatlayonthedesk，andasHarrystartedtoreadit，hisvoicebroke。DanielDeanandRebelJerryweretobeshotnextmorningatsunrise……
TheGeneralspokeverykindlytoHarry。
\"Ihaveknownthisallday，butIdidnotwishtotellyouuntilIhaddoneeverythingIcould。Ididnotthinkitwouldbenecessarytotellyouatall，forIthoughttherewouldbenotrouble。ItelegraphedtheCommandant，but\"——heturnedagaintothewindow——\"Ihavenotbeenabletogetthematrialbycourt-martial，orevenastayintheexecution。You\'dbettergoseeyourbrother——heknowsnow——andyou\'dbettersendwordtoyourmotherandsister。\"
Harryshookhishead。HisfacewassodrawnandghastlyashestoodleaningheavilyagainstthetablethatChadmovedunconsciouslytohisside。
\"WhereistheCommandant？\"heasked。
\"InFrankfort，\"saidtheGeneral。Chad\'seyeskindled。
\"Willyouletmegoseehimto-night？\"
\"Certainly，andIwillgiveyouamessagetohim。Perhapsyoucanyetsavetheboy，butthereisnochanceforthemanDillon。\"TheGeneraltookupapen。
Harryseemedtoswayasheturnedtogo，andChadputonearmaroundhimandwentwithhimtothedoor。
\"TherehavebeensomesurprisingdesertionsfromtheConfederateranks，\"saidtheGeneral，ashewrote。\"That\'sthetrouble。\"helookedathiswatchashehandedthemessageoverhisshouldertoChad。\"YouhavetenhoursbeforesunriseanditisnearlysixtymilesthereandbackIfyouarenotherewithastayofexecutionbothwillbeshot。Doyouthinkthatyoucanmakeit。Ofcourseyouneednotbringthemessagebackyourself。YoucangettheCommandanttotelegraph——\"Theslamofadoorinterruptedhim——Chadwasgone。
HarrywasholdingDixie\'sbridlewhenhereachedthestreetandChadswungintothe\"Don\'ttellthemathome，\"hesaid。\"I\'llbebackhereontime，orI\'llbedead。\"
Thetwograspedhands。HarrynoddeddumblyandDixie\'sfeetbeattherhythmofhermatchlessgallopdownthequietstreet。Thesensitivelittlemareseemedtocatchatoncethespiritofherrider。Herhaunchesquivered。Shetossedherheadandchampedherbit，butnotapounddidshepullasshesettledintoaneasylopethattoldhowwellsheknewthattheridebeforeherwaslongandhard。Outtheywentpasttheoldcemetery，pasttheshafttoClayrisingfromit，silveredwithmoonlight，outwherethepicketfiresgleamedandconvergingontowardtheCapital，unchallengedforthemoonshowedtheblueofChad\'suniformandhisfacegavesignthatnotrivialbusiness，thatnight，washis。
Overquietfieldsandintotheaislesofsleepingwoodsbeatthatmusicalrhythmceaselessly，awakeningdrowsybirdsbythewayside，makingbridgesthunder，beatingonandonuphillanddownuntilpicketfiresshoneonthehillsthatguardtheCapital。Throughthem，withbutonechallenge，Chadwent，downthebighill，pasttheArmory，andintothetown——pullingpantingDixieupbeforeawonderingsentinelwhoguardedtheCommandant\'ssleepingquarters。
\"TheCommandantisasleep。\"
\"Wakehimup，\"saidChad，sharply。Astaff-officerappearedatthedoorinanswertothesentinel\'sknock。
\"Whatisyourbusiness？\"
\"AmessagefromGeneralWard。\"
\"TheCommandantgaveordersthathewasnottobedisturbed。\"
\"Hemustbe，\"saidChad。\"Itisamatteroflifeanddeath。\"