McClellanfoughtadrawnbattleagainstusatAntietamandshowedhimselfareallyablegeneralintheoperationsinfrontofRichmond。Thearmyhaveconfidenceinhim，andheisbyfarthebestmantheyhavegotsofar，butthefoolsatWashingtonhavenowforthesecondtimedisplacedhimbecausetheyarejealousofhim。Burnsidehasshownhimselfagoodmaninminorcommands，butIdon\'tthinkheisequaltocommandsuchavastarmyasthis；andbesides，weknowfromourfriendsatWashingtonthathehasprotestedagainstthisadvanceacrosstheriver，buthasbeenoverruled。YouwillseeFredericksburgwilladdanothertothelonglistofourvictories。\"
VincentsharedatentwithanotherofficerofthesamerankinGeneralStuart\'sstaff。Theysatchattingtilllate，anditwasstilldarkwhentheyweresuddenlyarousedbyanoutbreakofmusketrydownattheriver。
\"Thegeneralwasright，\"CaptainLongmore，Vincent\'scompanion，exclaimed。\"Theyareevidentlythrowingabridgeacrosstheriver，andthefirewehearcomesfromtworegimentsofMississippianswhoareposteddowninthetownunderBarksdale。\"
Itwasbuttheworkofaminutetothrowontheirclothesandhurryout。Thenightwasdarkandaheavyfoghungovertheriver。A
perfectroarofmusketrycameupfromthevalley。Drumsandbuglesweresoundingallalongthecrest。AtthesamemomenttheyissuedoutGeneralStuartcameoutfromhistent，whichwascloseby。
\"Isthatyou，Longmore？Jumponyourhorseandridedowntothetown。Bringbacknewsofwhatisgoingon。\"
Afewminuteslateranofficerrodeup。Somewoodhadbeenthrownonthefire，andbyitslightVincentrecognizedStonewallJackson。
\"Haveyouanynewsforus？\"heasked。
\"Notyet，Ihavesentanofficerdowntoinquire。Theenemyhavebeentryingtobridgetheriver。
\"Isupposeso，\"Jacksonreplied。\"Ihaveorderedoneofmybrigadestocometotheheadofthebankassoonastheycanbeformedup，tohelpBarksdaleifneedbe，butIdon\'twanttotakethemdownintothetown。Itiscommandedbyallthehillsontheoppositeside，andweknowtheyhavebroughtupalsoalltheirartillerythere。\"
InafewminutesCaptainLougmorereturned。
\"Theenemyhavethrowntwopontoonbridgesacross，oneaboveandonebelowtheoldrailwaybridge。TheMississippianshavedriventhembackonce，buttheyarepushingontheworkandwillsoongetitfinished；butGeneralBarksdalebidsmereportthatwiththeforceathiscommandhecanrepulseanyattempttocross。\"
Thelightwasnowbreakingintheeast，buttheroarofmusketrycontinuedunderthecanopyoffog。GeneralLee，Longstreet，andothershadnowarriveduponthespot，andVincentwassurprisedthatnoorderswereissuedfortroopstoreinforcethoseunderGeneralBarksdale。Presentlythesunrose，andasitgainedinpowerthefogslowlylifted，anditwasseenthatthetwopontoonbridgeswerecomplete；butthefireoftheMississippianswassoheavythatalthoughtheenemyseveraltimesattemptedtocrosstheyrecoiledbeforeit。Suddenlyagunwasfiredfromtheoppositeheight，andatthesignalmorethanahundredpiecesofartilleryopenedfireuponthetown。Manyoftheinhabitantshadleftassoonasthemusketryfirebegan，buttheslopesbehinditsoonpresentedasadspectacle。Men，women，andchihlrenpouredoutfromthetown，bewilderedwiththedinandterrifiedbythestormofshotandshellthatcrashedintoit。Higherandhigherthecrowdoffugitivesmadetheirwayuntiltheyreachedthecrest；
amongthemwereweepingwomenandcryingchildren，manyoftheminthescantiestattireandcarryingsucharticlesofdressandvaluablesastheyhadcaughtupwhenstartledbytheterriblerainofmissiles。Inaveryfewminutessmokebegantoriseoverthetown，followedbytonguesofflame，andinhalfanhourtheplacewasonfireinascoreofplaces。
AlldaythebombardmentwentonwithoutcessationandFredericksburgcrumbledintoruins。Still，inspiteofthisterriblefiretheMississippiansclungtotheburningtownamidcrashingwalls，fallingchimneys，andshellsexplodingineverydirection。
Asnightfelltheenemypouredacrossthebridges，andBarksdale，contestingeveryfootofground，fellbackthroughtheburningcityandtookupapositionbehindastonewallinitsrear。
ThroughoutthedaynotasingleshothadbeenfiredbytheConfederateartillery，whichwasveryinferiorinpowertothatoftheenemy。AsGeneralLeehadnowishfinallytohinderthepassageoftheFederals，thestubbornresistanceofBarksdale\'sforcebeingonlyintendedtogivehimtimetoconcentrateallhisarmyassoonasheknewforcertainthepointatwhichtheenemywasgoingtocross；andhedidnotwish，therefore，toriskthedestructionofanyofhisbatteriesbycallingdowntheFederalfireuponthem。
Duringthedaythetroopswereallbroughtupintoposition。
LongstreetwasontheleftandJacksonontheright，whiletheguns，forty-seveninnumber，wereinreadinesstotakeuptheirpostinthemorningontheslopesinfrontofthem。OntheextremerightGeneralStuartwaspostedwithhiscavalryandhorseartillery。Thenightpassedquietlyandbydaybreakthetroopswerealldrawnupintheirpositions。
Assoonasthesunroseitwasseenthatduringthenighttheenemyhadthrownmorebridgesacrossandthatthegreaterportionofthearmywasalreadyover。Theywere，indeed，alreadyinmovementagainsttheConfederateposition，theirattackbeingdirectedtowardtheportionofthelineheldbyJackson\'sdivision。GeneralStuartgaveorderstoMajorPelham，whocommandedhishorseartillery，andwhoimmediatelybroughtupthegunsandbeganthebattlebyopeningfireontheflankoftheenemy。ThegunsoftheNorthernbatteriesatoncereplied，andforsomehourstheartilleryduelcontinued，theFederalgunsdoingheavyexecution。Foratimeattackswerethreatenedfromvariouspoints，butaboutteno\'clock，whenthefoglifted，amassofsome55，000troopsadvancedagainstJackson。Theyweresufferedtocomewithin800yardsbeforeagunwasfired，andthenfourteengunsopeneduponthenwithsucheffectthattheyfellbackinconfusion。
Atoneo\'clockanotherattemptwasmade，coveredbyatremendousfireofartillery。ForatimethecolumnsofattackwerekeptatbaybythefireoftheConfederatebatteries，buttheyadvancedwithgreatresolution，pushedtheirwaythroughJackson\'sfirstline，andforcedthemtofallback。JacksonbroughtuphissecondlineanddrovetheenemybackwithgreatslaughteruntilhisadvancewascheckedbythefireoftheNorthernartillery。
Alldaythefightwenton，theFederalsattemptingtocrushtheConfederateartillerybytheweightoftheirfireinorderthattheirinfantrycolumnsmightagainadvance。ButalthoughoutnumberedbymorethantwotoonetheConfederategunswereworkedwithgreatresolution，andthedaypassedanddarknessbeguntofallwithouttheirretiringfromthepositionstheyhadtakenup。\'JustatsunsetGeneralStuartorderedallthebatteriesontherighttoadvance。ThistheydidandopenedtheirfireontheNortherninfantrywithsucheffectthatthesefellbacktothepositionnearthetownthattheyhadoccupiedinthemorning。
Ontheleftanequallyterriblebattlehadragedallday，butheretheNortherntroopswerecompelledtocrossopengroundbetweenthetownandthebaseofthehill，andsufferedsoterriblyfromthefirethattheyneversucceededinreachingtheConfederatefront。
ThroughoutthedaytheConfederatesheldtheirpositionwithsucheasethatGeneralLeeconsideredtheaffairasnothingmorethanademonstrationofforcetofeelhisposition，andexpectedanevensternerbattleonthefollowingday。Jackson\'sfirstandsecondlines，composedoflessthan15，000men，hadrepulsedwithoutdifficultythedivisionsofFranklinandHooker，55，000strong；
whileLongstreetwithaboutthesameforcehadneverbeenreallypressedbytheenemy，althoughonthatsidetheyhadaforceofover50，000men。
InthemorningtheNorthernarmywasseendrawnupinbattlearrayasiftoadvanceforfreshassault，butnomovementwasmade。GeneralBurnsidewasinfavorofafreshattack，butthegeneralscommandingthevariousdivisionsfeltthattheirtroops，aftertherepulsethedaybefore，werenotequaltothework，andwereunanimouslyofopinionthatasecondassaultshouldnotbeattempted。AfterremainingforsomehoursinorderofbattletheyfellbackintothetownandtwodayslaterthewholearmyrecrossedtheRappahannookRiver。ThelossoftheConfederateswas1，800men，whowereforthemostpartkilledorwoundedbytheenemy\'sartillery，whiletheFederallosswasnolessthan13，771。GeneralBurnsidesoonafterwardresignedhiscommand，andGeneralHooker，anofficerofthesamepoliticsasthepresidentandhisadvisers，wasappointedtosucceedhim。
Thecavalryhadnotbeencalledupontoactduringtheday，andVincent\'sdutieswereconfinedtocarryingorderstothecommandersofthevariousbatteriesofartillerypostedinthatpartofthefield，asthesehadallbeenplacedunderGeneralStuart\'sorders。Hehadmanynarrowescapesbyshotandfragmentsofshells，butpassedthroughthedayuninjured。
GeneralLeehasbeenblamedfornottakingadvantageofhisvictoryandfallingupontheFederalsonthemorningafterthebattle；butalthoughsuchanassaultmightpossiblyhavebeensuccessfulhewasconsciousofhisimmenseinferiorityinforce，andhistroopswouldhavebeencompelledtohaveadvancedtotheattackacrossgroundcompletelysweptbythefireofthemagnificentlyservedNorthernartillerypostedupontheircommandingheights。Hewasmoreoverignorantofthefullextentofthelosshehadinflictedupontheenemy，andexpectedarenewedattackbythem。Hewastherefore，doubtless，unwillingtorisktheresultsofthevictoryhehadgainedandofthevictoryheexpectedtogainshouldtheenemyrenewtheirattack，byamovementwhichmightnotbesuccessful，andwhichwouldatanyratehavecosthimatremendouslossofmen，andmenwerealreadybecomingscarceintheConfederacy。
Assoonastheenemyhadfonbackacrosstheriveranditwascertainthattherewaslittlechanceofanotherforwardmovementontheirpartforaconsiderabletime，VincentshowedtoGeneralStuartthepermithehadreceivedtoreturnhomeuntilthespringonleave，andatoncereceivedthegeneral\'spermissiontoretirefromthestaffforatime。
HehadnotbeenaccompaniedbyDanonhisrailwayjourneytothefront，havinglefthimbehindwithinstructionstoendeavorbyeverymeanstofindsomeclewastothedirectioninwhichDinahhadbeencarriedoff。Hetelegraphedonhiswayhomethenewsofhiscoming，andfoundDanatthestationwaitingforhim。
\"Well，Dan，haveyouobtainedanynews？\"heaskedassoonashishorsehadbeenremovedfromitsbox，andhehadmountedandatafoot-paceleftthestation，withDanwalkingbesidehim。
\"No，sah；Ihabdonemybest，butIcannotfindoutanyting。TheniggersatJackson\'sallsaydatnostrangershabbeentherewiddooldmanforalongtimebeforededaydatDinahwascarriedoff。I
havebeenoverdar，massa，andhabtalkedwidthehandsatdohouse。Deyallsaydatnoonebeendereforamonth。Mesuredatdoynotellalieaboutit，becausedoyallhateMassaJacksonlikepison。Dendelawyer，heamputdoadvertisementyoutoldhiminthepapers:FivehundreddollarstowhoeverwouldgiveinformationaboutdocarryingoffofafemaleslavefromMissyWingfiold，ordatwouldleadtodediscoveryofherhiding-place。
Butnoanswercome。MeheardMissyWingfieldsaysolastnight。\"
\"That\'sbad，Dan；butIhardlyexpectedanythingbetter。Ifeltsuretheoldfoxwouldhavetakeneveryprecaution，knowingwhataseriousbusinessitwouldbeforhimifitwerefoundout。NowI
ambackIwilltakethematterupmyself，andwewillseewhatwecando。IwishIcouldhavesetaboutitthedayaftershewascarriedaway。Itismorethanafortnightagonow，andthatwillmakeitmuchmoredifficultthanitwouldhavebeenbaditbeenbegunatonce。\"
\"Well，Vincent，soyouhavecomebacktousundamagedthistime，\"hismothersaidafterthefirstgreeting。\"WeworeveryanxiouswhenthenewscamethatagreatbattlehadbeenfoughtlastFriday；butwhenweheardthenextmorningtheenemyhadbeenrepulsedsoeasilyweworenotsoanxious，althoughitwasnotuntilthismorningthatthelistofkilledandwoundedwaspublished，andourmindssetatrest\"
\"No，mother；itwasatremendousartillerybattle，butitwasalittlemorethanthat-atleastonourside。ButIhaveneverheardanythingatalllikeitfromsunrisetosunset。But，afterall，anartilleryfireismorefrighteningthandangerous，exceptatcomparativelyclosequarters。Theenemymusthavefiredatleastfiftyshotsforeverymanthatwashit。Icountedseveraltimes，andthereworefullyahundredshotsaminute，andIdon\'tthinkitlessenedmuchthewholeday。Ishouldthinktheymusthavefiredtwoorthreehundredroundsatleastfromeachgun。Theroarwasincessant，andwhatwiththedintheymade，andtherepliesofourownartillery，andtheburstingofshells，andtherattleofmusketry，thedinattimeswasalmostbewildering。Wildfirewashitwithapieceofshell，butfortunatelyitwasnotaverylargeone，andheisnotmuchtheworseforit，buttheshockknockedhimoffhislegs；
ofcourseIwentdownwithhim，andthoughtforamomentIhadbeenhitmyselfNo；itwasbyfarthemosthollowaffairwehavehad。Theenemyfoughtobstinatelyenough，butwithouttheslightestspiritordash，andonlyoncedidtheygetupanywherenearourline，andthentheywontbackagooddealquickerthantheycame。\"
\"Andnowyouaregoingtobewithusforthreemonths，Vincent？\"
Ihopeso，mother；atleastiftheydonotadvanceagain。Ishallbehereoffandon。ImeantofindDinahMorrisifitispossible，andifIcanobtaintheslightestclewIshallfollowitupandgowhereveritmayleadme。\"
\"Well，wewillspareyouforthat，Vincent。Asyouknow，Ididnotlikeyourmixingyourselfupinthatbusinesstwoyearsago，butitisaltogetherdifferentnow。Thewomanwasverywillingandwellconducted，andIhadgottobereallyfondofher。Butputtingthataside，itisintolerablethatsuchapieceofinsolenceasthestealingofoneofourslavesshouldgounpunished。Thereforeifyoudofindanyclewtotheaffairwewillnotgrumbleatyourfollowingitup，evenifitdoestakeyouawayfromhomeforashorttime。Bytheby，wehadlettersthismorningfromacertainyoungladyinGeorgiainclosingherphotograph，andIratherfancythereisoneforyousomewhere。\"
\"Whereisit，mother？\"Vincentasked，jumpingfromhisseat。
\"Letmethink，\"Mrs。Wingfieldreplied。\"Dideitherofyougirlsputitaway，orwherecanithavebeenstowed？\"Thegirlsbothlaughed。
\"Now，Vincent，whatofferdoyoumakefortheletter？Well，wewon\'tteaseyou，\"AnniewentonasVincentgaveanimpatientexclamation。\"Anothertimewemightdoso，butasyouhavejustcomesafelybacktousIdon\'tthinkitwillbefair，especiallyasthisistheveryfirstletter。Hereitisit\"andshetookoutoftheworkboxbeforeherthemissiveVincentwassoeagertoreceive。
CHAPTERXVI。THESEARCHFORDINAH。
\"BYTHEBY，Vincent，\"Mrs。Wingfieldremarkednextmorningatbreakfast，\"IhavepartedwithPearson。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit，mother。What!didyoudiscoveratlastthathewasascamp？\"
\"Severalthingsthatoccurredshookmyconfidenceinhim，Vincent。Theaccountswerenotatallsatisfactory，andithappenedquiteaccidentallythatwhenIwastalkingonedaywithMr。
Robertson，who，asyouknow，isagreatspeculatorintobacco，I
saidthatIshouldgrownomoretobacco，asitreallyfetchednothing。Herepliedthatitwouldbeapitytogiveitup，forsolittlewasnowcultivatedthatthepricewasrising，andtheOrangerytobaccoalwaysfetchedtopprices。\'IthinkthepriceI
paidforyourcropthisyearmustatanyratehavepaidforthelaborthatistosay，paidforthekeepoftheslavesandsomethingover。\'
Hethenmentionedthepricehehadgiven，whichwascertainlyagooddealhigherthanIhadimagined。Ilookedtomyaccountsnextmorning，andfoundthatPearsonhadonlycreditedmewithone-thirdoftheamounthemusthavereceived，soIatoncedismissedhim。Indeed，Ihadbeenthinkingofdoingsosomelittletimebefore，formoneyissoscarceandthepriceofproducesolowthatIfeltIcouldnotaffordtopayasmuchasIhavebeengivinghim。\"
\"IamafraidIhavebeendrawingratherheavily，mother，\"Vincentputin。
\"Ihaveplentyofmoney，Vincent。Sinceyourfather\'sdeathwehavehadmuchlesscompanythanbefore，andIhavenotspentmyincome。Besides，Ihaveaconsiderablesuminvestedinhousepropertyandothersecurities。ButIhave，ofcourse，sincethewarbeganbeensubscribingtowardtheexpensesofthewar-forthesupportofhospitalsandsoon。IthoughtatatimelikethisIoughttokeepmyexpensesdownatthelowestpoint，andtogivethebalanceofmyincometotheState。\"
\"HowdidJonastakehisdismissal，mother？\"
\"Notverypleasantly，\"Mrs。Wingfieldreplied；\"especiallywhenI
toldhimthatIhaddiscoveredhewasrobbingme。However，heknewbetterthantosaymuch，forhehasnotbeeningoododorabouthereforsometime。AfterthefightingnearheretherewerereportsthathehadbeenincommunicationwiththeYankees。Hespoketomeaboutitatthetime，butasitwasamerematterofrumor，originating，nodoubt，fromthefactthathewasaNorthernmanbybirth，Ipaidnoattentiontothem。\"
\"Itislikelyenoughtobetrue，\"Vincentsaid。\"IalwaysdistrustedthevehemencewithwhichhetooktheConfederateside。Howlongagodidthishappen？\"
\"ItisaboutamonthsinceIdismissedhim。\"
\"Solatelyasthat!ThenIshouldnotbeatallsurprisedifhehadsomehandincarryingoffDinah。IknowhewasincommunicationwithJackson，forIoncesawthemtogetherinthestreet，andIfanciedatthetimethatitwasthroughhimthatJacksonlearnedthatDinahwashere。Itisanadditionalclewtoinquireinto，anyhow。Doyouknowwhathasbecomeofhimsinceheleftyou？\"
\"No；Ihaveheardnothingatallabouthim，Vincent，fromthedayI
gavehimacheckforhispayinthisroom。Farrell，whowasunderhim，isnowinchargeoftheOrangery。Hemaypossiblyknowsomethingofhismovements。\"
\"IthinkFarrellisanhonestfellow，\"Vincentsaid\"Hewasalwaysaboutdoinghisworkquietlyneverbullyingorshoutingatthehands，andyetseeingthattheydidtheirworkproperly。Iwillrideoutandseehimatonce。\"
AssoonasbreakfastwasoverVincentstarted，andfoundFarrellinthefieldswiththehands。
\"Iamgladtoseeyouback，sir，\"themansaidheartily。
\"Thankyou，Farrell。Iamgladtobeback，andIamgladtofindyouinPearson\'splace。Ineverlikedthefellow，andnevertrustedhim。\"
\"Ididnotlikehimmyself，sir，thoughwealwaysgotonwellenoughtogether。Heknewhiswork，andgotasmuchoutofthehandsasanyonecoulddo；butIdidnotlikehiswaywiththem。
Theyhatedhim。\"
\"Haveyouanyideawherehewentwhenhelefthere？\"
\"No，sir；hedidnotcomebackafterhegothisdismissal。Hesentamaninabuggywithanotetome，askingmetosendallhisthingsovertoRichmond。Iexpecthewasafraidthenewsmightgethereassoonashedid，andthatthehandswouldgivehimanunpleasantreception，asindeedIexpecttheywouldhavedone。\"
\"Youdon\'tknowwhetherhehasanyfriendsanywhereintheConfederacytowhomhewouldbelikelytogo？\"
\"Idon\'tknowaboutfriends，sir；butIknowhehastoldmehewasoverseer，orpartner，orsomethingofthatsort，inasmallstationdownintheswampsofSouthCarolina。Ishouldthink，fromthingshehasletdrop，thattheslavesmusthavehadabadtimeofit。Iratherfancyhemadetheplacetoohotforhim，andhadtoleave；butthatwasonlymyimpression。\"
\"Inthatcasehemaypossiblyhavemadehiswaybackthere，\"
Vincentsaid。\"Ihaveparticularreasonsforwishingtofindout。
Youdon\'tknowanythingaboutthenameoftheplace？\"Themanshookhishead。
\"Henevermentionedthenameinmyhearing。\"
\"Well，Imusttrytofindout，butIdon\'tquiteseehowtosetaboutit，\"Vincentsaid。\"Bytheway，doyouknowwherehisclothesweresentto？\"
\"Yes；themansaidthathewastotakethemtoHarker\'sHotel。It\'sasecond-ratehotelnotfarfromtherailwaystation。\"
\"Thankyou。Thatwillhelpme。Iknowthehouse。ItwasformerlyusedbyNortherndrummersandpeopleofthatsort。\"
AfterridingbacktoRichmondandputtinguphishorse，Vincentwenttothehotelthere。Althoughbutasecondaryhotelitwaswellfilled，forpeoplefromallpartsoftheConfederacyresortedtoRichmond，audhowevermuchtradesuffered，thehotelsofthetowndidagoodbusiness。Hefirstwentuptotheclerkinalittleofficeattheentrance。
\"YouhadamannamedPearson，\"hesaid，\"stayinghereaboutamonthago。Willyoubegoodenoughtotellmeonwhatdayheleft？\"
Theclerkturnedtotheregister，andsaidafteraminute\'sexamination:
\"Hecameonthe14thofNovember，andheleftonthe20th。\"
ThiswastwodaysafterthedateonwhichDinahhadbeencarriedoff。
InAmericanhotelsthehallsarelargeandprovidedwithseats，andaregenerallyusedassmokingandreading-roomsbythemalevisitorstothehotel。AtHarker\'sHoteltherewasasmallbarattheendofthehall，andablackwaitersuppliedthewantsoftheguestsseatedatthevariouslittletables。Vincentseatedhimselfatoneoftheseandorderedsomethingtodrink。Asthenegroplaceditonthetablehesaid:
\"Iwillgiveyouadollarifyouwillanswerafewquestions。\"
\"Verygood，sah。Datamamightyeasywaytoearnadollar。\"
\"Doyouremember，aboutamonthago，amannamedPearsonbeinghere？\"
Thenegroshookhishead。
\"Menotknowdenamesofdegentlemen，sah。Whatwasdemanlike？\"
\"Hewastallandthin，withshorthairandagraygoatee-aregularYankee。\"
\"Merememberhim，sah。Darusedtoheplentyobdatsorthere。
Don\'tseedemmuchnow。Merememberdeman，sah，quitewell。
Usedtopassmostofdedayhere。Didn\'tseemtohavenuffintodo。\"
\"Washealwaysalone，ordidhehavemanypeopleheretoseehim？\"
\"Oncedarwartwomenherewidhim，sab，sittingatdattableoberindocorner。Rough-lookingfellowsdeywar。Inoldtimespeoplelikedatwouldn\'tcometoa\'spectablehotel，butnowmosteberyonegotroughclothes，can\'tgetnoothers，soonedon\'ttinknuffinaboutit；butdosefellowswasrough-lookingbesidesdarclothes。
Didn\'tlikedarlooksnohow。Deyonlycamehereonce。Deywasdoonlystrangersthatcametoseehim。ButonceMassaJackson-meknowhimbysighthecamehereandtalkwidhimforalongtime。Earnestsortoftalkdatseemedtobe。Deytalkinlowvoice，andInoticeddeystoppedtalkingwhenanyonesatdownneardem。\"
\"Youdon\'tknowwherehewenttofromhere，Isuppose？\"
\"No，sah，datnotmycompartment。Perhapsdeoutsideporterwillknow。Likeenoughhetakehistingsinhand-trucktostation。Youliketoseehim，sab？\"
\"Yes，Ishouldliketohaveaminute\'stalkwithhim。Hereisyourdollar。\"
Thewaiterrangabell，andaminutelatertheoutdoorporterpresentedhimself。
\"Yourecomembertakingsometingstostationforatallmanwidgraygoatee，Pomp？\"thewaiterasked。\"Itwasmoredantreeweeksago。Itinkhewentbeforeitwaslightindemorning。Meseemtorememberdat。\"
Thenegronodded。
\"Merememberhimberywell，sah。Treeheavyboxesandonebag，andheonlygivemequarterdollarfortakingdemtodestation。
Mightymeanmandat。\"
\"Doyouknowwhattrainhewentby？\"
\"Yes，sah，itwasdesixo\'clocktrainfordesouf。\"
\"Youcan\'tfindoutwherhisluggagewascheckedfor？\"
\"Icangodowntostation，sab，andseeifIcanfindout。Someofdementharmayremember。\"
\"Hereisadollarforyourself，\"Vincentsaid，\"andanothertogivetoanyofthemenwhocangiveyouthenews。Whenyouhavefoundoutcomeandtellme。Hereismycardandaddress。\"
\"Berywell，sah。Nexttimemegouptostationmefindaboutit，forsure，ifanyonerememberdatfellow。\"
IntheeveningthenegrocalledatthehouseandtoldVincentthathehadascertainedthatamanansweringtohisdescriptionandhavingluggagesimilartothatofPearsonhadhaditcheckedtoFlorenceinSouthCarolina。
VincentnowcalledDanintohiscounselandtoldhimwhathehaddiscovered。Theyoungnegrohadalreadygivenproofofsuchintelligencethathefeltsurehisopinionwouldbeofvalue。
\"Datallberyplain，sah，\"DansaidwhenVincentfinishedhisstory。
\"MedodoubtdatoldrascalJacksongivemoneytoPearsontocarryoffdogal。OhcoursehediditjusttotakerevengeuponTony。Pearsonhegointodeplot，because，indefustplace，itvexMissyWingfieldandyouberymuch；indosecondplace，becauseJacksongibhimmoney；indothirdplace，becausehegetholdofnegroslaveworfathousanddollar。Datallquiteclear。Henotdoithimself，butarrangewidoderfellows，andhestopquietatdehotelfortwodaysaftershegonesodatnoonecan\'specthishavinghandindoaffair。\"
\"ThatisjusthowImakeitout，Dan；andnowhehasgoneofftojointhem。\"
Danthoughtforsometime。
\"Perhapsdeyjoinhimthar，sab，perhapsnot；perhapshimsendhimbaggageonthereandgetoutsomewhereondoroadandmeetthem。\"
\"Thatislikelyenough，Dan。NodoubtDinahwastakenawayinacartorbuggy。Asshelefttwodaysbeforehedid，theymayhavegonefromfortytosixtymilesalongtheroad，tosomeplacewherehemayhavejoinedthem。Themenwhocarriedheroffmayeitherhavecomebackorgoneonwithhim。Iftheywantedtogosouththeywouldgoon；iftheydidnot，hewouldprobablyhaveonlyhiredthemtocarryheroffandhandherovertohimwhenheovertookthem。Iwilllookatthetime。tableandseewherethattrainstops。Itisafasttrain，Isee，\"hesaid，afterconsultingit；itstopsatPetersburg，fifteenmileson，andatHicksFord，whichisaboutfiftymiles。Ishouldthinkthesecondplacewasmostlikely，asthecartcouldeasilyhavegotthereintwodays。Now，Dan，youhadbetterstarttomorrowmorning，andspendtwodaysthereifnecessary；findoutifyoucanifonthetwentiethoflastmonthanyonenoticedavehicleofanykind，withtworoughmeninit，andwith，perhaps，anegrowoman。Shemightnothavebeennoticed，forshemayhavebeenlyingtiedupinthebottomofthecart，althoughitismorelikelytheyfrightenedherbythreatsintosittingupquietwiththem。Theyaresurenottohavestoppedatanydecouthotel，butwillhavegonetosomesmallplace，probablyjustoutsidethetown。
\"IwillgowithyoutoMr。Renfrewthefirstthinginthemorningandgethimtodrawupapapertestifyingthatyouareengagedinlawfulbusiness，andaremakinginquirieswithaviewtodiscoveringacrimewhichhasbeencommitted，andrecommendingyoutotheassistanceofthepoliceinanytownyoumaygoto。ThenifyougowiththattotheheadconstableatHicksFordhewilltellyouwhicharetheplacesatwhichsuchfellowsasthesewouldhavebeenlikelytoputupforthenight，andperhapssendapolicemanwithyoutomakeinquiries。Ifyougetanynewstelegraphtomeatonce。Iwillstartbythesixo\'clocktrainonthefollowingmorning。Doyoubeontheplatformtomeetme，andwecantheneithergostraightontoFlorence，or，shouldtherebeanyoccasion，Iwillgetoutthere；butIdon\'tthinkthatislikely。
Pearsonhimselfwill，toacertainty，soonerorlater，gotoFlorencetogethisluggage，andtheonlyrealadvantageweshallgetifyourinquiriesaresuccessfulwillbetofindoutforcertainwhetherheisconcernedintheaffair。WeshallthenonlyhavetofollowhistracesfromFlorence。\"
TwodayslaterMr。RenfrewreceivedatelegramfromtheheadconstableatHicksFord:\"Thetwomenwithcartspentdayhere，20thult。Werejoinedthatmorningbyanotherman-negrosaysPearson。Onemanreturnedafternoon，Richmond。Pearsonandtheotherdroveoffinbuggy。Ayoungnegressandchildwerewiththem。IsthereanythingIcando？\"
Mr。Renfrewtelegraphedbacktorequestthatthemen，whowerekidnapingthefemaleslave，shouldifpossiblebetracedandthedirectiontheytookascertained。HethensentthemessageacrosstoVincent，whoatoncewenttohisoffice。
\"Now，\"thelawyersaid，\"youmustdonothingrashlyinthisbusiness，Vincent。TheyareatthebestoftimeaprettyroughlotattheedgeoftheseCarolinaswamps，andatpresentthingsarelikelytobeworsethanusual。Ifyouweretogoaloneonsuchanerrandyouwouldalmostcertainlybeshot。Inthefirstplace，thesefellowswouldnotgiveupavaluableslavewithoutastruggle；andinthenextplace，theyhavecommittedaveryseriouscrime。
Thereforeitisabsolutelynecessarythatyoushouldgoarmedwithlegalpowersandbackedbytheforceofthelaw。Inthefirstplace，Iwilldrawupanaffidavitandsignitmyself，totheeffectthatafemaleslave，thepropertyofVincentWingfield，has，withhermalechild，beenkidnapedandstolenbyJonasPearsonandothersactinginassociationwithhim，andthatwehavereasontoknowthatshehasbeenconveyedintoSouthCarolina。ThisIwillgetwitnessedbyajusticeofthepeace，andwillthentakeituptoGovernmentHouse。ThereIwiflgettheusualofficialrequesttothegovernorofSouthCarolinatoissueordersthattheaidofthelawshallbegiventoyouinrecoveringthesaidDinahMorrisandherchildandarrestingherabductors。Youwillobtainanordertothiseffectfromthegovernor，andarmedwithityouwill，assoonasyouhavediscoveredwherethewomanis，calluponthesheriffofthecountytoaidyouinrecoveringher，andinarrestingPearsonandhisassociates。\"
\"Thankyou，sir。Thatwillcertainlybethebestway。Irunplentyofriskindoingmydutyasanofficerofthestate，andIhavenodesirewhatevertothrowmylifeawayatthehandsofruffianssuchasPearsonandhisallies。\"
TwohourslaterVincentreceivedfromMr。RenfrewtheofficiallettertothegovernorofSouthCarolina，andatsixo\'clocknextmorningstartedforFlorence。OntheplatformofthestationatHicksFordDanwaswaitingforhim。
\"Jumpintothecarattheend，Dan；Iwillcometoyouthere，andyoucantellmeallthenews。WearegoingstraightontoColumbia。Now，Dan，\"Vincentwentonwhenhejoinedhim-forinnopartoftheUnitedStateswerenegroesallowedtotravelinanybutthecarssetapartforthem-\"whatisyournews？Thechiefconstabletelegraphedthattheyhad，asweexpected，beenjoinedbyPearsonhere。\"
\"Yes，sah，deywarhereforsure。WhenIgethereIgostraighttodeconstableandtellhimdatIwasinsearchoftwomenwhohadkidnapedCaptainWingfield\'sslave。DeheadconstableheRichmondman，andohcourseknewallaboutdefamily；sohetakedematterupatonceandsendconstablewidmetoseberalplaceswhereitlikelydatthefellowshadputup，butwecouldn\'tfindnuffinaboutdem。Dennextmorningwegooutagaintovillagefourmileoutofdetownondenorthroad，andderewefoundsure\'noughdattwomen，widnegrowenchandchile，hadstoppeddere。Sheseemberyunhappyandcryalldotime。DemensaydeyboughtheratRichmond，andshowdoconstableofdevillagedopaperdatdeyhadboughtafemaleslabeSallyMooreandherchile。Doconstablespeaktowoman，butsheseemfrightcuedoutofherlifeandnosayanything。Deydriveoffwidherearlyindomorning。Denwemakeinquiriesagainatdotownandatdostation。WefinddatamanlikePearsongetout。Hehadonlylittlehand-bagwithhim。Heaskoneofdomenatdostationwhichwasdowaytodonorfroad。Denwefinddatoneofdoconstableshabseenahorseandcartwidtwomeninit，withnegrowomanandchild。OneofdomenlooklikeYankee-datwhatmakehimtakenoticeofit。Wes\'posedatodormanwentbacktoRichmondagain。\"
\"Thatisallright，Dan，andyouhavedonecapitally。NowatFlorencewewilltakeupthehunt。Itisalongwaydownthere；
andiftheydrivealltheway，asIhopetheywill，itwilltakethemafortnight，sothatweshallhavegainedagooddealoftimeonthem。Thepeopleatthestationaresuretorememberthethreeboxesthatlaythereforsolongwithoutbeingclaimed。Ofcoursetheymayhavedrivenonlytilltheygotfairlyoutofreach。Thentheymayeitherhavesoldthehorseandtrap，orthefellowPearsonhaswithhimmayhavedrivenitback。ButIshouldthinktheywouldmostlikelysellit。InthatcasetheywouldnotbemorethanaweekfromthetimetheyleftRichmondtothetimetheytooktrainagainforthesouth。However，whethertheyhavegotafort-nightorthreeweeks\'startofuswillnotmakemuchdifference。WiththedescriptionwecangiveofPearson，andthefactthattherewasanegressandchild，andthosethreeboxes，weoughttobeabletotracehim。\"
ItwastwelveatnightwhenthetrainarrivedatFlorence。AsnothingcouldbedoneuntilnextmorningVincentwenttoanhotel。Assoonastherailwayofficialswerelikelytobeattheirofficeshewasatthestationagain。Thetipofadollarsecuredtheattentionofthemaninthebaggage-room。
\"Threeboxesandablackbagcameonhereamonthago，yousay，andlayherecertainlyfourorfivedays——perhapsagooddeallonger。OfcourseIrememberthem。Stoodupinthatcornerthere。
Theyhadbeencheckedrightthrough。Iwilllookatthehooksandseewhatdaytheywent。Idon\'trememberwhatsortofmenfetchedthemaway。MaybeIwasbusyatthetime，andmymategavethemout。However，Iwilllookfirstandseewhentheywent。
Whatdaydoyousaytheygothere？\"
\"TheycamebythetrainthatleftRichmondatsixo\'clockonthemorningofthe20th。\"
\"Thentheygotinlatethatnightorearlynextmorning。Ah，thetrainwasontimethatday，andgotinathalf-pastnineatnight。
Heretheyare-threeboxesandabag，numbers15020，wentoutonthe28th。Yes，that\'srightenough。NowIwilljustaskmymateifheremembersabouttheirgoingout。\"
Theothermanwascalled。Oh，yes，herememberedquitewellthethreeboxesstandinginthecorner。Theywentoutsometimeintheafternoon。ItwasjustafterthetraincameinfromRichmond。
Henoticedthemanthataskedforthem。Hegothimtohelpcarryouttheboxesandputthemintoacart。Yes，herememberedtherewasanothermanwithhim，andanegresswithachild。Hewonderedatthetimewhattheywereupto，butsupposeditwasallright。Yes，hedidn\'tmindtryingtofindoutwhohadhiredoutacartforthejob。Dessayhecouldfindoutbyto-morrow-atanyratehewouldtry。Fivedollarsareworthearninganyway。
Havingputthismatterintrain，Vincent，leavingDanatFlorence，wentdownatoncetoCharleston。Here，aftertwenty-fourhours\'
delay，heobtainedawarrantforthearrestofJonasPearsonandothersonthechargeofkidnaping，andthenreturnedtoFlorence。
Hefoundthattherailwaymanhadfailedinobtaininganyinformationastothecart，andconcludeditmusthavecomeinfromthecountryonpurposetomeetthetrain。
\"Atanyrate，\"Vincentsaid，\"itmustbewithinaprettylimitedrangeofcountry。TherailwaymakesabendfromWilmingtontothisplaceandthendowntoCharleston，sothisisreallytheneareststationtoonlyasmallextentofcountry。\"
\"That\'sso，\"therailwaymansaid。HehadheardfromDanagooddealaboutthecase，andhadgotthoroughlyinterestedinit。\"EitherMarionorKingstreewouldhenearer，onewayortheother，tomostoftheswampcountry。Soitcan\'tbeasfarasConwayhoroughonthenorthorGeorgetownonthesouth，anditmustliesomewherebetweenJeifries\'CreekandLynch\'sCreek；anyhowitwouldbeinMarionCounty-that\'sprettynighsure。SoifIwereyouIwouldtakerailbacktoMarionCourthouse，andseethesheriffthereandhaveatalkoverthematterwithhim。Youhaven\'tgotmuchtogoupon，becausethismanyouareafterhasbeenawayfromhereagoodmanyyearsandwon\'tbeknown；
besides，likelyenoughhewentbysomeothernamedownhere。
Anyhow，thesheriffcanputyouuptotheroads，andthebestwayofgoingaboutthejob。\"
\"Ithinkthatwouldbethebestway，\"Vincentsaid。\"Weshallbeabletoseethecountymaptooandtolearnallthegeographyoftheplace。\"
\"Youhavegotyoursix-shooterswithyou，Isuppose，becanseyouareaslikelyasnottohavetousethem？\"
\"Yes，wehaveeachgotaColt；andasIhavehadagooddealofpractice，itwouldbeawkwardforPearsonifhegivesmeoccasiontouseit。\"
\"AfterwhatIhearofthematter，\"themansaid，\"Ishouldsayyourbestplanisjusttoshoothimatsight。It\'swhatwouldservehimright。Youbettherewillbenofussoverit。Itwillsaveyoualotoftroubleanyway。\"
Vincentlaughed。
\"Myadviceisgood，\"themanwentonearnestly。\"Theyarearoughlotdownthere，andhangtogether。Youwillhavetodoitsudden，whateveryoudo，oryouwillgetthehullneighborhoodupaginyou。\"
OnreachingMarionCourthousetheysoughtoutthesheriff，producedthewarrantsignedbytheStates\'authority，andexplainedthewholecircumstances。
\"IamreadytoaidyouinanywayIcan，\"thesheriffsaidwhenheconcluded；\"butthequestionis，wherehasthefellowgotto？Youseehemaybeanywhereinthistract；\"andhepointedoutacircleonthemapofthecountythathungagainstthewall。\"Thatisaboutfiftymileacross，andaprettynastyspot，Icantellyou。Therearewideswampsonbothsidesofthecreek，andricegroundsandallsorts。Thereain\'tabovethreeorfourvillagesaltogether，buttheremaybetwoorthreehundredlittleplantationsscatteredabout，somebigandsomelittle。Wehaven\'tgotanythingtoguideusintheslightest，notathing，asIcansee。\"
\"ThemanwhowasworkingunderPearson，whenhewaswithus，toldmehehadgotthenotionthathehadhadtoleaveonaccountofsometroublehere。Possiblythatmightaffordaclew。\"
\"Itmightdoso，\"thesheriffsaid。\"Whendidhecometoyou？\"
\"IthinkitwaswhenIwassixorsevenyearsold。Thatwouldbeabouttwelveorthirteenyearsago；but，ofcourse，hemaynothavecomedirecttousafterleavinghere。\"
\"Wecanlookanyway，\"thesheriffsaid，and，openingachest，hetookoutanumberofvolumescontainingtherecordsofhispredecessors。\"Twelveyearsago!Well，thisisthevolume。Now，CaptainWingfield，Ihavegotsomeotherbusinessinhandthatwilltakemeacoupleofhours。Iwillleaveyououtthisvolumeandtheonebeforeitandtheoneafterit，andifyouliketogothroughthemyoumaycomeacrossthedescriptionofsomemanwantedthatagreeswiththatofthemanyouareinsearchof。\"
IttookVincenttwohoursandahalftogothroughthevolume，buthemetwithnodescriptionansweringtothatofPearson。
\"Iwillgothroughthefirstsixmonthsofthenextyear，\"hesaidtohimself，takingupthatvolume，\"andthelastsixmonthsoftheyearbefore。\"
Thesecondvolumeyieldednobetterresult，andhethenturnedbacktothefirstofthethreebooks。BeginninginJuly，hereadsteadilyonuntilhecametoDecember。Scarcelyhadhebeguntherecordofthatmonththanheutteredanexclamationofsatisfaction。
\"December2nd-InformationlaidagainstgangatPorter\'sStation，nearLynch\'sCreek。Chargedwithseveralrobberiesandmurdersindifferentpartsofthecounty。Longbeensuspectedofhavingstillsintheswamps。GangconsistsoffourbesidesPorterhimself。
Namesofgang，JackHaverley，JimCorben，andJohnandJamesPorter。Orderedoutpossetostartto-morrow\"December5th-ReturnedfromPorter\'sStakon。Surprisedthegang。Theyresisted。Ilaverley，Carbon，andJamesPortershot。
JohnPorterescaped，andtooktoswamp。Fourofpossewounded；
one，WilliamHannay，killed。CirculateddescriptionofJohnPorterthroughthecounty。Tallandlean；whenfifteenyearsoldshotamaninabrawl，andwentnorth。Hasbeenabsentthirteenyears。
AssumedtheappearanceofanorthernmanandspeakswithYankeetwang。Fatherwasabsentatthetimeofattsck。Capturedthreehoursafter。Declaresheknowsnothingaboutdoingsofthegang。HaverleyandCorbenwerefriendsofhissons。Cameandwentwhentheyliked。Willbetriedonthe15th。\"
Onthe16ththerewasanotherentry: