ButLee\'sveteranssoonrecoveredfromtheirsurpriseandmaintainedtheirpositionuntilnoon。ThenthewholeFederalarmyadvanced，andthebattleragedtillnightfallterminatedthestruggle，leavingLeeinpossessionofthewholelineliehadheld，withtheexceptionofthegroundlostinthemorning。
Forthenextsixdaysthearmiesfacedeachother，wornoutbyincessantfighting，andpreventedfrommovingbytheheavyrainwhichfellincessantly。Theywerenowabletoreckonupthelosses。TheFederalsfoundthattheyhadlost，inkilled，wounded，ormissing，nearly30，000men；whileLee\'sarmywasdiminishedbyabout12，000。
WhilethesemightybattleshadbeenragingtheFederalcavalryunderSheridanhadadvancedrapidlyforward，and，afterseveralskirmisheswithStuart\'scavalry，penetratedwithintheouterintrenchmentsroundRichmond。HereStuartwithtworegimentsofcavalrychargedthemanddrovethemback，butthegallantConfederateofficerreceivedawoundthatbeforenightprovedfatal。HislosswasaterribleblowtotheConfederacy，althoughhissuccessorinthecommandofthecavalry，GeneralWadeHampton，wasalsoanofficerofthehighestmerit。
InthemeantimeGeneralButler，whohadatFortMonroeunderhiscommandtwocorpsofinfantry，4，000cavalry，andafleetofgunboatsandtransports，wasthreatcuingRichmondfromtheeast。
ShippinghismenonboardthetransportshesteameduptheJamesRiver，underconvoyofthefleet，andlandedonaneckoflandknownasBermudaHundred。ToopposehimallthetroopsfromNorthCarolinahadbeenbroughtup，thewholeforceamountingto19，000men，underthecommandofGeneralBeauregard。Butler，aftervariousfutilemovements，wasdrivenbackagaintohisintrenchedcampatBermudaHundred，wherehewasvirtuallybesiegedbyBeauregardwith10，000men，therestofthatgeneral\'sforcebeingsentuptoreinforceLee。
InwesternVirginia，Breckenridge，with3，500men，wascalledupontoholdincheckSigel，with15，000men。AdvancingtoStaunton，BreckenridgewasjoinedbythepupilsofthemilitarycollegeatLexington，250innumber，ladsoffrom14to17yearsofage。HecameuponSigelonthelineofmarch，andattackedhimatonce。TheFederalgeneralplacedabatteryinawoodandopenedfirewithgrape。ThecommanderoftheLexingtonboysorderedthemtocharge，and，gallantlyrushinginthroughtheheavyfire，theychargedinamongtheguns，killedtheartillerymen，drovebacktheinfantrysupports，andbayonetedtheircolonel。TheFederalsnowretireddownthevalleytoStrasburg，andBreckenridgewasabletosendaportionofhisforcetoaidLeeinhisgreatstruggle。
Afterhissixdays\'pauseinfrontofLee\'spositionatSpotsylvania，GrantabandonedhisplanofforcinghiswaythroughLee\'sarmytoRichmond，andendeavoredtooutflankit；butLeeagaindivinedhisobject，andmovedroundandstillfacedhim。Aftervariousmovementsthearmiesagainstoodfacetofaceupontheoldbattle-groundsontheChickahominy。Onthe3dofJunethebattlecommencedathalf-pastfourinthemorning。Hancockatfirstgainedanadvantage，butHill\'sdivisiondasheddownuponhimanddrovehimbackwithgreatslaughter；whilenoadvantagewasgainedbytheminotherpartsofthefield。TheFederallossonthisdaywas13，000，andthetroopsweresodispiritedthattheyrefusedtorenewthebattleintheafternoon。
Grantthendeterminedtoalterhisplanaltogether，andsendingimperativeorderstoButlertoobtainpossessionofPetersburg，embarkedSmith\'scorpsintransports，andmovedwiththerestofhisarmytojointhatgeneralthere。Smith\'scorpsenteredtheJamesRiver，landed，andmarchedagainstPetersburg。BeauregardhadatPetersburgonlytwoinfantryandtwocavalryregimentsunderGeneralWise，whileasinglebrigadefrontedButleratBermudaHundred。WiththishandfulofmenhewascalledupontodefendPetersburgandtokeepButlerbottledupinBermudaHundreduntilhelpcouldreachhimfromLee。HetelegraphedtoRichmondforalltheassistancethatcouldbesenttohim，andwasreinforcedbyabrigade，whicharrivedjustintime，forSmithhadalreadycapturedaportionoftheintrenchments，butwasnowdrivenout。
ThenextdayBeauregardwasattackedbothbySmith\'sandHancock\'scorps，whichhadnowarrived。With8，000menhekeptatbaytheassaultsoftwowholearmycorps，havinginthemeantimesentorderstoGracie，theofficerincommandofthebrigadebeforeButler，toleaveafewsentriestheretodeceivethatgeneral，andtomarchwiththerestofhisforcetohisaid。Itarrivedatacriticalmoment。Overwhelmedbyvastlysuperiornumbers，manyoftheConfederateshadlefttheirposts，andBreckenridgewasinvaintryingtorallythemwhenGracie\'sbrigadecameup。Thepositionwasreoccupiedandthebattlecontinued。
AtnoonBurnsidewithhiscorpsarrivedandjoinedtheassailants；
whileButler，discoveringatlastthatthetroopsinfrontofhimwerewithdrawn，movedoutandbarredtheroadagainstreinforcementsfromRichmond。NeverthelesstheConfederatesheldtheirgroundalltheafternoonanduntileleveno\'clockatnight，whentheassaultceased。
AtmidnightBeauregardwithdrewhistroopsfromthedefensesthattheyweretoofewtohold，andsetthemtoworktothrowupfreshintrenchmentsonashorterlinebehind。Allnightthemenworkedwiththeirbayonets，canteens，andanytoolsthatcametohand。
Itwaswellforthemthattheenemyweresoexhaustedthatitwasnoonbeforetheywerereadytoadvanceagain，forbythistimehelpwasathand。Anderson，whohadsucceededtothecommandofLongstreet\'scorps，andwasleadingthevanofLee\'sarmy，forcedhiswaythroughButler\'stroopsanddrovehimbackintotheBermudaHundred，andleavingonebrigadetowatchhimmarchedwithanotherintoPetersburgjustastheattackwasrecommenced。
ThusreinforcedBeauregardsuccessfullydefeatedalltheassaultsoftheenemyuntilnightfell。AnotherFederalarmycorpscameupbeforemorning，andtheassaultwasagainrenewed，butthedefenders，whohadstrengthenedtheirdefensesduringthenight，drovetheirassailantsbackwithterribleloss。ThewholeofLee\'sarmynowarrived，andtherestofGrant\'sarmyalsocameup，andthatgeneralfoundthatafterallhismovementshiswaytoRichmondwasbarredasbefore。HewasindeedinafarworsepositionthanwhenhehadcrossedtheRapidan，forthemoraleofhisarmywasmuchinjuredbytherepeatedrepulsesandterriblelossesithadsustained。Thenewrecruitsthathadbeensenttofillupthegapswerefarinferiortroopstothosewithwhichhehadcommencedthecampaign。TosendforwardsuchmenagainstthefortificationsofPetersburgmannedbyLee\'sveterantroopswastocourtdefeat，andhethereforebegantothrowupworksforaregularsiege。
Fightingwentonincessantlybetweentheoutposts，butonlyonegreatattemptwasmadeduringtheearlymonthsofthesiegetocapturetheConfederateposition。Theminersdroveagalleryundertheworks，andthendroveothergalleriesrightandleftunderthem。Thesewerechargedwitheightthousandpoundsofpowder。
Whenallwasready，massesoftroopswerebroughtuptotakeadvantageoftheconfusionwhichwouldbecausedbytheexplosion，andadivisionofblacktroopsweretoleadtheassault。
Ataquartertofiveinthemorningofthe30thofJulythegreatminewasexploded，blowingtwoguns，abattery，anditsdefendersintotheair，andformingahugepittwohundredfeetlongandsixtyfeetwide。LeeandBeauregardhurriedtothescene，checkedthepanicthatprevailed，broughtuptroops，andbeforethegreatFederalcolumnsapproachedthebreachtheConfederateswerereadytoreceivethem。Theassaultwasmadewithlittlevigor，theapproachestothebreachwereobstructedbyabattis，andinsteadofrushingforwardinasolidmasstheyoccupiedthegreatpit，andcontentedthemselveswithfiringovertheedgeofthecrater，whereregimentsanddivisionswerehuddledtogether。ButtheConfederatebatterieswerenowmanned，andfromtheworksoneithersideofthebreach，andfrombehind，theyswepttheapproaches，andthrewshellamongthecrowdedmass。Theblackdivisionwasnowbroughtup，andenteredthecrater，butonlyaddedtotheconfusion，Therewasnoofficerofsufficientauthorityamongthecrowdedmasstheretoassumethesupremecommand。Noassistancecouldbesenttothem，forthearrivaloffreshtroopswouldbuthaveaddedtotheconfusion。Alldaytheconflictwenton，theFederalsliningtheedgeofthecrater，andexchangingaheavymusketryfirewiththeConfederateinfantry，whilethemassbelowsufferedterriblyfromtheartilleryfire。
Whennightclosedthesurvivorsofthegreatcolumnthathadmarchedforwardinthemorning，confidentthatvictorywasassuredtothem，andthattheexplosionwouldlayPetersburgopentocapture，madetheirretreat，theConfederates，however，takingaconsiderablenumberofprisoners。TheFederallossinkilled，woundedandcapturedwasadmittedbythemtobe4，000；theConfederateaccountsputitdownat6，000。
AfterthisterriblerepulseitwasalongtimebeforeGrantagainrenewedactiveoperations，hutduringthemonthsthatensuedhistroopssufferedveryheavilyfromtheeffectsoffever，heightenedbythediscouragementtheyfeltattheirwantofsuccess，andatthetremendouslossestheyhadsufferedsincetheyenteredVirginiaontheirforwardmarchtoRichmond。
CHAPTERVIII。APERILOUSUNDERTAKING。
VINCENTWINGFIELDhadhadanarduoustimeofitwithhissquadronofcavalry。HehadtakenpartinthedesperatechargethatcheckedtheadvanceofSheridan\'sgreatcolumnofcavalrywhichapproachedwithinthreemilesofRichmond，thechargethathadcostthegallantStuarthislife；andthedeathofhisbelovedgeneralhadbeenaheavyblowforhim。JacksonandStuart，twoofthebravestandnoblestspiritsoftheConfederatearmy，weregone。
BothhadbeenpersonallydeartoVincent，andhefelthowgrievouswastheirlosstothecauseforwhichhewasfighting；buthehadlittletimeforgrief。Theenemy，afterthetremendousbattlesoftheWilderness，swungtheirarmyroundtoColdHarbor，andVincent\'ssquadronwascalleduptoaidLeeinhisstrugglethere。ThentheywereengagednightanddayinharassingtheenemyastheymarcheddowntotakeuptheirnewbaseatPetersburg，andfinallyreceivedorderstorideroundatfullspeedtoaidinthedefenseofthatplace。
Theyhadarrivedinthemiddleofthesecondday\'sfighting，anddismountinghismenVincenthadaidedthehard-pressedConfederatesinholdingtheirlinestillLong-street\'sdivisionarrivedtotheirassistance。AshorttimebeforetheterribledisasterthatbefelltheFederalsintheminetheyexplodedundertheConfederateworks，hewaswithGeneralWadeHampton，whohadsucceededGeneralStuartinthecommandofthecavalry，whenGeneralLeerodeup。
\"Theyareerectingsiegeworksinearnest，\"GeneralLeesaid。\"Idonotthinkthatweshallhaveanymoreattacksforthepresent。I
wishIknewexactlywheretheyareintendingtoplacetheirheavybatteries。IfIdidweshouldknowwheretostrengthenourdefenses，andplantourcounterbatteries。Itisveryimportanttofindthisout；butnowthattheirwholearmyhassettleddowninfrontofus，andSheridan\'scavalryarescouringthewoods，weshallgetnonews，forthefarmerswillnolongerbeabletogetthroughtotelluswhatisgoingon。
\"Iwilltryandrideround，ifyoulike，general，\"Vincentsaid。\"Bymakingalongdetouronecouldgetintotherearoftheirlinesandpassasafarmergoingintocamptosellhisgoods。\"
\"Itwouldbeaverydangerousservice，sir，\"GeneralLeesaid。
\"Youknowwhattheconsequencewouldbeifyouwerecaught？\"
\"Iknowtheconsequence，\"Vincentsaid；\"butIdonotthink，sir，thattheriskisgreaterthanonerunseverytimeonegoesintobattle。\"
\"Perhapsnot，\"GeneralLeereplied；\"butinonecaseonediesfightingforone\'scountrybyanhonorabledeath，intheother-\"andhestopped。
\"Intheotheroneisshotincoldblood，\"Vincentsaidquietly。\"Onediesforone\'scountryineithercase，sir；anditdoesnotmuchmatter，sofarasIcansee，whethercueiskilledinbattleorshotincoldblood。Aslongasoneisdoingone\'sduty，onedeathissurelyashonorableastheother。\"
\"Thatistrueenough，\"GeneralLeesaid，\"althoughitisnotthewaymengenerallyviewthematter。Still，sir，ifyouvolunteerforthework，Idonotfeeljustifiedinrefusingtheopportunityofacquiringinformationthatmaybeofvitalconsequencetous。
Whenwillyoustart？\"
\"Inhalfanhour，sir。IshallridebacktoRichmond，obtainadisguisethere，andthengoroundbytraintoBurksvilleJunctionandthenrideagainuntilIgetroundbehindtheirlines。Willyougivemeanorderformyhorseandmyselftohetaken？\"
\"Verywell，sir，\"GeneralLeesaid。\"Sobeit。MayGodhewithyouonyourwayandbringyousafelyback。\"
Vincentrodeofftohisquarters。
\"Dan，\"hesaid，\"Iamgoingawayonspecialdutyforatleastthreedays。Ihavegotacoupleofletterstowrite，andshallbereadytostartinhalfanhour。Givethehorseagoodfeedandhavehimatthedooragainbythattime。\"
\"AmItogowithyou，sah？\"
\"No，Dan；Imustgobymyselfthistime。\"
Danfeltanxiousashewentout，foritwasseldomthathismastereverwentawaywithouttellinghimwherehewasgoing，andhefeltsurethattheservicewasoneofunusualdanger；norwashisanxietylessenedwhenattheappointedtimeVincentcameoutandhandedhimtwoletters。
\"Youaretokeeptheseletters，Dan，untilIreturn，ortillyouhearthatsomethinghashappenedtome。Ifyouhearthat，youaretotakeoneoftheseletterstomymother，andtaketheotheryourselftoMissKingston。Tellherbeforeyougiveitherwhathashappenedasgentlyasyoucan。Asforyourself，Dan，youhadyourlettersoffreedomlongago，andIhaveleftyoufivehundreddollars；sothatyoucangetacabinandpatchofyourown，andsettledownwhenthesetroublesareover。\"
\"Letmegowithyou，master，\"Dansaid，withthetearsstreamingdownhischeeks。\"Iwouldratherbekilledwithyouahundredtimesthangetonwithoutyou。\"
\"IwouldtakeyouifIcould，Dan；butthisisaservicethatImustdoalone。Good-by，myboy；letushopethatinthreeorfourdaysattheoutsideIshallbebackhereagainsafeandsound。\"
HewrungDan\'shand，andthenstartedatacanterandkeptonatthatpaceuntilhereachedRichmond。Atrainwithstoreswasstartingforthesouthinafewminutes；GeneralLee\'sorderenabledVincenttohaveahorse-boxattachedatonce，andhewassoonspeedingonhisway。HealightedatBurksvilleJunction，andtherepurchasedsomeroughclothesforhimselfandsomecountry-fashionedsaddleryforhishorse。Then，afterchanginghisclothesataninnandputtingthefreshsaddleryonhishorse，hestarted。
Itwasgettinglateintheafternoon，butherodeonbyunfrequentedroads，stoppingoccasionallytoinquireifanyoftheFederalcavalryhadbeenseenintheneighborhood，andatlaststoppedforthenightatalittlevillageinn。Assoonasitwasdaybreakheresumedhisjourney。HehadpurchasedatBurksvillesomecoloredcalicoandarticlesoffemaleclothing，andfastenedtheparceltothebackofhissaddle。Asherodeforwardnowheheardconstanttalesofthepassingofpartiesoftheenemy\'scavalry，buthewasfortunateenoughtogetwellroundtotherearoftheFederallinesbeforeheencounteredanyofthem。Thenhecamesuddenlyuponatroop。
\"Whereareyougoingto，andwherehaveyoucomefrom？\"
\"OurfarmisamileawayfromUnionGrove，\"hesaid，\"andIhavebeenovertoSussexCourthousetobuysomethingsformymother。\"
\"Letmeseewhatyouhavegotthere，\"theofficersaid。\"Youarerebelstoamanhere，andthere\'snotrustinganyofyou。\"
Vincentunfastenedtheparcelandopenedit。Theofficerlaughed。
\"Well，wewon\'tconfiscatethemascontrabandofwar。\"
Sosayinghesetspurstohishorseandgallopedonwithhistroop。
VincentrodeontoUnionGrove，andthentakingaroadatrandomkeptontillhereachedasmallfarmhouse。Heknockedatthedoor，andawomancameout。
\"Mother，\"hesaid，\"canyouputmeupforacoupleofdays？Iamastrangerhere，andallthevillagesarefullofsoldiers。\"
Thewomanlookedathimdoubtfully。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"sheaskedatlast。\"Thisain\'tatimeforstrangers；besidesayoungfellowlikeyououghttobeashamedtoshowyourselfwhenyououghttobeovertherewithLee。Myboysareboththereandmyhusband。Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，astrong-lookingyoungfellowlikeyou，toberidingaboutinsteadoffightingtheYankees。Goalong!youwillgetnoshelterhere。Iwouldscorntohavesuchasyouinsidemydoors。\"
\"PerhapsIhavebeenfightingthere，\"Vincentsaidsignificantly。
\"Butonecan\'tbealwaysfighting，andthereareotherthingstodosometimes。Forinstance，tofindoutwhattheYankeesaredoingandwhataretheirplans。\"
\"Isthatso？\"thewomanaskeddoubtfully。
\"Thatisso，\"heansweredearnestly。\"IamanofficerinWadeHampton\'scavalry，and，nowSheridan\'stroopershavecutoffallcommunication，IhavecomeouttofindforGeneralLeewheretheYankeesarebuildingtheirbatteriesbeforePetersburg。\"
\"Inthatcaseyouarewelcome，\"thewomansaid。\"Comestraightin。Iwillleadyourhorseoutandfastenhimupinthebush，andgivehimafeedthere。Itwillneverdotoputhiminthestable；theYankeescomeinandoutandthey\'dtakehimoffsharpenoughiftheireyesfellonhim。Ithinkyouwillbesafeenougheveniftheydocome。Theywilltakeyouforasonofmine，andiftheyaskanyquestionsIwillanswerthemsharpenough。\"
\"Iwondertheyhaveleftyouafeedofcorn，\"Vincentsaid，whenthewomanreturnedaftertakingawayhishorse。
\"It\'snothankstothem，\"sheanswered；\"theyhaveclearedouteverythingthattheycouldlaytheirhandson。ButIhavebeenexpectingitformonths，and，asIhavehadnothingtodosincemymanandboyswentaway，Ihavebeendiggingagreatpitinthewoodoverthere，andhaveburiedmostallmycorn，andhavesaltedmypigsdownandburiedtheminbarrels；sotheydidn\'tfindmuch。Theytooktheoldhorseandtwocows；butIhopetheoldhorsewillfalldownthefirsttimetheyuseshim，andthecowmeatwillchokethemaseatsit。Now，isthereanythingasIcandotohelpyou？\"
\"Iwantabasketwithsomeeggsandchickensorvegetablestotakeintotheircamptosell，butIamafraidIhavenotmuchchanceofgettingthem。\"
\"Icanhelpyoutheretoo，\"thewomansaid。\"IturnedallmychickensintothewoodthedayIheardtheYankeeshadlanded。
Theyhavegotratherwildlike；butIgooutandgivethemsomecorneveryevening。Iexpectifwelookaboutweshallfindsomenests；indeedIknowthereareoneortwoofthemsitting。Soifyouwillcomeoutwithmewecansoonknockdownfiveorsixofthecreatures，andmaybegetascoreortwoofeggs。Asforvegetables，ahordeoflocustscouldn\'thavestrippedthecountrycleanerthantheyhavedone。\"
Theywentoutintothewood。Sixhensweresoonkilled，andhuntingabouttheydiscoveredseveralnestsandgatheredaboutthreedozeneggs。Vincentaidedinpluckingthechickensandtheythenreturnedtothehouse。
\"Youhadbesttakeabitebeforeyougo，\"shesaid。
It\'snoonnow，andyousaidyoustartedatdaybreak。Alwaysgetamealwhenyoucan，sayI。\"
Sheproducedaloafandsomebaconfromalittlecupboardhiddenbyherbed，andVincent，who，nowhethoughtofit，wasfeelinghungry，madeaheartymeal。
\"Iwillpayyouforthesechickensandeggsatonce，\"hesaid。
\"ThereisnosayingwhetherIshallcomebackagain。\"
\"Iwillnotsaynotoyourpayingforthechickensandeggs，\"shesaid，\"becausemoneyisscarceenough，andImayhavelongtowaitbeforemymanandtheboyscomeback；butastolodgingandfoodIwouldnottouchacent。YouarewelcometoallIhavewhenit\'sforthegoodcause。\"Vincentstartedwiththebasketonhisarm，andafterwalkingthreemilescameupontheFederalcamps。
Someoftheregimentswerealreadyundercanvas，otherswerestillbivouackedintheopenair，asthestore-shipscarryingtheheavybaggagehadnotyetarrived。Thegeneralsandtheirstaffshadtakenuptheirquartersinthevillages。Vincenthadreceivedaccurateinstructionsfromhishostessastothepositionofthevariousvillages，andavoidedthemcarefully，forhedidnotwanttosellouthisstockimmediately。Hehadindeedstowedtwoofthefowlsawayinhispocketsothatincaseanyoneinsisteduponbuyingupallhisstockhecouldplacetheseinhisbasketandstillpushon。
Heavoidedthecampsasmuchashecould。Hecouldseethesmokerisinginfrontofhim，andtheroarofgunswasnowcloseathand。Hesawonhisrightanelevatedpieceofground，fromwhichagoodviewcouldbeobtainedofthefortificationsuponwhichtheFederalswereworking。Acamphadbeenpitchedthere，andalargetentnearthesummitshowedthatsomeofficerofsuperiorrankhadhisquartersthere。Hemadeadetoursoastocomeupatthebackofthehillandwhenhereachedthetophestoodlookingdownuponthelineofworks。
Theywerenearlyhalfamiledistant。Theinterveninggroundhadalreadybeenstrippedofitshedges，andthetreescutdowntoformgabions，fascines，andplatformsforthecannon。Thousandsofmenwereatwork；butinsomepartstheywereclusteredmuchmorethicklythaninothers，andVincenthadnodifficultyindeterminingwheretheprincipalbatterieswereincourseofconstructionalongthisportionoftheposition。Hewasstillgazingintentlywhentwohorsemenrodeupfrombehind。
\"Halloyou，sir!Whatareyoulookingat？\"oneofthemaskedsharply。\"Whatareyouspyingabouthere？\"
Vincentturnedslowlyroundwithasillysmileonhislips。
\"Iamspyingallthemchapsatwork，\"hesaid。\"Itremindsmeforalltheworldofanant-hill。Neverdidseesomanychapsbefore。
Whatbetheya-doing？Diggingabigdrainormakingaroadway，I
guess。\"
\"Whoareyou，sir？\"theofficeraskedangrily。
\"SethJonesIbe，andmother\'ssentmetosellsomefowlsandeggs。
Doyouwanttobuyany？Finebirdstheybe。\"
\"Why，Sheridan，\"laughedtheotherofficer，\"thisisafeatheroutofyourcap。Ithoughtyourfellowshadclearedouteveryhen-roostwithintwentymilesofPetersburgalready。\"
\"Ifancytheyhaveemptiedmostofthem，\"thegeneralsaidgrimly。
\"Wheredoyoucomefrom，lad？\"
\"Icomesfromoverthere，\"Vincentsaid，jerkinghisthumbback。
\"Ilivestherewithmother。FatherandtheotherboystheyhavegonefightingYanks；buttheywouldn\'ttakemewiththem\'causeI
ain\'tsharpinmywits，thoughItellsthemIcouldshootaYankaswellastheycouldiftheyshowedme。\"
\"Andwhodoyousupposeallthosemenare？\"GeneralSheridanasked，pointingtowardthetrenches。
\"Idunno，\"Vincentreplied。\"Iguesstheybeniggers。Therebetoomanyofthemforwhites；besideswhitesain\'tsuchfoolstoworklikethat。Doesn\'tyewantanyfowl？\"andhedrewbacktheclothandshowedthecontentsofthebasket。
\"Takethemasamatterofcuriosity，general，\"theotherofficerlaughed。\"Itwillbedownrightnoveltytoyoutobuychickens。\"
\"Whatdoyouwantforthem，boy？\"
\"MothersaidasIwasn\'ttotakelessnoradollarapiece。\"
\"Greenbacks，Isuppose？\"theofficerasked。
\"Isupposeso。Shedidn\'tsaynothingaboutit；butIhasnotseenaughtbutgreenbacksforalongtimesince。\"
\"Comealong，then，\"theofficersaid；\"wewilltakethem。\"
Theyrodeuptothelargetent，andtheofficersalighted，andgavetheirhorsestotwoofthesoldiers。
\"Giveyourbaskettothissoldier。\"
\"Iwantthebasketbackagain。MotherwouldwhopmeifIcamebackwithoutthebasketagain。\"
\"Allright，\"theofficersaid；\"youshallhaveitbackinaminute。\"
Vincentstoodlookinganxiouslyaftertheorderly。
\"Doyouthinkthatboyisasfoolishasheseems？\"GeneralSheridanaskedhiscompanion。\"Headmitsthathe。comesofarebelfamily。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkhewouldhaveadmittedthatifhehadn\'tbeenafool。
Ifancyheisahalf-wittedchap。Theyneverwouldhaveleftafellowofhisagebehind。\"
\"No，Ithinkit\'ssafe，\"Sheridansaid；\"butonecan\'tbetooparticularjustatpresent。See，thetreesinfronthideourworkaltogetherfromtherebels，anditwouldbeaseriousthingiftheyweretofindoutwhatwearedoing。\"
\"Thatboycouldnottellthemmuchevenifhegotthere，\"theothersaid；\"andfromthisdistanceitwouldneedasharpeyeandsomemilitaryknowledgetomakeoutanythingofwhatisgoingon。
Wheredoesyourmotherlive，boy？\"
\"Iain\'tgoingtotellyou，\"Vincentsaiddoggedly\"MothersaidI
wasn\'ttotellnoonewhereIlived，elsetheYankeethieveswouldbea-comingdownandstealingtherestofourchickens。\"
Theofficerslaughed。
\"Well，goalong，boy；andIshouldadviseyounottosayanythingaboutYankeethievesanothertime，forlikelyenoughyouwillgetabrokenheadforyourpains。\"
Vincentwentoffgrumbling，andwithaslowandstumblingstepmadehiswayoverthebrowofthehillanddownthroughthecampsbehind。Herehesoldhislasttwofowlsandhiseggs，andthenwalkedbrisklyonuntilhereachedthecottagefromwhichhehadstarted。
\"Iamgladtoseeyouback，\"thewomansaidasheentered。\"Howhaveyougoton？\"
\"Capitally，\"hesaid。\"Ipretendedtobehalfanidiot，andsogotsafelyout，thoughIfellintoSheridan\'shands。Hesuspectedmeatfirst，butatlasthethoughtIwaswhatIlooked-afool。Hewantedtoknowwhereyoulived，butIwouldn\'ttellhim。Itoldhimyoutoldmenottotellanyone，\'causeifIdidtheYankeethieveswouldbeclearingouttherestofthechickens。\"
\"Didyoutellhimthat，now？\"thewomansaidindelight；\"hemusthavethoughtyouwasafool。Well，it\'sagoodthingtheYanksshouldhearthetruthsometimes。Well，haveyoudonenow？\"
\"No，Ihaveonlyseenonesideoftheirworksyet；Imusttryroundtheotherflankto-morrow。IwishIcouldgetsomethingtosellthatwouldn\'tgetboughtupbythefirstpeopleIcameto，somethingI
couldpeddleamongthesoldiers。\"
\"Whatsortofthing？\"
\"Somethinginthewayofdrinks，Ishouldsay，\"Vincentsaid。\"I
sawawomangoingamongthecamps。Shehadtwotincansandalittlemug。Ithinkshehadlemonadeorsomethingofthatsort。\"
\"Itwouldn\'tbelemonade，\"thewomansaid\"Ihaven\'tseenalemonforthelasttwoyears；buttheydogetsomeorangesfromFlorida。Maybeitwasthat，orperhapsitwasspiritsandwater。\"
\"Perhapsitwas，\"Vincentagreed；\"thoughIdon\'tthinktheywouldletanyonesellspiritsinthecamp。\"
\"Ican\'tgetyouanylemonsororangesneither，\"thewomansaid；
\"butImightmakeyouadrinkoutofmolassesandherbs，withsomespiritsinit。Ihavegotakegofoldryeburiedawayeversincemymanwentoff，sixmonthsago；Iamoutofmolasses，butI
daresayIcanborrowsomefromaneighbor，andasforherbstheyareabouttheonlythingtheYankeeshaven\'tstole。IthinkIcouldfixyouupsomethingthatwoulddo。Aslongasithasgotspiritsinit，itdon\'tmuchmatterwhatyouputinbesides，onlyitwouldn\'tdototakespiritsupalone。Youcancallitplantationdrink，andIdon\'tsupposeanyonewouldasktoocloselywhatit\'smadeof。\"
\"Thankyou，thatwilldocapitally。\"
ThenextmorningVincentagainsetout，turningbigstepsthistimetowardtherightflankoftheFederalposition。Hehadinthecourseoftheeveningmadeasketchofthegroundhehadsoon，markinginalltheprincipalbatteries，withnotesastothenumberofgunsforwhichtheyseemedtobeintended。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaidtothewomanbeforeleaving。\"Imaynotbeasluckyto-dayasIwasyesterday。IfIdonotcomebackto-night，canyoufindanyoneyoucantrusttotakethispieceofpaperroundtoRichmond？OfcoursehewouldhavetomakehiswayfirstuptoBurksvillejunction，andthentaketraintoRichmond。WhenhegetstherehemustgodowntoPetersburg，andaskforGeneralLee。
Ihavewrittenalinetogowithit，sayingwhatIhavedonethisfor，andaskingthegeneraltogivethebearerahundreddollars。\"
\"Iwilltakeitmyself，\"thewomansaid；\"notforthesakeofthehundreddollars，thoughIain\'tsayingasitwouldn\'tpleasetheoldmanwhenheconiesbacktofindIhadahundreddollarsstoredaway；butforthecause。Mymenarealldoingtheirduty，andIwilldomine。Sotrustme，andifyoudon\'tcomebackbydaybreakto-morrowmorning，Iwillstartrightawaywiththeseletters。IwillgooutatonceandhidethemsomewhereincasetheYanksshouldcomeandmakeasearch。Ifyouarecaughttheymight，likeenough，traceyouhere，andthentheywouldsearchtheplacealloverandmaybesetitalight。Ifyouain\'therebynightfallIshallsleepoutinthewood，soiftheycometheywon\'tfindmehere。Ifanythingdetainsyou，andyouain\'tbacktillafterdark，youwillfindmesomewherenearthetreewhereyourhorseistiedup。\"
Providedwithalargecanfullofaliquorthatthewomancompounded，andwhichVincent，ontasting，foundtobebynomeansbad，hestartedfromthecottage。Againhemadehiswaysafelythroughthecamps，andwithouthindranceloungeduptoaspotwherealargenumberofmenbelongingtooneofthenegroregimentswereatwork。
\"Plantationliquor？\"hesaid，againassumingastupidair，toablacksergeantwhowaswiththem。\"First-ratestuff；andonlyfifteencentsaglass。\"
\"Whatplantationliquorlike？\"thenegroasked。\"Menotknowhim。\"
\"First-ratestuff，\"Vincentrepeated。\"Mothermakesitofspiritandmolassesandallsorts。Fifteencentsaglass。\"
\"Well，Iwilltakeaglass，\"thesergeantsaid。\"Mightyhotworkdisindesun；butdon\'tyousaynuffinaboutthespirit。Efdeyaskyou，justyousaymolassesandallsorts，dat\'squiteenough。Dewhiteofficerwon\'tletspiritsbesoldindecamp。
\"Datberygoodstuff，\"besaid，smackinghislipsashehandedbackthelittletinmeasure。\"Yousellhimallinnotime。\"Severalofthenegroesnowcameround，andVincentdisposedofaconsiderablequantityofhisplantationliquor。Thenheturnedtogoaway，forhedidnotwanttoemptyhiscanatoneplace。Hehadnotgonemanypaceswhenapartyofthreeorfourofficerscamealong。
\"Hallo，yousir，whatthedeuceareyoudoinghere？\"oneaskedangrily。\"Don\'tyouknownobodyisallowedtopassthroughthelines？\"
\"Ididn\'tseenolines。Whatsortoflinesarethey？Noonetoldmenothingaboutlines。Mymothersentmeouttosellplantationliquor，fifteencentsaglass。\"
\"What\'sitlike？\"oneoftheofficerssaidlaughing。\"Spirits，Iwillbetadollar，insomeshapeorother。Pourmeoutaglass。Iwilltryit，anyhow。\"
Vincentfilledthelittletinmug，andhandedittotheofficer。Asheliftedhisfacetodosotherewasasuddenexclamation。
\"VincentWingfield!\"andanotherofficerdrawinghisswordattackedhimfuriously，shouting，\"Aspy!Seizehim!A
Confederatespy!\"
