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。