AbovehimawindowwassuddenlyraisedandtheCommandant'sownheadwasthrustout。
"Stopthatnoise,"hethundered。ChadtoldhismissionandtheCommandantstraightwaywasfurious。
"HowdareGeneralWardbroachthatmatteragain?Myordersaregivenandtheywillnotbechanged。"Ashestartedtopullthewindowdown,Chadcried:
"But,General——"andatthesametimeavoicecalleddownthestreet:
"General!"Twomenappearedunderthegaslight——onewasasergeantandtheotherafrightenednegro。
"Hereisamessage,General。"
Thesashwentdown,alightappearedbehindit,andsoontheCommandant,introusersandslippers,wasatthedoor。Hereadthenotewithafrown。
"Wheredidyougetthis?"
"Asojercometomyhouseoutontheedgeo'town,suh,andsaidhe'dkillmeto-morrowifIdidn'thanddisnotetoyoupussonally。"
TheCommandantturnedtoChad。Somehowhismannerseemedsuddenlychanged。
"DoyouknowthatthesemenbelongedtoMorgan'scommand?"
"IknowthatDanielDeandidandthatthemanDillonwaswithhimwhencaptured。"
Stillfrowningsavagely,theCommandantturnedinsidetohisdeskandamomentlaterthestaff-officerbroughtoutatelegramandgaveittoChad。
"Youcantakethistothetelegraphofficeyourself。Itisastayofexecution。"
"Thankyou。"
ChaddrewalongbreathofreliefandgladnessandpattedDixieontheneckasherodeslowlytowardthelowbuildingwherehehadmissedthetrainonhisfirsttriptotheCapital。ThetelegraphoperatordashedtothedoorasChaddrewupinfrontofit。Helookedpaleandexcited。
"Sendthistelegramatonce,"saidChad。
Theoperatorlookedatit。
"Notinthatdirectionto-night,"hesaid,withastrainedlaugh,"thewiresarecut。"
Chadalmostreeledinhissaddle——thenthepaperwaswhiskedfromtheastonishedoperator'shandandhorseandriderclatteredupthehill……
Athead-quarterstheCommandantwashandingthenegro'snotetoastaff-officer。Itread:
"YOUHANGTHOSETWOMENATSUNRISETO-MORROW,ANDI'LLHANGYOUATSUNDOWN。"
Itwassigned"JohnMorgan,"andthesignaturewasMorgan'sown。
"Igavetheorderonlylastnight。HowcouldMorganhaveheardofitsosoon,andhowcouldhehavegotthisnotetome?Couldhehavecomeback?"
"Impossible,"saidthestaff-officer。"Hewouldn'tdarecomebacknow。"
TheCommandantshookhisheaddoubtfully,andjustthentherewasaknockatthedoorandtheoperator,stillpaleandexcited,spokehismessage:
"General,thewiresarecut。"
Thetwoofficersstaredateachotherinsilence……
Twenty-sevenmilestogoandlessthanthreehoursbeforesunrise。TherewasaraceyetforthelifeofDanielDean。Thegallantlittlemarecouldcoverthestretchwithnearlyanhourtospare,andChad,thrilledineverynerve,butwithcalmconfidence,racedagainstthecomingdawn。
"Thewiresarecut。"
Whohadcutthemandwhereandwhenandwhy?Nomatter——ChadhadthepaperinhispocketthatwouldsavetwolivesandhewouldbeontimeevenifDixiebrokehernobleheart,buthecouldnotgetthewordsoutofhisbrain——evenDixie'shoofsbeatthemoutceaselessly:
"Thewiresarecut——thewiresarecut!"
Themysterywouldhavebeenclear,hadChadknownthemessagethatlayontheCommandant'sdeskbackattheCapital,fortheboyknewMorgan,andthatMorgan'slipsneveropenedforanidlethreat。Hewouldhaveriddenjustashard,hadheknown,butadifferentpurposewouldhavebeenhis。
AnhourmoreandtherewasstillnolightintheEast。Anhourmoreandoneredstreakhadshotupward;thenaheadofhimgleamedapicketfire——afirethatseemedfartherfromtownthananyposthehadseenonhiswaydowntotheCapital——buthegallopedon。Withinfiftyyardsacrycame:
"Halt!Whocomesthere?"
"Friend,"heshouted,reiningin。AbulletwhizzedpasthisheadashepulledupoutsidetheedgeofthefireandChadshoutedindignantly:
"Don'tshoot,youfool!IhaveamessageforGeneralWard!"
"Oh!Allright!Comeon!"saidthesentinel,buthishesitationandthetoneofhisvoicemadetheboyalertwithsuspicion。Theotherpicketsaboutthefirehadrisenandgraspedtheirmuskets。ThewindflaredtheflamesjustthenandintheleapinglightChadsawthattheiruniformsweregray。
Theboyalmostgasped。Therewasneedforquickthoughtandquickactionnow。
"Lowerthatblunderbuss,"hecalledout,jestingly,andkickingloosefromonestirrup,hetouchedDixiewiththespurandpulledherupwithanimpatient"Whoa,"asthoughheweretryingtoreplacehisfoot。
"Youcomeon!"saidthesentinel,buthedroppedhismuskettothehollowofhisarm,and,beforehecouldthrowittohisshoulderagain,fireflashedunderDixie'sfeetandtheastonishedrebelsawhorseandriderriseoverthepike-fence。HisbulletwentoverheadasDixielandedontheotherside,andthepicketsatthefirejoinedinafusilladeatthedarkshapesspeedingacrossthebluegrassfield。AmomentlaterChad'smockingyellrangfromtheedgeofthewoodsbeyondandthedisgustedsentinelsplitthenightwithoaths。
"Thatbeatsthedevil。WenevertouchedhimIswear,Ibelievethathosshadwings。"
Morgan!TheflashofthatnameacrosshisbrainclearedthemysteryforChadlikemagic。NobodybutMorganandhisdaredevilscouldriseoutofthegroundlikethatintheverymidstofenemieswhentheyweresupposedtobehundredsofMllesaway~nTennessee。Morganhadcutthosewires。MorganhadeveryroadaroundLexingtonguarded,nodoubt,andwasatthathourhemminginChad'sunsuspiciousregiment,whosecampwasontheothersideoftown,andunlesshecouldgivewarning,Morganwoulddroplikeathunderboltonit,asleep。Hemustcirclethetownnowtogetaroundtherebelposts,andthatmeantseveralmilesmoreforDixie。
Hestoppedandreacheddowntofeelthelittlemare'sflanks。Dixiedrewalongbreathanddroppedhermuzzletotearuparichmouthfulofbluegrass。
"Oh,youbeauty!"saidtheboy,"youwonder!"Andonhewent,throughwoodlandandfield,overgully,log,andfence,bulletsringingafterhimfromnearlyeveryroadhecrossed。
Morganwasnear。Indisguise,whenBraggretreated,hehadgotpermissiontoleaveKentuckyinhisownway。ThatmeantwheelingandmakingstraightbacktoLexingtontosurprisetheFourthOhioCavalry;representinghimselfontheway,onenight,ashisoldenemyWolford,andbeingguidedashortcutthroughtheedgeoftheBluegrassbyanardentadmireroftheYankeeColonel——thesaidadmirergivingMorgantheworsttiradepossible,meanwhile,andnearlytumblingfromhishorsewhenMorgantoldhimwhohewasandsarcasticallyadvisedhimtomakesurenexttimetowhomhepaidhiscompliments。
SothatwhileChad,withthepreciousmessageunderhisjacket,andDixiewerelightlythunderingalongtheroad,Morgan'sMenweregobblinguppicketsaroundLexingtonandmakingreadyforanattackonthesleepingcampatdawn。
Thedawnwasnearlybreakingnow,andHarryDeanwaspacingtoandfrobeforetheoldCourtHousewhereDanandRebelJerrylayunderguard——pacingtoandfroandwaitingforhismotherandsistertocometosaythelastgood-bytotheboy——forHarryhadgivenuphopeandhadsentforthem。AtthatveryhourRichardHuntwasleadinghisregimentaroundtheAshlandwoodswheretheenemylay;anotherregimentwastakingitsplacebetweenthecampandthetown,andgrayfigureswereslippingnoiselesslyontheprovost-guardthatwatchedtherebelprisonerswhowerewaitingfordeathatsunrise。Asthedawnbroke,thedashcame,andHarryDeanwassickatheartashesharplyralliedthestartledguardtopreventtherescueofhisownbrotherandstraightwaydeliriouswithjoywhenhesawthegraymasssweepingonhimandknewthathewouldfail。A
fewshotsrangout;thefarrattleofmusketryrosebetweenthecampandtown;
thethunderofthe"BullPups"salutedthecominglight,andDanandRebelJerryhadsuddenly——insteadofdeath——life,liberty,arms,ahorseeach,andthesuddenpursuitofhappinessinawilddashtowardtheYankeecamp,while~nadew-drenchedmeadowtwomilesawayChadBuforddrewDixieintolisten。
Thefightwason。
Iftherebelswon,DanDeanwouldbesafe;iftheYankees——thentherewouldstillbeneedofhimandthepaperoverhisheart。Hewastoolatetowarn,butnot,maybe,tofight——sohegallopedon。
Buttheendcameashegalloped。TheamazedFourthOhiothrewdownitsarmsatonce,andRichardHuntandhismen,astheysatontheirhorsesoutsidethecamppickingupstragglers,sawalonescoutcomingatagallopacrossthestill,grayfields。Hishorsewasblackandhisuniformwasblue,buthecamestraighton,apparentlynotseeingtherebelsbehindtheraggedhedgealongtheroad。Whenwithinthirtyyards,RichardHuntrodethrougharoadsidegatetomeethimandsaluted。
"Youaremyprisoner,"hesaid,courteously。
TheYankeeneverstopped,butwheeled,almostbrushingthehedgeasheturned。
"Prisoner——hell!"hesaid,clearly,andlikeabirdwasskimmingawaywhilethemenbehindthehedge,paralyzedbyhisdaring,firednotashot。OnlyDanDeanstartedthroughthegateinpursuit。
"Iwanthim,"hesaid,savagely。
"Who'sthat?"askedMorgan,whohadriddenup。
"That'saYankee,"laughedColonelHunt。
"Whydidn'tyoushoothim?"TheColonellaughedagain。
"Idon'tknow,"hesaid,lookingaroundathismen,who,too,weresmiling。
"That'sthefellowwhogaveussomuchtroubleintheGreenRiverCountry,"
saidasoldier。"It'sChadBuford。"
"Well,I'mgladwedidn'tshoothim,"saidColonelHunt,thinkingofMargaret。
Thatwasnotthewayhelikedtodisposeofarival。
"Danwillcatchhim,"saidanofficer。Hewantshimbad,andIdon'twonder。"
JustthenChadliftedDixieoverafence。
"Notmuch,"saidMorgan。"I'dratheryou'dshothimthanthathorse。"
Danwasgainingnow,andChad,inthemiddleofthefieldbeyondthefence,turnedhisheadandsawthelonerebelinpursuit。DeliberatelyhepulledwearyDixiein,facedabout,andwaited。Hedrewhispistol,raisedit,sawthattherebelwasDanielDean,anddroppeditagaintohisside。Verilythefortuneofthatwarwasstrange。Dan'shorserefusedthefenceandtheboy,inarage,liftedhispistolandfired。AgainChadraisedhisownpistolandagainhelowereditjustasDanfiredagain。ThistimeChadlurchedinhissaddle,butrecoveringhimself,turnedandgallopedslowlyaway,whileDan——hispistolhangingathisside——staredafterhim,andthewonderingrebelsbehindthehedgestaredhardatDan……
Allwasover。TheFourthOhioCavalrywasinrebelhands,andafewminuteslaterDanrodewithGeneralMorganandColonelHunttowardtheYankeecamp。
Therehadbeenmanyblundersinthefight。Regimentshadfiredintoeachotherintheconfusionandthe"BullPups"hadkeptonpoundingtheYankeecampevenwhiletherebelsweretakingpossessionofit。OnthewaytheymetRenfrew,theSilent,inhisbrilliantZouavejacket。
"Colonel,"hesaid,indignantly——anditwasthefirsttimemanyhadeverheardhimopenhislips——"someofficerovertheredeliberatelyfiredtwiceatme,thoughIwasholdingmyarmsovermyhead。"
"Itwasdark,"saidColonelHunt,soothingly。"Hedidn'tknowyou。"
"Ah,Colonel,hemightnothaveknownme——buthemusthaveknownthisjacket。"
Ontheoutskirtsofonegroupofprisonerswasatall,slenderyounglieutenantwithastreakofbloodacrossonecheek。Danpulledinhishorseandthetwometeachother'seyessilently。Danthrewhimselffromhishorse。
"Areyouhurt,Harry?"
"It'snothing——butyou'vegotme,Dan。"
"Why,Harry!"saidMorgan。"Isthatyou?Youareparoled,myboy,"headded,kindly。"Gohomeandstayuntilyouareexchanged。"
So,Harry,asaprisoner,didwhathehadnotdonebefore——hewenthomeimmediately。AndhomewithhimwentDanandColonelHunt,whiletheycould,fortheYankeeswouldsoonbeafterthemfromthenorth,east,southandwest。
BehindthemtrottedRebelJerry。Ontheedgeoftowntheysawanegrolashingapairofhorsesalongtheturnpiketowardthem。Twowhitefacedwomenwereseatedinacarriagebehindhim,andinamomentDanwasinthearmsofhismotherandsisterandbothwomenwerelooking,throughtears,theirspeechlessgratitudetoRichardHunt。
ThethreeConfederatesdidnotstaylongattheDeans'。JerryDillonwasonthelookout,andevenwhiletheDeanswereatdinner,RufusraninwiththefamiliarcrythatYankeeswerecoming。Itwasaregimentfromanadjoiningcounty,butColonelHuntfinishedhiscoffee,amidalltheexcitement,mostleisurely。
"You'llpardonusforeatingandrunning,won'tyou,Mrs。Dean?"ItwasthefirsttimeinherlifethatMrs。Deaneverspeededapartingguest。
"Oh,dohurry,Colonel——please,please。"Danlaughed。
"Good-by,Harry,"hesaid。"We'llgiveyouaweekortwoathomebeforewegetthatexchange。"
"Don'tmakeitanylongerthannecessary,please,"saidHarry,gravely。
"We'recomingbackagain,Mrs。Dean,"saidheColonel,andtheninalowertonetoMargaret:"I'mcomingoften,"headded,andMargaretblushedinawaythatwouldnothavegivenverygreatjoytooneChadwickBuford。
Veryleisurelythethreerodeouttothepikegate,wheretheyhaltedandsurveyedtheadvancingcolumn,whichwasstillseveralhundredyardsaway,andthenwithalastwaveoftheircaps,startedinaslowgallopfortown。Theadvanceguardstartedsuddenlyinpursuit,andtheDeanssawDanturninhissaddleandheardhisdefiantyell。Margaretrandownandfixedherflaginitsplaceonthefence——Harrywatchingher。
"Mother,"hesaid,sadly,"youdon'tknowwhattroubleyoumaybelayingforupyourself。"
Fatecouldhardlylayupmorethanwhatshealreadyhad,butthemothersmiled。
"IcandonothingwithMargaret,"shesaid。
IntowntheFederalflagshadbeenfurledandtheStarsandBarsthrownouttothewind。MorganwaspreparingtomarchwhenDanandColonelHuntgallopeduptohead-quarters。
"They'recoming,"saidHunt,quietly。
"Yes,"saidMorgan,"fromeverydirection。"
"Ah,John,"calledanoldfellow,who,thoughaUnionist,believinginkeepingpeacewithbothsides,"whenwedon'texpectyou——thenisthetimeyoucome。
Goingtostaylong?"
"Notlong,"saidMorgan,grimly。"Infact,Iguesswe'llbemovingalongnow。"
Andhedid——backtoDixiewithhisprisoners,tearinguprailroads,burningbridgesandtrestles,andpursuedbyenoughYankeestohaveeatenhimandhisentirecommandiftheyevercouldhavecaughthim。AstheypassedintoDixie,"Lightning"capturedatelegraphofficeandhadalastlittleflingathisYankeebrethren。
"Head-quarters,TelegraphDept。ofKy。,ConfederateStatesofAmerica"——thusheheadedhisGeneralOrderNo。tothevariousUnionauthoritiesthroughouttheState"Hereafter,"heclicked,grinning,"anoperatorwilldestroytelegraphicinstrumentsandallmaterialinchargewheninformedthatMorganhascrossedtheborder。SuchinstancesofcarelessnessaslatelyhavebeenexhibitedintheBluegrasswillbeseverelydealtwith。
"ByorderofLIGHTNING,"Gen。Supt。C。S。Tel。Dept。"
JustaboutthattimeChadBuford,inaYankeehospital,wascomingbackfromthelandofetherdreams。Anhourlater,thesurgeonwhohadtakenDan'sbulletfromhisshoulder,handedhimapieceofpaper,blackwithfadedbloodandscarcelylegible。
"Ifoundthatinyourjacket,"hesaid。"Isitimportant?"
Chadsmiled。
"No,"hesaid。"Notnow。"
CHAPTER25。AFTERDAWSDILLON——GUERILLA
Oncemore,andforthelasttime,ChadwickBufordjoggedalongtheturnpikefromtheOhiototheheartoftheBluegrass。Hehadfilledhisemptyshoulder-strapswithtwobars。Hehadabulletwoundthroughoneshoulderandtherewasabeautifulsabrecutacrosshisrightcheek。Helookedthesoldiereveryinchofhim;hewas,intruth,whathelooked;andhewas,moreover,aman。Naturally,hisfacewassternandresolute,ifonlyfromhabitofauthority,buthehadknownnopassionduringthewarthatmighthaveseareditskindness;nootherfeelingtowardhisfoesthanadmirationfortheirunquenchablecourageandmiserableregretthattosuchmenhemustbeafoe。
Now,itwascomingspringagain——thespringof'64,andbutonemoreyearofthewartocome。
ThecaptureoftheFourthOhiobyMorganthatautumnof'62hadgivenChadhislong-looked-forchance。HeturnedDixie'sheadtowardthefoothillstojoinWolford,forwithWolfordwastheworkthatheloved——thatleaderbeingmorelikeMorganinhismethodanddaringthananyotherFederalcavalrymaninthefieldbehindhim,inKentucky,helefttheStateundermartialswayoncemore,and,thereafter,thetroublesofrebelsympathizersmultipliedsteadily,forneveragainwastheStateunderrebelcontrol。Aheavyhandwaslaidoneveryrebelroof。MajorBufordwassenttoprisonagain。GeneralDeanwasinVirginia,fighting,andonlythefactthattherewasnomanintheDeanhouseholdonwhomvengeancecouldfall,savedMargaretandMrs。Deanfromsuffering,buteventhetimeofwomenwastocome。
Onthelastdayof'62,MurfreesborowasfoughtandthesecondgreateffortoftheConfederacyattheWestwaslost。AgainBraggwithdrew。OnNewYear'sDay,'63,Lincolnfreedtheslaves——andnorebelwasmoreindignantthanwasChadwickBuford。TheKentuckyUnionists,ingeneral,protested:theConfederateshadbrokentheConstitution,theysaid;theUnionistswerehelpingtomaintainthatcontractandnowtheFederalshadbrokentheConstitution,andtheirownhighgroundwassweptfrombeneaththeirfeet。
Theyprotestedasbitterlyastheirfoes,beitsaid,againsttheFederalsbreakinguppoliticalconventionswithbayonetsandagainsttheruinofinnocentcitizensforthecrimesofguerillas,forwhoseactsnobodywasresponsible,butalltonoavail。Theterrorismonlygrewthemore。
Whensummercame,andwhileGrantwasbisectingtheConfederacyatVicksburg,byopeningtheMississippi,andLeewasfightingGettysburg,Chad,withWolford,chasedMorganwhenhegatheredhisclansforhislastdaringventure——tocrosstheOhioandstriketheenemyonitsownhearth-stones——andthusgivehimalittletasteofwhattheSouthhadlongknownfrombordertoborder。PursuedbyFederals,Morgangotacrosstheriver,wavingafarewelltohispursuingenemiesontheotherbank,andstruckout。Withinthreedays,onehundredthousandmenwereafterhimandhistwothousanddaredevils,cuttingdowntreesbehindhimincaseheshouldreturn!,flankinghim,gettinginhisfront,butonhewent,uncaughtandspreadingterrorforathousandmiles,whilebehindhimforsixhundredmilescountrypeoplelinedthedustyroad,singing"Rally'roundtheFlag,Boys,"andhandingoutfriedchickenandblackberry-pietohispursuers。Mentakenafterwardwithtyphoidfeversangthatsongthroughtheirdeliriumandtastedfriedchickennomoreaslongastheylived。HemmedinasMorganwas,hewouldhavegottenaway,butforthefactthataheavyfogmadehimmissthecrossingoftheriver,andforthefurtherreasonthatthefirstriseintheriverinthatmonthfortwentyyearsmadeitimpossibleforhiscommandtoswim。Hemighthavefoughtout,buthisammunitionwasgone。Manydidescape,andMorganhimselfcouldhavegottenaway。Chad,himself,sawtherebelchiefswimmingtheriveronapowerfulhorse,followedbyanegroservantonanother——sawhimturndeliberatelyinthemiddleofthestream,whenitwasplainthathiscommandcouldnotescape,andmakefortheOhioshoretosharethefortunesofhisbelovedofficerswhowereleftbehind。Chadheardhimshouttothenegro:
"Goback,youwillbedrowned。"ThenegroturnedhisfaceandChadlaughed——itwasSnowball,grinningandshakinghishead:
"No,MarsJohn,nosuh!"heyelled。"It'sallrightferYOU!YOUcangitafurlough,butdisniggerain'tgwinetobecotchedinnofreeState。'Sides,MarsDan,hegwinetogetaway,too。"AndDandidgetaway,andChad,tohisshame,sawMorganandColonelHuntloadedonaboattobesentdowntoprisoninaStatepenitentiary!ItwasagratefulsurprisetoChad,twomonthslater,tolearnfromaFederalofficerthatMorganwithsixothershaddugoutofprisonandescaped。
"Iwasgoingthroughthatverytown,"saidtheofficer,"andafellow,shavedandshearedlikeaconvict,gotaboardandsatdowninthesameseatwithme。
Aswepassedthepenitentiary,heturnedwithayawn——andsaid,inamatter-of-factway:
"'That'swhereMorganiskept,isn'tit?"andthenhedrewoutaflask。I
thoughthehadwonderfullygoodmannersinspiteofhislooks,and,sohelpme,ifhedidn'twavehishand,bowlikeaBayard,andhanditovertome:
"'Let'sdrinktothehopethatMorganmayalwaysbeassafeasheisnow。'I
dranktohistoastwithaheartyAmen,andthefellownevercrackedasmile。
ItwasMorganhimself。"
Earlyin'64theorderhadgoneroundfornegroestobeenrolledassoldiers,andagainnorebelfeltmoreoutragedthanChadwickBuford。Wolford,hiscommander,wasdishonorablydismissedfromtheserviceforbitterprotestsandharshopencriticismoftheGovernment,andChad,himself,feltliketearingoffwithhisownhandsthestrapswhichhehadwonwithsomuchbraveryandwornwithsomuchpride。ButtheinstinctthatledhimintotheUnionservicekepthislipssealedwhenhisrespectforthatservice,inhisownState,waswell-nighgone——kepthiminthatStatewherehethoughthisdutylay。Therewasneedofhimandthousandsmorelikehim。For,whileactivewarwasnowoverinKentucky,itsbroodofevilswasstillthickening。EverycountyintheStatewasravagedbyaguerillaband——andtheranksofthesemaraudersbegantobeswelledbyConfederates,particularlyinthemountainsandinthehillsthatskirtthem。Banks,trains,publicvaults,stores,wererobbedrightandleft,andmurderandrevengewereofdailyoccurrence。DawsDillonwasanopenterrorbothinthemountainsandintheBluegrass。HithertothebandshadbeenUnionandConfederatebutnow,moreandmore,menwhohadbeenrebelsjoinedthem。AndChadBufordcouldunderstand。For,manyarebelsoldier——"hopelessnowforhiscause,"asRichardHuntwaswonttosay,"fightingfrompride,bereftofsympathy,aid,andencouragementthatheoncereceived,andcompelledtowringexistencefromhisowncountrymen;acavalrymanonsomeout-postdepartment,perhaps,withoutrations,flutteringwithrags;shod,ifshodatall,withshoesthatsuckedinrainandcold;sleepingatnightundertheblanketthatkepthissaddlebydayfromhissore-backedhorse;paid,ifpaidatall,withwastepaper;hardenedintorecklessnessbywar——manyarebelsoldierthusbecameaguerrilla——consolinghimself,perhaps,withthethoughtthathisdesertionwasnottotheenemy。"
Badasthemethodsofsuchmenwere,theywerehardlyworsethanthemeanstakeninretaliation。Atfirst,Confederatesympathizerswerearrestedandheldashostagesforallpersonscapturedanddetainedbyguerillas。Later,whenacitizenwaskilledbyoneofthesebands,fourprisoners,supposedtobechosenfromthisclassoffree-booters,weretakenfromprisonandshottodeathonthespotwherethedeedwasdone。Nowitwasrarethatoneofthesebrigandswasevertakenalive,andthusregularsoldieraftersoldierwhowasaprisonerofwar,andentitledtoconsiderationassuch,wastakenfromprisonandmurderedbytheCommandantwithoutevenacourt-martial。ItwassuchadeaththatDanDeanandRebelJerryhadnarrowlyescaped。Unionmenwereimprisonedevenforprotestingagainsttheseoutrages,sothatbetweenguerillaandprovost-marshalnocitizen,whetherFederalorConfederate,insympathy,feltsafeinproperty,life,orliberty。ThebetterUnionistswerealienated,butworseyetwastocome。Hitherto,onlythefinestchivalryhadbeenshownwomenandchildrenthroughoutthewar。Womenwhosebrothersandhusbandsandsonswereintherebelarmy,ordeadonthebattle-field,werebanishednowwiththeirchildrentoCanadaunderanegroguard,orsenttoprison。Stateauthoritiesbecameopenlyarrayedagainstprovost-marshalsandtheirfollowers。Therewasalmostanopenclash。TheGovernor,aUnionist,threatenedeventorecalltheKentuckytroopsfromthefieldtocomebackandprotecttheirhomes。EventheHomeGuardsgotdisgustedwiththeirmasters,andforawhileitseemedasiftheState,betweenguerillaandprovost-marshal,wouldgotopieces。FormonthstheConfederateshadrepudiatedallconnectionwiththesefree-bootersandhadjoinedwithFederalsinhuntingthemdown,butwhentheStategovernmenttriedtoraisetroopstocrushthem,theCommandantnotonlyorderedhistroopstoresisttheState,butorderedthemuster-outofallStatetroopstheninservice。
TheDeanslittleknewthenhowmuchtroubleCaptainChadBuford,whosedaringserviceagainstguerillashadgivenhimgreatpowerwiththeUnionauthorities,hadsavedthem——howhehadkeptthemfromarrestandimprisonmentonthechargeofnoneotherthanJeromeConners,theoverseer;howhehadriddenouttopayhispersonalrespectstothecomplainant,andthatbravegentleman,seeinghimfromafar,hadmountedhishorseandfled,terror-stricken。TheyneverknewthatjustafterthishehadgotafurloughandgonetoseeGranthimself,whohadsenthimontotellhisstorytoMr。
Lincoln"GobacktoKentucky,then,"saidGrant,withhisquietsmile,"andifGeneralWardhasnothingparticularforyoutodo,Iwanthimtosendyoutome,"andChadhadgonefromhim,dizzywithprideandhope。
"I'mgoingtodosomething,"saidMr。Lincoln,"andI'mgoingtodoitrightaway。"
Andnow,inthespringof'64,ChadcarriedinhisbreastdespatchesfromthePresidenthimselftoGeneralWardatLexington。
Asherodeoverthenexthill,fromwhichhewouldgethisfirstglimpseofhisoldhomeandtheDeans',hisheartbeatfastandhiseyessweptbothsidesoftheroad。BothhouseseventheDeans'——wereshutteredandclosed——bothtenantless。Hesawnotevenanegrocabinthatshowedasignoflife。
OnhewentatagalloptowardLexington。NotasinglerebelflaghadheseensincehelefttheOhio,norwasheatallsurprised;theendcouldnotbefaroff,andtherewasnochancethattheFederalswouldeveragainlosetheState。
OntheedgeofthetownheovertookaFederalofficer。ItwasHarryDean,paleandthinfromlongimprisonmentandsickness。HarryhadbeenwithSherman,hadbeencapturedagain,and,inprison,hadalmostdiedwithfever。HehadcomehometogetwellonlytofindhissisterandmothersentasexilestoCanada。
MajorBufordwasstillinprison,MissLucywasdead,andJeromeConnersseemedmasterofthehouseandfarm。GeneralDeanhadbeenkilled,hadbeensenthome,andwasburiedinthegarden。Itwasonlytwodaysaftertheburial,Harrysaid,thatMargaretandhermotherhadtoleavetheirhome。EventhebandagesthatMrs。DeanhadbroughtouttoChad'swoundedsergeant,thatnighthehadcapturedandlostDan,hadbeenbroughtupasproofthatsheandMargaretwereaidingandabettingConfederates。DanhadgonetojoinMorganandColonelHuntoverinsouthwesternVirginia,whereMorganhadatlastgotanewcommandonlyafewmonthsbefore。Harrymadenowordofcomment,butChad'sheartgotbitterasgallashelistened。AndthishadhappenedtotheDeanswhilehewasgonetoservethem。ButthebloodyCommandantoftheStatewouldberemovedfrompower——thatmuchgoodhadbeendone——asChadlearnedwhenhepresentedhimself,withablackface,tohisgeneral。
"Icouldnothelpit,"saidtheGeneral,quickly。"HeseemstohavehatedtheDeans。"Andagainreadthedespatchesslowly。"Youhavedonegoodwork。Therewillbelesstroublenow。"Thenhepaused。"IhavehadaletterfromGeneralGrant。Hewantsyouonhisstaff。"Againhepaused,andittookthethreepastyearsofdisciplinetohelpChadkeephisself-control。"Thatis,ifIhavenothingparticularforyoutodo。Heseemstoknowwhatyouhavedoneandtosuspectthattheremaybesomethingmorehereforyoutodo。He'sright。I
wantyoutodestroyDawsDillonandhisband。Therewillbenopeaceuntilheisoutoftheway。Youknowthemountainsbetterthananybody。Youarethemanforthework。YouwilltakeonecompanyfromWolford'sregiment——hehasbeenreinstated,youknow——andgoatonce。Whenyouhavefinishedthat——youcangotoGeneralGrant。"TheGeneralsmiled。"Youareratheryoungtobesonearamajor——perhaps。"
Amajor!ThequickjoyofthethoughtlefthimwhenhewentdownthestairstotheporticoandsawHarryDean'sthin,sadface,andthoughtofthenewgraveintheDeans'gardenandthosetwolonelywomeninexile。Therewasonesmallgrainofconsolation。Itwashisoldenemy,DawsDillon,whohadslainJoelTurner;DawswhohadalmostruinedMajorBufordandhadsenthimtoprison——DawshadplayednosmallpartinthesorrowsoftheDeans,andontheheelsofDawsDillonhesoonwouldbe。
"IsupposeIamtogowithyou,"saidHarry。
"Why,yes,"saidChad,startled;"howdidyouknow?"
"Ididn'tknow。HowfarisDillon'shiding-placefromwhereMorganis?"
"Acrossthemountains。"Chadunderstoodsuddenly。"Youwon'thavetogo,"hesaid,quickly。
"I'llgowhereIamordered,"saidHarryDean。
CHAPTER26。BROTHERAGAINSTBROTHERATLAST
ItwasthefirstwarmdayofspringandthesunshinewasverysoothingtoMelissaasshesatontheoldporchearlyintheafternoon。Perhapsitwasamemoryofchildhood,perhapsshewasthinkingofthehappydayssheandChadhadspentontheriverbanklongago,andperhapsitwasthesuddenthoughtthat,withthelittletheyhadtoeatinthehouseandthatlittlethesamethreetimesaday,weekinandweekout,MotherTurner,whohadbeenailing,wouldliketohavesomefish;perhapsitwastheprimitivehuntinginstinctthat,onsuchaday,setsacountryboy'sfingersitchingforasquirrelrifleoracanefishing-pole,butshesprangfromherseat,leavingoldJacktodozeontheporch,and,inhalfanhour,wascroucheddownbehindaboulderbelowtheriverbend,droppingawrigglingwormintoadark,stillpool。Asshesatthere,contentedandluckless,thesungrewsowarmthatshegotdrowsyanddozed——howlongshedidnotknow——butsheawokewithastartandwithafrightenedsensethatsomeonewasnearher,thoughshecouldhearnosound。
Butshelaystill——herheartbeatinghigh——andsosurethatherinstinctwastruethatshewasnotevensurprisedwhensheheardavoiceinthethicketabove——alowvoice,butonesheknewperfectlywell:
"Itellyouhe'sa-comin'uptherivernow。He'sa-goin'tostaywitholeHamBlaketer-nightoverthemountainan'he'llbea-comin'throughHurricaneGap'boutdaylighttermorrerornextday,shore。He'sgotaloto'men,butwecanlayway'emintheGapan'gitawayallright。"ItwasTadDillonspeaking——DawsDillon,hisbrother,answered:
"Idon'twanttokillanybodybutthatdamnedChad——CaptainChadBUFORD,hecallshisself。"
"Well,wecangithimallright。Iheerdthattheywasa-lookin'ferusan'
wasgoin'toketchusiftheycould。"
"IwishIknowedthatwasso,"saidDawswithanoath。"Naryaoneof'emwouldgitawayaliveifIjustknoweditwasso。Butwe'llgitCAPTAINChadBuford,shoreashell!YougotelltheboystoguardtheGapter-night。Theymoughtcomethroughaforeday。"AndthenthenoiseoftheirfootstepsfaintedoutofhearingandMelissaroseandspedbacktothehouse。
Frombehindaclumpofbushesabovewhereshehadsat,rosethegiganticfigureofRebelJerryDillon。Helookedaftertheflyinggirlwithagrimsmileandthendroppedhisgreatbulkdownonthebedofmosswherehehadbeenlisteningtotheplanofhisenemiesandkinsmen。JerryhadmademanyexpeditionsoverfromVirginialatelyandeachtimehehadgonebackwithanewnotchonthemurderousknifethathecarriedinhisbelt。Hehadbuttwopersonalenemiesalivenow——DawsDillon,whohadtriedtohavehimshot,andhisownbrother,YankeeJake。ThiswasthesecondtimehehadbeenoverforDaws,andafterhisfirsttriphehadpersuadedDantoaskpermissionfromGeneralMorgantotakeacompanyintoKentuckyanddestroyDawsandhisband,andMorganhadgivenhimleave,forFederalsandConfederateswerechasingdowntheseguerillasnow——sometimesevenjoiningforcestofurthertheircommonpurpose。JerryhadbeenslippingthroughthewoodsafterDaws,meaningtocrawlcloseenoughtokillhimand,perhaps,TadDillontoo,ifnecessary,butafterhearingtheirplanhehadletthemgo,forabiggerchancemightbeathand。IfChadBufordwasinthemountainslookingforDaws,YankeeJakewaswithhim。IfhekilledDawsnow,Chadandhismenwouldhearofhisdeathandwouldgoback,mostlikely——andthatwasthethoughtthatcheckedhisfingeronthetriggerofhispistol。Anotherthoughtnowliftedhimtohisfeetwithsurprisingquicknessandsenthimonarundowntheriverwherehishorsewashitchedinthebushes。HewouldgooverthemountainforDan。HecouldleadDanandhismentoHurricaneGapbydaylight。ChadBufordcouldfightitoutwithDawsandhisgang,andheandDanwouldfightitoutwiththemenwhowon——nomatterwhetherYankeesorguerillas。AndagrimsmilestayedonRebelJerry'sfaceasheclimbed。
OntheporchoftheTurnercabinsatMelissawithherhandsclinchedandoldJack'sheadinherlap。TherewasnouseworryingMotherTurner——shefearedeventotellher——butwhatshouldshedo?Shemightboldlycrossthemountainnow,forshewasknowntobearebel,buttheDillonsknowing,too,howcloseChadhadoncebeentotheTurnersmightsuspectandstopher。No,ifshewentatall,shemustgoafternightfall——buthowwouldshegetawayfromMotherTurner,andhowcouldshemakeherway,undetectedthroughHurricaneGap?Thecliffsweresosteepandclosetogetherinoneplacethatshecouldhardlypassmorethanfortyfeetfromtheroadoneithersideandshecouldnotpassthatclosetopicketsandnotbeheard。HerbrainachedwithplanningandshewassoabsorbedasnightcameonthatseveraltimesoldMotherTurnerquerulouslyaskedwhatwasailingherandwhyshedidnotpaymoreheedtoherwork,andthegirlansweredherpatientlyandwentonwithherplanning。
Beforedark,sheknewwhatshewoulddo,andaftertheoldmotherwasasleep,sherosesoftlyandslippedoutthedoorwithoutawakeningevenoldJack,andwenttothebarn,whereshegotthesheep-bellthatoldBeelzebubusedtowearandwiththeclappercaughtinonehand,tokeepthebellfromtinkling,shewentswiftlydowntheroadtowardHurricaneGap。Severaltimesshehadtodartintothebusheswhilemenonhorsebackrodebyher,andonceshecamenearbeingcaughtbythreemenonfoot——allhurryingatDawsDillon'sordertotheGapthroughwhichshemustgo。Whentheroadturnedfromtheriver,shewentslowlyalongtheedgeofit,sothatifdiscovered,shecouldleapwithonespringintothebushes。Itwasraining——acolddrizzlethatbegantochillherandsethertocoughingsothatshewashalfafraidthatshemightdiscloseherself。AtthemouthoftheGapshesawafireononesideoftheroadandcouldheartalking,butshehadnodifficultypassingit,ontheotherside。
Buton,wheretheGapnarrowed——therewasthetrouble。Itmusthavebeenanhourbeforemidnightwhenshetremblinglynearedthenarrowdefile。Therainhadceased,andasshecreptaroundabouldershecouldsee,bythelightofthemoonbetweentwoblackclouds,twosentinelsbeyond。Thecrisiswasathandnow。Sheslippedtoonesideoftheroad,climbedthecliffashighasshecouldandcreptaboutit。Shewaspastonepicketnow,andinhereagernessonefootslippedandshehalffell。Shealmostheldherbreathandlaystill。
"Ihearsomethin'uptharinthebresh,"shoutedthesecondpicket。"Halt!"
Melissatinkledthesheep-bellandpushedabushtoandfroasthoughasheeporacowmightberubbingitself,andthepicketshehadpassedlaughedaloud。
"Goin'toshootoleSallyPerkins'scow,airyou?"hesaid,jeeringly。"Yes,I
heerdher,"headded,lying;for,beingupallthenightbefore,hehaddrowsedathispost。Amomentlater,Melissamovedon,makingconsiderablenoiseandtinklingherbellconstantly。Shewasnearthetopnowandwhenshepeeredoutthroughthebushes,noonewasinsightandsheleapedintotheroadandfleddownthemountain。Atthefootofthespuranotherringingcrysmotethedarknessinfrontofher:
"Halt!Whogoesthere?"
"Don'tshoot!"shecried,weakly。"It'sonlyme。"
"Advance,'Me,'"saidthepicket,astonishedtohearawoman'svoice。Andthenintothelightofhisfiresteppedashepherdesswithasheep-bellinherhand,withabeautiful,pale,distressedface,awet,clingingdress,andmassesofyellowhairsurgingoutoftheshawloverherhead。Theillstartledpicketdroppedthebuttofhismuskettothegroundandstared。
"IwanttoseeCh——,yourcaptain,"shesaid,timidly。
"Allright,"saidthesoldier,courteously。"He'sjustbelowthereandIguesshe'sup。Wearegettingreadytostartnow。Comealong。"
"Oh,no!"saidMelissa,hurriedly。"Ican'tgodownthere。"IthadjuststruckherthatChadmustnotseeher;butthepicketthoughtshenaturallydidnotwishtofacealotofsoldiersinherbedraggledandtorndress,andhesaidquickly:
"Allright。GivemeyourmessageandI'lltakeittohim。"Hesmiled。"Youcanwaithereandstandguard。"
Melissatoldhimhurriedlyhowshehadcomeoverthemountainandwhatwasgoingonoverthere,andthepicketwithalowwhistlestarteddowntowardhiscampwithoutanotherword。
Chadcouldnotdoubttheaccuracyoftheinformation——thepickethadnamesandfacts。
"Agirl,yousay?"
"Yes,sir"——thesoldierhesitated——"andaveryprettyone,too。Shecameoverthemountainaloneandonfootthroughthisdarkness。Shepassedthepicketsontheotherside——pretendingtobeasheep。Shehadabellinherhand。"Chadsmiled——heknewthattrick。
"Whereisshe?"
"She'sstandingguardforme。"
ThepicketturnedatagesturefromChadandledtheway。TheyfoundnoMelissa。ShehadheardChad'svoiceandfledupthemountain。Beforedaybreakshewasdescendingthemountainontheotherside,alongthesameway,tinklinghersheep-bellandcreepingpastthepickets。Itwasrainingagainnowandhercoldhadgrownworse。Severaltimesshehadtomuffleherfaceintohershawltokeephercoughfrombetrayingher。AsshepassedthefordbelowtheTurnercabin,sheheardthesplashofmanyhorsescrossingtheriverandsheranon,frightenedandwondering。BeforedaybrokeshehadslippedintoherbedwithoutarousingMotherTurner,andshedidnotgetupthatday,butlayillabed。
ThesplashingofthosemanyhorseswasmadebyCaptainDanielDeanandhismen,guidedbyRebelJerry。HighonthemountainsidetheyhidtheirhorsesinaravineandcrepttowardtheGaponfoot——sothatwhileDawswithhisgangwaitedforChad,therebelslayinthebrushwaitingforhim。Danwasmerryovertheprospect:
"Wewilljustletthemfightitout,"hesaid,"andthenwe'lldashinandgobble'embothup。Thatwasafineschemeofyours,Jerry。"
RebelJerrysmiled:therewasonethinghehadnottoldhiscaptain——whothoserebelswere。Purposelyhehadkeptthatfacthidden。HehadseenDanpurposelyrefrainfromkillingChadBufordonceandhefearedthatDanmightthinkhisbrotherHarrywasamongtheYankees。AllthisRebelJerryfailedtounderstand,andhewantednothingknownnowthatmightstayanybody'shand。
Dawnbrokeandnothinghappened。Notashotrangoutandonlythesmokeoftheguerillas'fireshowedinthepeacefulmouthoftheGap。Danwantedtoattacktheguerillas,butJerrypersuadedhimtowaituntilhecouldlearnhowthelandlay,anddisappearedinthebushes。Atnoonhecameback。
"TheYankeeshavefoundoutDawsistharintheGap,"hesaid,"an'theyaregoin'toslipoverbeforedayter-morrerands'prisehim。Hitdon'tmakenodifferencetous,whichs'priseswhich——doesit?"
Sotherebelskepthidthroughthedayinthebushesonthemountainside,andwhenChadslippedthroughtheGapnextmorning,beforeday,andtookuptheguerillapickets,DanhadmovedintothesameGapfromtheotherside,andwaslyinginthebusheswithhismen,neartheguerillas'fire,waitingfortheYankeestomaketheirattack。Hehadnotlongtowait。Atthefirstwhitestreakofdawnoverhead,ashoutrangthroughthewoodsfromtheYankeestothestartledguerillas。
"Surrender!"Afusilladefollowed。Again:
"Surrender!"andtherewasashortsilence,brokenbylowcursesfromtheguerillas,andasternYankeevoicegivingshort,quickorders。Theguerillashadgivenup。RebelJerrymovedrestlesslyatDan'ssideandDancautionedhim。
"Wait!Letthemhavetimetodisarmtheprisoners,"hewhispered。
"Now,"headded,alittlewhilelater——"creepquietly,boys。"
Forwardtheywentlikesnakes,creepingtotheedgeofthebrushwhencetheycouldseethesullenguerillasgroupedononesideofthefire——theirarmsstacked,whileatallfigureinbluemovedhereandthere,andgaveordersinavoicethatallatonceseemedstrangelyfamiliartoDan。
"Now,boys,"hesaid,halfaloud,"give'emavolleyandcharge。"
Athiswordtherewasarattlingfusillade,andthentherebelsleapedfromthebushesanddashedontheastonishedYankeesandtheirprisoners。Itwaspistoltopistolatfirstandthentheyclosedtoknifethrustandmusketbutt,handtohand——inacloudofsmoke。AtthefirstfirefromtherebelsChadsawhisprisoner,DawsDillon,leapforthestackedarmsanddisappear。A
momentlater,ashewasemptyinghispistolathischargingfoes,hefeltabulletclipalockofhairfromthebackofhisheadandheturnedtoseeDawsonthefarthestedgeofthefirelightlevellinghispistolforanothershotbeforeheran。Likelightninghewheeledandwhenhisfingerpulledthetrigger,Dawssanklimply,hisgrinning,malignantfacesickeningashefell。
ThetallfellowinbluesnappedhispistolatDan,andasDan,whosepistol,too,wasempty,sprangforwardandclosedwithhim,heheardatriumphantyellbehindhimandRebelJerry'shugefigureflashedpasthim。WiththesameglancehesawamongtheYankeesanothergiant——wholookedlikeanotherJerry——sawhisfacegrowghastlywithfearwhenJerry'syellrose,andthengrowtautwithferocityashetuggedathissheathtomeetthemurderousknifeflashingtowardhim。TheterribleDillontwinswerecometogetheratlast,andDanshuddered,buthesawnomore,forhewasbusywiththelitheYankeeinwhosearmshewasclosed。Astheystruggled,DantriedtogethisknifeandtheYankeetuggedforhissecondpistoleachclaspingtheother'swrist。Notasounddidtheymakenorcouldeitherseetheother'sface,forDanhadhischininhisopponent'sbreastandwasstrivingtobendhimbackward。HehadclutchedtheYankee'srighthand,asitwentbackforhispistol,justastheYankeehadcaughthisrightinfront,feelingforhisknife。TheadvantagewouldhavebeenallDan'sexceptthattheYankeesuddenlyloosedhiswristandgrippedhimtightaboutthebodyinanunderhold,sothatDancouldnotwhirlhimround;buthecouldtwistthatwristandtwistithedid,withbothhandsandallhisstrength。OncetheYankeegaveasmotheredgroanofpainandDanheardhimgrithisteethtokeepitback。Thesmokehadliftednow,and,whentheyfell,itwasinthelightofthefire。TheYankeehadthrownhimwithaknee-trickthatHarryusedtotryonhimwhentheywereboys,butsomethingabouttheYankeesnapped,astheyfell,andhegroanedaloud。Clutchinghimbythethroat,Danthrewhimoft——hecouldgetathisknifenow。
"Surrender!"hesaid,hoarsely。
HisanswerwasaconvulsivestruggleandthentheYankeelaystill。
"Surrender!"saidDanagain,liftinghisknifeabovetheYankee'sbreast,"or,damnyou,I'll——"
TheYankeehadturnedhisfaceweaklytowardthefire,andDan,withacryofhorror,threwhisknifeawayandsprangtohisfeet。StraightwaytheYankee'sclosedeyesopenedandhesmiledfaintly。
"Why,Dan,isthatyou?"heasked。"Ithoughtitwouldcome,"headded,quietly,andthenHarryDeanlapsedintounconsciousness。
Thus,atitsbest,thisfratricidalwarwasbeingfoughtoutthatdaybreakinonelittlehollowoftheKentuckymountainsandthus,atitsworst,itwasbeingfoughtoutinanotherlittlehollowscarcelytwentyyardsaway,wherethegianttwins——RebelJerryandYankeeJake——whodidknowtheywerebrothers,soughteachother'slivesinmutualmisconceptionandmutualhate。
TherewereadozendeadFederalsandguerillasaroundthefire,andamongthemwasDawsDillonwiththepallorofdeathonhisfaceandthehatethatlifehadwrittentherestillclingingtoitlikeashadow。AsDanbenttenderlyoverhisbrotherHarry,twosoldiersbroughtinahugebodyfromthebushes,andheturnedtoseeRebelJerryDillon。Therewereahalfadozenrentsinhisuniformandafearfulslashunderhischin——buthewasbreathingstill。
ChadBufordhadescapedandsohadYankeeJake。
CHAPTER27。ATTHEHOSPITALOFMORGAN'SMEN
InMay,Grantsimplysaid——Forward!ThedayhecrossedtheRapidan,hesaidittoShermandowninGeorgia。AfterthebattleoftheWildernesshesaiditagain,andthelastbrutalresortofhammeringdownthenorthernbuttressandsea-walloftherebellion——oldVirginia——andAtlanta,thekeystoneoftheConfederatearch,waswellunderway。ThroughoutthosebloodydaysChadwaswithGrantandHarryDeanwaswithShermanonhisterribletrisectingmarchtothesea。For,afterthefightbetweenRebelsandYankeesandDawsDillon'sguerillaband,overinKentucky,Dan,comingbackfromanotherraidintotheBluegrass,hadfoundhisbrothergone。Harryhadrefusedtoacceptaparoleandhadescaped。Notaman,Danwastold,firedashotathim,asheran。Onesoldierraisedhismusket,butRenfrewtheSilentstruckthemuzzleupward。
InSeptember,Atlantafelland,inthatsamemonth,Dansawhisgreatleader,JohnMorgan,deadinTennessee。InDecember,theConfederacytoppledatthewestunderThomas'sblowsatNashville。Inthespringof'65,onehundredandthirty-fivethousandwretched,broken-downrebels,fromRichmondtotheRioGrande,confrontedGrant'smillionmen,andinApril,FiveForkswasthebeginningofthefinalendeverywhere。
Atmidnight,CaptainDanielDean,bearerofdispatchestothegreatConfederateGeneralinVirginia,rodeoutofabandonedRichmondwiththecavalryofyoungFitzhughLee。Theyhadthreadedtheirwayamidtroops,trains,andartilleryacrossthebridge。Thecitywasonfire。Byitslight,thestreamofhumanitywaspouringoutoftown——Davisandhiscabinet,citizens,soldiers,downtothemechanicsinthearmoriesandworkshops。Thechiefconcernwithallwasthesame,alittletoeatforafewdays;for,withthemorning,theenemywouldcomeandConfederatemoneywouldbeasmist。AfaroffthelittlefleetofConfederategunboatsblazedandthethunderingexplosionsoftheirmagazinessplittheclearair。Freightdepotswithsupplieswereburning。Plundererswerespreadingthefiresandslippinglikeghoulsthroughredlightandblackshadows。Atdaybreakthelastretreatinggunrumbledpastand,atsunrise,DanlookedbackfromthehillsonthesmokinganddesertedcityandGrant'sbluelinessweepingintoit。
Onceonlyhesawhisgreatchief——thenextmorningbeforeday,whenherodethroughthechillmistanddarknesstofindthehead-quartersofthecommandingGeneral——twolittlefiresofrubbishandtwoambulances——withLeelyingonablanketundertheopensky。Herose,asDandrewnear,andthefirelightfellfullonhisbronzedandmournfulface。Helookedsosadandsonoblethattheboy'sheartwaswrenched,andasDanturnedaway,hesaid,brokenly:
"General,IamGeneralDean'sson,andIwanttothankyou——"Hecouldgetnofarther。Leelaidonehandonhisshoulder。
"Beasgoodamanasyourfatherwas,myboy,"hesaid,andDanrodebackthepitiablewaythroughtherearofthatnoblearmyofVirginia——throughranksoftattered,worn,hungrysoldiers,amongthebrokendebrisofwagonsandabandonedguns,pastskeletonhorsesandskeletonmen。
Allhopewasgone,butFitzLeeledhiscavalrythroughtheYankeelinesandescaped。InthatflightDanielDeangothisonlywoundinthewar——abulletthroughtheshoulder。Whenthesurrendercame,FitzLeegaveup,too,andledbackhiscommandtogetGrant'sgenerousterms。Butallhismendidnotgowithhim,andamongthecavalrymenwhowentontowardsouthwesternVirginiawasDan——makinghiswaybacktoRichardHunt——fornowthatgallantMorganwasdead,Huntwasgeneraloftheoldcommand。
Behind,atAppomattox,ChadwaswithGrant。Hesawthesurrender——sawLeelooktowardhisarmy,whenhecamedownthestepsafterhehadgivenup,sawhimstrikehishandstogetherthreetimesandrideTravellerawaythroughtheprofoundandsilentrespectofhisenemiesandthetearfulworshipofhisownmen。AndChadgotpermissionstraightwaytogobacktoOhio,andhemusteredoutwithhisoldregiment,andhe,too,startedbackthroughVirginia。
Meanwhile,Danwasdrawingnearthemountains。HewaswornoutwhenhereachedAbingdon。Thewoundinhisshoulderwasfesteringandhewasinahighfever。
AtthecampofMorgan'sMenhefoundonlyahospitalleft——forGeneralHunthadgonesouthward——andahospitalwaswhathemostneedednow。Ashelay,unconsciouswithfever,nextday,agiantfigure,lyingnear,turnedhisheadandstaredattheboy。ItwasRebelJerryDillon,helplessfromasabrecutandfrightfullyscarredbythefearfulwoundshisbrother,YankeeJake,hadgivenhim。Andthus,ChadwickBuford,makingfortheOhio,sawthetwostrangemessmates,afewdayslater,whenherodeintothedesertedrebelcamp。
Allwasover。RedMarshadpassedbeyondthehorizonandthewhiteStarofPeacealreadyshonefaintlyontheravagedSouth。TheshatteredremnantsofMorgan'scavalry,pall-bearersoftheLostCause——hadgoneSouth——bare-footedandinrags——toguardJeffersonDavistosafety,andChad'sheartwaswrungwhenhesteppedintothelittlehospitaltheyhadleftbehind——aspaceclearedintoathicketofrhododendron。Therewasnotatent——therewaslittlemedicine——littlefood。Thedrizzlingraindroppedonthegroupofraggedsickmenfromthebranchesabovethem。Nearlyallwereyouthful,andtheyoungestwasamereboy,wholaydeliriouswithhisheadontherootofatree。AsChadstoodlooking,theboyopenedhiseyesandhismouthtwitchedwithpain。
"Hello,youdamnedYankee。"Againhismouthtwitchedandagaintheolddare-devillightthatChadknewsowellkindledinhishazyeyes。
"Isaid,"herepeated,distinctly,"Hello,youdamnedYank。DAMNEDYankI
said。"Chadbeckonedtotwomen。
"Gobringastretcher。"
Themenshooktheirheadswithagrimsmile——theyhadnostretcher。
Theboytalkeddreamily。
"Say,Yank,didn'twegiveyouhellin——oh,well,inlotso'places。Butyou'vegotme。"Thetwosoldierswereliftinghimintheirarms。"Goin'totakemetoprison?Goin'totakemeouttoshootme,Yank?YouAREadamnedYank。"Ahoarsegrowlrosebehindthemandthegiantliftedhimselfononeelbow,swayinghisheadfromsidetoside。
"Letthatboyalone!"Dannoddedbackathimconfidently。
"That'sallright,Jerry。ThisYank'safriendofmine。"Hisbrowwrinkled。
"AtanyratehelookslikesomebodyIknow。He'sgoin'togivemesomethingtoeatandgetmewell——likehell,"headdedtohimself——passingoffintounconsciousnessagain。Chadhadtheladcarriedtohisowntent,hadhimstripped,bathed,andbandagedandstoodlookingdownathim。Itwashardtobelievethatthebroken,agedyouthwasthered-cheeked,vigorousladwhomhehadknownasDanielDean。Hewasragged,starved,allbutbare-footed,wounded,sick,andyethewasasundaunted,asdefiant,aswhenhechargedwithMorgan'sdare-devilsatthebeginningofthewar。ThenChadwentbacktothehospital——forablanketandsomemedicine。
"Theyarefriends,"hesaidtotheConfederatesurgeon,pointingatahugegauntfigure。
"Ireckonthatbigfellowhassavedthatboy'slifeadozentimes。Yes,they'remess-mates。"
AndChadstoodlookingdownatJerryDillon,oneofthegianttwins——whosenamewasaterrorthroughoutthemountainsofthemiddlesouth。Thenheturnedandthesurgeonfollowed。
Therewasarustleofbranchesononesidewhentheyweregone,andatthesoundthewoundedmanliftedhishead。ThebranchespartedandtheoxlikefaceofYankeeJakepeeredthrough。Forafullminute,thetwobrothersstaredateachother。
"Ireckonyougotme,Jake,"saidJerry。
"Ibeenlookin'feryealongwhile,"saidJake,simply,andhesmiledstrangelyashemovedslowlyforwardandlookeddownathisenemy——hisheavyheadwaggingfromsidetoside。Jerrywasfumblingathisbelt。Thebigknifeflashed,butJake'shandwasasquickasitsgleam,andhehadthewristthatheldit。Hisgreatfingerscrushedtogether,thebladedroppedontheground,andagainthebigtwinslookedateachother。Slowly,YankeeJakepickeduptheknife。Theothermovednotamuscleandinhisfierceeyeswasnopleaformercy。Thepointoftheblademovedslowlydown——downovertherebel'sheart,andwasthrustintoitssheathagain。ThenJakeletgothewrist。
"Don'ttechitagin,"hesaid,andhestrodeaway。Thebigfellowlayblinking。Hedidnotopenhislipswhen,inamoment,YankeeJakeslouchedinwithacanteenofwater。WhenChadcameback,onegiantwasdrawingontheotherapairofsocks。Theotherwasstillsilentandhadhisfaceturnedtheotherway。Lookingup,JakemetChad'ssurprisedgazewithagrin。
Adaylater,Dancametohissenses。Atentwasabovehim,aheavyblanketwasbeneathhimandtherewereclothesonhisbodythatfeltstrangelyfreshandclean。HelookeduptoseeChad'sfacebetweentheflapsofthetent。
"D'youdothis?"
"That'sallright,"saidChad。"Thiswarisover。"AndhewentawaytoletDanthinkitout。Whenhecameagain,Danheldouthishandsilently。
CHAPTER28。PALL-BEARERSOFTHELOSTCAUSE
TherainwasfallingwithasteadyroarwhenGeneralHuntbrokecampafewdaysbefore。Themountain-topswereblackwiththunderclouds,andalongthemuddyroadwentMorgan'sMen——mostofthemonmuleswhichhadbeentakenfromabandonedwagonswhennewsofthesurrendercame——withoutsaddlesandwithblindbridlesorropehalters——therestsloppingalongthroughtheyellowmudonfoot——literally——forfewofthemhadshoes;theywereontheirwaytoprotectDavisandjoinJohnston,nowthatLeewasnomore。Therewasnomurmuring,nofaltering,andittouchedRichardHunttoobservethattheywerenowmoreprompttoobedience,whenitwasoptionalwiththemwhethertheyshouldgoorstay,thantheyhadeverbeenintheproudestdaysoftheConfederacy。
ThreatenedfromTennesseeandcutofffromRichmond,HunthadmadeuphismindtomarcheastwardtojoinLee,whenthenewsofthesurrendercame。Hadthesunatthatmomentdroppedsuddenlytothehorizonfromtheheavenabovethem,thoseConfederateswouldhavebeenhardlymorestartledorplungedintodeeperdespair。Crowdsofinfantrythrewdowntheirarmsand,withtherest,allsenseofdisciplinewaslost。Ofthecavalry,however,notmorethantenmendeclinedtomarchsouth,andouttheymovedthroughthedrenchingraininasilencethatwasbrokenonlywithasinglecheerwhenninetymenfromanotherKentuckybrigadejoinedthem,who,too,feltthataslongastheConfederateGovernmentsurvived,therewasworkforthemtodo。Soontheywenttokeepupthestruggle,ifthewordwasgiven,skirmishing,fightingandslippingpasttheenemiesthatwerehemmingthemin,onwithDavis,hiscabinet,andGeneralBreckinridgetojoinTaylorandForrestinAlabama。AcrosstheborderofSouthCarolina,anirateoldladyupbraidedHuntforallowinghissoldierstotakeforagefromherbarn。
"YouareagangofthievingKentuckians,"shesaid,hotly;"youareafraidtogohome,whileourboysaresurrenderingdecently。"
"Madam!"——RenfrewtheSilentspoke——spokefromthedepthsofhisoncebrilliantjacket——"youSouthCarolinianshadagooddealtosayaboutgettingupthiswar,butweKentuckianshavecontractedtocloseitout。"
ThencamethelastConfederatecouncilofwar。Inturn,eachofficerspokeofhismenandofhimselfandeachtothesameeffect;thecausewaslostandtherewasnouseinprolongingthewar。
"Wewillgiveourlivestosecureyoursafety,butwecannoturgeourmentostruggleagainstafatethatisinevitable,andperhapsthusforfeitallhopeofarestorationtotheirhomesandfriends。"
Daviswasaffable,dignified,calm,undaunted。
"Iwillhearofnoplanthatisconcernedonlywithmysafety。Afewbravemencanprolongthewaruntilthispanichaspassed,andtheywillbeanucleusforthousandsmore。"
Theanswerwassilence,asthegaunt,beatenmanlookedfromfacetoface。Herosewithaneffort。
"Iseeallhopeisgone,"hesaid,bitterly,andthoughhiscalmremained,hisbearingwaslesserect,hisfacewasdeathlypaleandhisstepsoinfirmthatheleaneduponGeneralBreckinridgeashenearedthedoor——inthebitterestmoment,perhaps,ofhislife。
So,theoldMorgan'sMen,solongseparated,wereunitedattheend。InabrokenvoiceGeneralHuntforbadethemenwhohadfollowedhimonfootthreehundredmilesfromVirginiatogofarther,buttodispersetotheirhomes;andtheyweptlikechildren。
InfrontofhimwasabigforceofFederalcavalry;retreatthewayhehadcomewasimpossible,andtotheleft,ifheescaped,wasthesea;butdauntlessHuntrefusedtosurrenderexceptattheorderofasuperior,orunlesstoldthatallwasdonethatcouldbedonetoassuretheescapeofhisPresident。ThatordercamefromBreckinridge。
"Surrender,"wasthemessage。"Gobacktoyourhomes,Iwillnothaveoneoftheseyoungmenencounteronemorehazardformysake。"
ThatnightRichardHuntfoughtouthisfightwithhimself,pacingtoandfrounderthestars。Hehadstruggledfaithfullyforwhathebelievedstillbelieved,andwould,perhaps,alwaysbelieve,wasright。Hehadfoughtforthebroadestidealoflibertyasheunderstoodit,forcitizen,Stateandnation。
Theappealhadgonetotheswordandtheverdictwasagainsthim。Hewouldacceptit。Hewouldgohome,taketheoathofallegiance,resumethelaw,and,asanAmericancitizen,dohisduty。Hehadnosenseofhumiliationhehadnoapologytomakeandwouldneverhave——hehaddonehisduty。Hefeltnobitterness,andhadnofaulttofindwithhisfoes,whowerebraveandhaddonetheirdutyastheyhadseenit;forhegrantedthemtherighttoseeadifferentdutyfromwhathehaddecidedwashis。Andthatwasall。
RenfrewtheSilentwaswaitingatthesmoulderingfire。HeneitherlookedupnormadeanycommentwhenGeneralHuntspokehisdetermination。Hisownfacegrewmoresullenandhereachedhishandintohisbreastandpulledfromhisfadedjacketthetatteredcolorsthatheoncehadborne。
"ThesewillneverbeloweredaslongasIlive,"hesaid,"norafterwardsifI
canpreventit。"Andloweredtheyneverwere。OnalittleislandinthePacificOcean,thisstrangesoldier,afterleavinghispropertyandhiskindredforever,livedouthislifeamongthenativeswiththisbloodstainedremnantoftheStarsandBarsoverhishut,andwhenhedied,theflagwashungoverhisgrave,andabovethatgraveto-daythetatteredemblemstillswaysinsouthernair……
Aweekearlier,twoRebelsandtwoYankeesstartedacrossthemountaintogether——ChadandDanandthegiantDillontwins——ChadandYankeeJakeafoot。
UpLonesometheywenttowardtheshaggyflankofBlackMountainwheretheGreatReaperhadmoweddownChad'sfirstfriends。Thelogsofthecabinwerestillstanding,thoughtheroofwascavedinandtheyardwasatangleofundergrowth。AdullpainsettledinChad'sbreast,whilehelooked,andastheywereclimbingthespur,hechokedwhenhecaughtsightofthegravesunderthebigpoplar。
Therewasthelittlepenthathehadbuiltoverhisfoster-mother'sgrave——stillundisturbed。Hesaidnothingand,astheywentdownthespur,acrosstheriverandupPineMountain,hekepthisgnawingmemoriestohimself。Onlytenyearsbefore,andheseemedanold,oldmannow。Herecognizedtheveryspotwherehehadsleptthefirstnightafterheranawayandawakenedtothatfearfulnever-forgottenstormatsunrise,whichlivedinhismemorynowasamightyportentofthestormsofhumanpassionthathadsweptaroundhimonmanyabattlefield。Therewastheverytreewherehehadkilledthesquirrelandtherattlesnake。Itwasburstingspringnow,butthebudsoflaurelandrhododendronwereunbroken。DownKingdomCometheywent。
Herewaswherehehadmettheoldcow,andherewasthelittlehillwhereJackhadfoughtWhizzerandhehadfoughtTadDillonandwherehehadfirstseenMelissa。Againthescarletofhertatteredgownflashedbeforehiseyes。Atthebendoftherivertheypartedfromthegianttwins。FaithfulJake'sfacewasfoolishwhenChadtookhimbythehandandspoketohim,asmantoman,andRebelJerryturnedhisfacequicklywhenDantoldhimthathewouldneverforgethim,andmadehimpromisetocometoseehim,ifJerryevertookanotherraftdowntothecapital。Lookingbackfromthehill,Chadsawthemslowlymovingalongapathtowardthewoods——notlookingateachotherandspeakingnotatall。
BeyondrosethesmokeoftheoldTurnercabin。OntheporchsattheoldTurnermother,herbonnetinherhand,hereyeslookingdowntheriver。DozingatherfeetwasJack——oldJack。ShehadneverforgivenChad,andshecouldnotforgivehimnow,thoughChadsawhereyessoftenwhenshelookedatthetatteredbutternutthatDanwore。ButJack——half-blindandaged——sprangtremblingtohisfeetwhenheheardChad'svoiceandwhimperedlikeachild。
Chadsankontheporchwithonearmabouttheolddog'sneck。MotherTurneransweredallquestionsshortly。
Melissahadgonetothe"Settlemints。"Why?Theoldwomanwouldnotanswer。
Shewascomingback,butshewasill。Shehadneverbeenwellsinceshewentafoot,onecoldnight,towarnsomeYANKEEthatDawsDillonwasafterhim。
Chadstarted。ItwasMelissawhohadperhapssavedhislife。TadDillonhadsteppedintoDaws'sshoes,andthewarwasstillgoingoninthehills。TomTurnerhaddiedinprison。TheoldmotherwaswaitingforDolphandRubetocomeback——shewaslookingforthemeveryhour,dayandnightShedidnotknowwhathadbecomeoftheschool-master——butChaddid,andhetoldher。Theschool-masterhaddied,stormingbreastworksatGettysburg。Theoldwomansaidnotaword。
Danwastooweaktoridenow。SoChadgotDaveHilton,Melissa'soldsweetheart,totakeDixietoRichmond——alittleKentuckytownontheedgeoftheBluegrass——andleaveherthereandheboughttheoldTurnercanoe。Shewouldhavenouseforit,MotherTurnersaid——hecouldhaveitfornothing;
butwhenChadthrustatendollarFederalbillintoherhands,shebrokedownandthrewherarmsaroundhimandcried。
SodowntheriverwentChadandDan——driftingwiththetide——Chadinthestern,Danlyingatfulllength,withhisheadonabluearmy-coatandlookingupattheover-swungbranchesandtheskyandthecloudsabovethem——down,throughamistofmemoriesforChad——downtothecapital。
AndHarryDean,too,wasonhiswayhome——comingupfromthefarSouth——upthroughtheravagedlandofhisownpeople,pasthomesandfieldswhichhisownhandshadhelpedtolaywaste。