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。