\"Ihavetworevolvershere，sir；infactIhavethree。Ialwayskeeponeloaded，forthereisneveranysayingwhetheritmaynotbewanted；theothertwoIpickeduplastspring。Therewasafightaboutaquarterofamilefromhereandafteritwasoverandtheyhadmovedaway，fortheConfederateswonthattimeandchasedthembacktowardNashville，IwentoutwithChloewithsomewaterandbandagestoseeifwecoulddoanythingforthewounded。Wewereatworktheretillevening，andIthinkwedidsomegood。AswewerecomingbackIsawsomethinginalowbush，andgoingtherefoundaYankeeofficerandhishorsebothlyingdead；theyhadbeenkilledbyashell，Ishouldthink。
StoopingovertoseeifhewasquitedeadIsawarevolverinhisbeltandanotherintheholsterofhissaddle，soItookthemoutandbroughtthemhome，thinkingImightgivethemtosomeofourmen，forwewerethen，aswehavealwaysbeen，veryshortofarms；butIneverhadanopportunityofgivingthemaway，andI
amverygladnowthatIhavenot。Heretheyare，sir，andtwopacketsofcartridges，fortheyareofthesamesizeasthoseofthepistolmyfathergavemewhenhewentaway。Youareheartilywelcometothem。\"
\"Thankyouextremely，\"Vincentsaid，ashetookthepistolsandplacedthepacketsofammunitioninhispocket。\"WecuttwoheavysticksthenightweleftNashvillesoastobeabletomakesomethingofafight；butwiththeseweaponsweshallfeelamatchforanysmallpartieswemaymeet。Thenateighto\'clockIwillcomebackagain。\"
\"Ishallbeready，\"thegirlsaid；\"butIwishyouwouldhavestopped，therearesomanythingsIwanttoaskyouabout，andtheseYankeepapers，whichareallweseenow，arefulloflies。\"
\"Theyexaggeratetheirsuccessesandtosomeextentconcealtheirdefeats，\"Vinceufsaid；\"butIdonotthinkitisthefaultofthenewspapers，whosecorrespondentsdoseemtometotryandtellthetruthtotheirreaders，butoftheofficialdespatchesofthegenerals。Thenewspaperstonemattersdown，nodoubt，becausetheyconsideritnecessarytokeepupthepublicspirit；butattimestheyspeakoutprettystronglytoo。IamquiteassorrytoleaveasyoucanbethatIshouldgo，MissKingston，butIamquitesurethatitisverymuchthewisestthingformetodo。Bytheway，ifI
shouldnotbeherebyhalf-pasteightIshallnotcomeatall，andyouwillknowthatsomethinghasoccurredtoalterourplans。I
trustthereisnochanceofanythingdoingso，butitisaswelltoarrangesothatyoushouldnotsitupexpectingme。ShouldInotcomebackyouwillknowthatIshallbealwaysgratefultoyouforyourkindness，andthatwhenthiswarisover，ifIamalive，Iwillcomebackandthankyoupersonally。\"
\"Good-bytillthisevening!\"thegirlsaid。\"Iwillnotevenletmyselfthinkthatanythingcanoccurtopreventyourreturn。\"
\"Golly，MassaVincent，whatatimeyouhabbeen!\"DansaidwhenVincentrejoinedhim。\"Dischildbegantotinkdatsomefinghadgonewrong，andwasgoinginanoderfiveminutestoknockatdodoortoaskwhatdeyhaddonetoyou。\"
\"Itisallright，Dan，Ihavehadbreakfast，andhavebroughtsomeforyou；hereissomebreadandbaconandabottleofcoffee。\"
\"Datgood，massa；myteethgochatterchatterwidsleepingindesedampwoods；datcoffeedomegood，sah。AfterdatIshallfeelfitforanyting。\"
CHAPTERXILTHEBUSHWHACKERS。
\"BYTHEway，Dan，\"Vincentsaidwhenthenegrohadfinishedhismeal，\"wehavenottalkedoverthatmatterofmyclothes。Ican\'timaginehowthatlettersayingthatoneofuswasdisguisedasaministerandwouldhaveanegroservantcametobewritten。Didyouevertellthepeopleyoulodgedwithanythingaboutthedisguise？\"
\"No，sah，nebersaidonewordtodemaboutit；deyknownothingwhatsoeber。Dewaymedowidyourletterwasdis。Megooutsidetownandwaitforlongtime。Atlastsawblackfollowcomingalong。Mesaytohim，\'Canyouread？\'andhesaidashecould。I
said\'Igotaletter，Iwanttoreadhim，Igibyouaquartertoreadhimtome；\'sohesaidyes，andhereaddoletter。Healongtimeofmakingitout，becausehereadprintbutnotreadwritingwell。Hespellitoutwordbyword，butIdon\'ttinkheunderstanddatitcomefromprison，onlydatitcomefromsomeonewhowantedsomeropeandaturn-screw。Medojustdesamewaywiddesecondletter。Asfordeclothes，mebuydemdatday，makedemupinbundle，andnotgobacktolodgingatall。MenotknowhowanyonecouldknowdatIbuydatministerclothesforyou，sah。
Metolddestorekeeperdatdeywasforcousinofmine，whopreachtodecoloredfolk，anddatIsendhimsuitaspresent。Onlessdatmanfollowmeandwatchmealldetimetillwegoofftogether，sah，menoseehowdedebbilheguessaboutit。\"
\"That\'squiteimpossible，Dan；itnevercouldhavebeenthatway。
Itisverystrange，foritwouldreallyseemthatnoonebutyouandI
andtheothertwoofficerscouldpossiblyknowaboutit。\"
\"Perhapsoneofdemwanttodoyoubadturn，massa，andwritesoastogetyoucaughtandshutupagain。\"
Vincentstartedatthesuggestion。WasitpossiblethatJacksoncouldhavedonehimthisbadturnafterhishavingaidedhimtomakehisescapeItwouldbeavillainoustrick；butthenhehadalwaysthoughthimcapableofvillainoustricks，anditwasonlythefactthattheywerethrowntogetherinprisonthathadinducedhimtomakeuphisquarrelwithhim；butthoughJacksonhadacceptedhisadvances，itwasprobableenoughthathehadretainedhisbadfeelingagainsthim，andhaddetermined，ifpossible，tohavehisrevengeonthefirstopportunity。
\"Thescoundrel，\"hesaidtohimself，\"aftermygettinghimfree，toinformagainstme!OfcourseIhavenoproofofit，butIhavenottheleastdoubtthatitwashim。Ifweevermeetagain，Mr。Jackson，Iwillhaveitoutwithyou。\"
\"Yougottwopistols，sah，\"Dansaidpresently。\"Howyougetdem？\"
\"Theladyofthathousegavethemtome，Dan；theyareoneforyouandoneforme。\"
\"Dischilenowanthim，sah；notknowwhattodowidhim。Gooffandshootmyself，forsure。\"
\"Well，Idon\'tsupposeyouwoulddomuchgoodwithit，Dan。AsI
amagoodshot，perhapsIhadbetterkeepthemboth。YoumightloadthemformeasIfirethem。\"
\"Berrywell，sah；youshowmehewtoload，meload。\"
VincentshowedDanhowtoextricatethedischargedcartridge-
casesandtoputinfreshones，andafteraquarterofanhour\'spracticeDanwasabletodothiswithsomespeed。
\"Whenwegoingon，sah？\"hesaidas，havinglearnedthelesson，hehandedthepistolbacktoVincent。
\"Wearenotgoingonuntiltheevening，Dan。Whenitgetsdarktheladyisgoingtotakeustoaplacewherethereisaboathidden，andweshallthenbeabletocrosstheriver。\"
\"DenIwillhabasleep，sah。Notinglikesleepingwhenthereisachance。\"
Ibelieveyoucouldsleepthree-quartersofyourtime，Dan。
However，youmayaswellsleepnowifyoucan，fortherewillbenothingtodotillnight。\"
Vincentwentbacktotheedgeofthewood，andsatdownwherehecouldcommandaviewofthecottage。Thecountrywasforthemostpartcoveredwithwood，foritwasbutthinlyinhabitedexceptintheneighborhoodofthemainroads。Fewofthefarmershadclearedmorethanhalftheirground；manyonlyafewacres。Thepatch，inwhichthehousewithitslittleclumpoftreesstoodnearlyinthecenter，wasofsomefortyorfiftyacresinextent，andthoughnowrankwithweeds，hadevidentlybeencarefullycultivated，forallthestumpshadbeenremoved，andthefencerounditwasofastrongerandneatercharacterthanthatwhichmostofthecultivatorsdeemedsufficient。
Presentlyheheardthesoundofhorses\'feetintheforestbehindhim，andhemadehiswaybacktoaroadwhichranalongahundredyardsfromtheedgeofthewood。Hereacheditbeforethehorsemencameup，andlaydownintheunderwoodafewyardsback。Inashorttimetwohorsemencamealongatawalkingpace。
\"Icallthisafool\'serrandaltogether，\"oneofthemsaidinagrumblingtone。\"Wedon\'tknowthattheyhaveheadedthisway；
andiftheyhave，wemightsearchthesewoodsforamonthwithoutfindingthem。\"
\"That\'sso，\"theothersaid；\"butMullenshassethisheartonit，andwemusttryforanotherdayortwo。MyideaisthatwhenthefellowheardwhatsortofachapMullenswas，hetookthehacktrainthatnightandwentupnorthagain。\"
Vincentheardnomore，butitwasenoughtoshowhimthatasharphuntwasbeingkeptupforhim；andalthoughhehadnofearofbeingcaughtinthewoods，hewaswellpleasedatthethoughtthathewouldsoonbeacrossthewaterandbeyondthereachofhisenemy。Hewentbackagaintotheedgeoftheclearingandresumedhiswatch。Itwasjustgettingdusk，andhewasabouttojoinDanwhenhesawapartyoftwelvemenrideoutfromtheothersideofthewoodandmaketowardthehouse。Filledwithavaguealarmthatpossiblysomeonemighthavecaughtsightofhimandhisfolloweronthepreviousday，andmight，onbeingquestionedbythesearchers，havegiventhemaclewastothedirectioninwhichtheyweregoing，VincenthurriedtothespotwhereheleftDan。Thenegrojumpedupasheapproached。
\"Meawakelongtime，sah。Begantowonderwhereyouhadgotto。\"
\"Takeyourstickandcomealong，Dan，asfastasyoucan。\"
WithoutanotherwordVincentledthewayalongtheedgeofthewoodtothepointwheretheclumpoftreesatthebackofthehousehiditfromhisview。
\"Now，Danstooplowandgetacrosstothosetrees。\"
Greatlyastonishedatwhatwashappening，buthavingimplicitfaithinhismaster，Danfollowedwithoutaquestion。
ItwasbuttenminutessinceVincenthadseenthehorse-men，butthedarknesshadclosedinrapidly，andhehadlittlefearofhisapproachbeingseen。Hemadehiswaythroughthetrees，andcreptuptothehouse，andthenkeptclosealongituntilhereachedthefront。Therestoodthehorses，withthebridlesthrownovertheirneck……Theriderswereallinsidethehouse。
\"Lookhere，Dan，\"hewhispered，\"youkeephereperfectlyquietuntilIjoinyouagainoryouhearapistol-shot。Ifyoudobearashot，rushatthehorseswithyourstickanddrivethemoffatfullgallop。Drivethemrightintothewoodsifyoucanandthenliequiettheretillyouhearmewhistleforyou。Ifyoudon\'thearmywhistleyouwillknowthatsomethinghashappenedtome，andthenyoumustmakeyourwayhomeaswellasyoucan。\"
\"Oh，MasterVincent，\"Danbegan；butVincentstoppedhim。
\"It\'snousetalking，Dan；youmustdoasIorderyou。Ihopeallwillbewell；butitmustbedoneanyhow。\"
\"Letmecomeandloadyourpistolandfightwithyou，sah。\"
\"Youcandomoregoodbystampedingthehorses，Dan。Perhaps，afterall，therewillbenotrouble。\"
Sosaying，leavingDanwiththetearsrunningdownhischeeks，Vincentwenttothebackofthehouseandtriedthedoorthere。Itwasfastened。Thenhewenttotheotherside；andhere，thelightstreamingthoughthewindow，whichwasopen，andthesoundofloudvoices，showedhimtheroomwherethepartywere。Hecreptcautiouslyupandlookedin。MullenswasstandingfacingLucyKingston；therestofthemenwerestandingbehindhim。Thegirlwasaspaleasdeath，butwasquietandcomposed。
\"Now，\"Mullenssaid，\"Iaskyouforthelasttime。Youhaveadmittedthatamanhasbeenhereto-day，andthatyougavehimfood。Yousayheisnotinthehouse；andaswehavesearcheditprettythoroughly，weknowthat\'srightenough。Yousayyoudon\'tknowwhereheis，andthatmaybetrueenoughinasense；butI
haveaskedyouwhetherheiscomingbackagain，andyouwon\'tanswerme。Ijustgiveyouthreeseconds；\"andheheldouthisarmwithapistolinit。\"One!\"Astheword\"Two\"lefthislips，apistolcracked，andMullensfellbackwithabulletinhisforehead。
AtthesametimeVincentshoutedatthetopofhisvoice，\"Comeon，lads；wipe\'emoutaltogether。Don\'tletoneofthemescape。\"
Ashespokehedischargedhispistolrapidlyintothemidstofthemen，whowereforthemomenttootakenbysurprisetomove，andeveryshottookeffectuponthem。Atthesamemomenttherewasagreatshoutingoutside，andthetramplingofhorses\'feet。OneortwoofthemenhastilyreturnedVincent\'sfire，buttherestmadeaviolentrushtothedoor。Severalfelloverthebodiesoftheircomrades，andVincenthademptiedoneofhisrevolversandfiredthreeshotswiththesecondbeforethelastofthoseabletoescapedidso。Fivebodiesremainedonthefloor。Astheywerestillseventooneagainsthim，Vincentrantothecornerofthehouse，preparedtoshootthemastheycameround；buttheruffiansweretooscaredtothinkofanythingbutescape，andtheycouldbeheardrunningandshoutingacrossthefields。
Vincentranintothehouse。HehadseenLucyKingstonfallprostrateatthesameinstantastheruffianfacingher。Strunguptothehighesttension，andexpectinginanothersecondtobeshot，thecrackofVincent\'spistolhadbroughtherdownassurelyasthebulletofMullenswouldhavedone。Evenintheexcitementoffiring，Vincentfeltthankfulwhenhesawherfall，andknewthatshewassafefromthebulletsflyingabout。Whenheenteredtheroomhefoundtheoldnegresslyingbesideher，andthoughtatfirstthatshehadfalleninthefray。Hefoundthatshewasnotonlyalive，butunhurt，having，theinstantshesawheryoungmistressfall，thrownherselfuponhertoprotectherfromharm。
\"Amdeyallgone，sah？\"sheasked，asVincentsomewhatroughlypulledheroffthegirl\'sbody。
\"Theyhaveallgone，Chloe；butIdonotknowhowsoontheymaybehackagain。Getyourmistressroundassoonasyoucan。Iamsurethatshehasonlyfainted，forshefelltheinstantIfired，beforeanotherpistolhadgoneoff。\"
LeavingtheoldwomantobringMissKingstonround，hereloadedhispistolsandwenttothedoor。Inafewminutesthesoundofhorsesgallopingwasheard。
\"Halt，orIfire!\"heshouted。
\"Don\'tshoot，sah!Don\'tshoot!Itamme!\"andDanrodeup，holdingasecondhorsebythebridle。\"IthoughtImightaswellgettwoobdem，soIjumpondebackohoneandgetholdohanoderbridlewhileIwaswaitingtohearyourpistolfire。DendemomentIhearddatIsetdeodersoff，andchaseddemtodecornerwheredegatewaswheredeycameinat，andalongdoroadforhalfamile；deysofrighteneddeynotstopforalongtimetocome。DenI
turnintodewoodandwentthroughdetrees，soasnottomeetdemfellows，andliftedtwoofdebarsofthefence，andhereIam。Youarenothurt，massa？\"
\"Myleftarmisbroken，Ithink，Dan；butthatisofnoconsequence。
Ihaveshotfiveofthesefellows-theirleaderamongthem-andI
expectthreeoftheothershavegotabulletsomewhereorotherinthem。TherewassuchacrowdroundthedoorthatIdon\'tthinkoneshotmissed。ItwaswellIthoughtofstampedingthehorses；
thatgavethemagreaterfrightthanmypistols。Nodoubttheythoughtthattherewasapartyofourbushwhackersuponthem。
Now，Dan，youkeepwatch，andletmeknowifyouseeanysignsoftheirreturning。Ithinktheyaretooshakenuptowantanymorefighting；butastherearesevenofthem，andtheymayguessthereareonlytwoorthreeofus，itispossibletheymaytryagain。\"
\"Medon\'ttinkdeytryanymore，sah。Anyhow，Ilookoutsharp。\"
Sosaying，Dan，fasteninguponeofthehorses，rodetheotherinacircleroundandroundthehouseandlittleplantation，sothatitwouldnotbepossibleforanyonetocrosstheclearingwithoutbeingseen。Vincentreturnedtothehouse，andfoundMissKingstonjustrecoveringconsciousness。Shesatuponthegroundinaconfusedway。
\"Whathashappened，nurse？\"
\"Nevermindatpresent，deane。Jussyoukeepyourselfquiet，anddrinkalittlewater。\"
Thegirlmechanicallyobeyed。TheminutesheputdowntheglasshereyefelluponVincent，whowasstandingnearthedoor。
\"Oh!Iremembernow!\"shesaid，startingup。\"Thosemenwerehereandtheyweregoingtoshootme。One-two-andthenhefired，anditseemedthatIfelldead。AmInotwounded？\"
\"Heneverfiredatall，MissKingston；hewillneverfireagain。I
shothimashesaid\'two，\'andnodoubttheshockofthesuddenshotcausedyoutofaintdeadaway。Youfellthesameinstantthathedid。\"
\"Butwherearetheothers？\"thegirlsaidwithashudder。\"Howimprudentofyoutocomehere!Ihopedyouhadseenthemcomingtowardthehouse。\"
\"Ididseethem，MissKingston，andthatwasthereasonIcame。I
wasafraidtheymighttryroughmeasurestolearnfromyouwhereIwashidden。Iarrivedatthewindowjustasthescoundrelwaspointinghispistoltowardyou，andthentherewasnotimetogivemyselfup，andIhadnothingtodoforitbuttoputabulletthroughhisheadinordertosaveyou。ThenIopenedfireupontherest，andmyboydroveofftheirhorses。Theywereseizedwithapanicandbolted，thinkingtheyweresurrounded。OfcourseIkeptupmyfire，andtherearefouroftheminthenextroombesidestheircaptain。Andnow，ifyouplease，Iwillgetyou，inthefirstplace，tobindmyarmtightlyacrossmychest，foroneoftheirbulletshitmetheleftshoulder，andhas，Ifancy，brokenit。\"
Thegirlgaveanexclamationofdismay。
Donotbealarmed，MissKingston；abrokenshoulderisnotaveryseriousmatter，onlyIwouldratherithadnothappenedjustatthepresentmoment；therearemoreimportantaffairsinhand。Thequestionis，Whatistobecomeofyou？Itisquiteimpossiblethatyoushouldstayhereafterwhathashappened。Thosescoundrelsaresuretocomebackagain。\"
\"WhatamItodo，Chloe？\"Thegirlaskedinperplexity。\"Iamsurewecannotstayhere。WemustfindourwaythroughthewoodstoNashville，andImusttryandgetsomethingtodothere。\"
\"Thereisanotherway，MissKingston，ifyouliketotryit，\"Vincentsaid。\"Ofcourseitwouldbetoilsomeandunpleasant，butIdonotthinkitwouldbedangerous，forevenifwegotcaughttherewouldbenofearofyourreceivinganyinjuryfromtheFederaltroops。
MyproposalisthatyouandChloeshouldgowithus。IfwegetsafelythroughtheFederallinesIwillescortyoutoGeorgiaandplaceyouwithyourfriendsthere。\"
Thegirllookeddoubtfulforamoment，andthensheshookherbead。
\"Icouldnotthinkofthat，sir。ItwouldbedifficultenoughforyoutogetthroughtheenemybyyourselvesItwouldaddterriblytoyourdangertohaveuswithyou。\"
\"Idonotthinkso，\"Vincentreplied。\"Twomenwouldbesuretobequestionedandsuspected，butapartylikeourswouldbefarlesslikelytoexcitesuspicion。Everyfootwegetsouthweshallfindourselvesmoreandmoreamongpeoplewhoarefriendlytous，andalthoughtheymightheafraidtogivesheltertomen，theywouldnotrefusetotakewomenin。Ireallythink，MissKingston，thatthisplanisthebest。InthefirstplaceitwouldbeadangerousjourneyforyouthroughthewoodstoNashvilleandifyoufallintothehandsofanyofthoseruffianswhohavebeenhereyoumayexpectnomercy。AtNashvilleyouwillhavegreatdifficultyinobtainingemploymentofanykindaudevensupposeyouwentfurthernorthyourpositionasafriendlessgirlwouldbeamostpainfulone。Astoyourstayingherethatisplainlyoutofthequestion。Ithinkthatthereisnotimetoloseinmakingadecision。
Thosefellowsmaygotothecampatthebridge，givetheiraccountoftheatlair，declaretheyhavebeenattackedbyapartyofConfederatesympathizers，andreturnherewithatroopofhorse。\"
\"Whatdoyousay，Chloe？\"Lucyasked。
\"I\'sereadytogowidyouwhereberyoulike，MissLucy；hutIdotiukdatintimeslikedisdatayounggalisbestwidherownfolk。
Itmaybehardworkgettingacross，butastodangerdarcan\'themuchmoredangerthandarhasbeeninstoppingalonghere，soitseemstomebesttodoasdisyoungofficersays。\"
\"Verywell，then，Iwill，sir。Wewillgounderyourprotection，andwillgiveyouaslittletroubleaswecan。Wewillbereadyinfiveminutes。Now，Chloe，letusputafewthingstogether。Thefewerthebetter。Justasmallbundlewhichwecancarrvinourhands。\"
Inafewminutestheyreturnedtotheroom，Chloecarryingalargebasket，andlookingsomewhatruffled。
Chloeisalittleupset，\"thegirlsaid，smiling，\"becauseIwon\'tputmybestthingson；andtheleavingherSun-daygownbehindisasoretroubletoher。\"
\"Nowonder，sah，\"Chloosaid，\"whydeysaydattharamnoprettydressesinde\'Federacy，anddatbluegownwidredspotsisjustasgoodasnew，anditamdownrightawfultotinkdatdosefellowswillcomebackandtakeit。\"
\"Nevermind，CliIe，\"Vincentsaid，smiling。\"NodoubtweareshortofprettydressesintheSouth，butIdaresayweshallbeabletofindyousomethingthatwillbealmostasgood。Butwemustnotstandtalking。Youaresureyouhavegoteverythingofvalue，MissKingston？\"
\"Ihavegotmypurse，\"shesaid，\"andChloehasgotsomefood。I
don\'tthinkthereisanythingelseworthtakinginthehouse。\"
\"Verywell，wewillbeoff，\"Vincentsaid，leadingthewaytothedoor。
AminutelaterDanrodepast，andVincentcalledhimandtoldhimtheyweregoingtostart。
\"Shallwetakedohorses，sah？\"
\"No，Dan。Wearegoingtocarryoutouroriginalplanofcrossingtheriverinaboat，andIthinkthehorseswouldberatherinourwaythannot。Butyouhadbetternotleavethemhere。Takethemtothefarthersideoftheclearingandgetthemthroughthefenceintotheforest，thenstrikeacrossasquicklyasyoucanandjoinuswherewewerestoppingto-day。MissKingstonandherservantaregoingwithus。Theycannotstayhereafterwhathastakenplace。\"
Danatoncerodeoffwiththetwohorses，andtheotherswalkedacrosstotheedgeoftheclearingandwaiteduntilherejoinedthem。
\"Now，MissKingston，youmustbeourguideatpresent。\"
\"Wemustcrosstheroadfirst，\"thegirlsaid。\"Nearlyoppositetowherewearethereisalittlepaththroughthewoodleadingstraightdowntotheriver。Theboatliesonlyashortdistancefromit。\"
Thepathwasanarrowone，anditwasverydarkunderthetrees。
\"Mindhowyougo，\"Vincentsaidasthegirlsteppedlightlyonahead。\"Youmightgetaheavyfallifyoucaughtyourfootonaroot。\"
Sheinstantlymoderatedherpace。\"Iknowthepathwell，butitwasthoughtlessofmetowalksofast。Iforgotyoudidnotknowit，andifyouweretostumbleyoumighthurtyourarmterribly。
Howdoesitfeelnow？\"
\"Itcertainlyhurtsabit，\"Vincentrepliedinacheerfultone；\"butnowitisstrappedtightlytomeitcannotmovemuch。Pleasedonotworryaboutme。\"
\"Ah!\"shesaid，\"Icannotforgethowyougotit-howyouattackedtwelvementosaveme!\"
\"StilllesscanIforget，MissKingston，howyou，ayounggirl，confronteddeathratherthansayawordthatwouldplacemeintheirpower。\"
\"Thatwasquitedifferent，Mr。Wingfield。Myownhonorwaspledgednottobetrayyou，whohadtrustedme。\"
\"Well，wewillcryquitsforthepresent，MissKingston；or，rather，wewillbecontenttoremainforthepresentineachother\'sdebt。\"
Aquarterofanhour\'swalkingbroughtthemtotheriver。
\"Now，\"Lucysaid，\"wemustmakeourwayabouttenyardsthroughthesebushestotheright。\"
Withsomedifficultytheypassedthroughthethickscreenofbushes，thegirlstillleadingtheway。
\"Hereitis，\"shesaid；\"Ihavemyhanduponit。\"Vincentwassoonbesideher，andthenegroesquicklyjoinedthem。
\"Therearenooarsintheboat，\"Vincentsaid，feelingalongtheseat。
\"Oh!Iforgot!Theyarestowedawaybehindthebushesontheright；theyweretakenout，sothatiftheYankeesfoundtheboatitwouldbeofnousetothem。\"
Danmadehiswaythroughthebushes，andsoonfoundtheoars。
Thenunitingtheirstrengththeypushedtheboatthroughthehighrushesthatscreeneditfromtheriver。
\"Itisafloat，\"Vincentsaid。\"Now，Dan，takeyourplaceinthebow。\"
Iwillrow，Mr。Wingfleld。Iamaverygoodhandatit。SopleasetakeyourseatwithChloeinthestern。\"
\"Dancantakeoneoar，anyhow，\"Vincentreplied；\"butIwillletyourowinsteadofme。IamafraidIshouldmakeapoorhandofitwithonlyonearm。\"
Theboatpushedquietlyout。Theriverwasaboutahundredyardswideatthispoint。TheyhadtakenbutafewstrokeswhenVincentsaid:
\"Youmustrowhard，MissKingston，orweshallhavetoswimforit。Thewateriscomingthroughtheseamsfast。\"
ThegirlandDanexertedthemselvestotheutmost；but，shortaswasthepassage，theboatwasfullalmosttothegunwalebeforetheyreachedtheoppositebank，theheatofthesunhavingcausedtheplankstoopenduringthemonthsithadbeenlyingashore。
\"Thisisawetbeginning，\"LucyKingstonsaidlaughasshetriedtowringthewateroutofthelowerpartofherdress。\"Here，Chloe；
youwringmeandIwillwringyou。\"
\"Now，Dan，getholdofthathead-rope，\"Vincentsaid；\"haulheruplittlebylittleasthewaterrunsoutoverthestern。\"
\"Ishouldnottroubleabouttheboat，Mr。Wingfield；itisnotlikelyweshalleverwantitagain。\"
\"Iwasnotthinkingoftheboat；Iwasthinkingofourselves。Ifitshouldhappentobenoticedatthenextbridgeasitdrifteddown，itwouldatoncesuggesttoanyoneonthelookoutforusthatwehadcrossedtheriver；whereas，ifwegetitamongthebusheshere，theywillbelievethatwearehiddeninthewoodsorhaveheadedbacktothenorth，andweshallbealongwayacrosstheline，Ihope，beforetheygiveupsearchingforusinthewoodsontheotherside。\"
\"Yes；Ididn\'tthinkofthat。Wewillhelpyouwiththerope。\"
Theboatwasveryheavy，nowthatitwasfullofwater。Inchbyinchitwaspulledup，untilthewaterwasalloutexceptnearthestern。DanandVincentthenturneditbottomupward，anditwassoonhauledupamongthebushes。
\"Now，MissKingston，whichdoyouthinkisourbestcourse？I
knownothingwhateverofthegeographyhere。\"
\"ThenexttownisMountPleasant；thatiswheretheWilliamsportroadpassestherailway。Ifwekeepsouthweshallstriketherailway，andthatwilltakeustoMountPleasant。AfterthattheroadgoesontoFlorence，ontheTennesseeRiver。TheonlyplacethatIknowofontheroadisLawrenceburg。Thatisaboutfortymilesfromhere，andIhaveheardthattheYankeesareonthelinefromthererightandleft。IbelieveourtroopsareatFlorence；butI
amnotsureaboutthat，becausebothpartiesareconstantlyshiftingtheirposition，andIhearverylittle，asyoumaysuppose，ofwhatisbeingdone。Anyhow，Ithinkwecannotdobetterthangoonuntilwestriketherailway，keepalongbythattillwegetwithinashortdistanceofMountPleasant，andthencrossit。Afterthatwecandecidewhetherwewilltravelbytheroadorkeeponthroughthewoods。Butwecannotfindourwaythroughthewoodsatnight；
weshouldloseourselvesbeforewehadgonetwentyyards。\"
\"Iamafraidweshould，MissKingston。\"
\"PleasecallmeLucy，\"thegirlinterrupted。\"Iamnevercalledanythingelse，andIamsurethisisnotatimeforceremony。\"
\"Ithinkthatitwillbebetter；andwillyoupleasecallmeVin。Itismuchshorterandpleasanterusingourfirstnames；andaswemustpassforbrotherandsisterifwegetamongtheYankees，itisbettertogetaccustomedtoit。Iquiteagreewithyouthatitwillbetoodarktofindourwaythroughthewoodsunlesswecandiscoverapath。
DanandIwillseeifwecanfindone。Ifwecan，Ithinkitwillbebettertogoonalittlewayatanyrate，soastogetourfeetwarmandletourclothesdryalittle。\"
\"Theywillnotdryto-night，\"Lucysaid。\"Itissodampinthewoodsthatevenifourclothesweredrynowtheywouldbewetbeforemorning。\"
\"Ididnotthihkofthat。Yes，inthatcaseIdonotseethatweshouldgainanythingbygoingfarther；wewillpushonfortwoorthreehundredyards，ifwecan，andthenwecanlightafirewithouttherebeinganychanceofitbeingseenfromtheotherside。\"
\"Thatwouldbecomfortable，Mr-ImeanVin，\"thegirlagreed。
\"Thatis，ifyouarequitesurethatitwouldbesafe。Iwouldratherbewetallnightthanthatweshouldrunanyrisks。\"
\"Iamsureifwecangetacoupleofhundredyardsintothisthickwoodthefirewouldnotbeseenthroughit，\"Vincentsaid；\"ofcourseIdonotmeantomakeagreatbonfirewhichwouldlightuptheforest。\"
Forhalfanhourtheyforcedtheirwaythroughthebushes，andthenVincentsaidhewassurethattheyhadcomefarenough。Findingasmallopenspace，Dan，andLucy，andthenegresssettoworkcollectingleavesanddrysticks。VincenthadstillinhispocketthenewspaperhehadboughtinthestreetsofNashville，andhealwayscarriedlights。Apieceofthepaperwascrumpledupandlighted，afewofthedriestleavestheycouldfinddroppeduponit，thenafewtwigs，untilatlastagoodfirewasburning。
\"Ithinkthatisenoughforthepresent，\"Vincentsaid。wewillkeeponaddingwoodasfastasitburnsdown，soastogetagreatpileofembers，andkeeptwoorthreegoodbiglogsburningallnight。\"
HethengavedirectionstoDan，whooutalongstickandfastenedittotwosaplings，oneofwhichgrewjustinfrontofthefire。Thenhesettoworkandcutoffbranches，andlaidthemslopingagainstit，andsoonhadanarborconstructedofsufficientthicknesstokeepoffthenightdews。
\"Ithinkyouwillbesnuginthere，\"Vincentsaidwhenhebadfinished。\"Theheatofthefirewillkeepyoudryandwarm，andifyouliewithyourheadstheotherwayIthinkyourthingswillhedrybythemorning。DanandIwillliedownbytheothersideofthefire。Wearebothaccustomedtosleepintheopenair，andhavedonesoformonths。\"
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"shesaid。\"Ourthingsaredryingalready，andIamaswarmasatoast；but，indeed，youneednottroubleaboutus。Webroughtthesewarmshawlswithusonpurposefornight-workintheforest。Now，IthinkwewilltrythecontentsofthebasketDanhasbeencarrying。\"
Thebasket，whichwasagood-sizedone，wasopened。Chloehadbeforestartingputalltheprovisionsinthehouseintoit，anditcontainedthreeloaves，fiveorsixpoundsofbacon，acanisterofteaandloaf-sugar，asmallkettle，andtwopintmugs，besidesanumberofoddsandends。ThekettleDanhad，byChloe\'sdirection，filledwithwaterbeforeleavingtheriver，andthiswassoonplacedamongtheglowingembers。
\"Butyouhavebroughtnoteapot，Chloe。\"
\"Darwasnotnoroomforit，MissLucy。Wecanmaketeaberrywellindokettle。\"
\"Sowecan。Iforgotthat。Weshalldocapitally。\"
Thekettlewasnotlonginboiling。Chloeproducedsomespoonsandknivesandforksfromthebasket。
\"Spoonsandforksareluxuries，Chloe，\"Vincentsaidlaughing。
\"Wecouldhavemanagedwithoutthem。\"
\"Yes，sah；butmenotgoingtoleavemassa\'ssilverfordosevillainstofind。\"
Lucylaughed。\"Atanyrate，Chloe，wecanturnthesilverintomoneyifwerunshort。Nowthekettleisboiling。\"
Itwastakenoffthefire，andLucypouredsometeaintoitfromthecanister，andthenproceededtocutupthebread。Anumberofslicesofbaconhadalreadybeencutoff，andastickthrustthroughthem，andDan，whowassquattedattheothersideofthefireholdingitovertheflames，nowpronouncedthemtobeready。Thebreadservedasplates，andthepartyweresoonengagedupontheirmeal，laughingandtalkingoveritasifithadbeenanordinarypicnicinthewoods，thoughattimesVincent\'sfacecontractedfromthesharptwitchingofpaininhisshoulder。VincentandLucyfirstdranktheirtea，andthemugswerethenhandedtoDanandChlce。
\"Thisisgreatfun，\"Lucysaid。\"Ifitgoesonlikeitallthroughourjourneyweshallhavenoneedtogrumble。ShallweChloe？\"
\"Ifyoudon\'tgrumble，MissLucy，youmaybequitesuredatChloewillnot。Butwehabnotbegunourjourneyatpresent；andIspecdatweshallfinditprettyhardworkbeforewegettodeend。Butnebberminddat；anytingisbetterdanbeingallbyourselvesindathouse。Terriblesponsibilitydat。\"
\"Itwaslonely，\"thegirlsaid，\"andIamgladweareawayfromitwhateverhappens。Whatadaythishasbeen。WhocouldhavedreamedwhenIgotupinthemorningthatallthiswouldtakeplacebeforenight。Itseemsalmostlikeadream，andIcanhardlybelieve\"-andhereshestoppedwithalittleshiverasshethoughtofthesceneshehadpassedthoughwiththebandofbushwhackers。
\"Iwouldnotthinkanythingatallaboutit，\"Vincentsaid。\"AndnowIshouldrecommendyourturningin，andgettingtosleepassoonasyoucan。Wewillbeoffatdaybreak，anditisjusttwelveo\'clocknow。\"
FiveminuteslaterLucyandheroldnurseweresnuglyensconcedintheirlittlebower，whileVincentandDanstretchedthemselvesatfulllengthontheothersideofthefire。InspiteofthepaininhisshoulderVincentdozedoffoccasionally，butthewasheartilygladwhenhesawthefirstgleamoflightinthesky。Hewokeban。
\"Dan，doyoutakethekettledowntotheriverandfillit。Wehadbetterhavesomebreakfastbeforewemakeourstart。Ifyoucan\'tfindyourwayback，whistleandIwillansweryou。\"
Dan，however，hadnooccasiontogivethesignal。Ittookhimlittlemorethanfiveminutestotraversethedistancethathadoccupiedthemhalfanhourinthethickdarkness，andVincentwasquitesurprisedwhenhereappearedagainwiththekettle。Notuntilitwasboiling，andthebaconwasready，didVincentraisehisvoiceandcallLucyandthenurse。
\"Thisisreversingtheorderofthingsaltogether，\"thegirlsaidasshecameoutandsawbreakfastalreadyprepared。\"Ishallnotallowitanothertime，Icantellyou。\"
\"Weareoldcampaigners，yousee，\"Vincentsaid，\"andaccustomedtoearlymovements。Nowpleaseletuswastenotime，asthesoonerweareoffthebetter。\"
Inaquarterofanhourbreakfastwaseatenandthebasketpacked，andtheywereontheirway。Nowthebright，glowinglightintheeastwassufficientguidetothemastothedirectiontheyshouldtake，andsettingtheirfacetothesouththeystartedthroughtheforest。Inaquarterofanhourtheycameuponalittlestreamrunningthroughthewood，andhereVincentsuggestedthatLucymightlikeawash，asuggestionwhichwasgratefullyaccepted。HeandDanwentashortdistancedownthestreamlet，andVincentbathedhisfaceandhead。
\"Dan，Iwillgetyoutoundothisbandageandgetoffmycoat；thenIwillmakeapadofmyhandkerchiefanddipitinthewaterandyoucanlayitonmyshoulder，andthenhelpmeonagainwithmycoat。Myarmisgettinghorriblypainful。\"
Vincent\'srightarmwasaccordinglydrawnthroughthesleeveandthecoatturneddownsoastoenableDantolaythewetpadontheshoulder。
\"Ithasnotbledmuch，\"Vincentsaid，lookingdownatit。
\"No，sah，notmuchbloodondeshirt。\"
\"Pullthecoatdownasfarastheelbow，Dan，andbatheitforabit。\"
Usinghiscapasabaler，Danbathedthearmfortenminutes，thenthewetpadwasplacedinposition，andwithsomedifficultythecoatgotonagain。Thearmwasthenbandagedacrossthechest，andtheyreturnedtothewomen，whowerebeginningtowonderatthedelay。
CHAPTEPXIILLAIDUP。
\"YOUMUSTseeasurgeonwhatevertherisk，\"Lucysaidwhentheothersjoinedthem，fornowthatitwaslightshecouldse\"bythepalenessofVincent\'sface，andthedrawnexpressionofthemouth，howmuchhehadsuffered。
\"Youhavemadesolightofyourwoundthatwehavenotthoughtofithalfasmuchasweoughttodo，andyoumusthavethoughtmeterriblyheartlesstobelaughingandtalkingwhenyouwereinsuchpain。Butitwillneverdotogoonlikethis；itisquiteimpossibleforyoutohetravelingsofarwithouthavingyourshoulderproperlyattendedto。\"
\"Ishouldcertainlybegladtohaveitlookedto，\"Vincentreplied。
\"Idon\'tknowwhetherthebullet\'sthereorifithasmadeitswayout，andifthatcouldbeseento，andsomesplintsorsomethingofthatsortputontokeepthingsintheirrightplace，nodoubtI
shouldbeeasier；hutIdon\'tseehowitistohemanaged。Atanyrate，forthepresentwemustgoon，andIwouldmuchratherthatyousaidnothingaboutit。Thereitis，andfrettingoveritwon\'tdoitanygood，whileifyoutalkofotherthingsImayforgetitsometimes。\"
Intwohourstheycameupontherailway，whosecourselaydiagonallyacrossthattheyweretaking。TheyfollowedituntiltheycaughtsightofthehousesofMountPleasant，sometwomilesaway，andthencrossedit。Afterwalkingsomedistancefarthertheycameuponasmallclearingwithalog-hut，containingapparentlythreeorfourrooms，inthecenter。
\"Wehadbetterskirtroundthis，\"Vincentsuggested。
\"No，\"Lucysaidinadeterminedvoice。\"IhavemadeupmymindI
wouldgotothefirstplacewecametoandseewhetheranythingcanbedoneforyou。Icanseeyouareinsuchpainyoucanhardlywalk，anditwillbequiteimpossibleforyoutogomuchfurther。
TheyaresuretobeConfederatesathearthere，andeveniftheywillnottakeusin，thereisnofearoftheirbetrayingus；atanyratewemustriskit。\"
Vincentbegantoremonstrate，butwithoutpayinganyattentiontohimthegirllefttheshelterofthetreesandwalkedstraighttowardthehonso。Theothersfollowedher。Vincenthadopposedhersuggestion，buthehadforsometimeacknowledgedtohimselfthathecouldnotgomuchfurther。liehadbeentryingtothinkwhathadbestbedone，andhadconcludedthatitwouldbesafesttoarrangewithsomefarmertoboardLucyandhernurseforatime，whilehehimselfwithDanwentabitfurther；andthen，iftheycouldgetnoonetotakethemin，wouldcampupinthewoodsandrest。HedecidedthatinadayortwoifnoimprovementtookplaceinhiswoundhewouldgivehimselfuptotheFederalsatMountPleasant，ashewouldtherebeabletogethiswoundattendedto。
\"Idon\'tthinkthereisanyoneinthehouse，\"Lucysaid，lookingbackoverhershoulder；\"thereisnosmokecomingfromthechimney，andtheshuttersareclosed，andbesidesthewholeplacelooksneglected。\"
Uponreachingthedoorofthehouseitwasevidentthatithadbeendeserted。Lucyhadnowassumedthecommand。
\"Dan，\"shesaid，\"thereisnoshuttertothewindowofthatupperroom。Youmustmanagetoclimbupthereandgetinatthatwindow，andthenopenthedoortous。\"
\"Allright，missie，memanagedat，\"Dansaidcheerfully。Lookingabouthesoonfoundalongpolewhichwouldanswerhispurpose，placedtheendofthisagainstthewindow，andclimbedup。Itwasnotmorethantwelvefeetabovetheground。Hebrokeoneofthewindows，andinsertinghishandundidthefasteningandclimbedinatthewindow。Aminutelatertheyheardagratingsound，andthenthelockshotbackundertheapplicationofhisknife，andthedoorswungopen。
\"Thatwilldonicely，\"Lucysaid，entering。\"Wewilltakepossession。Iftheownershappentocomebackwecanpaythemfortheuseoftheplace。\"
