首页 >出版文学> The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come>第7章
  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。