PRICE 10 CopifTighted at Washincfton.D. C.bv moYELiST Publishing Co. post o3ce. New York, as second-cUiss i NEW YORK. rm|PYQ|l|{||,oi,II)eUeisofkStaaiiiloali. UlliriLll I Ulllll I BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. A Thrilling Tale of Sheridan and His Men. Cavalry Sam's Sword Combat with the Guerrilla of the Shenandoah. THE WAR LIBRARY. CAVAIiRY SAM; Eider of the Shenandoah. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. CHAPTER I. THE GATHERING STORM. A dark cloud was over the La'.^:: of free- dom. The long pent-up fires of discord were showing increased veuom, luid there was every iudicatlon that the threatening vol- e:\iio would soon belch forth its stream of destruction. Sectional animosity was going from bad to worse, and if the signs were not deceptive, grim war would soon stalk hand .a hand with death across fair fields and over peace- ful thresholds. It was the spring of 1861, and every in- habitant of the United States was in a state of nervous expectancy. Down in South Carolina, an ominous pro- logue was being enacted, which presaged a red drama. General Bi'auregard lay threateningly be- fore Fort Sumter, and the whole country was listening for the sound of the first gun. All expected it, but hoped to see the storm pass by, and their heritage cf freedom left intact. On a pleasant day in April, a single horse- man was riding at an easy canter along the road, on the eastern bank of the Shenan- doah River, and at a point west of Mana«ses Gap. It was fair and pleasant ground, and as he went, he passed grand plantations, where lived the chivalry of Virginia. The rider, himself, did not look less aristo- eratiothan the proud dwellers by the old river ; in fact, a nobler specimen of mankind had seldom been seen on the broad road. Youth, strength and manly comeliness were his visible endowments, and if the costly but modest style of dress went for anything, wealth might be added to the others. He was aljout twenty-flve years of age, six feet ill height, broad of shoulders, full of chest, and with long arms and large hands, whicli indicated great strength. Such a man might have been a gladiator in the old days, but the white hands and dress of the lone rider showed that he was not among those who toiled for a living pearance. Mounted on a large black horse, he sat in the saddle like a Centaur, every movement full of ease and grace, and few persons would pass him without taking an adiJitional look. With his fine form and face, his dark eyes, heavy mustache, and black, curling hair, he somehow brought up thoughts of the old- time knights of chivalry, and proud indeed might be the man or woman who called him friend. For two miles after leaving the river-road, he rode as before, and then moderated his pace as he came in sight of a gran(?old plan- tation. Broad fields were there, and all richly cultivated, while the house, half-ancient, half-modern, bespoke the wealth of its It was a fine scene, but one so familiar to the rider, that he gave only a casual glance and went on toward the house. flash of mischief passed over the horseman' face. The soft footing deadened all sound of his approach, and he rode close to the boy, bent from his saddle, and, seizing him by the heels, lifted him clear off the ground, and left him hanging head down. The colored youth— he was superlatively black — came out of his blissful unconscious- ness with a yelp and a squirm which be- trayed his alarm, but the tall rider held fast and began laughing lo'.dly. Evidently the boy at first believed himself in some dreadful danger, but as he managed to gain sight of the other's face his mood changed, and, despite his jjosition, a broad grin overspread his chubby face. "Hi I is dat you, Massa Sam?" he cried. "Thought dat Tom Millet got me, suah. Wat for you serbe niggah dis way, sah? Ain't you carryin' de joke too fur?" " I'm trying to elevate the colored race, you black rascal," laughed the horseman. "What are you kicking for? Can't you l>ear your honors more modestly?" " Fore de Lord, Massa Sam, you's done put ." ly'iag'rata my head, an' de current runs de wrong way. Leff me go, Massa Warburton loses Yah! yah! ye, s best nigger. ah! yam • The boy was taking all in good part, but Sam, as he had called the rider, knew the position was not comfortable, and by a quick movement he reversed the youth and set him ou his feet. " There you are, my gay Cleon, all safe and sound, though it isn't your good wit that makes you so. It Tom Millet had caught you asleep on the grass, he would have cracked his whip on the best darky on the plantation." " Hi 1 hi ! let rae alnnc fur dat, sah. Tom, be gone down to de vill:i:r(! an' I tek a sleep while de suu sliiiies, Tiun won't catch dis niggah asleep, not mnsli, Massa Sam." "Bee to it he don't," said Sam, more seri- ously. He liked this chubby colored boy well, knowing him to be honest and faithful as the day was long, and many a prank like that i"«t recorded, had they had together. Sam Carrington owned a plantation of his own, and could count four-scoic slaves, but he had no false pride, and liis cable work- men clung to " Massa Sam " as to a rock. What more the planter might have said is uncertain, for at that moment he caught sight of a lady on the piazza of the house who seemed to be watching him closely. He sprang from his black horse, tossed the rein to Cleon, and went lightly up the .steps, a smile on his face, for f lie lady was Augus- ta Warburton, the daughter ot a near iitigli- bor— the owner of the plantation— he had come to visit. They were acquaintances of many years, and had always been on good terms, though the dissimilarity of their natures had always stood between them in a measure. He was frank, free, joyous and rollicking ; she, with all her beauty, her geuius and her many gifts of nature, coupled with a reputation for benevolence and kindness of heart, so bound up in family pride and its foibles that he was often disturbed if not disgusted. She looked like a beautiful statue, as she stood ready to receive him, but with the blindness of his frank and happy-go-lucky nature, he did not perceive the severe and even frowning expression on her face. He half expected a reprimand for being so free with the colored boy, but, instead, as she gave her hand, an abrupt and unexpect- ed question was flung in his lace. " Have you enlisted, Samuel Carrington ?" "Eh?" he said, starting. "I'm not sure I understood you, but I may have heard aright. Have I enlisted ? That depends. As your admirer, I have, but, otherwise " "Have done with nonsense," interrupted the girl, and even Sam saw the strange, red flush ou her cheeks. "I am not in a mood for jesting. I mean, have you joined the Confederate army to fight against our Northern oppressors ?" His face grew suddenly grave. "I trust the day will never come when any one will do that," he proudly said. " Man, have you not heard the news ?" she cried. " One would think you an actual hermit. Do you know what day it is ? The twelfth of April, 1861— the year and the day when a new republic has been born, and a yoke of tyranny thrown off the sons of the South. The twelfth of April, Samuel Car- rington— and yet, you have not heard the news?" " Not a word. I aave been twenty-four hours in the swamp with Amaziah Strout, and no one has crossed my path since then. Is there news? Nothing serious, I hope." ' It will prove serious for the North," was firing on Fort Sumter has begun !" Samuel Carrington moved backward at the last words, and his ruddy face changed color. At first, a stranger might have thought the signs indicative of a craven's fear, but even the proud girl before him knew that ui, oraver man than he lived in old Virginia. "No!" he exclaimed, half incredulously, half as though pleading for her to withdraw her assertion. tie A try I opened, and, I doubt not 'Te gam- saw then that she was in earnest, but his haudsome face was sterner and more gloomy than she had ever before seen it. "They are mad!" he exclaimed. "I did not think it would oome to this ; I thought their prepexatioDS would fall through in ite of all. And they have fired on the o\d ig, planning to dismember our broajd country. Just Heaven! and these men are my countrymen!" "More," resumed the heiress; "they are your fellow Virginians ; they are heroes." All Virginians are heroes," declared Car- rington, his color retumlnga little. "Heroes ■ -y are, ■ ■ ■ ■Andi " Because they have fired on the old flag.' "When the flag we all loved once becomes an emblem ot tyranny, it is time to fire on tell you, Samuel Carrington, those men are destined to riuik with those patriots who fought at Lexington, at Bunker Hill and at Concord ; and on some glorious field of Virgiuia they will win their final laurels as the men of '76 won them from Comwallis." Miss Warburton spoke with enthusiasm. Her tine form was drawn to its utmost height; she looked liked a queen delivering a proph- esy. Still, the man before her scarcely knew wiiat she said. " A civil war," he darkly muttered. "Men slaughtered, fields devastated, houses ruined and women suffering for clothing and food. Such are the attendants of war. And the sunny South, the South I love so well, will be crushed from its own mljfake. Poor Virginia— poor Virginia." He put his hand to his forehead with a gesture which almost maddened Miss War- Inirton. In that hour when she was so enthusiastic, brave and confident, it touched her to the quick to see this man with his youth and great gifts from nature fall into so gloomy a mood. He was lamenting when, in her opinion, he should have been full of fervor and joy. CHAPTER II. "THERE IS NO MIDDLE COURSE.'' "Samuel Carrington," cried the girl, passionately, "what am I to think of you? Men have called you brave, and you are as good a shot and rider as lives m the Old Dominion. No one excels you. More than that, you are a Virginian born and bred, and i- state is going with the united South. fields until we can carry the war beyond Mason and Dixon's line. Sir, will you not be found fighting among the foremost ?" " I may be found fighting," he answered, in a firmer voice; "if there is war I shall fight ; but it will not be against the stars and stripes. It will be undei the old flag and for a united country." Augusta fairly gasped. Before, she had thought him tame, perhaps cowardly; but now she had heard worse. Ho would be against the South, against Virginia, against even. But it was so horrible, she could [not con- template it. Before she could answer, however, another girl glided to her side ; one as fair, though less queenly, and the second daughter of Warburton. Sisters they were, and only separated by two years in point of age, but while Augusta was a woman and a queen in seeming, Vida, at seventeen, unlike the average Southern girl, seemed still a child. " There is my hand, Sam," Vida earnestly said, " for I am with you for the Union. Augusta may secede if she will, but you and I will remain loyal." A half smile crossed her face at the end, showing that she did not fully comprehend the seriousness of the national crisis, but Carrington was all in earnest, as he added : "We will, to the end." " Girl," said Augusta, severely l" how dare you speak such words? You, a Warburton, and to raise your voice against your native State. For shame!" Before more could be said a call sounded froiri the town |and they looked to see two men who had approached unseen. One was on horseback, and a handsome young fellow he was. A trifle younger than Sam, he had the dark complexion of a Southerner, but in his face was a frankness, honesty and earn- estness which bespoke a man who would do no mean act and who had an indomitable will to carry out a settled purpose. He was the son of a neighboring planter, and was named Alfred Penrock. His companion was less attractive. A man of middle age, stoutly built and ill-clad, his exterior went to pronounce him a poor white, even as his face stamped him a man of low and vicious ways, if not a villain. Bronzed by sun and rain, strong drink had given even a deeper hue to his nose and cheeks ; his hair and beard were long and unkempt, and one searohiiig for tui iUnstra- THE WAR LIBRARY. tion of a hang-doR rascal would uot be apt to pass by Jacob Shelley. He stood beside the horse, lookiuglstraight at Sam Carriiigtou, and scowling blackly, while at the sight even the latters face clouded. A year before Shelley had been Warbur- ton's overseer, but a number of small ras- calities had been brought to his master's notice b> Carriugton. ami since tlien he had not been allowed on the plantiition. Vidaloai,i \Ui,,i IVnrock," "come li.ii' anil gi\.- fLi.- a lift. I have sprained an ankl.\ an, I i.nly lui' .Shelley'said I might lia\ .■ >l. |.t in III.' swamp to-night." 'I'll.' iinm a. Ml ,■>-.. I forgot all else, and w.iii <|iii, kly t.. I'.nii.ck. Bosom friends Thf two lia.l i.tnai, anil cither one would I'isk oueiie^ *viiLeiie^a iii it sujiv waj., uui, tuuu^u the horse was his, he still lingered. Penrock chanced to see him, and started up from his seat, only to fall back and wince from pain. " I had forgotten his reward," he said. "Come here, my man, and name your price." •'Make it what you will," said the ex-over- seer, touching his misshapen hat, in an at- tejiipt at politeness, "I reckon we shall all bo iliawiu' good pay soon, an' then I hope ter fuller you two men in battle." [ but there was an additional surliness on his ! face. Alfred had skilfully dismissed him, but he would much rather have remained to use his ears. He mounted his ungainly horse and rode away west, but at the first turn swung around to the left and pushed »u toward the The "The old story!" muttered Carrington, gloomily. " You are all mad for war." "We are wild with exultation to gain secure the liberty won for us by the men of '76," Penrock said, his line face lighting with a glow of enthusiasm. " Ah ! there will by side with those of Washington, Marion and Greene." " Mr. Carrington's will be thar, o" course," said the ex-overseer, with a strange look on his ill-favored face. " Certainly it will be there, and I know of no man more fitted to lead the Virginians in the grand attempt." But no answering gleam came to Sam Car- rington's face. Grave even to sternness, his look was one which surprised Penrock. "If Virginians follow my lead," hesteadily said, "it will be to uphold the old flag and an undivided union of states." The younger man sat aghast. Of all things he had least expected to hear such a decla- ration. In the years that were passed peo- ple had called his friend Mad Sam, and when they saw a horse going over a fence they be- lieved no one could leap, Sam's coat-tails were sure to be found floating behind. His wild gallops across country had been the talk of the whole neighborhood ; and as he dashing soldier he would make, go, it was no wonder he was astonished. But, while he looked amazed, a gleam of triumph and malignant hate crept into Shelley's face which pictured his heart. He was longing for a chance to pay oft the old score. Then Penrock recovered his tongue, and a long discussion followed. He was at first inclined to make light of Sara's assertion, but when he saw that he was in full earnest his way changed to pleading. He was him- self heart ana soul with the new cause, and loving his friend like a brother, his words (vere like eutting knives. " This is the result of an education at the North," Augusta finally broke in, passion- itely. "I remember that when you went iway my fathersaid to yours : ' No good will jome of it. Beware, lest the bov draw poison from Northern milk.' Were not the words prophetic? Sam Carrington went to the Northern college, and then to Europe ; now le has come back to us to turn his back on lis own people." " But not on the Union," Vida added. While Augusta had been speaking, Pen- rock had chanced to look at Shelley, and the axpression on the fellow's face alarmed him. He saw there the reflection of the bitter en- mity he knew the man felt toward Sam, and he hastily held out his hand. "1 had forgotten you again," he said. ' Excuse me for detaining you, for I remem- ber yon said you were in haste. Here is a do the latter, an' it won't lie very hard ter get up an excitement against him which will eeud his lite. Ha, ha ! he stirred up a tiger when he robbed me o' my job." By that time tlie quartet he had left had entirely forgotten his existence in their ear- nest discussfon. Augusta— but, of her, more anon. Penrock was deeply pained and amazed. Sam had never been inclined to talk of the national troubles, and for politics he had the utmost contempt; but his friend had never suspected that he would be lukewarm when trouble came. Less than an hour before, he had been thinking what a noble leader he would make for some Virginian regiment. Brave, dashing, magnetic, a fine swords- man, marksman and rider; such men were sure to go to the front in the struggle. But an hour seemed to have suddenly aged the man in question. Since he had heard the news his gay laugh had not once sounded, and across his manly face the old smile had evidently forgotten how to play. He saw with the prophetic eye of an intel- ligent man, what must follow if war came, for war is always dreadful. Devastated fields and broken homes, un- timely graves and ruiued names. Sam Car- rington shuddered aud failed to catch the enthusiasm of his friend. And when he rode away, it was in a fash- ion far diflerent from his old dash and gay- ety. Twilight was falUng, but he went on with loosened rein, and rode unheeding past gloomy swamps where desperate fugitive slaves had lairs, and but too often had done deeds of violence. "You must side with one of the hostile parties," Alfred Penrock had said to him. ' ' There is no middle course. ' ' He knew it was true, aud the knowledge brought the fiercest pang of his life. And at the same moment Augusta War- burton was in her chamber, her face full of pain, her hand nervously working in the folds of her dress. " What will come of it?" she was murmur- ing. " He is brave, noble, but mad. Can his views be changed? If not, God help us all ; for I love him better than my own Ufel" CHAPTER III. THE CABIN AND THE SPY. A week passed slowly by, a week which "' " )r Southern, who 11 long remember. Fort Sumter had fallen. Major Anderson's handful of men had succumbed to the su- periority of numbers and surrendered to General Beauregard. The event was like a match in dry fuel, and its effects were felt from the eastern boundary of the country to the Pacific. Men began to see that trouble could not be avert- ed, and the seething volcano rocked all the C vll was was at hand, and the end no man could see. During the week, Samuel Carrington had been seen but little abroad. He kept for the most part within his own house, and as he looked from the door and saw the broad fields around him, he felt none of the old re- gret that he was the last of his family. It war came, there would be no aged moth- er or father, and no delicate sister to endure its terrors. As for himself , he had no fear. His arm strong, his heart stouter ye Id meet the inevitable bravely Alfred Penrock visited him every day. They had long talks, but neither would change his views. Each believed himself ri^ht, and was fixed in his opinions. Despite this, they always talked in kindness. Old friends and noble by nature, they might dif- fer, but they would never quarrel. Pain they might and did feel at the situa- tion, but the clasp of their strong hands was as warm as ever m the past. Penrock laid all the blame to the Connecti- cut college where Sam had been educated. Pour years there had wrought all the mis- chief he believed he saw ; but, in time, his friend's eyes might be opened. Twice, Augusta Warburtou rode over with him. Proud and cold as people called her, she loved Sam Carrington devotedly, and was bent on saving him, as she regarded it. 11. Miiiist uot be lost to Virginia and the cans.- .xln- upheld. ( in.-.lav, .'^am mounted hi^ black horse aud s.{ ,.ii( in an , a.-ilcily .liiv.l i. .n. He had a lix.'.i |.iii|..,-.' ill •vi.\\,aiiil u as anxious to ani\ .• at hi.- il.slilial i, .ii. -, ., as In. galloped .il.in.i; at a ......I (.a.-.', a ,1,-ico ..t his old His Hue form and face, his long, black and curling hair, hi.s dark eyes and heavy mus- tache were calculated to attract unusual at- tention, aud a friendly planter nodded as lu: passed, and then smiled slightly. ., "He will never change to any great de- gree. True, he is no longer the wild youth we called 'Mad Sam,' but I expect to sea Southern army But " Mad Sam " went steadily on until he neared the border of an e.xtensive swamp. It was not a place of good repute. OuV laws, white and black, were known to lurk in its depths, defring pursuit, Imt the swamp was wid... a'mi (her., was room for other menbesi.l.-tli. III. ilnnlcrs w cio there who lived hoii.'sli\, .in. I Hacked their game under the sil.'Ut pines ..r the bunchy cy- presses ; and to one of these he was going. Amaziah Strout was the name of the man he sought— or, as he was frequently called, '"Ziah of the Swamp." A still hunter by nature and trade, he was an old friend of the rich planter. Dissimilar in all things except in honesty and bravery, there was a strong bond between them. From the time when Sam was twelve years of age he had been a frequent visitor at 'Ziah's cabin. From him he had received lessons in rifle shooting, in hunting and in trailing. Together they had slow-tracked many a quarry to its death. In the low cabin the boy had listened to scores of hunters' "yarns," and under the pines they had walked, eaten and slept side by side. To this man Sam was now going, and when the way became low and treacherous, he dismounted, secured his horse to a sap- ling; and, taking his rifle, went on alone. Over knoll and hollow, across the refuse of the pines and over low places where only the fallen trees aud occasional hummocks saved him from the treacherous mud — by this course he went to the hunter's cabin. A last he reached a higher, dryer region. Pines became the only tree visible, aud to one who loves silence and soUtude there is no place more agreeable. The soft carpet of refuse under foot, the straight, smooth trunks, and the thick, in- terlaced tops of the trees— it is as though one was in a labyrinth of variegated velvets. At last the planter paused, for he had come upon an interesting picture. Between two great trees nestled a little cabin some twelve feet square, and humbly made of pine branches, poles and mud. Be- fore the cabin sat a single man, its owner, 'Ziah of the Swamp. He was fifty years of age, tall and thin, even to a degree painful to behold, but one glance at his bronzed face, clear eyes and muscular form would show that it was from nature, not disease. He was not a hand- some man. Ou the contrary, he was home- ly, with his thin face, high cheek-bones, huge nose aud wide mouth, and the sparse beard on his face only served to add a ragged look to the whole. Yet, the face was full of honesty, good humor, frankness and firmness. The deep- set eyes were overhung by huge tufts of hair growing from the brows, but behind the curtain tfius made they beamed with candor, though not without a latent Are. One minute Sam looked, a smile on his face, and then strode forward. Little sound his feet made on the fragments of pine, yet the hunter looked up quickly. "Halloo, 'Ziah!" the visitor genially said. Then trap up sprung the man of rifle and thing for men ter prowl fircfiDd my THE WAR LIBRARY. cabin. Some day I'll get eloped with like a Eooty girl. Lord! wouldn't I make a loomin' bride!" . They shook hands warmly, and a comical amile played around the ragged face of the hunter. ., ...^ " I reckon you could show sharp nails if it came to that, ' laughed Carrington. " I should faint. Women always do. Had a sister once who took tofaiutiu' on her mar- riage day, an' went from cue catechism ter another right through. When the miuute came fur her to be spliced, they tied her to a tree an' hung a weight ou her under jaw ter make her mouth open an' say 'yes.' Gettin' married is serious business, you know, Sam." " I should say so— in your family. " Thar is- a current o' tragedy 'mongst us. My brother had eleven different gals propose ter him afore he would consent. Arterhe he said he'd have Maria Stubbs, I felt that the family honor was atstake; he innst keep the contract or leave the business. I watched him night an' day, an' when he finally tried to run off, I had him 'rested fur stealin ray rifle. It took fourteen men ter capture him, and he frothed at the mouth fur a week. He was so wrought up that he took the ague, an' shook off his weddiu clothes as fast as we put them on. We car- ried him ter the alUr wrapped round an round with ropes, an' when we got thar found that the bride elect had eloped with another man. She left a note-of-hand, say- in' she hoped Seth would forgive her; an' he did it, too, easy. Lord! you oughter seen him gain flesh arter that." Carrington waited patiently for 'Ziah to talk himself out of breath, answered by a few appropriate remarks, and then added : " How goes matters in the swamp ?" •'Pooty fair, fur the kind." "You intimated that some one had been prowling around your cabin. Who was it'/" "A two-legged critter o' some sort; ain't got his pedigree. He nosed 'round here last night, an' though he found the old man awake, slipped away when I tried ter drop on him. Can't say who 'twas, but I more'n half suspect 'twas your friend, Jake Shel- " Why was he here?" asked Sam, frown- ing CHAPTER IV. 'ZIAH FREES HIS MINU. Sam Carrington and his swamp friend talked earnestly for some time. Mucli was said whiehthey would not wish a third party to hear. With them there was no doubt — they were for the Union, first, last, aud al- ways, and when the crisis came they would enroll their names under the folds of the old flag. While they talked, Jake Shelley listened. He could not hear all they said, but he heard too ra uch for their good. His small and furtive eyes fairly sparkled, and he looked almost fleudish in his exulta- " Revenge shall be mine!" he darkly thought. "In a few days all will be bustle and confusion in the Shenandoah, and when that time comes, every man must join us or fall under the ban. Sam Carrington will not join, and then a few words spoken will launch upon him a power he cannot defy. Aha! rob me of my bread, will you, you ac- cursed hound!" At the close, the fellow desir«l to shake his fist like a villaiu in a play, but he knew he was iu rather risky company, for him, and he refrained. 'Ziah, however, had used his eyes to good advantage while they talked; and, without saying a word to Sara, he suddenly arose, and with two long bounds launched himself into the pine thicket. The plauter was taken by surprise, but the tremendous crashing which instantly souiul- ed from the bushes, showed that 'Ziah had found some sort of au enemy. Sam started to his assistance, but at that moment he emerged from cover, dragging a man after him, a person Sam quickly recog- lielley. The fellow had struggled long enough to nized as Jake She "Can't say. Mebbe I'll find out one o' these days. Why didn't Warburton send him to prison when you showed up his record? Seoh men are useful only when workin' behind bars." "Jake is a thorough ruffian, as you say. " But,'Ziah, I came to-day on business. Ton have, of course, heard the news?" " The eoho has drifted even inter the swamp. Powder has bin burnt an' lead wasted. The old flag has been used fur a target, an' the war bosses are bein' curried ; old bayonets are bein' polished an' new ones made. Tas, I've heerd the news. " There is going to be war, 'Ziah." " I reckon thar is, Sam." "The two men looked fixedly at eac^h other, as free in their way as iu their speech. The swamp man had always called Car- rington by his Christian name, as did every one else, and pride and pomp never came between them. "We spoke of this the other day, con- tinued the planter. . " Have your views changed since then / "Notaninch,nora fraction thereof. ' ' "Then we have stormy times ahead of us. Union men are scarce along the Shenan- doah, and mischief may come to the few who do live here." 'Ziah sighed heavily. . " Idou't keerin cue way; but in another I do. War will drive me from the swamp — &y, it may even fill these tree-paths with men an' weapons. I hate sorely to turn my back on the pines ; but if war comes, why, then, 'Ziah o' the Swamp will develop inter 'Ziah o' the knapsack an' Union blue." "The way may not be open for us to join the Unionists." "Then we'll fight our way; fur to the old flag we must go. Lord! we can't live under any otner banner." 'Ziah smote his knee, and spoke with un- usual fervor— in fact, with far raore em- phasis than he would have used had he been aware that, while they talked, a pair of gleaming eyes were watching them from a pine thicket not far away. And in that cover a man was lying at full length, his rifle by liis side and bis face full of evil expressions. If the devil is always near when talked about, so it was with the ambushed man, for he was noue other than the ex-overseer J«MOb SbeUey. convince him that he was no match for the swamp raun, and when ho was brought (mt into public, he crouched sullenly on the ground, and made no move. "Tolcyou 90, Sam," said 'Ziah, placidly. "Same chap that sneaked round hyer last night, I'll bet a picayune. Curious lookiu' critter, ain't he? What would you call him ? I'm no beauty myself, but I reckon I kin discount Jake Shelley." The speaker picked up his rifle, and, lean- ing his weight upon it, looked down on his vagabond captive iu a benevolent way. "what was ho doing here?" Sam sharply asked. "Spyiu',o' course. What else is he good fur ? Couldn't make a preacher or a lawyer on him, though 'f his legs were better shaped he might pass for a hedgehog. Yes, he was spyin', an mighty poor business it is, too. Kuowed a man onct who had the same complaint, an' had it bad, too. Kept him stirred up au' excited all the time, so that he lost flesh on the ^Uop. Where did it end 1 On the gallows. Had an attact o' curiosity jest afore soraebody was ter be hung, an' put his own neck iu the noose. Result, two funerals instead o' one. Look out, Jake Shelley, or you'll hit agin' the same snag." 'Ziah shook oue finger warningly at the ex-ovcrseer, but Carrington was less at ease. He remembered what they had said, and feared that Shelley had heard too much. He addressed the fellow sharply : "What are you doing here, sir?" " Answer yer own question by tellin' why you are hyer," was the rather ambiguous reply. "I reckon the swamp is free to all. Leastwise, et are ter me, I come au' go when I see fit, an' it is nobody's business." " People are liable to make it their busi- ness when you play the spy upon them," re- torted Carrington. " I suspect that you fol- lowed me here. If so, what was your ob- ject?" " I hev followed nobody," said Shelley, with due prudence. " I walk the swamp, same as 'Ziah does. Ain't et our right? An' ef I hear v'ices in the bushes, can't I look fur who speaks, 'thout bein' pounced on by a " He paused and looked doubtfully at 'Ziah. "Speak it out," said the latter, encourag- 1 ingly. I "I don't think I am wal used," muttered Shelley. ! " Maybe a hickory switch would quicken your ideas." "Maybe not," quickly answered the pris- looking at Sam with evil eyes. " I'm !e'ble man, but I kin do a little work nan steps on me rough." " No use to talk to him," said 'Ziah, crossly. ' No use ter squeeze a dry sponge. Long an' ihort ou't is, thesneakin varmint was spyin' him. Shoot, whip, or go free ; all one ter me." chew of to- as he says, the swamp is free to him go, and the sooner the better." "That settles it. Only take yourself off, Jake, au' we will be happy. But, mind you, ' I don't want you sneakm' round my cabin; 1 call open ef you come at all. Sometimes I - set traps iu pine thickets an' dig pits in the open. Look outfur them, Jake." "Don't worry about me," was the surly answer. " Worry ? Lord ! I wouldn't worry ef you was goin' down in a bog. Should consider et a beuefit ter the country. You see, Jake, 1 don't like you nor your way. Your face ain't open or manly, no more nor your wa>' is. Should say you were born forthe halter." "Go slow, you lank, lantern-jawed fool," Shelley cried, in sudden fury. "Slowet is; slow an' easy, this time, but dou't come again. Keep your distance, an' let i t be a long one. Do 1 see you goin' ?" 'Ziah's voice was growing ominous, and the ex-overseer did not care to make further words with him. He knew both men and their mettle, and, though full of auger and spite, did not care to tempt them further. He glanced blackly from one to the other and then promptly strode away through the pines. "Thar goes a p'ison snake," commented the hunter. " Sech varmints as ho uin'tsafe nowhar. Can't be trusted by foe or friend." " Do you suppose he heard me talking?" Sam asked. " Reckon he did." "What will he do aoout it?" "Mebbe little, mebbe much. He has the will ter ruin us." "Y'ouare right. He hat«s me because I unmasked him to Warburton and he there- by lost his situation, and it is plain he hag no lore for you. But, 'Ziah, we are liable to soon have a tempest howling around our ears if we stand firm for the Union. Even our old neighbors and friends will turn against us, for war arouses all of men's evil {lassious. It would suit Jake Shelley well to ead a mob against us." "Let him do et ef he dar's," said "Ziah, impressively. " Ef I see a p'ison snake nigh my cabUi I crush out Its life. Two-legged snake though Jake is, he don't want to tempt me too fur. The Strouts are a peac'ble fam'ly, but when their mad is up they are IS. Kf I set down on Jake he will mething has happened." That is all well enough, but the fact re- mains that we are in a decided minority. Nearly all of Virginia is going to secede if it comes to that. We may yet have to flee fast aud far for our lives." " I reckon we will, Sam ; I reckon we will," was the gloomy answer. "Things look mighty dubious just now." Satisfied that Shelley had taken himself well out of sight and hearing, Sam remained with his swamp friend for an hour longer. They had much to say, but they spoke mostly of the future. It fairly bristled with doubts and perils. Perhaps death lurked not far away, and with the wind sighing softly through the grand old jines it was hard to think that Virginia's soil might Booa be the battle-ground for hostile armies. Truly, they had cause to feel gloomy. t^ui\ From the day when the first gun was flred ou Fort Sumter, the work of separation pro- gressed as rapidly as was possible, but there was much to yet be done; and, confining our- selves to the history of Virginia, it was not until the twenty-fourth of April that any decisive step was taken. Local meetings had been held which had - practic-ally settled the question, but when, t on the date before given the vice-president ' elect of the new departure met the leading J men of the Old Dominion at Richmond, the ' cause took a long step forward. Measures were taken to submit to thepeople a propo- sition to join the Southern Confederacy, the question to be settled at the polls; aud again the whole country thrilled. Ample time was given the people to reflect; ample time to persuade the wavering when they could be persuaded. Many there were who had no sympathy whatever with the movement, and on the sixteenth of May one of the Virginia senators come to the front liy declaring that those who could not vot« to separate Virginia from the leave the state. Union ' THE WA.R LIBRARY. On the twenty -third of May the vote was tuken and, not inoludinR Western Virginia, wliioh had struck out tor itself, over one liiindred and twenty-five thousand Totes were east for secession against a trifle over twenty thousand against it. The deed was done, the die oast, and now we turn to see what effect the passage of time had had on our several characters. Outwardly, the scene had not changed materially. 'Ziah Strout remained iu the swamp and hunted as before, but when he looked at the whispering pines, it was with the air of a man who is aDout to leave his old home. He knew the storm was about to I break, and when it came, his peaceful lite ' would end. I Carrington and Penrock were still at their plantatious ; but wliile the latter was work- ing for tin- new luiisc with all the enthu- siasm or liis naliir.', Sam kept mostly in- doors, and ^ic»- ijldiiiiiv and depressed. Evei-y cITu] t iiail l.e.-n made to win him over to the Seiis^iiai movement. Young though he was, he was of au old and noble family, and such men were desired by the powers-to-be. The foremost politicians of the state had called on him ; Alfred Penrock had used every eiideavi.r ; and the queenly Augusta, leveliu'; her iiiide to the dust, had implored him to no with his state. For she loved this ujan with all the ardor of her Southern nature. Cold as people thought her, it was but the crust over the warm heart, and Sam Carrington was her king. For him to bo lost to the cause of the South, was, iu lier sight, for the Condederacy to lose one-half its brilliancy. Vain attempt! Sam Carrington could not see as they saw, and he kept away from all meetings, and grew to be very unlike the old Sam, who had been so wild and dashing. And iu the meanwhile, Jacol) Shelley was not idle. He had been sowing seeds ; and what fruit they bore will lie seen iu the fal- lowing -ihapter. CHAPTER X. THE FinST PERIL. One evening, Sam Carrington was seated alone in his parlor and endeavoring to U.k his attention on a book which he held eoii- seieutiously before him, but the l)Ook was old, and his mind was inclineil to wander. Outside, the wind occasionally swept psist iu a gust, wailing as it went, and rain washable to fall at any moment; and the master of the house had imbibed the gloom of the night In the midst ot it all a rap smnidod at the door, and then an aiied servant Ihnist in his woolly head to announ.i' tliat " .Mas>a War- burton's boy, Cleon, liad (lone i(,me to de liouseiu agreat tluttei' to see Massa Sam." The planter aroused in a moment. A lew minutes witli the blaek iujy would enliven him, for they always had a ivi<\u- when they met, and he oi-tien-d I'oinp to admit him. Cleon came iu promptly. He had not ( hanged greatly since Sam'luicl eanglit him the plant Sam suppressed a whistle, and promptly tore open the wn-apper and then unfolded the sheet he took from within. Writing was on it in a flue, feminine hand, but there was eveiy evidence that it had been hastily penned. Aud this was what he read : ' Mr. Carrington :■ tell yoii been doing ull in h he will lead a bar himself— against y life II grew frightened at the look on the planter's face. Sam was not surprised. For weeks he had expected trouble ; for weeks he had expect- ed Jake Shelley would make trouble for him. Every region, be it where it may, has its desperate characters, and Shelley had many cronies of his own stamp. He was a thorough rascal, and, hating Sam Carring- ton as he did, he could easily bring his fol- lowers agaiust him and commit deeds which would make the Ijetter classes, stout Seces- sionists though they were, shudder with horror. The planter silently walked to a cabinet, took down a ]iair of heavy revolvers and be- gan cxatniniii^; tliein. He was not alarmed, nor dill he inleiiil to e on tlieni and to sec .Vlfred Pen- rock, Augusta and— and Vida. ISIess the little girl! she tlioutrlit of mewhenlwasin peril and sentme warning, n.ir shall I forget It. I will come back." his old colli to secure an ofBce. He was mence at the foot of the ladder, and so th„ name of Private Samuel C. Carrington went on the muster-roll. How long it would stay there was uncertain, for the men had en- listed for only three months. Cleon, taking thename of Edmund Smith, was "adopted," as he e.'cpressed it, by an officer as his servant ; but 'Ziah Strout would not enlist. He had all the tastes of a scout, and knew Virginia well, and he was ready to act as guide or spy, if so desired, if not, to fight on his own hook. And so the trio settled dowu to await what might follow, and during the long days which were passed in inactivity no word came to Sam Carrington from the Shenan- doah. He had said that he would some day go back to the old home, but he little knew how long a time was to elapse before he would keep his word. The men who followed the fortunes of the army of the I'otomae during the first year (if its cxistciicc, did m.t see many fa- iniiiis i-Ti-aL-riiii-iits. Till' cN-iilaiiler received 11^ •■ I,;;,. 11. 1,1 ,,r lire- at ISiill liun, and then iiillinvcil iliaf lull-- iiniiid (.1 inactivity so well i-ciiK nilicnil by iiicu who had expected much of llic Noitliern army. Despite Ihis, f"■ • I' brawny fellows who lay ail ;t droppings from the tree- to| ■ i; i.ly wild enough of look to ui.iM ;i \' iili 11, ir surroundings. No uiiifurnicd soldiers were they, blue or gray, but men in garments of varied colors, ragged and soiled by mud, some without sleeves and others decapitated at the bottom until they were merely jackets; all rough, ragged and uncouth. Nor were their wear- ers any better. Men gaunt and ill shaped of form, with unkempt hair and beard. Sam had seen such men before. They are to be found everywhere. Go where one may, the vagabond and vagrant is visible. There were such in A'irginia in 1S61 ; there were more in 1864, for the iron hand of war had been there. Sam had seen such men in the old days— had known them as "poor whites;" and, once, he had seen men very much like them come to his house by night with torch and rifle. How vividly that night of terror came back to him then. He looked closely at the campers, and then suddenly started. Did he see a ghost, or was the ragged man by the tree the same who had led on the rioters to murder him ? There was no mistake; Jacob Shelley was before him, and not much survey was needed to mark him as the leader of the band. " Bushwhackers!" commented Sam, aloud. " A pretty gang of ruifians, or their looks and leadership go for nothing. Aha! Jake Shelley, I think I see revenge in store for me. You are the only man in Virginia I The best of men sometimes make mistakes, and as often are taken off their guard. While Sam looked, he did not see that a dark form was approaching him from the rear; nor did he suspect that one of Shelley's scouts, coming in hastily to apprise the band of the approach of the Uuionists, had seen th phantom in ' bushes, blue crawling through the Nevertheless, the bushwhacker scout had seen all this, and in his anxiety to capture the spy he had forgotten the more important business. Ho wanted the glory of taking Sam alone. Thickly (iovered as was the ground by the droppings from the pines, not a sound be- trayed his advance. He crept on, nearer and still nearer ; then, suddenly his whole weight droppetl on the captain's back. Taken wholly by surprise. Sam did not lose his presence of mind. A heavy weight was on his hips, and heavy hands were on his shoulders. If the unknown knew his business he could not be " turned." So the captain, without a movement that might have been expected, flung his hands up over his neck and caught at the bush- whacker's garments. By chance he secured a good hold, and then the man, who had thought to fight at an advantage, found himself drawn down and gripped tightlv bv the throat. He was strong, being larger of frame than Sam ; but he soon found he had saddled a restive horse. One resistless squirm and the captain had turned himself. A slight shift- ing of hold and he had the bushwhacker on equal terms. The latter felt the strength of his long arms, and became desirous of shouting for help, but the grip on his throat shut off utterance as well as wind. In a short time it would strangle him unless he worked himself free. A desperate struggle began, but it was far bke an anaconda, and if the latter had been in a joking mood, he might have compared his situation to that of a man in the hug of a grizzly. Carrington's tremendous muscle had its way. He planted the bushwhacker on his back, gained his own knees, and assumed a most ferocious scowl as he looked down on his Tictim. "One word," he hissed, and I'll cut your throat. Do you hear me ? " The man did hear, but could not answer. He was already growing purple in the face from the terrible grip on his neck, and his frantic but unsystematic struggles showed " I urn going to let on j'our breath again," he sternly said, "Ijut I swear that one word of alarm seals your fate. Hear me, and take warning." He released his hold, and still watching his captive, proceeded to use the man'sknlfe on a stick with such dexterity that he soon had a gag finished. By that time the piisouer was breathing more naturally, and the terror expressed in his face had given place to fierce rage; but he dared make no cry. He had learned the mettle of his enemy to his sorrow. ing. At first he seemed destined to fail in this, but luck favored him. The bushwhacker, having no suspenders, had a cord ingeniously wound around his waist to sustain his lower garments, and the captain promptly appro- priated it and finished securing him. "Now," he quietly said, "all you have to do is to keep where you are for atfew min- utes. Business obliges me to take my de- parture, but I'll leave you in good con- dition." As Sam spoke the last word, he heard voices behind him on the slope, and, wheel- ing, he peered through the bushes. Down the descent, a score of men were coming, their faces directly toward him, but their appearance did not afford him plea- sure. Plainly, they were of Jake Shelley's own kind, rough-and-ready bushwhackers; and their arrival iilaced him between two fires, as it were. He crouched lower in the bushes, his wea- pons ready for use, and awaited with some anxiety. Discovery meanttronble of the worst kind, perhaps death, but he was resolved to fight it out, if need be. A peaceful surrender would only give a tame victory to the bushwhackers and do him no good. He wished for his blueeoats then, but it would be madness to signal. As though in answer to his thoughts, a bird-call just then sounded from the northern slope, and he knew 'Ziah had finished his survey, and gone to the place of meeting; but he dared not The new-comers made considerable noise, and the first lot soon aroused. Jake Shelley pushed to the front and gave a challenge, but, immediately iifter, he seemed to recognize the leader of'stiangers, for the two men stepped forward and shook hands cordially. Kindred spirits had met, but their rags de- prived them of all claims to the dignity of chieftainship. They were standing near Sam, and he heard all that they said. Questions were mutually asked and answered. The new-comers were of a roving band, and their leader seemed to be named Bragdon. Evidently, he and Shelley were birds of common plumage, for he was soon cordially invited to camp with the first party. The bushwhackers needed only the word. They then flung themselves down in their THE WAH LIBRARY. tracks, produced their pipes, and began to suioke vigorously. Doul)tless tbere was a touch of the pictur- itsque about the double camp, but all this was lost ou Captaiu Sam Carringtou. By the formation of the new wing, he was placed iu the very heart of the dual force, and only concealed from their view by a thin curtain of bushes. I His situation was serious, and he realized it fully. If his prisoner should manage to give the alarm, or if one of tlie bushwhackers should thrust his iiosr iiisi.lc the thicket, discovery ou the prisoner. ill, with surprising light- kuife. It was once your ou- its temper. Well, if 1 as a groan, or crackle a ends your hfe. Under- you uttfi- stick, the stand?" The man nodded, sullenly. He possessed an aversige amount of pluck, but he had no desire to buck unaiust sure death. Sam lell to tliiiikiug. The bushwhackers had settled listlossly d.iwu in their places. Plaiulv, tlii-y dill not know aught of the Union" ciivairynii'i]. Even the bird-calls from l)cvniiii ' till- lidge fell heedlessly on their hia'iiii,;;. i.iiiite enough they certainly were, lnit it was like the sleep of a panther. Oner 111 ouse llii-ni and they would be merci- less, ami it wuiilil be almost miraculous if some one of them did not soon intrude in the thicket. As has been said, Sam fell to thinking. He wanted to get out of the trap badly, but how was it to be done? Clearly, not by stealth, for no such way was open. If he wen iti ; be openly. How would a dash He asked himself the question, and an- swered it by deciding that it would only serve to make- himself a sieve, through the instrumentality of Confederate lead ; and he wanted no such ballast, Uuly one idea occurred to him, and though that was a desperate one, he resolved to take oue step in executing it. So he quietly relieved his prisoner of his ooat and lower garment, and slipped them ou over his own uniform. This Wiis not dif- .•ult. r-1-r..t nug over liij taiv, att. r which he (lisariaiiged his hair tn tin' Inst nl his ability. Till' work liail hrcii scieutifieally done, and wlu-ii 111' hail aiiiliil the prisoner's slouch hat, he looked like i|iiite a passable desperado. Just what he was to do ue.xt he had no idea, but at that, moment he was startled by see- ing one of the bushwhackers entering the thicket CHAPTER X. SAM AS A BUSHWHACKER. Brave as Cavalry Sam was, he felt genuine alarm at seeing the Confederate thus advan- cing. If he saw the captive guerrilla he would sound an alarm, and the captain was not mad enough to think he could overcome and bind the stout fellow In the heart of the camp without giving his game dead away to the enemy. Plainly, the intr\ider must be stopi)ed. Acting on a sudden idea, the disguised officer pushed forward and met the man face to face. " Better hold up, old man, ef yer don't want a pesky scratchin'," he said, gruffly. 'Them scrub pines tickle like as though i hands as t they had thorns. ey looking the man full in the face and re- solved to make an attack on him and then a dash if anything wrong was suspected. A half-smile crossed the man's face and then his own gaze fell to Sam's hands. The latter looked in the same direction and then a sudden perspiration burst from every pore. There, showing plainly through a long rent in one sleeve, the Union blue of his uni- form stared them iu the face. No wonder the eaptain was alarmed ; no wonder he raised his gaze quickly and savagely to the other's face; but the bush- whacker, with only a careless glance which did not detect the telltale blue, looked care- lessly up at the dirt-grimed face of his new acquaintance. He was, himself, oue of Bragdon's men, and he supposed Sam belonged with Shel- ley's band. •' I was er tryin' to find the source o' the water I see," he e.xplained. "My throat is dry as an army cracker." " Ivi;;ht up yon, comrade," said Sam, promptly. "FoUermean' I'll show you the way." '• Lead on, old man." And then, one or two of Bragdon's men saw two persons walk liismvly up tlie hill, side by siili-, witlioiil a siispiiioii that any- thing was \\roii-. Uiiii't till' t ivo tiicy knew tobeDii'k Foul iirtlnn-inwi .niiii.aiiy ; the othpr, otcoiiiM', liol, Ill-Ill uilli Slii'lli'v. it sight of the new comers, one of them said; "you We want two more in this wet my whistle. Sam was on the point of pleading pressing bnsini'ss, b-.it he sudili-nly changed his mind sat down to play, depositing their arms in a, pile near at hand. It seeinoil as tlioiigh Cavalry Sam was playing willi hri', hut lie maintained a remarkable cuuliuss. 'I'he spring was distant about thirty yards from the cilgi'of till' hostile camp, but the water might soon ili;iw other men there. "Reckon I am, old man, un' I don't knuckle fur any critter in his brigade. I'm an old swamp-sucker fur oue o' my years, an' what I don't know about biz is oncom- mou men." This modest summary of his own import- ance did not materially affect the other men. They had heard such boasting before and tney wanted to be courteous to one of Shilliy s nu'ii, especially when the cards Thiy i'xiiii.t('il a good, solid game, but Sam hail an opinion of his own. As Dick l-'uid sh Hilled the cards, the disguised Unionist suddenly leaned forward. "Wait a bit," he said, touching his arm, "Let me call your attention to one thing before we play. Do you see this six- shooter?" " Yes," said Ford, rather indifferently. " Ton observe that it is loaded?" "Sartin." "Also, that one good marksman could clean out three of four unarmed men when holding such a barker?" "Sartin. I've done it myself." " Good ! Then you know how i In- machine works. Well, gentlemen, alloiv me to say, you are my prisoners! " Sam suddenly changed his tone. The list- less look vanished from his face, his eyes flashed, his voice was curt and sharp, and the revolver was presented full at Dick Ford's breast. "What do you mean?" demanded the bushwhacker, still unsuspicious, but resent- ing what he thought a poor "joke." " Look behind you." The men obeyed. There, only a few feet away, stood 'Ziah Strout, a revolver in each hand, the muzzles covering their breasts ; their own weapons, which had been piled together, as before stated, under his feet. "You are our pnsonere I" repeated Sam, sharply, " and you mustn't kick against fate. If you try to run, or to alarm the camp, you are dead men." As he spoke, he threw open his ragged coat at the breast, and they saw the Union blue and the glittering buttons underneath. That sight was convincing, if his words were not, and they knew they were in hostile company. "Don't move an eye-winker," said 'Ziah, warningly, " or you are dead men." The bushwhackers were not fools. They saw that they were in trouble, and that the two men had tho power to keep their word. Doubtless, they had the will, also. Still, they began to bluster, and, through belligerent looks, tried to|over awe theUnion- ists ; but they had been caught by men of their own mettle, and it did not work. Cavalry Sam allowed them to ease otf a little of their breath in empty words, and then he ordered them to face to the north and march. It was a galling downfall, but glittering sixes are always powerful in their way, and the ragged trio had a due regard for their lives. They demurred, threatened, and swore; but ended by obeying the command. Aris- ing, they started over the y the people : many of whom have protection papers." Wherever the Union raiders moved, hostile eyes were upon them. Men hid in swamps and amid rocky hills, ready to do what mischief they could, and it was no rare thing for a solitary rifle-shot to echo out on the air, perhaps sendiug death to a raider, after which the concealed marks- man would flee or hide. So much in explanation of what is to fol- low. Both Generals Sheridan and Averill had come to think very well of Sam Carrington. To his knowledge of the country, he added the dashing bravery which was a notable characteristic of both those great cavalry leaders, and though he was a Virginian by birth, they had already seen his devotion to the Union cause sufficiently tested. Thus it was that, while making the mem- orable swoop through the valley, Averill one day gave fifty men to Cavalry Sam, and in- structed him to ride to the plantation of a man named JEager, and apply the torch to his barn a smaller force, but they had been beaten ofl by bushwhackers with severe loss. Carrington, riding at the head of his force, with 'Ziah Strout by his side, found plenty of food for reflection. "This move will bring me very near the old home," he said, to the scout. " Et will, sure as sin. Eager's is about three mile, as the crow flies, from all the old places— my cabin in the swamp, your old house, and Warburton's." "'My old home.' you should say. I am told that not a stick is left of the house." " I'm afeerd that Warburton's will go the same way." " Not by the will of oiu- leaders. We have orders to spare those buildings, thank Heaven." "Good enough. But why?" "There are several reasons. Vida War- burton is known to be loyal ; nothing of im- portance has been harvested this year, and there are no males about the place, except two or threfe negroes who have clung to tne family through all their troubles. There ig little there to invite our men." " I heerd that old Eager was killed at Fisher's Hill. Is that so -." ' "Yes; he was shot dead in the intrench- ments. He was the last of the family, which makes me less reluctant to do the work we now have in liand. It seems that a gang of bushwhackers have taken possession ot his old house and are trying to live in clover. It will be our work to drive them away, and then fire the barn." " That's ea.sy done." Sam relapsed into silence. It would lie odd if the events cf Jlienext few days did not in some way bring him in coutact with the Warburton sisters; indeed, he fully intended to see them if duty would permit. How he would be received was uncertain. Augusta and he had always been good friends before till- liegiiiiiing of the war; in fact, he knew In closer tie, and hf own minds ran in first gun at Fort had hoped for a -urc but what their (■ channel until the separated them so widely. As for Vida, who must now be a young of warning to Sam when he was menaced by the rioters. Still, many years had passed— years of war, trouble, change and hardship— and he was not certain how the ladies would feei toward him. In due time the little band emerged from a wood, and the Eager house a hundred yards distant. In times of peace it had been a prosperous place. The owner had been frugal even to penuriousness, and the dol- lars had gathered swiftly in his hands; but war had stricken the plantation, its master was numbered among the dead of Fisher's Hill, and men . . th 111, and men were at hand to apply e torch to the building which held the nay and gi'ain. To all appearances barn and house were deserted ; not even a dog, that feature of all Southern buildings, was visible; but Captain Carrington was not so sure that they had the place to themselves. The bushwhackers had been there a few hours before, and though it was probable they had been wise enough to take them- selves out of danger's way, there was noth- ing sure about it. Barn and house were fifty yards apart, and the boys in blue marched at once toward the latter and halted a few paces away. Then Sam dismounted, went to the door, and rapped sharply. No answer was returned; no sound was audible, except that made by his own move- ments. Twice he repeated the summons, and then tried the door, but it was fastened on the " Bust it in," suggested 'Ziah. " We will try the windows first. I do not like to do any further damage than is neces- sary." " Then why not leave thiUiouse alone an* fire the barn ter onct?" " Because there may be men within the house who would put out the fire as soon as we left. Go around to the left, 'Ziah, and I will meet you on the opposite side." They separated aud went in search of un- fastened windows. 'Ziah found everything tightly closed, but as he did not meet Sam at the rear he concluded he had had better luck, and went on to find him. THE WAR LIBRARY. The captain was not at the western end, however, and when 'Ziah turned the next corner the men sat idlv, on their horses and their leader were invisible. "Whar's Captain Carrington ?" he asked, in surprise. "Went around that way a minute ago," said one of the men, pointing as he spoke. " Ain't you seed him seuce ?" •'No." The scout retraced his steps. Everything was as he had first found it, and he again made the circuit without Unding the missing man. " Blamed ef it ain't queer," said 'Ziah. " Hyer, two or three o' you critters hop down an" help me. Captain Sam must have gone in. though he did it in a mysterious way. Trot uruuud the old ark an' try ev'ry winder. " Till! direction was promptly obeyed, but the hlueioata found the house securely fas- tened at every point, and when they met they looked at Strout, inquiringly. ■'Summutis wrong," he tersely said. "The eap'n has gone inside, but I'm mightily afeerd he didn't go in good order." " Mebbe he fastened the winder behind him for a joke," suggested one of the caval- rymen. " Bah ! that ain't his way. Hyer, you slashers, put your shoulders agin the door an' we'll bust her in." The tlrst part of the order was obeyed, but their united efforts failed to move the door. It w'js of good material and seemed remark- ably; well secured on the other side. 'Ziah became angry. The fear was strong in his mind that bushwhackers were inside the house, and that Sam was their prisoner; and, raising his rifle, he shattered glass and sash of the nearest window, and the way was hung limply on the inside, but one wrench tore it down and he saw an empty room. Looking around, he motioned to twoothei" men to join the four already iu his service, and one after the other they entered through the breach, "Keep your irons ready, boyees" cau- tioned the scout, "fur I'm e'enamost sure we shall have a brush. Thar's grays inside es Bure as shootin'." Tet, as they moved from room to room, only the same sight met their view — scantily furnished apartments and no human ten sign of Cavalry Sam or the bushwhackers. " They ain't here," said one of thesoldiers, blankly. "You furgit the sutler," said 'Ziah, grimly. " Thar's a lamp; we will have a light an' go down." I affair, only served to make the fact more apparent. One or two of the soldiers showed a dispo- sition to act as rear gurds, but the scout, though fully convinced that trouble was at hand, was not a man to shrink from dark- ness. His actual courage was not then tested. Investigation showed an ordinary cellar, but it failed to show signs that any human being except themselves had been there for some time. 'Ziah paused, when the search was com- pleted, and looked blankly at his compan- ions. " Wal, by thunder!" he ejaculated. "There's nobody here," the bluecoat slowly said. "Then, where is Captain Carrington?" a second man asked. " That's what I want ter know," said the scout, quickly. " Have any o' you slashers an idee ? Men o' his build don't vanish inter thin smoke nor sink inter the 'arth. Whar is Cavalry Sam ? " It was a very pertinent question, but one not easily answered. His disappearance smacked somewhat of the marvelous, and theories were not plentiful. At that moment, however, the house seemed almost shaken by a tremendous knocking at the door, a sharp halloo! was add.'d, and Stront's face brightened. " He's back, sure as sm," was his com- ment. gled with renewed shouts, and 'Ziah ran to the broken window with a fresh fear assail- ing him. The outside scene had changed materialljf. The Mweooats were no longer visible, but un CHAPTER XV. CLOSE QUARTERS. The sight startled and amazed Amaziah for a moment, but lie wns not long in com- hci'd the kii.i.luri- ;it t'"- il'icr niiil the first slicMits, and it •» ;i^ ' 'ill "Hi 1 li:n I lie bluecoats had liccii snrpii.-c'i ■.•.,:,l 'tnvni off by a Even then, he could "hcar'^the report of muskets off at the west, and he knew the Union men were in rapid retreat. He swept his handful of men back from the window. "Keep out of sight!" he ordered. "The enemy may not know anybody is inside, an' as we can't whip 'em we will try theeffect o' hiding." He went hurriedly to the western window, and, as he had expected, saw the Unionists in retreat, closely followed by the Conted- stayed by the house were not needed for the pursuit. If 'Ziah really expected tbem to leave the house unnoticed, he was soon undeceived. A sharp knocking commenced at the door, and the bluecoats looked to 'Ziah for advice and directions. He walked to a window near the broken one, brushed the curtain a little aside, and looked out. Upwards of a score of grp.y riders sat grimly on their horses, while the one who was knocking at the door wore the uniform of a captain. 'Ziah knew that they would not be satis- fled to leave the building unsearehed. That much was certain. The next thing in order was the question, what would become of the Unionists when such a search was made? Clearly, there was not room enough in the house "for two parties of such antagonistic tendencies. They must be kept out or In event of a resistance, the bluecoats could make a stout fight, but the probability of a defeat at the end mafle such a course a last desperate resort. Under the circum- stances, it would be better to hide than to fight. The scout thought of the barn and ran to the window looking out upon it. The way was clear; no Confederate stood in the path of retreat, and 'Ziah resolved to make the at- tempt. He spoke to the bluecoats and they caught at his plan. It was a risky one, with the chances against them.but'it.was the proverb- ial straw of the drowning man. One after another, and with remarkable agility, they sprung through the window a mile distant and not to be considered. The barn was their only chance. Breaking into a run, they made a dash for the refuge. For forty yards, the corner of thehouseconcealed them from the view of the Confederates, but as they neared the barn, the scout looked around and plainly saw the whole squad of graycoats. It was a thrilling moment. If one of their enemies chanced to observe them as they ran, their hopes would indeed be desperate; but, tired of knocking, the boys in gray were at that moment engaged in forcing an entrance, and no one saw the fleeing Union- ists. The bam was reached and safely ciitored. It was of the usual pattern, uiuT well tilled with hay and grain. Itsowiier Lad luuM-st- ed his crops and then haftcneil to join Early's arniv only to find a grave at Fisher's Hill. "Now," sail! the scout, " it's our policy ter hide as long as we can, an', if diskivered, ter fight like sin. Get up on the haymow, two or three of ye, while the rest on us watches the grays. Mebbe they won't dis- turb us at all." " They won't let the premises go unseareh- ed," said one of the cavalryman, decidedly. "Likely they won't, but we won't squeal until we're burnt." Then 'Ziah watched the Confederates from a crack between the boards, and he saw some of them enter by the window and af- terward open the door. A little time elapsed, which was probably devoted to searching the interior, and then the privates of the command settled down around the cabin, and the officers seemed to be making themselves comfortable inside. The probability of further trouble was so great that 'Ziah began to consider the feasi- bility of slipping out of the bam by the rear and making an attempt to gain the woods, a rather desperate idea, since so wide a field must be crossed ; but at that moment there was a movement among the grays which assumed painful interest to the handful of Unionists. A dozen of the former left their compan- ions and advanced toward the barn, and one of the soldiers grasped 'Ziah's arm ner- vously. "They are coming to search here," he said. .. }, show they hev for fodd mow, every one on ye, an' burrow down deep in the kiver. We musn't be found." Leaving them to carr.v out their idea, let The force wliieh liadceaie upon and scat- tered the Union i avail ynieii was two hun- dred strong, and led ]\Y while they are hyer. So I must a.-li you li-r keep your mouth shut, an' I will iui.l that if you give any alarm I will blow your l)iaius out." "Rest easy; I shall give no alarm," Sam declared. "Good. Now, see that you keep y< word, for we mean business from a to z." The speaker turned away, and fixed his gaze upon a tabic at cue side of the room. Upon it WHiv t.ii ..,■ a .loz.u Imttles of some iiol.cd lijvc Willi', and besidt pon it WHM- t.ii nr a do liquid whi.h iool.cil lilvc win,., them sat two hkhv, which wcic ci "Come, boys," he continued, " well finish our feast while we can. be prisoners in live minutes; n et them bluecoats are goin' ter jpty. xe may as We may have this CHAPTER XVI. WHICH TKEATS OF BOTTLED WINE. Let US now return to Captain Carriue- ton. When he and 'Ziah went in search of a place by which to enter the house, he was. more successful than at the start, scout. He found a window which was unfastened, and It was the work of only a minute to All this had been silently and quickly done, and he believed the room he had en- tered to be unoccupied; but, while yet hanging from the window, he was seized by strong hands and borne to the floor. Haltadozen meuhadbeen concealed behind various articles of furniture, and they had timed their attack so well that he was given opportunity for neither resistance nor One of their number secured the window, while the others bound and gagged theii- prisoner. Sam had struggled desperately, but with such odds against him it was all in vain. His captors did not delay long. They knew just what the situation outside was, aud they at once retreated to a small room back ot the one he had so unluckily en- tered. In this place he was deposited In a chair, and then the men wheeled a heavy, old-fash- iniied "sccietary" up against the door, thus completely concealing its existence from any in. ruder. ■This explains why Ziah and his compan- ions found no trace of Cavalry Sam. None of them knew aught of the interior ot the house; and, in the limited time given them, they did not suspect that one room had es- ca^ied their notice. Harrington looked at his captors closely whde they were securing the door, and had no trouble in classifying them. They were ot the same grade as Jake hhelley 9 gang, and wolves could not be less merciless. One of them came ov when the work was done, with a scowl. " Waal, mister, how do you like it?" he " Your question is superfluous ; it's not at His companions applauded his sentiment a subdued manner, and all sat down at le table and began to driuk. Bottles were broken and emptied rapidly, Id by the time the first sounds from with- it the room announced that 'Ziah and his lends had gained an entrance, the wine MS rapidly disappearing. Carringtou sat helplessly and listened. He -aid the cavalrymen making their search, It dared not call to theiu. His captors were men who valued life lightly, aud they would surely keep their word it he sounded an alarm. But, as their feast went on, he was pleased to see that the wine was hitting them hard. They grew dull of look, yawned frequents ly, and seemed fast falling into the meshes of intoxication. At last, one man laid his head on the table and ceased operations. To all appearances, he was asleep. His evident comfort excited another so much that he lay down on the floor, and at once became quiet. Others followed their lead, aud then (^av- alry Sam sat in wonder, and looked to see the whole gang apparently dead drunk. He did not venture to stir for some time, for he feared that they were shamming— it must either be that, or else the wine was re- markably powerful— but their heavy breath- ing at last vanished his fears, He shuffled moved. feet, but of them night, "I believe ley are, I'm going get out of this. But how? It is hardly fe to call to 'Ziah ; and, as I don't hear any sounds from him, I don't know but he has left the house. I reckon I had better play a lone hand, and I'm inclined to think I can easily get out of these bonds. I'll try i" He suited the action to the word, and the thongs, hurriedly tied, did not long resist his gi-cat strength. They fell off, and his hands warts free, after which he was not long in liberating his feet. "Now, then, for hberty," he added, to He glided to the door, removed the fasten- ings aud opened it. Only the secretary lay between him and freedom. Pausiug for a moment, he looked back and saw his own weapons where the bushwhack- ers had laid them. It would not do to leave them behind, so he retraced his steps, secured them, and went again to the door. The secretary was easily 1 emoved, and he stood alone in the outer nioni. The sound ot voices from that ail joiiiiiig it reached his ears, and he was about to abruptly open the door and surprise 'Ziah, when caution came s aid. probably return to his companions in a moment; the bed will hide me." And thus it was that, when the surgeon lay down and found the , i,,nsly railing into poetry; and with tin sc words, he laid the aforesaid head upon Sam's manly breast The doctor was surprised, for he had re-^ ferred to the bare floor ; but as he roused a trille, Sam's fingers closed over Ins throat. "You've mistaKen the number of your room, old man," said the Unionist. This hotel believes in accommodation, but not too much of it." The Confederate began to squirm in a lively way, but the grip on his neck was a resistless one, and Sam held him where he was wanted. Contusion reigned in the doctor's mind; but he was too far gone to get a clear idea ot the situation, and after a little aux actu The liottled wine was working well. Five minutes passed, and the surgeon was out of the race. He lay prostrate, breath- ing heavily, and Sam drew him fully under the bed, and prepared to look after his own interests. Creeping from under cover, he moved about the cabin and looked the field over. In the front room the two ofBcers still slept, and around the buildingthe other sol- diers were collected, taking their ease while they waited. "How the dickens am I to get out of this .' mentally inquired the Unionist. These fellows have evidently driven off my boys in blue, and my chances of being found are large. What next?" While he reflected, a footfall behind him caused hira to wheel abruptly, and he looked around to See one of the bushwhackers standing before him. He had left the fellow sleeping in the prison-room, but he had thrown off his stupor, and now confronted Sam with a huge knife in his hand, while his face waa full of triumph. fhile in the he he Id I he (ilicniiiL' thi- door a trifle, he looked tln,,ii-h. aii,l KMv three men in Confederate gray s, ai, ,l at the table. They were the captain, ih,' i-.niioral and the surgeon, and he gamed his vi,w when the latter had just decided that he had better seek a bed. Sam saw the bottles on the table, aud, even then, he decided that there must be something wrong about the wine. It had eftected the men more like drugged spirits than according to the way of intoxication. His reflections on that subject came to an end as the surgeon turned toward the door, and it became evident that he must at ouce get out of sight. Where could he go? Not hack into the prison-room ; so only one room remained in which to hide. "The bed!" he thought. "This man will CHAPTER XVII. rN THE BAKN. When 'Ziah and his companions saw the boys in gray advancing toward the bam, they naturally felt a good deal of mental agitation. There were already enough men in the building to suit their taste, and the introduction of more looked like crowding the lodgers. ^ The scout's suggestion that they conceal themselves in the haymow met with hearty approbation, aud there wasa sudden scattei- ing as the bluecoats went up and into the hay. Dignity was not to be considered then, and they burrowed down with more haste than sys^tem. still a slight commotion along hen the Confederates entered. li I party had disappeared from >"■" ■i"'i '•■' > 110 sign. At til.- li,a,l of the grays was a man who iilli-ii ther.thccof corporal— more than that he overflowed the ollicc and ran down on all sides. In his opiiiimi forporal Bri"i;s w-as one of the heroes of the war, .unl hisambi- tion was so towering that, having taken the firet step, he already had designs on the office held by one Jnbal Early, general in the Confederate service, etc. The corporal placed one arm akimbo, and while the other hand performed a circle in the air, he surveyed the interior of the barn. . stock of animal food," quoth and grain enough here to supply our pquines for nn indefinite period. "T thought as much before I enteretl. We are lucky to be ahead of the enemy. Here, men go to the mow and throw down hay enough to feed our whole command. Tlie . ..hinei L goodly "Hay an THE WAR LIBRARY. 15 runaways, aud I must have all iu order for liim." The lueu obeyed promptly. All set about tbe work except tbe corporal, himself, aud as they labored, he paoeil lliu tloor with a slow aud massive tread. Three pitchforks had beeu found aud woiked iu by as many meu, while the others used tlu'ir hands, and the upper layer of the hay began to move rapidly from its bed to the floor below. All this was of intense interest to the con- cealed boys in blue. Every ypear of hay removed decreased the amount above them, and at that rate it look- ed as though they would soon be imcovered aud taken iu by the impromptu farmers. If the Coufederates had looked closely, they might have seen sundry tremblings of the hay not made by them, for as they tossed down the hay the luckless Unionists bur- rowed deeper aud tried to get away from the sharp tines of the pitchforks, which had already wounded one or two of them. 'Ziah had a more advantageous position than the others. He was near the edge of the mow, with a clear space at one side, where he could It did not seem possible that the Unionists could escape discovery. It was liable to come at auy minute, and when it did, it meant ruin to the little handful ; so the scout began to consider a relief measure. His plan was a desperate one, but he re- solved to act upon it. A little wriggling took him clear of the hay, and he dropped lightly down into a daik passage, thus gaining the level of the pompous corporal. This was just what he wanted, for he had designs ou that same officer, and, creeping forward near the open floor, he saw him standing in an attitude of deep thought. His gaze was fixed absently on the light pile of hay before him, and it is probable some weighty agricultural problem was surging through his mind. His reflections were interrupted by a touch on his shoulder, and he looked around to see a man who was a stranger to him ; a man in civilian's garments, and rather rough-look 1 his hand was a cocked revolver, aud its muzzle covered the eyes of the corporal, full and steady. "Be still 1" said this unwelcome appari- tion. " Utter one word and you are a dead Ziuh— for it was he who held the revolver —meant every word that he said, and the corporal knew it, too. ■•why— why— why " he stammered, considerably alarmed ; but the scout inter- rupted him. " Not a word, mister. I mean business, an' here's the whole case in a few words. I'm int'rested in this barn, an' 1 won't have the hay tumbled down tbat^a-way " " But it's for the Confederate army," de- clared the corporal. " Confederate thunder ! You keep still Dou't tempt me, for I am wicked when I'm mad. Now, hear me: I want you losing out ter them chaps above an' tell them ter !.top work an' descend. When they come down, tell them to return ter the others an' leave you alone in the barn. Will ye do it?" "Yes," said the corporal, with assumed suUenness, but with a gleam in his eyes. •'Hold hard, old man. You mean mis- chief. It won't work. When they come down I shall be hiding in yonder passage an' iny revolver will cover your brain. Efyou set their suspicions at work by word, look, or gesture, I'll shoot you dead. Under- stand /" The corporal comprehended only too well, and th(! situation flUed him with fury. He demuj red a little, but 'Ziah sternly cut him short. Work was going on above aud the Uuiouists might be discovered at any time. Matters must be pressed. gramme. 'Ziah retired to the passage, and the soluiers were hailed as directed. . The corpoi'al oi'dered them down aud they came promptly. Perspiring freely, their leader glanced toward the passage aud dimly saw a revol- ver covering his head. Its meaning could not be misconstrued, and then he told the men to join their comrades by the house whih: be remained iu the barn. They went, laughingly, saying that the sly corporal probably wished to take a nap, and that un- happy officer was left alone with his enemy. 'Ziiih came out of the passage, chuckling, geuially. •• You did wal, old man, you sartingly did. I give you credit fur that. Now, we will go up on the mow." "What for?" demanded the poor fellow, in alarm, for he began to fear bodily mis- chief. " I'll show you later," was the grim reply. Asraiii the corporal demurred, but the po- tent revolver i)erformed a slight flourish ami he wilteil. They began to ascend the ladder together. Half-way up, the Confed- erate tried to slyly draw his knife, having previously been deprived of his revolver, but a single command from 'Ziah caused hiui to hold back his hand. They reached the mow and a few words from the scout sufficed to arouse the hiding Uuiouisls. The corporal saw the hay agitat- ed in various places, aud then, one after another, the boys in blue came out, shaking off the clinging hay, and 'Ziah laughed at the expression on the corporal's face. •• Rather a surprise party, ain't it, mis- ter?" he asked, genially. "Now, you see why I wanted the bam cleared. For the present, you are our prisoner, but we won't do you any bodily harm an' I hope fur your sake that we shall soon make a change o' base. Bind him, men !" suit themselves. CHAPTER XVIII. CONTINUED TROUBLE. Captain Carrington was for a moment startled by the appearance of the bush- whacker. He was a brawny fellow, and his face was brutal, while the knife in his hand very plainly showed that he meaut mis- chief. Only for a moment did Sam quail before him. Brave as any man, and with full con- fidence iu his physical powers, he would not have trembled before any man, and as his wits fiowed back his sole thought was how to best subdue the man without permitting an alarm. " Aha!" chuckled the bushwhacker, "I have you again. You thought to slide out of our pen, but you have run agin a rock." " Where is the rock ? I don't see it," Sam retorted. "It is here; I am rock enough ter wreck your craft," was the confident reply. " Now, you brass-mounted sojer, jest wheel an" trot back where you came from."" •• Who says so ?" " I do. Mebbe, you don't know me. I'm Jack Barnes, o' Jake Shelley's command. You've heerd o' him, no doubt." " I have, as a cutthroat."" " I'm another, an the worst of the lot. 1 ui a fearer o' the worst kind. D'ye hear me 1" While speaking, Barnes had advanced quite near to the Unionist. His words were somewhat exaggerated, but the scowl on his face and the upraised knife were not to be misunderstood. Sam knew he meant mis- chief, but he was resolved to nip that pro- ceeding in the bud. So, as the last word fell from the mau's lips, the captain made a toward leap. The move took Barnes by surprise, but he SH iiuf; liis knife around quickly and made a Ihid ihut stroke been unchecked it would have ;;uue hard with Cavalry Sam, but he cau;;Ut Barnes' wrist in midair, and the kuito stopped as though by magic. It was no time for fine or generous work. A single sliout would ruin Sam, aud, almost at the moment his left hand stayed the knife, his light shot out, tightly clinched, dealing his enemy a stunning blow between the eyes. It was a blow which would have felled him had he not been held in a firm grasp ; and, as it was, it brought tears to his eyes and con- fused him, while his knife fell rattling to the floor. Then Sam grappled and bore him to the floor, expecting an easy victory, but the fel- low was pluck to the backbone, and he ral- lied and put forth all of his great strength. Giants met then, and over and over on the floor they rolled, neither being able for some time to gain the mastery. They fought in silence. Sam daied not utter a word; Barnes could not, beoauifo of the pressure on his neck. Once, in their rapid twistiugs, they rolled partially under the bed aud against the sur- geon; but he was not to be awakened easily, and slumbered on peacefully . Anon, Sam put forth all his power and crammed the bu.shwliacker into a corner.il This gave him an advaut;ige, and iuamo-. luent more he was kneeling uu his breast. Then, from the back of his neck, he drew_ a concealed knife and held it before his eves. ' " Lie still !"" he sternly said. " Your life is ■ balanced against your silence. One word of alarm seals your fate!" Ttiere was no mistaking the keen inflection of his voice. The bushwhacker knew he meant what he said, and lay still; but in his heart was a fierce rage. He only required a chance to again show his claws. At that moment Sam heard voices in the outer room, and then some one's name waa pronounced. He understood the situation ; some of the soldiers had entered the house and were try- ing to awaken the Confederate soldiers. " Whar's the doctor?" he heard asked, dis- tinctly. '• In the next room, I reckon," was the re- ply. " Go in and see. I don't understand why the cap'n sleeps so sound." Sam Carrington was stirred into instant activity. A soldier was about to enter the room he was occupying, and such an intrusion would result to his sorrow. Acting ou the first impulse, he dragged his prisoner under the bed, and, giving no heed to the surgeon, placed his knife at Barnes' throat. "One word and you die!" he hissed. The door then opened, and a Confederate soldier entered. He paused and glanced curiously around. " No sigu of him here," he said. " He must be there. Ain"t he in bed?" "No." "That's queer." " He may be in some other room." Another soldier strode in after the first. oved forward. Cavalry Sam shut his teeth tightly. Discovery was certain, but he was not in- clined to yield tamely. He had a knife in one hand and a revolver in the other, aud hecould makemattera sul- try for the enemy, to say the least. If it were not for Barnes Even as the thought entered his mind, the bushwhacker made a desperate eilort to free himself, but he only served to show Sam's mettle. The revolver swept through the air, the butt struck the man full iu the temple, and, with a groan, he fell back senseless. The soldier stopped just as he was about to lift the curtain which hung around the bed, aud then sprung back. •• Ha ! did you hear that ?" he demanded. " I thought I heerd a groan." "So you did, an' it come from under the bed. "Thought I heerd a thrashin, about, the doctor's [didi under thar, an" 't think on it be- too." " Mebbe sick." " That's the idee ! fore." Once more he advanced, but at that moment a new voice sounded keen and sharp. " Halt, there ! I've got you covered, and if you yell or try to run, out go your brains!" The two soldiers were at the side of the bed, and, looking toward the foot, they saw a human head rising to view, while a pair of glittering revolvers covered them, a muzzle to each luau. "Stand where you are, and don't try to draw a weapon,"' continued Cavalry Sam, sternly. " I am boss here, and one move on your part seals your fate."' Even as he spoke, the gallant captain was wouderiug what he was to do next. He was, to all appearances, without a man at his back, while, besides the fellows under the bed, who were liable to arouse at auy mo- ment, he had two very lively foes in frontof him and two score more outside the build- ing. It looked as though he was saddling a hard horse to ride, but he had no choice but to go with the current. " Who the deuce are you ?" demanded on* of the soldiers. " Your master," was the terse reply. 16 THE WAR LIBRARY. " By the fiends! you are a Northener." ■- Call me what you will, I am bo33 here at It-sent. You see these reTolvers looking at lead will settle The soldiers were furious. Brare •average, they would gladly have engaged sensible } this bold stranger in battle, but t man cares to face a flying bullet. '' "Just back of you," continued Sam, cool- ly, "you will see a small rope. Take that and bind your companion." " I won't do it," flashed the Confederate. " You life depends on it. Look at the re- volver." The man did look, and the sight filled him with fury. He was of far better material Itian the bushwhacker element, and this dis- comfiture had a sting for him which a baser man would not have felt. Still, there was nothing for him to do except to obey, so, stifling a groan, he turned and picked up the rope. Sam watched keenly. He knew both the soldiers were brave, quick-witted fellows, true Virginians, and they must be well guarded or they would yet work him m.s- chief. The man who was to be bound made no complaint, but stood still while the otaer went about the work. Twice Carrington had to hasten liim 'lud only fork s repeated I lutions the Ivin., would hai i een poorly (liue but lu^ pei«ua-.ne d tamed the ^loikthr n_h md one o* the couple was, out of mi 1 let ten the t ice I eing No« com heie tue v ctor baid, to the otliei Put youi hands above youi head' both oiders weie ooeyed J< ow I will b / J you as ^ ou hai e bound Adui fiiend '^:)saymg Lc id down his neipun id vmiedand ""ot the dl i-h ) h Id ( Ziih ind his compimous hid madt appexiance Irom the baiu so theit geiieial leunion m fiont ot the house Wt ahead} know whit adventuit betiUen Mm and 7nh suite the-v flis spite certain misadventures of the day, he had been generally successful, and, liy means of pluck, quick wit, and good luck, be had crawled from more than one tight place. He did not believe his successes had come to an end. He, rode at the head of his gallant little band, with 'Ziah and Edmund beside him. The reunion of the trio, after so many years, was calculated to inspire all with a desire to talk, but the leader did not forget that he was a soldier, and few unnecessary words were said. Two miles were soon passed, for their pace was a rapid one, and then they neared Dresser's wood. Signs of the Confederates might be seen at any moment, and as Sam did not care to en- gage them it they had consolidated, he halt- ed his blueeoats in a thin wood, and began to give directions to 'Ziah regarding a scout. At that moment a murmur ran along the Union line. It reached the captain, and sent him to the edge of the trees. Just beyond them, coming across the open field which lay ahead, about three score riders in gray were advancing at a walk. It was one half ot the divided force. " By .lupiter!" cried Cavalry Sam, "they are walking right into our jaws!" " Less go out an' him 'em," suggested Ed- mund eagerly Wait said the captain coolly ' Don't you oee they are coming to us ? He paused and reflected a moment, and then gave a few hasty orders The bluetoats took positions assigned them and ill tn uted grimly The ( oufedeiates tame on slowly without suspition of dan^ei They crowded the to the h( ( t the ti^ -,1 lun bod V of < dOT « Is n )t to bi kept til I \ I speiate stiu^^lp It^iii 1 ut it 1 idi fan t > soon be finishtd ^ uu h iii mnut ted I ^revt o^eisi^ht 111 It ivm., thi U^s ot the til st soldier unbound toi i& soon as the bthtis ,j;rappled he dashed into the outei I coin to give the alai m to the soldiers out- side the house E\ II IS he Tieut however a new and st n t 1 111 i I f ke upou his hearing He he it il I i\ \ 1 md theu went to the Willi \ ii 1 II thesieneou the lawn hid hiu^ Idi, ( nnttderite kaw hi» comitdcs^iU , iiJ.,iudisoidei nhilemixtd in with thmi ui i « i> fai tiom pleisint were iiumtioiis iidci» lu Uuiou blue Oneglaute was enough to shon the o j seivti thxt the di-s wis going i^iiust the boysingiay They had been sui pi is, ] md though not peiteptibly outnumbeied weie ibpisffthi th teiiible Wheu the boj s lu ^i n i une dou u plate two bundled stiiiu/ theie n eie les' thm fifty Unionists to oppose them so thi littei Meie quickly put to flight leiiiui then leadei and hall i dozen men bt hind Thev would veiy Ilk eh ha\p tind bidh in t hit flight hid the> nr t thiutedui on 1 1 uuiu 1 but hi n IS in the saddle on s m aid foi his miatti md ht led the tu^i open held mtl entered th Then -when theyweie bush the Unionists ai t se od w 13 Used in the itti SI iiceh a mm 1 ut found best t In the wit fl It « IS iiir lood ilj in the am- ill sides Meth- mil theie was iself peisonally s lit ind 1 lit thi Sam iteptibly getting severely floggec new tomersweie being n=ed The ightexiited theman to sutb ; that he m in i^i d t i buist his bonds which Ik 1 i ui„ titm tht window (aught il h Use so intent in i ir sell thi ili> ly Sam t wi. somewhat litei tl : worsted his opponent gie ieto%eie him while ht bi eath ' Whatne\ while we we; ideivoied to i soliioquis, abt 1 thescuudrtfu 11111^ utsi U luit ill s luiet ut » lud 1 If I ul w IS mistaken Fmu ish SI 1 the 1 ir WIS sutldeuh 1 Usui (1 open lud i st ut negio euteied Siiu h id staiteil to i use his levolvei but a» ht pluulysaw the f ace ot the intruder he paused in irresolution The man looked strangely familiar. CHAPTER XIX. the negro who had entered the room was 111 medium size, but stoutly built, and his face was sharp and shrewd beyond the aver- age. His eyes took a roving glance, and then his white teeth came to the front through the agency of a broad smile. til puisueis doulili 1 in then taint bitk to theEuti house Wheit lit thi tontederates abiuptlj isked Pokiu up Ul es^t^ s woods, said Edmund, with out ot his old-trme grins b'pose they think sure we ai e in dar, an they hab divided into two parties an surrounded de whole wood Divided, say you ' Yes, b ih 'Then by mj lite well ij i 1 it em again Theie taut be mi 1l m ^ eut\ five men m eith pait> in I I ili i k is wellplmued we tan whii i e h ilf I rfoie the othfi suspei ts misthit t /iihutteitd 1 suppii ssed theei He did nut kui » enough iljout histoiy tt untlei- st lud th it t II I iu_t lU w is pi iniiing to move aftei thest^lt ot the hist ^apolt^ 11 but he diditt ^ui/i tbelea II illt-v ot tbeidei Fiepai ititus 1 1 lepiituit w el e it onte nude Iht liiii wi tii il lu a stoieol plites lud thi hi -Il ml ttok quick hold EMdenth thti w ild so, u be nothing theie t) in\ite the tueuiy to leturn i-s the blues could not be encumbered with iiiisoneibin then dash, lUthetonted 1 ittsweit lor the time lett in the hou-e 11 who had partaken ot the wine tould 1 t I iwakened and the Union surget n til Ithxt they were drugged but not pois In tatt the ownei ot the house, before go ing to loiu Eirlj s aimy, had poured i stioug slicpmg diug into eath bottle, e\ petting th It It would be the invaders who would hud md diink the stiift Whethei it was humanity oi the possiluhfv th it his own friends would find md i ill vii tuus t > it that prevented hrm from puttiiis in poison, is uncertain. Carrington got his men in motion as soon as possible. If he succeeded in doing dam- age to the Confederates, it must In- by pt action, and, moreuvcr, night was \ is ilii-ih link lud this seived to bothei tliM i el pis but thev were not long 111 tompiehending the situation, md then they began to fight as bi n e men It w as 1 eally a saber contest, and the clash of sU 1 1 filled the tiees with sti mge ethoes. BI n w 1 „neu iii I i , n , ,1 and gillant Il i t 1 1 11 1 it till I iitedei itis were t il 1 till 1\ 11 t i_ md they tought the enemy stemed 1 1 eally were and those left to fight grew rap"- idly tewer m numbers At the end of ten minutes it was over. The remaining men threw down their arms, and the battle was won Foity prisoners had been taken, and sev- eral de id w ei e on the ground Capt iin Can ington was uncertain what to done\t It seemed his best coin se to hasten to camp withhiapiibouers but the desiie to attack thesf nnii p II ty was so strong thit he sent Ziih iitt is( eit 1111 then iHisition III it w III I it h II turned much so II Ii 1 il I I I 11 \i tl 1 Hi tame to sn tl II II 1 I i \ 1 u iiitiii^ diiectly * ■■ ' " • 11 till 1 th in a mile dis- : far a' •ay As they rode from the clearing, they look- ed back, and saw the barn wrapped in o fiamc; then their faces were turned to out, and thcj- w Cavalry Sam was fu tint tins w ide awake in a moment. 1 guard the pi isoners, and ti\ e idvanced to meet the He hid not miscalculated "Very few min- utes hid pissed when they emerged from ^l^el md then breaking into a trot, began (II sMug the field D 11 km ss hid fully fallen but the Union- ists (oulil see pliinly enough to tell that the It 1 lis n«e twite their own number Still the> did not hesitate lusuth afliaiis a surprisi loimts as half of the battle At the proper moment, they, too, broke cover, and with their horses going at a gal- lop, swept down on the larger force. t)f all things they had least expected an attack, and the bold dash of the handful made it seem as though they were strong THE WtUl LIBRARY. atill, Virginians fight well when they fight at all, and many of them presenttM) ii inild front. Once more the clash of steel sounded sharply on the air, and the field was covered with horsemen who spurred hei-e and thei-e, us the battle surged from side to side. But, while the boys in gray fought against liope, CaiTington's men were firm and orderly. Every blow seemed to take effect; and, despite their inferiority of numbers, they began to drive the struggle further north. Seeing just what was needed, Sam gather- ed a dozen men around him, and then made a dash into the center of the Confederates, theyl ifusion Their leader sliiiutea in vain for them to stand firm ; tln-y ]i;iil faced the musiir long enough; and, in a miifused I'tody, they wheeled and lied liaek to the woods from which they ha his superior officer, and exhibited three-sciore prisoners to prove the truth of his story. The day's work gained fresh honors for him and dealt the enemy another blow, but it was only one of a series of sharp cav- alry encounters which were taking place in the valley. Sheridan's men were roving at their will just then, but the Confederates were at all times ready to show their teeth. CHAPTER XX. AFTER THREE YEAKS. Several days passed without the occur- rence of anything of particular interest be- Early iuul oiice attempted to surprise Sheiid.in, wlun iln- I'Dices of the latter lay near Fi^Iji'i- s liill, Imt it bad been a dis- astrous iind.i tal;iiiK Inr the Confederates, and matfi-is assumed a (luiet aspect. The Uuiouists had roved freely through the valley until satisfied Avitli their work, and tbey thouf,'lit Early so much weakened by repealed losses as t(j be harmless. Such lieing the case. Captain Carrington acteii on an idea he had long had in his mind. He wished to look once more upon the scenes of his boyhood. True, not a build cordial welcome from Vida, Augusta not be- ing at home. The hand of war had spared their estate from devastation. The Confederates knew Augusta to be in warm sympathy with their cause; and Vida was known to be equally devoted to the other side. Had they beeu men, this state of affairs would not have saved them ; but, even in war, a true man feels a chivalrous regard for tlie fair sex. So, in the old home, the sisters lived with no protectors, e.vcept the half dozen negroes who had clung to their fortunes through all. \.t times, lawless men of both armies had made rather free about the place, but they could conscientiously offer little com- plaint. Cavalry Sam was anxious to see them after the long years of separatiou. He was not one to forget old ties, and for the daugh- tersot Virginia he could never feel less than manly respect and regard. Perhaps he would nut be welcomed if he went, but it was worth testing. So he gained the necessary leave of ab- sence, and rode away one morniug accom- panied by 'Ziah. First of all, they visited the Carrington plantation. It was a gloomy home-coming for the young master. Not even a cabin stood on I he broad estate. The ruins of the old mansion lay as Jake Shelley's rude hand had left them, Desola- I ion was everywhere, and it was not strange ihat Samuel Carriugtoii's face grew sad. His mind went back to the old days when lie was a boy. Then all was peace and pros- Tho fields bore abundant crops and the well-treated negroes sang at their work as gray-haired Roger Carrington sat on the l)iazza and watched them in languid com- fort. Well loved had he been by all, th s aged sireof Cavalry Sam. •• While he sat thus, probably the boy was in tile |,iiit -^ ^\ ith Ziali .Stroiit, still hunting some ^ain.-, or li-l.'iiiiig t(i a tlii-illing story astli.'>- lay uii.l. i-llie wliisperui- trees. How long the captain reflected he never knew, for Ziah, after keeping silence for awhile, deemed it best to arouse him from his gloomy thoughts. Sam started, showed more animation, and then they moved on Their Iliad v,a> llie .same Sam had traveled the d:\\ w li.ii AiiL-'usta told him of the firing on Fori Siiiiiier, hut that, too, had changed. An army had parsed along, and it had been widened to allow the passage of their guns— it scarcely seemed like the same place. As they broke through the last wood upon the "Warbnrton estate, a far different view was given them. War had touched the place with a gentle hand. The buildings were undisturbed. Even the fields, though less cared for, were familiar in every way. They rode at once to the front of the man- sion. No one was visible, but Sam' s knock soon brought a stout negress to the door. She started, recognizing him at once, and looked alarmed, but he put out his hand with a smile. " HoH' do you do. Aunt Molly," he said. ••Bii^s ilie Lord, Massa Sam; am it yon, fi'i' ■■'' i'i~ 'ii--'^r nebber again expected " "- 1^ l:- happen, auntie, and I have com ,1 .: altermany years." ■ 1 -o ^la.i lo ~, ,_ yuu, bress the Lord, I is; but aiii' you a puttin' your head in de lion's mouth?" •'How so?" " Jake Shelley's gang was here only Itis' night." "They had better keep away," said Sam, frowning. Some day I'll get after that wretch and make him howl. Are the ladies in, auntie?" " Boff Ob dem, sah." "Will j;ou ask them if they want to see Sam Carrington once more?" Aunt Molly retired, but soon reappeared to say that the ladies "would be pleased to see ( ainaui Samuel Carrington." " Which et them bade you utter that long 'Twon't be the fust time I've ben tliar." "Bress you, Massa 'Ziah, no," addetl the Cavalry Sam entered. Declining Aunt Molly's guidance, Cavalry Sam went straight to the old, familiar rocfm", where he had so often been in the past. He rapped. A voice bade him enter, and he passed within. The Misses Warbuitou were there. They were both standing, and one of them came forward impi-tuuuslv and grasped his hand. It was Vula, luit scarcely the Vida of the old ejioeh. Three years had developed the pretty, graceful girl into a maguitieeut womaii~uue so royally beautiful that the visitor was amazed; but in her face and eyes were all of the old lights. She was the ulf 1 II so glad to see you!" she I iiilit his hand. " It brings I a calm voice, "am also III Liirrington." who spoke, and she came aeful dignity and held out igh there was no political She had changed but little. He saw the same calm, beautiful and queenly girl who had told him of the news from Sumier. He held both their hands, but looked at Augusta. "I am not Captain Carrington; lam Sam,' he said, a smile crossing his bronzed face. " The war journals say you area captain and a brave soldier. It reminds me of the old days when you were 'Mad Sam ' to hear them tell of yoiir dashing ways. No wonder the North is [iroud of you, and calls you 'Cavalry Sam,' as you lead your legions on such devastating raids." There was a tinge of sarcasm and bitter- ness in her voioe, which took off any flavor of flattery which might be imagined, and Vida hastened to say : ' For shame, Augusta; do no begin to quarrel so soon." "lam sure there will be no quarreling,' said the soldier, " for I have come only as 'Sam.' " Having thus prefaced their interview, they seated themselves, and an animated conversation began. Augusta said no bitter words; and under youthful days forever in the rear. The gallant captain had not seen a hap- pier moment for years. He had met hand- some women when in Paris, but, after all none were equal to those of the Old Domin- ion. Ho was a loyal man in his devotion to his state women, whatever Augusta might think ot his |,olitieal heresies. \ ia iii;.i: 'il liim most of all. She had so. iii.ii iii,:i :i ihiiii when he went away till IP .\ I ais bi lore; but time had made her a woman, gloriously beautiful, with a kindly look in her dusky eyes. He thought of the letter of warning she had once sent him, and wondered if she rejnembered it as well : but the memory of her warm greets lug was a sufficient proof that she had not grown cold toward him. Conversation drifted to national affairs. "The war will soon end," said Augusta, sadly. "And then I shall return to the old plan- tation," the captain answered, with a sigh. "Can you again assume the ways ot a Vir- ginian?" "I have never abandoned them. lam all Virginian at hearl, and there is no place like " I fear we shall never settle back into the old, jileasaut life. Itis too much to expect that Villa and 1 will be here with you on our riiiilil, and Alfred Penrock on the left, as in him." "He makes a gallant soldier." " He is a Penrock," answered Sam, proud- ly, " and if he had not so long been a staff officer he would be even more than a colonel to-day." " Tou might have been as much, to-day, if yon had gone with the South, Sam." " Perhaps 1 might have beeu a clod," he Hills; they might have done worse had I given them a chance." "Ah! you are an irreclaimable traitor, ' said Augusta, with a lightness which sur- prised Sam. CHAPTER XXI. AN UNPLEASANT INTERRUPTION. Captain Can-ington was surprised and de- lighted at the friendly ways of the sisters, especially as he had known Augusta to be so firm a sympathizer with the Siuith. He re- nieinbered the reproailies she had heaped upon him when first he aiinouined his inten- llailhehail time lor i ell. etiou, he might perhajis ha\e reinemiiered the advice given a boy by hisaged father: "Don't try to understand a sex that don't understand themselves." But Sam « as not in a cynical mood. Be- passeil. He and heart. Time glided rapidly away. Noon came and passed, and Sam once more sat at the table with the Misses Warburton as of yore. 'Ziah had been invited to join therepast, but he had already gorged himselt with Aunt Molly's hoe-cakes. He thanked the ladies, and said a few rather graceful things, and then subsided into his corner in the kitchen. Sam and the sisters went over the events of their lives during the last three years more fully. Both Augusta and Vida had tried the life of hospital nurses in the past, but the former had soon tired of it ; and when A'ida went to Washington to ,1,, what she e.nild for the 1 niiin, -OHIO thirk-h. adi-il otli.iai had sus- liei-l"il liei' uoo-l lailli, l)i-i-an-o she was from the .^oiitli, anil sue hail been sent back to till- Ciiiibileraie lin. - It ^^■;:- lu-r first and last attempt. 18 THE WAR LIBRARY. There were no long pau sation; they had enough last for a long time, and gratified at the state o£ affai unless the signs of the in the conver- talk about to Sam was highly Very soon, decep ■ war would be brought to an end, and men he hoped to rebuild on the old estate, and resume his friendly association with such of his old friends as had survived the struggle. As clouds form on a sunny sky, so this pleasant visit was inten-upted. Aunt Molly, from the moment that she saw Sam, was filled with a fear that harm would come to him. With her, the distinc- tions between Unionist and Confederate were overbalanced by other things, and her heart was warm toward the big soldier, who, as a boy. had eaten hoe-cake in her kitchen, and praised her culinary work. So, while the others visited, she watched for breakers ahead, and breaker.s appeared all too soon. From out a wood to the rear ol tUe house came a score of men she was not loug in recognizing. They were ragged, ill-favored fellows, dressed in ordinary clothing, but all were armed, and their manner was lawless aud swaggering. 'Ziah had gone in to talk with Sam and the ladies, and all were startled when Aunt Molly abruptly invaded the room. •■Oh! de -....,1 L..nl!-'slic-asp,-(l, breath- lessly, "vi-ii iiiii.r .loll,. ::,-t (,ut c' .lis ri-ht away, Mas.-;i Sam. 1), l'l,ili.-.tin.'san-.-.,niiir. Jl am .l.ik.. Mii-Uey an' his gang .1 l>..r.l. .Massa Sam, deywill kill 1 reckon not," said he, coolly. tiiey? 1 want a look at them." Dey are (tomin' dat-a-way. • Where Oh! mercy He waited to hear no more, but strode to where he could view the eastern field. Thei e as she had said, a score of rough-look- ing fellows were approaching the house with Jake Shelley striding at their head. " Bushwackeis!" said 'Ziah, calmly. "You must hide," said Augusta, her fair face still pale. " We have not a fighting man on the place, and you cannot resist them alone. We will conceal you in the attic and get them away as soon as possible. They will not remain long." ■Don't fear for us," said Carrington, calmly. "They do not suspect we are here, aud you have more to fear than we. Rather than have trouble, we will keep out of sight, though nothing would please me more than to get a chance at Jake Shelley. I have not forgotten how he once hunted me with bloodhounds." " Pay the debt some other time, and when the odds are iu your favor," said Vida, iiuickly. " For now, go to the attic, and do not leave it under any consideration. These bushwhacker gangs often come here, but we know h.iw t.i manage them. We have let- ters (.( in .>ti-.ti.,n from numerous Southern leadei-s, ain.ai- tlicm General Early, aud they will II. It daiv molest us. Come with me, li.iili ..1 \ .111, and I will show you that weari' pr..|iai ...l t.ir emergencies." ■■.lii-i a< v.. II say, " answered Sam, smiling, •■ W.- u I hi. I,. : hut if those fellows get un- ruly \ I, . I . \ I ... t lis to sally forth in our mi.^hi , , : , ,:■ :ii,. them." I'ffect, for, really, he le ease. Jake Shelley I'lngh to commit any •ss .,f Jubal Early, whi.lo Southei-n Con- leu.Mu.y : aii.i ii,.,iml. it was possible uo real harin woul.l ccini.- ot liis visit, it was just as probable that it would result in a fight which would go hard for him and all his friends, Vida quickly led the Apparently, the loner sp imfiuished roiiMi, Imt Sam, ^vll.l lia.l i.lavi-il theremany a ihiv in his h,,\h....i| ii..ti'.-i.d that it seemed a lVill.> sli..ri.a''lh.iii ..t ol.l The girl led til. ^ «a\ t.i ih.- ,i.,nli, , m-iid To allappearanc'S. tli.r.. was .ml v a blank wall there, com I H,.v,-.l ..| latuin;^ an.l moi'tar but she touclicd a hi.l.l.ii spnn^' an. I a por- tion ot the wall tlie SI/..; (It a d.M.r receded revealing a small room inside. ' "Enterl" she said, quickly. "You will And aocomodations there, and means of se- <;uring the door. Now, I implore you, re- maiu quiet until you hear me ring a bell at this entrance. That, and that alone, will be the signal that all is safe. Until then, you must stay inside and make no sound. Do you promise?" ■You can depend onus; only, if thcii- is actual trouble, you must let us know. Two determined men can do a good deal against such a crowd as Shelley's gang. There, go for Augusta will want you." ' She extended her hand, impulsively it lingered for a moment within his own, and then she went away. Looking back, when at the top of the stairs, she saw the secret door closed and began to breath easier. "Youiire clever, Cavalry Sam," said the scout. "You got hir away withoutactually bindiu' yourself with a promise." " Do you siiijpose I will stay in here like a sneak and allow Shelley to work his vicious plans— if vicious they are ■> No, I shall keep a close watch, and if he gets ugly we will sail ill. Of course, I had to outwardly yield to the ladies, to save them unnecessary worry, but we -will keep ourselves well in- tormed as to what is going on." "Et only your slashers was hyer now what a harvest they could reap." " We will have Jake Shelley some day." They locked the secret room carefully It was a cunniug affair, and only one acquaint- ed with the attic would suspect its exis- tence ; but, though the room was scarcely SIX feet wide, the wall was thick and bullet proof and the door was hung aud provided with stout bars. This refuge had been planned by the sis- ters and made under their directions by th.-ir slaves, and more than once it had done ,i;.iii.l >.-r\ii.- in the past. Aui;iista, alter being left alone, seemed to los,. all r.imposure. She sank into a chair ami juessed her hands over her heart, and her lair face was almost colorless. " Merciful Heaven !" she said, ■' what will happen to us nowi' Jacob Shelley has sworu to apply the torch to our house, and It Sam interferes he will be murdered. It may eveu be that Shelley knows of his Bresence and is coming because of that, h ! what can we do 1 He must be saved, tor — for I love him!" Her head dropped on her hand, and shesat mute and motionless, her pride and strength ition at sight of her handsome with admi; face. . "Evenin', marm, evenin'," he said, pull- ing off his battered hat aud sweeping one foot back with what li.. nuantforaVaceful greeting. "11.,,,.. i .,.. ^,.n wal, ma?m." "Quite well, .Mr. sh, li.y,- was thesteady repl^. "Is,cy..uai..inili,.fieldagain." ^ laas, weaic tliat ; intact, weare never sti 1 nowadays. The invaders are on oursile an It behooves me as a leader o' a band o' Virginians ter be up an' doiu'." i;.i/^^'"'! V'"' "''^'■'^ \^'^ """^ '^^ ■^" S''^'^ a little looil to you aud your men." "Oh, we ain't jii-essed fur time jest now. in lact, we intended to stop. Much obleeged tur the luvertatiou, though. Hyer, you warriors, squat dowu on the piazza while I go lu an' take a nap. I feel like easin' up a bit on my yoke." Although this was something not included in her luvitation. Vida accepted the inevita- 'at grace she could, and stepped lid be for herself, but all gone. Brave enough she she feared for Sam. Despite the national gulf between them, she had carried his image iu her heart thmugh all the dreary years of war. ""'*""' ' '"'■'■■"itting near, aud lis- • ..I..', she had hoped the i. she scarcely cared Sam Carrington back Half au i had ;;. . was l..i> lawl..~s Jeffeis... 1 he entrance ot \ida aroused her from re- flection, and she turned a paUid face to her younger sister. "Mercy!" said the latter, whose face had siiilileiily erown full of color, "how pale you ai.-. \..ii niiL^r rally, Augusta. The biish- "''"';' '^;'i '■ at our door, and we cauuot l''-'^ I .!'■ timi.l fiiii. Only cunning work can Penrock imw, or i.m- an Coufederatc sulilicis," ,~;: " Can't we send for aid quiry. " I was thinking of that, but it is too late. Besides, I fearaid could not be spared. Come let us go and meet Jacob Shelley." aside for Shelley to ei „,M? .^/''ted for no ceremony, but strode straight to where Augusta was trying to re- gain her courage. ^ She heard his heavy footsteps, started, and grew pale again ; but the very nearness of the danger neived her suddenly, and she turned a calm face when he entered. He at once made himself at home. His heavy form went down on the costly sofa and his dilapidated boots came to the same level. There was a malicious pleasure in all he did. Once, he had been au overseer on the plantation, but he had never been al, lowed m the mansion; while, at a laterday, he had been discharged aud warned to keen away. ^ Kow, he had come as a conqueror, he was in the places once held as too sacred for him to tread, and with his brute form extended on the sofa he was enjoying the triumph of a low and vulgar mind. ^ Trot out some wine, will you, gals 'r"' he nd coarsely said. i not a particle of any kind ol the house," Vida calmly said. famil sti in 1 1 \ lua, mutiugly, was the quick iu- ray to the CHAPTER XXII. A StJRPRISE FOR JACO Jake Shelley and his men had house, and were takmtra survey i ises. Of late they had r.-.-eived sunn they moved it was wit The band had once ni the eighteen men who burtou house compris iiJmgsari h a degr imbered ■ wholesome ', and when ot caution, -x-score, but i now at the War- 11 that was left of M.I fart L-hangcd his leen warned vould come node of war- In the carrying out of his plans for i.i un- der he had a bad habit of forgetting whether his victims were loyal or disloyal, and the ex-pnson birds who followed his lead cared nothing so lougas they obtained booty. If p-^ce had been iu the Old Dominion, most of them would be in iail ; thev must make hay while the sun shone Shelley kiiocked at the do, n- hoi, 1 i brief parley with Aunt M.. II v, and tli.n \iila ,ame forward with au iu.iui'rin;; l....k ..ii h.r I i.r She was perfectly calm outwardly anil'ilH'. vicious eyes of the bushwhacker briohtene.l We can offer nothing except food." "No liquor? Thunder! What if ; ne should come along and demand it!" " Iu that case, we should show them our letters of protection from General Early and others, and tell them to go their way,'' was the q uiet reply. "Parly be "blowed. He don't count fur much at the present time. His army has gone to smash, an' he has all he can do to protect himself. He ain't much o' a man ''"^'III- i' ^''J'^^- '•*'<'"' he would have saved the day at Winchester, an' kept the inemy from t'arin' the Shenandoah all ter "You must remember he was strongly outnumbered," said Augusta, who had not forgotten that the general had done much torh.r own an.l Yi. la's safety. Til.. .iiii..,' ii|.i:| iialoci eeived tlial i n s i\ .ao in As thi- .■ .iJMolioU .1 they ga\-.' tli. Ir i a'_;-.' full play. Tli.-ii- .airses and usel.'— \ ilN mail..- til. ■ \v.iiiioii >lii\iM-iu the hallal...^.■. and .ally that tli.- ■ had f! t-!i'' ! :t ti 1 : ly away, uud i'uslled up to nd the door they would ley not per- upoii them. ■ I , I . !iu I.- party above " held the i: and Cavalry Sara actual- ly lau: li ■ : ,1 ;i ■ hoaril them howl— not be- cause In- I. ^aid.d ii,r matter in a joking, light, l)Ut h..au^.> th.- i-onia^M' ot' the sieters must bi^.sa^taiu.-.l as I,.iil' as p.issible. "They h.-in I, i- east- ..IT," sai.l the scout, anon, as thu yells suddenly sulisided. "Can it be they have given up?" asked Vida. "Not much. They are on the Injun tack now. A r"dski . is always the most danger- ous whiai he is still, an' you kin bet them varmint.s are plottiu' mischief." " Frubalily Ihey are already digging out of the cellar. "It will take 'em half an hour ter do it. Miss Vida." "And when they get out we have our weapons ready foruse," added Sam. " De Unioners ain't in sightyet," announc- ed Aunt Molly, as she trotted back from the door. Captain Carrington frowned. Enough time had elapsed to bring aid, if all had gone well, and he began to fear that the negio had failed in his mission, or els.' that no men had been granted to answer tin- i^all. At that moment, however, all their atten- tion was drawn to the bushwhackers. The floor at the further end of the hall began to creak and tremble in a suggestive way. ' Ha !" said Sam, ' is that their game ?" " I never thort of that," muttered 'Ziah. " We must think of it now. Come, we will add your weight to the strength of the at- tached point, and try to prevent a breach." They did as he said ; though, as the boards cracked and trembled under their feet, they did not yield to any great extent, and the attempt was finally abandoned. Silence once more reigned in the cellar. Several minutes passed, but Sam and 'Ziah were, continually on the alert. They moved around from window to win- dow, expecting every moment to see an opening made under the foundation of the mansion; but ten minutes wore on without giving them any clew to the movements of the biishwhacke s. Really, the latter had more to work against than was suspected. ^The mansion had been well built, the iloor was firm, and the rocks which composed the sides of the cellar were held together by cement, which was not easily moved. All these things they had found to baffle them ; but they had gained an idea not thought of by the Union men above. When their unreasoning fury had exhaust- ed itself they set about the work of escape systematically. In their belts were keen, strong knives, and with these they proposed to carve their way to victory. The barrels and boxes were brought into use to elevate them near the floor, and then, in half a dozen different places, they began the work of cutting through. Keen as their knives were, this was not easy, for the boards were old and well-seasoned ; but they worked diligently, and gained little by little. This explains why they were so silent, and proves that 'Ziah's assertion that silence is often more to be dreaded than a good deal of noise. At last, one of the cutlers went through the first layer of boards, and a murmur arose from the men as they cast down a sec- tion three feet long and a foot wide. In the course .it time, this liegiiiiiiiig could be con- tinue.l so that lli.y i-ouM i lawl through. Meaiiwhil.-, matt.rs suil.l.aily assumed an Ca Dir.'.ti;. in Ir.nt of the piazza, two score of Conle.l.aat.' I avaliy were gathered in line, their gray uniforms presenting a most un- welcome'appeaniuee, and nearer yet was an ofBcer in gray. This man had just been on the point of knocking at the door, when it was abruptly opened by Sam, and the two stood face to face, so near that they could have shaken hands. Of the two, the Confederate was the least surprised. He had drawn his revolver before advanc- ing to the door, and only one movement was required to bring it to the level of Sam''^ breast, while at the same time he sternly said: " One movement and you die ! Yield your- self as my prisoner." It was a painful and humiliating situation, but the man who kicks afraiiist a loaded re- volver under such ciri.-innstan.i's is mad. Carrington saw all of his h.. pis ^.> to ruin together; but as the battl.' within 111.' house seemed sure to go against iiisfiieiids anyway now, he dashed aside all dignity, and curtly said: "Surrender it is. Drive on your ambu- lance!" Two or three men had advanced without orders at sight of the Union captain, and to them the Confederate consigned his prisoner. The other officer looked keenly inside the house; fiut finally walked back to where Sam The made impatii " Act sensibly, and you will lose nothing by it," he said, speaking more moderately than could be expected. "There are, of course, more Unionists. How many?" Before Sam could answer, a cry arose from one of the men in the rear, and all looked inrt. at fioii wood a hun- x at a hard gai- ns.', and a wild- liiniself out- ap took him f i-oininand was uttered, the boys in gray gave a shout, which was answered from the blues, and away went the smaller force with Captain Carrington in their midst. They were not pursued. The commander of the rescue party knew the Confederates had just aiTived there, and, as he saw noth- ing of Sam, he concluded to let them alone and devote his attention to the work on which he had been dispatched. Meanwhile, Sam Carrington was taken on a rough ride of some fifteen miles. He knew the road well and was aware that he was be- ing taken directly to General Early's camp, but he asked no questions. Of all the mis- haps of his life that was the most cutting. To be captured at such a time was indeed mortifying, and it was no wonder he relapsed into sileiiie and would answer no questions. It was af>.a dark when the Confederate aft( Karly's tent. It was iiid tti.' lir.st time the captain had seen the square, bearded face, but he was not so well known to soldiers as the general, and no one recognized him until his name was pronounced. He did not hesitate to give it. He had no intention of sulking any further, and ea.h and every iiiiestioii asked bv Karly was promptly answered. He toi.I his "name, whereupon tliere was a little stir among the subordinate officers, who knew him as " Cav- alry Sam" to their sorrow; and he told, too, rf his visit to the Warburton house, of the arrival of Shelley's bushwhackers and their lawless course. At this point, Earlv frowned. "This fellow must be given a lesson," he sternly said, "and a severe one at that. This is not his first offense, and I will show him that I do not give protection papers to have them defied by such a rascal as he." The prisoner finished his story, and then Early added : " Well, sir, I sincerely hope vour friends have by this time caged the whole lot of Shelley's men where they cannot escape ; but my present business is with you. My scouts tell me that tne Northern army has encamped on the eastern side of Cedar Creek." " Pardon me, general," was the respectful answer, " but I cannot give any information in re.saril to General Sheridan's army." n..t Id' irni.ortaiH'^. Yoii wiIl,"of < "urs'e,' be retain. '.i as a prisoner, hut it is likelv an e.x- .liaiif,'.- will .so,.ii be eflTeetcd. Oiieso noted as 'Cavalry S^arn ' ought to bring a good price," the general added, with a faint smile. At that moment, an officer who had at first been in the rear of the tent, pushed for- ward and stood near Early, He was a man- ly, handsome fellow, and, though still young, wore the uniform of a Confederate colonel. Carrington saw him and started. ".Mfr.'.l I'.-ni. i.-k?" he could not avoid e.x- clainiiii^. Kv.ry ^'azi- was fixed upon the colonel, wli.> first li..we.l and then looked at (ieiieral Early. "Do you know the prisoner?" the latter asked. " He was once my schoolmate, general." Penrock answered, his voice husky from crossed the face of his superior years, yon meet thus strangely. Here is a chance for m<.ralizins, were that a soldier's business, Init it is n.it." He hesitated for a moment and then or- dered the iirisoner removed. This done he beckoned to Penrock. " Perhaps you would like to have an in- terview with this old acquaintanoe," he said. " I would, indeed, general." " Go, then, and talk with him." Thus it was that, a few minutes later, Al- fred came to the prison tent of his child- hood s friend and they met again after long years— years made doul>ly long by war and trouble. rim guard paced him. Their hands met in an earnest clasp. "Sam !" " Alfred !" The same names tlu'v in the old made no >ngh they :n WAR LIBRARY. 21 but it was a meeting such as few men liave. No bitterness hovered over it, only eaoli l)c- liered himself iu the right, ami Peuroek was full of sorrow that Uarriugton should have fought uuder the Northeru llag only to be, that evening, a fast prisoner. Their conversation was long and earnest, and through it all neither spoke a bitterer reproving word; neither tried to show that he was right and his companion wroug. The die had been east three years before ; one was fated to light in blue and the other in gray, but that had not destroyed their friendship, and never would. Of the state of the war they talked freely, though without undue conflcfence, aud Peu- roik freely admitted that the end would piobably come soou iu the Shenandoah Val- ley at least. They parted, at last, with a warm clasping of hands, aud Colonel Peurock went away to seek Early. Modestly, but earnestly, he re- quested that if auy e.xchauge of prisoners was made, the ease of Captain Carriugtou would be favorably considered, and the Con- federate general Usteuod patiently and said he would consider the request. Cavalry Sam was left alone iu his prison tent. He had much of which to think, and his mind was not altogether easy iu regard to the Misses Warburtou, but he trusted that all was well there, and there did not seem to be any reason why the rescue party brought by Edmund should not have completely ab- sorbed Shelley and his band. As for himself, Sam was a prisoner for the first time in his army experience ; but his buoyant disposition stood him in good use, and he had faith to believe that all would be well. At any rate his was the fortune of a sol- dier's life. CHAPTER XXV. AT MIDNIGHT. The hours wore on. All had t>eoome quiet in the vicinity of Cavalry Sam's prison tent, and, despite his unpleasant situation, he began to feel sleepy. He had the place all to himself, and, so far as hearing went, be would not have known that any human being was within miles of him except the guard who paced steadily in front of the tent. "I think I'll get a sound night's rest, de- spite the fact that I am in durance vile," he said, with a yawn. Then he lay down, wormed into a com- fortable position, and all looked favorable lor speedy slumber. Scarcely two minutes had passed when he became conscious that the wind was blow- ing freely from the quarter where lay his feet, and aa he had noticed before the light was taken from him that the tent was very snug and close, the fact surprised him some- what. A closer notice revealed the fact that the wind was entering as it will where an open- ■ ■ ■ a tent. ing exists to any extent in the side of a i '■ partially ,, . ,. locality. and he partially arose and looked toward the ly loa "' He had barely gai however, when a slight hiss sounded almost at his feet. Very slight, indeed, was the sound, but his attentive bearing caught _it, and he grew excited. Some one was secretly entering the tent, if the signs went for anything, and that one might be a friend. "Massa Sam!" It was a very soft whisper, but the prison- er distinguished the two words and more. The whisper, the mode of address— all re- minded of Edmund Smith. He drew up his feet quickly, but dared not speak. " Am you dar, Massa Sam ?" " Yes, yes," he whispered in return. "Alone?" " Yee." Then into the tent wriggled a dark figure, not an injudicious sound betraying its move- ments, and Sam almost wondered if it was a ghost, until it crept to his side and seized his hands. Miraculous though the coming might be, Edmund was beside him, and the colored boy caressed his hands again and again, while Sam sat bewildered. How the boy came to be iu the Confeder- ate camp he could not understand. Such things were occasionally done by spies, but Edmund " Brees de Lord, I'se done found you," the intruder said. "Hewintba world did ArayoaapiiMBi i Tou gel here?' you, massa cap'n, you don't s'pose I would let you stay wid dese truck, do you ? No, sah. I tole Missvidail would get you free, an' I'se goin' ter do it." "How did you pass the pickets?" " Crawled past dem ; crawled on my stom- jaek. We go back de same way." "Can it be done?" Sam demanded, with more animation. " Golly I yes, sah, jest as easy. All you got ter do is ter toiler me. I'll take you fru Massa Sam." Furtlier conversation made inattcis clear- er, Edmund, on learning that Ciirriugton was a prisoner, had promptly Vol lowed the Confederates, aud approached their camp close behind them. He gave no particulars as to how he had passed the guards, except to say that, lack- ing the countersign, he had crawled past the various pickets. In this his knowledge of the ground had aided him greatly, but Sam still wondered. "Now, Massa Cap'u, you hurry up, an' we will go back de same way 1 come," he added. "I don't believe I can do it, but, by my life, I'll try," Carringtou said. "Let us go at once. The guard may at any moment look in and find you." The venture was promptly commenced. Edmund bad cut a hole through the side of the tent, and they easily passed out. Then the real work begun, and for half a mile they must creep, where an enemy was Uable at any moment to arise and give the alarm, while pickets must be passed— how, Sam did not know. He felt perfectly helpless, and resigned the lead to Edmund very willingly. The latter seemed equal to the emergency. At the very first he dropped on the ground, his unrelieved blackness making him seem like a rock or log, and with Sam at his heels the start was made. The gallant captain must not be looked upon as an awkward bungler. HLs early e.x- Eerience with 'Ziah Strout in the swamp ad taught him how to crawl silently and skilfully, and he was only at fault to under- stand how they were to escape the notice of the pickets. For some distance their way lay along the side of a ridge, where rocks and bushes gave them cover and made the pitching of tents possible, and though the canvas tops and They had done well among those whose business it was to sleep; now for those who were allotted to keep awake. Between the rougher part of the ridge and the wood, lay a tolerably smooth space, and all the way across this could be seen the forms of the recumbent soldiers. Carrington paused iu real apprehension. "Heavens! he said, "we can never pass them unseen." " Stand straight an' walk fru' dem," said Edmund. " We shall be seen and stopped." " Dey am too tired to car' who is walkin' ober dem. Dey are dar to sleep. Nobody looked at me when I came an'I reckon, dey won't look when we go back." A brief survey convinced Sam that there was no other way. Either he must remain in the camp, or make the venture, and he was not a man to leave a chance untried. " Lead on !" he firmly said. They advanced boldly, stepping between, aud often over the sleeping Confederates. It was a moment of thrilling suspense. Every moment they expected some one to rise up and confront them, and then, de- spite the darkness, Sam's uniform would be- tray all. Luckily, no one stirred, and as they step- ped over the men they took care not to brush agalHst them. The deeper shadow of the trees was reach- ed and eutered. They were at last beyond the camp proper, and only the pickets remained to be passed. Only the pickets! There was a world of meamng in the simple trio of words. No longer a sleeping but a watchful en- emy was to be encountered, and their only way was to ci'awl past the posts. Edmund seemed utterly regardless of dan- ger, but his movements were as soft and sagacious as though he was some old fol- lower! of Powhattan come back to lulflll a mission, aud Sam was not less skillful. "Crawl Uke a snake, Maasa Sam," the negro said, aud then they went forward Through and under the bushes, as uoise- leasly as possible, but with the odds against them. It was uo pine wood where one could walk freely and make no sound, but dry sticks lay numerously under their feet. Several rods were successfully passed, and then Edmund turned and touched Carriug- ; ton's arm, at the same time pointing ahead. . No words were needed. Sara saw a sentinel pacing his beat, and; knew the critical moment was at hand. , " Come," said the black guide. Inch by inch they crawled on, steadily. Hearing the picket's line of travel, and then," when his back was turaed, crept almost to . where he had just been, and lay fiat and silent. The Confederate walked slowly back. He was a bold, manly looking soldier, of large frame, a bad euemy to meet, if appcarauces went for anything, and Sam almost c.\pected his keen eyes would pierce the cover of the thicket aud end in their ruin. He passed so near that they could have touched him, reached the limit of his beat, wheeled and went back as before. Almost opposite their ambush he suddenly paused, and the click of his rifle-lock sound- ed with startling clearness. For a moment Sam had no doubt but that they were seen, and a fierce light shone in his eyes as he heard the old familiar chal- lenge : "Halt! Who comes there ?" But a voice answered from beyond the line: " A friend, with the countersign." Carrington experienced a revulsion of feeling, and the guard continued in his busi- ness-like way : " Advance, friend, with the countersign." The previous speaker came forward, whis- pered the magic word over the presented bayonet, and then passed on to the interior of the camp, while the grim picket went his way. He was a wide-awake guard, but he did not see the two forms that flitted across his beat, instantly dropping into the bushes, nor did he afterward see them hurrying cautiously away. They had passed the last danger, how- ever, and when half a mile away Edmund slowly turned. "Igotyouuns inter trouble, Massa Sam, by hitchin' outer Jake Shelley when I did. Have I made amends fur dat ?" "Nobly, Edmund, nobly!" declared the cttptain, and with the dusky band within his own he added his earnest thanks. Then they went on to the Union camp, Edmund telling as they went what had oc- curred at Warburton's after Sam left. All the bushwhackers had been caged and taken to the camp of the boys in blue — all except Shelley. He, having been left by Sam and 'Ziah, as before stated, had managed to get clear of his bonds and make good his escape. CHAPTER XXVI. CEDAR CREEK. Cavalry Sam and Edmund reached Sheri- dan's camp without further adventure, and the first man to peet them was 'Ziah Strout. Taken all iu all, the day's work had l>een a good one, for the capture of the bush- whackers had left Jake Shelley without s man at his back. His own escape was deeply regretted, but time might yet bring him to justice. iu store for them, Another crisis was approaching iu the Shenandoah Valley. That day, General Sheridan left the army under the temporary command of Wright, the gallant commander of the Sixth Corpa, aud went to Washington on business of Im- portance- No one had a thought that trouble would occur during his absence. The Confeder- ates were believed to be too thoroughly de- moralized to risk an attack, and the position of the Union army was very strong. They were on the east side of Cedar Creek, with Crook's corps in advance, Emoryg a little behind, and Wright's — then in charge of Kicketts— to the right and rear of Emory. The cavalry of Torbert, Custer and Merritt had favorable positions, and ATerill's gal- 22 THE WAR LIBRARY. lant comuiaud guarded the north fork of theSheiiandoah, from Cedar Creek to Front Royal. It was a position which only a lirave or reckless mail would dare to attack; for, by its disposal of streams and hills, nature had done as much as man to make it a strong '; one. f But Jubal Early'.'i spirit was not yet ; broken. ' He had suffered severe losses and reverses, but he determined to strike another blow; and his brave followers were not in the least leluctant. His army had recently been strengthened by reinforcements from General Lee's iirmyj which then lay before Petersburg, and all were anxious to retrieve their waning for- uines. The advance was made shortly after mid- night, on the nineteenth of October, with I'egi-am, Gordon and Ramseur on his right, iiiid Ker=liaiv rind Wharton at the left, and with Mil iii>ssiMc secrecy they crept toward the iiii.su^lM. tin:; riiionists. To u^.■ III' liiLiliways would be to invite speedy c!i^.•o■, n \ , >.. llic roughest iiud dark- <-.st paths Avi-ic usril, and lioisis Inot and ar- tillery inuvcd alMU- v.ii.u- our «(,uld Particularly iuli-Ii u as tin- u a'\ in.d by the right. It moved along tljc liuc of the Manassas Gap railway until the abrupt bend (pf the Shenandoah was reached, and then 1 he stream was forded successfully, and men, horses and guns moved on resolutely. Not much further was the railroad fol- lowed; but, beariii!! ti> th.- uortli, they again approached tlic- tdrliaais liver. This time it was apprnacli.'d at a point cast of Cedar Creek, ami ancthci'cios--iii^- must be made. Colonel Pcuii'cli «as u ith tliis wing, aud as he saw the rolliug water before them he lealized that the critkal moment was at hand. A Uttle turtlier on they would en- counter Crook's corps, and then woukl come the tug of war. If this movement failed, the valley would be left practically defenseless. One moie defeat would break the spirit of Early's command— if, indeed, they were notcrushed —and me fate of Virginia seemed poised on a uariicv point. Agiiai lue river was forded, and only dry land was l)etween the rival aimies. The Confederates went on steadily. .Kll possible caut lot nio\ tUeir many fret even i-cachcil ili tioil was -aincd iUid, lIlcLi- aio\ which arcs." !)ci gained such pos Ju.st, :is day ^v: receiied the or' then all ale ; the liL of tbeir muskets, and, witli loud shouts, they dashed forward for a closer attack. The Unionists awoke tioiii sluiubcrin con- fusion. They grasped llnu- wca|M>ns and started for the trenches, but the Confeder- ates were already there. Thc\- had gaincil the first step, and they meant to liaM- iuotc Still shouting, they pressed on in a gallant assault, and the bewildered and rudely awakened boys in blue could offer but little of the spirited resistance they should have received. Under this unexpected and furious attack. Crook's corps soon went to pieces. The men were confused and dismayed, and not all the orders of the equally confused officers could keep them intact. In utter disregard of order they went back in rapid retreat, leav- ing seven hundred of their number and nu- merous guns liehind. The assailants were delighted, and General Ramseur wruug the hand of Alfred Penrock as he complimented him on the way he had led his men. "At last the tide has tiu-ned. We are going to pay off all of our old debts!" he confidentially said. It was the belief of all Early's army. They pressed on with enthusiasm, and striicic Emory's corps which, it will be ivnicnibci cd, lay be'hind Crook's. Emory tried m \ am I o stay the, tide of battle. Hethivii loiwanl McMilleu's brigade as a temporaiy check. but it was like a man trying to stop the cur- rent of Niagara. With one thu'd its uumlier ■ di'ad, wounded or prisoners, the brigade was hurled back on the main force. Then Emory, too, was obliged to give ground, and the guns thus lost were turned on their fomiei' possessors with dreadful ef- fect. At this point, Early's right, led by Gordon, made itself particularly obnoxious to the Unionists. They moved with an impetuos- ity which could not be resisted, and if a stand was taken it was made useless by Gor- don's unceasing attention. While the Union left was being thus severely handled, the right was faring badly at the hands of Kershaw and Wharton, and Geueral Wright, who, itwill be remembered, was acting in Sheridan's place, felt com- pelled to order a general retieat. Most fortunately for the fugitives, the Six^th corps was still in good condition, and while the others went on with utter disre- gard (.f order, these grim veterans covered the retreat in an admirable order. Onlyfor that, il is possiblcihattheentireai-my would have bi'cn captnied. ^AIonu;ttn' Winchester road they wt til Middlctown was reached, anil th« broken columns were reformed. 'I'l were fast regaining their ■ ' "• ight • • ■ - " yet in condi he fell back two miles further. Early entered Middlctown. Had his men then been in condition to follow up their successes there is no knowing when; it would have ended, but Ihcv had had si.Ktecu hours .t! been ell if he ^ssed on of severe work, (i nons over the hil tng Shenandoah, Consequeiith , to eat, drink and .IubalKail"s\'vl'i had disrepi I dcd after the flceinu i General Wnul formed that bi^ e already halteil h spell gave him a < This was speedily done, and, at ten o'clock, oTcUr had been formed out of chaos. Despite their lieavy losses, the Unionists were still full of courage, and their set faces told that they were not yet disposed to give up the battle. CHAPTER XXVII. KETKIBUTION. Sam C'arrington had not been inactive during the assault and flight. He had felt a natural chagrin at his capture by the Con- federates a little liefore, and, anxious to re- i>rc them. \Vhcn the liist attack was made, he had been in Ills i.osition among the cavalry, but ill the coninsion which followed few men Ml. ci-edcd in ke. ping where they belonged, and \> hell General Gordon made his fierce assault on the Uuiou left. Cavalry Sam was among those who were there to receive it. He saiv as well as any that desperate en- deavors were required to turn the tide, or the day was lost, aud with all of his impetu- ositv he endeavored to sustain the wavering conia.ire of the hard-pressed Unionists. Twice liis horse was shot under him, but he esinpi'd iii.iury and was always to be loiind tacni;^ the enemy. At one time, Ziah was fighting by his side, but they became separated and saw each other no more tor some hours. When the army halted beyond Middle- town, the scout went among the cavalry and looked for Sam. He was not to be found, and no one had seen him since the re- treat fairly began. 'Ziah grew trouliled at the news. Full well he knew the vouug captain, and, being sure thathewouhi never be found negli- gent in liis duty, there could be no doubt but that he had met with some mishap; it seemed as though he must be dead or cap- tured. Convinced that no more was to be learned by inquiry, 'Ziah shouldered his riUe and strode Iroin camp. He was a free man in thelullc, I scii^c of the word, and he was goi:i.:i lo loolv lor Cavalry Sam. At Uc linii' w hen Emory's corps was dis- turbed by the flight into their faces of 1 I o.ik s broken columns, and then, in turn, lie a\ ily ^tricken by the Confederate veter- ans. Sam was in good condition and gallants ly rilling the third horse he had that day be- strode. Whem Emory pushed forward McMillen's brigade, Sam joined them because he saw no better place to go. In that terrible vor- tex of battle, few men of the demoralized first line thought of finding their own com- mands, for all were ini.xcd to-, ill. r. McMillen went foi-war.l ;:a.l,iutly imd it wasuot his fault that lie tailed lo hold the enemy in check. They were too strong for ' him, and, broken and decimated, his brigade was hurled back to join in the contusion that seized on all Emory's corps. The captured guns were turned upon them with terrible effect, and then it was that Captain Carrington's third horse was killed beneath him. He fell close to a thicket, luckily managing to free himself from the stirrups, but when he would have arisen a regiment of Confed- erates charged across the ground. One glance showed Sam that they would meet with no more opposition there, and with a quick movement he gained the cover of the thicket. A minute more and the boys in gi'ay were all around him. Their triumphant cheers I rang out clear and loud, and the cavalry- man iiia.Ic up his mind to surrender quiatly lie was 11. d ^ceIl just then. The regiment Willi on, and the ground was left to the ilead and dyiug. Sam peered from the thicket, thinking of flight, but oue glauoe was enough to convince him that it could not then be successfully accomplished. He lay Hat in the thicket and waited. Scarcely had the Confederates guiie, wheu a riderless horse (la>li frequently toward tin he had come, but s. en This he did near Sam s cover, and the tat- ter's eyes at once became fixed upon him in an earnest gaze. He was a fine animal; aud, though it might be safer to creep away, the captaiu longed to gain his saddle, and use a more rapid means of locomotion. He reflected, and resolved to run the riskr so he crept from his cover, and appioached the horse. He was easily secured, and then Sam mounted, and looked about for a ivay of joining the Union army. Early's force was in the way, so he headed almost due east, and resolved to gain the de- sired ground by a wide detour. At first he rode slowly, for he was liable to run upon the enemj' at any moment; but luck favored him, and he soon felt safe in putting the horse to a gallop. Wright's force was still in retreat, and Sam knew not where they would stop ; but if his animal held out, he -was resolved to ride around everything, and rejoin them where he could. In this way he neared a creek, where the ground was very familiar, and beheaded for a well-known ford, and pushed on — to meet with another adventure. ;f,";;,rwi;i:^f CHAPTER XXVIII. A PRETTY UTTLE SCHEME. Sam had no fear that he would find any Confederates about the ford; but he easeil up on his pace as he neared it, and used proper caution. the ford. All was clear as he rode down and across; but just as the further bank was reached, he saw something which caused him to abruptly take to cover. Several horsemen were coming toward the ford, and, the mere fact that they wore no kind of uniform being suspicious in itself, he quickly jiulled on his right rein, andsecured cover in a thicket. The fact that he was on much lower ground than the strangers had saved him from dis- covery. They came on to the ford, and then he started at seeing the man at their head. It was Jake Shelley, and the men behind him were so sirailarin general appearance that it was evident he had quickly rallied more bushwhackers about him. Luckily, they were only eight in number, and Sam was so anxious to siptare the old aeioiint with Shelley, that he was tempted to Ink.' a ^ll.it at him, ami then try theeffects of a chai ;;e; but hehelil back the rash impulse. It was just as well that he diil. The bushwhackers paused at the water's edge, to allow their horses to drink, and he plainly heard their words as they talked in an earnest way. " I reckon the fight is all over," said Shel- ley. "The cannon don't boom any more, an' Early has scored a decisive victory, ef I'm any jedge." " It IS lucky for him that Sheridan was away," said another man. " But how will et be when Sheridan gets back?" inquired a third speaker. "Et won't take him long ter ride down from Winchester, an' you Know hie men will fol- THE WAR LIBRARY. ler whar he leads ef thev know et means death." "I've heen thinkiu' o' that very thmg," said Shelley, " au' I think I see a chance fur us ter do a pretty bit o' business an', inebbe, get a sound reward. O' course word has long since l)en sent ter Sheridan, an' he is on his way ter the scene o' battle. Waal, wliat •soit o' an idee would it be fur us to ambush him a.s he comes down ?" " Til iiuibush himV" repeated one detour had been continued a sulbcieut leu^th of time to take him i)ast the Confederate lines, and he again crossed the creek, and hea^ied in a coui-se which he judged would take him to Middle- town. At that ijlace, too. he believed General Wright would effect a rally, and he must see him its soon as possible. He made a pretty correct estimate : but Wri-ht, as bet'tne stated, had not thoujjht hiiuM-lt 111 cuidili,,!! to n-ht at iliddlptuwii, Wiiiciiester road beyond' the 'to»"u, while Early had paused within the place to re- cover his breath. Sam had advanced dangerously near the village without suspecting the truth, when, suddenly, a score of riders in Union bine dashed out o ;a wood iu lutt haste. He pulled up his horse iu some surprise; but, a little later, wlien men in gray began to emerge from the sameiover, he saw that the lirst party had need of hjiste. They were outnumbered and hard ]>ressed. Putting the spurs to his horse, he dashed across the field, and a shout arose from the Unionists. They had promptly recognized him, nor was he far behind them in that respect. They were all of Averills cavalry; and, best of all 'Ziah Strout rode at their head. No wonder they cheered, for they were without au officer to lead them, and Cav- alry Sam was a favorite with all. lie quickly joined them, said a few words of greeting, and then settled down beside Ziah to get all possible news, even while they continued at the rapid pace it would not do to break. The scout described the position of both armies; and, by the time he had finished, they were w ell past Middletown and abreast i:f Wrifxh;' . cciiiiiiaud, but the hot chase of thcCoD'edeiates made it impossible for them to turu and join their army then ; they must goon up the valley. 'Ziah also briefly told how he had goue out in search of Carrington ; and, meeting the handful of cavalry that had become separated from the others while near Cedar Creek, had been forced into the general flight. Sam looked back at the pursuers and long- ed to turn at bay, but they were out- numbered five to one, and it would not do. ttuucd. Still, it nettled him, and he resolved to try an experiment. .\ mile ahead lay two ridges which extend- ed north and south, with a narrow valley between, and into this valley he resolved to ride. What he would do after thnt depended on the course of thepursiiei>. Aiiv mu,. slight- ly acquainted with the place would iia\e said the valley was a deal h-tiap, lor it eud- ed in bluffs at the northern end, l.ut Sam knew every foot of the way, and knew, too, just liow to get out if the' enemy followed into the valley. He hoped they would not do this, but, in- stead, divide their force, and ridcaround to cut off at the further end of the ridges; and this was what seemed most probable, for any one could see that more rapid riding could be done outside the ridges than be- tween. on. and then the pursuers divided into thre paities. The flisf iniirising forty men, followed in his u\\ u iiaeks, the second and third, each iiunil.oiiiii. about thirty, went one to the right and the other to theleft. Sam was delighti-d. All was working to his liking, and if his men showed the mettle leM'xpeeted, thev would surely scoi'e a vic- liuy. They were riding between steep bluffs which' seemed impassable, but Cavalry Sara Icnew better. Halfway through, he turned ills fell back rst party of ■ they could rl at the nature's 1 seemed from a wooded plac and struck their fla Before that dash never to rise again, I gallop, they were that danger was at lit^ Unionists burst le base of the ridge th ie,-i>tless force. nan went down eoufusion yvhich )ve of the kind could not but eusne; but the boys in gray \\(M c not made of yielding material, and tiiey i|uickly rallied. '1 lie IiisI sho<.'k had reduced theii' number until the two torces were about equal, and each man quickly found his opponent, and sabers crossed with a vengeful clash. Sam, however, had taken pains to make his followers understand that all depended on a quick victory, and with this ideastrong in their minds they fought with a fury which, aided by the surprise given the Confeder- ates, soon settled the d uel-at-large. Many of the rebels went down, and then the others, who, unluckily for them, had no ofBcer at their head, turned and tied along the back frail. The Unionists did not pursue. They, too, wanted to run, and away they went toward the west. Cavalry Sam, however, had not forgotten Jake Shelley aud his plans, and as they were already two miles north of Wright's rallying point, he determined to go on aud strike the Winchester tin npike to see if there was any sign that the bushwhackers were lying in wait for General Sheridan. CHAPTER XXIX. SH Em DAN'S BIDE. It will be remembered that the cause of the fact that General Wright was in tempo- rary command at Cedar Creek was because the Union leader had gone to Washington on ofHcial business. His business finished, Sheridan returued to Vviuc luster, and.was sleeping there the eveutiiil ]ii-lii «liciL Eaiivs lorce crept fhi'ouLili ihi' passes of the nd^c and across the i» ic(-U.ided Sheiiaudoah to reach the Early in the morning, that long to be re- membered nineteenth of October, the boom- ing of cannon waa heard iu Winchester, roll- ing up from the soutli with the tone so familiar in the valley at that day. It was a startling sound, but, at first, Sheri- dan supposed i 1 « as caused only by a recou- uoissance, aud calmly made his breakfast without a suspicion of the great events which were to follow. The meal finished, he mounted his horse aud rode southward along the turnpike, ac- companied by his escort, and not yet stirred into full activity. He was going to rejoin his boys in blue, but he little thought that at that moment, they were a badly whipped arinv, all in letreat, and many heei'ng toward Wiii'ehester without any pretense to order. His eyes were opened when, before reach- ing Kernstown, he met the van ot the fugi- tives. They came in wild disoi'der, believ- ing themselves closely pursued , aud desper- ate as was the situation, it was magnified live-fold in their account to the amazed gen- actiou, and was equal to the test. Bidding his escort follow, he again moved along the turnpike, this time at a tremendous gallop, and rod after rod of the way was rapidly leftbehiud. ^ ' The crowd of fugitives increased in num- bers as he went, but the sight of their loved leader .speeding toward the van, warmed their blood, aud they greeted him with cheers, Swingiiii; his h. it aiouiid his head. ■■ Little Phil" sent hack eu. ..iiiagiiig woi.ls which have gone into histui v to be read by mil- lions in the future, who are, as yet, unborn. "Pace the other way, boys; facefheofher way ! We are going back to our camp. We are going to lick them out of their boots !" Never was there an act more inspiriting; never a deed whicli so went to th<> hearts of the men he led, flUing them with a new cour- age, born of his own heroism and dashing presence. The erstwhile pauic-strickeu fugitives drew a Ion- lucalh as lie leceded, looked at each other (|U.stiouiui:h . iImu j.aiised, turn- ed their faces ■■ the oilier \wi\, as directed, and the feeblest among them became a hero. Still over the road thundered the Union chief. His gallant horse seemed to under- stand the dire need of wondrous speed; he caught the enthusiasm ot his master, and with his powerful form strained to the utmost spurned the hard load under his fly- ing feet and i ut down mile after mile of the interveniug space. Well might he speed, for much was at stake on that famous ride; well might he flash his eyes with pride, for never did a horse run a more gallant course, or carry a more gallant rider. Histoiy was waiting to tell ot man and horse. Ride, Sheridan, ride, for your boys in blue need your potent voice ; speed, proud horse, speed, for you are carrying your master South " to save the day." ' Near the Winchester road, half way be- tween that place and Middletowu, a score of men iu Union blue were riding slowly north. That they were not panic-stricken fugitives was shown by their onlerlv move- ments, and when we say that ('avaliy Sam was at their head the reader will need no further introduction. Carrington was looking earnesflj- ahead, and his face suddenly brightened when 'Ziah Strout emerged from a wood and rode slowly down to meet them. " Well?" questioned Sam, quickly. " I've found 'em," answered the scout. "Where?" " Ambushed near the road in that very wood. Jake Shelley is fhar ill his pride, aii" Iki the bullet thai shall kill Phil Sherid "He will never speed it. " said Captain Carrington. sternly. ■• Prepare for fight, men, and we will sweep those dogs away." "Wait," said 'Ziah. "For what ?" " Thar's a hnndretl on them thar. Jake Shelley has picked up more men somewhar. all bushwhackers, an' they are five to our one." "I don't care if there are five hundred. Boys, those fellows cannot stand a vigorous chai'ge, aud we shall have them hemmed in between ourselves and the men who are passing along the turnpike. What sav von, shall we strike with a rush, and to kill !'"' Every man answered affirmatively, and then Ziah smote himself on the thigh. "Hurrah fur you, ye eternal slashers!" he said. " I knowed I must warn yer. but I thought I was sure o' your pluck. Poller mean' we will give Jake Shelley a lesson." "It shall be his last, if I get a chance at him," the captain muttered. 'Ziah led the way and the cavalrymen followed in dead sile'uce; they were resolved to make a sure thing of it. At the eiiil of ten minutes they had gained the proper position for the proposed dash, and then only one word from Carrington was needed to hurl them on the foe. In the und.-rbrnsh, Jacob Shelley and his bushwhackers lurked and awaited the com- ing of the ITiiion chief. Situated as they were, they could not very well miss their aim if once their rifles covered his gallant form, and though some of them feared that retribution would speedily follow the das- 24 THE WAR LIBRARY. tardly deed, they were resolved to risk all. But, without auy warning, a sudden crashing sounded iu the bushea behind them, and as they looked around, it was to see a body of men in Union blue dashing upon them with drawn sabers, too near when seen to be avoided by the bulk of the bushwhackers. It was one of those sudden dashes which made our civil war famous, and one of those gallant exploits which had earned for the young leader his subi-iguet of " Cavalry Sam ;" and on the present occasion he cared nothing for the fact that the foe was Hve times his own number. With a cheer they dashed among the bush- whackers, who had left their own horses at one bide, aud then revolver and saber were busy. The crack of the former was often followed by the vicious sound of the ball as it struck flesh and bone, aud oul over the steel crept the little streams of red as they were sent home. Shelley's voice arose, urging his men to stand firm, and though a fuU score ran away at the first, the others obeyed and fought bravely. The advantage was against them, how- ever, despite their superior numbers, for while they fought on foot, the Unionists galloped about and struck wherever a head was to be seen. Dead and dying men soon covered the ground, but not one wore Union blue. It was hard to get at the charging troopers, and some decree of Providence seemed to shield them from the enemy's bullets. 'Ziah was ever at the front, and his loud cheers arose frequently as he fought iu his grim way. Cavalry Sam seemed to bear a charmed blade aud a charmed life. No one could reach his person with steel or ball, aud where he fought the destruction was ter- rible. His gaze was ever roving in search of Jake Shelley, and at last he saw »im at the out- skirts of the battle. The guerrilla chief had seen that the fight was goiug against his gang, and had resolved to save himself, happen what might to those he left behind. Sam spurred toward him. •' Hold, you base dog!" he shouted. "You and I have a debt to settle I Hold, where you lire!" Shelley had no heart to obey, for he feared the mau he had once hunted with blood- hounds; but he saw that he must either turn and fight or be overtaken and run the risk of being attacked in the rear, so he wheeled and fa<^ed his enemy with a saber in his hand. "Villainl" exclaimed the captain, as he reined in his horse so suddenly that the earth was flung high in the air. "I have you at last. We will fight to the death, but it shall bo on equal terms." He sprung from his saddle, and at last they stood face to face, armed alike, in every wa^ on equal terms, and both well aware that it was to be a duel iu which one would fall. Their sabers crossed, and then began a desperate combat. What Shelley lacked iu science he made up in strength and zeal, while his guard was really very good. Stroke tor stroke, parry for parry, a "wall of steel seemed to be between the two, and the clash echoed strangely through the wood. Unknown to either, for they had eyes only for themselves, the other men were done with fight. The guerrillas had fled or sur- rendered, and the boys in blue stood around the duelists, silently watching. CHAPTER XXX. HOW SHERIDAN KEPT HIS WORD. ( 'avalry Sam began to press his opponent sliarply. He had found that all the fellow's prowess lay in self-defense ; he dared not make a determined assault himself. At the lust, he was fighting only with a vague hope that some lucky ohance would give him the victory. Sam 8 movements became bewildering. His saber seemed everywhere at once. The wall of steel dazzled Shelley. He gave ground, aud felt a strong desire to wheel and run. Already he was lireathing hard, while Sam was as fresh as ever. Suddenly a shout went up from the boys m blue. The bushwhacker was down ; and as they saw the blood gush out over his his breast, they knew he had received his last hurt. With a powerful effort he raised himself ■ 1 his elbow, and reached for his falleu were about to close upon it, he gasped, trembled, and then fell back with a moan. He had gone on his last raid. The victory was complete. Many guer- rillas lay dead on the ground, others were prisoners, and the remainder had gone away in swift flight. The dash had resulted well. Out on the highway went the boys in blue. Down the hard road came a horse- man at whom all looked with joy. Cheers greeted him as he rode; aud, without a word of reproach to the fugitives, he swung his hat as he came, and uttered words of en- couragement. Sheridan was nearing the goal. Captain Carrington and his handful of bluecoats fell into the rear, and the remain- ing miles were soon passed. When Sheridan entered the Union camp he found matters much better thau he had dared hope. General Wright had been doing all that man could to get the troops iuto or- der aud ready for an attack in turn, aud Sheridan approved ot all he had done. "We'll have camps and all those cannon back again," said the plucky Sheridan, as he rode along the front and gave to each regi- ment the encouraging words which made them cheer louder even than the fugitives had cheered. Preparations for an advance went on stead- ily, and at three o'clock the order for mov- ing <-ame. The Uniouists were no longer a beaten and demoralized army. At one o'clock Emory hud won one move in the game by repulsing an attack, all of which went to brighten the vision of the boys in blue; and when Sheri- dan came down among them, no more was needed. They felt sure of victory. When the army moved, a firm and resolute column of veterans set their faces toward the south, and went on steadily. Captaiu Caningtou had rejoined his com- mand, but he found many a man missing who had spoken with him but twenty-four hours before. Now, they were going to .seek satisfactiou. The first line of the Confederates was at- tacked with zeal. They stood firm for a while, but the pressure was too strong, and they fell back to give the artillery a chauoe. With the renewed boom of the great guns came new destruction for the Unionists, and the leaden storm was so hot that for a while they were checked, but their leader was equal to the emergency. Enough veterans were brought into active use, and two gallant charges sufficed to carry their position. At the same time the cavalry came down heavily on both of Early's flanks, and under this resistless pressure the boys in gray could not stand. Confusion seized upon the whole Confeder- ate array. Beset with an impetuosity which exceeded their own at Cedar Creek, they turned and fled in great disorder. Through Middletown they went in a way which re- called Sheridan's dispatch after the battle of a former o(!Oasioii, " We have just sent the enemy whirliug through Winchester. " Beyond the latter place the road was nar- row and poor, and it soon became filled with cannon, wagons and the like, all in a con- influenced Early to leave them where they were and save his men if nothing more. He coutiuued his flight with his broken army, au army which was destined to never again fight a battle iu the Shennndoah Val- ley. Almost utterly ruiued, they had no re- sources at their command, and on that day the war in the Shenandoah practically ended. American history. Our account of Cavalry Sam may well end in detail with that great day in the valley, though there is much more that might bo ( written. * Let us briefly say that his services on that day gained for him a major's commission, and that he was with General Custer in his encounter with Early at Waynesboro on the second of the following March, and in the daring exploits that followed. Another story might be written of his adventures when he went under the brave Sheridan to aid Grant in capturing Richmond. How that undertaking succeeded, is well known, and when General Lee finally sur- rendered the remnant of his brave but bat- tle-torn army, it was Colonel Siuuud Car- rington, who silently thanked Ueavcn that there would be no more war in hi.< native land. And one day he asked permission to hold an interview with General Alfred Penrock, who was among those to surrender, and the friends met as brothers once more. "Alfred!" "Sam!" And as their handsorossedtheyforgotthat they were dignified officers, and that they had fought on opposing sides through long years of war. War there had been, dark and dreadful, but their hearts were the same as when they played together as children under the shad- ow of the whispeiing pines. Let us take a partiug glance la all our characters one year later. In tne Shenandoah Valley, all is once more peace and quite. War has vanished and busi- ness has been lesumcd. New houses have gone up where old ones stood, and on the Canington aud Penrock plantations these are esiiecially fine. The Warburton mansion is ablaze with light, and all the people around know that on that evening both Augusta and Vida are to be married. The younger sister it is who is to become Mrs. Carrington, but Augusta feels no regret. Once, she cared for Sam with more than common tenderness, but her affection turned to Alfred, and now she is as happy as any there. Outside the house, two men stand together earnestly talking. One is 'Ziah Strout, the other, Edmund Smith. " Bress de Lord," says the latter ; " I neb- ber was so happy before. Did you see how fine dey all look ? Oh, dis am a glorious oc- cashun." " Right you are. Cleon, right you are," says the scout, with emotion. " Et beats ill the weddin's I ever seed in Virgiuny, an' you an' me will dance a breakdown when we get time." And then Aunt Molly opens the door. "Hi! yo'i uus, what you doiu' darf Don't you dare keep de weddin' waitin'. Come right in dis minute, an' mind you behave well afore de minister!" May peace and prosperity ever hover over the beautiful Valley of the Shenaudoab. THE END. The War Library hia battles over between the lines, as well as the rising- itineration, ever eager to read of deeds of patriotism and heroism this library will bo a wel- The War Library will be issued weekly, com- plete in each number. Fresh and original, it will occupy a new field, and be free from ultra parti- zanship. Price ten cent^ a copy. Catalogue of the War Library. l-MAJORHOTSPUR;or, Kilpatrlok's Dashing Rider. By Marline Manly. A rousing story of Sherman's March to the Sea. 2-BLUE OR CRAY; or. Hunted Spy of the Chicltahonnlny. By Ward Edward*. •' Hiyli Private," U. S. V. 3-CAVALRY SAM; or. The Raiders <»/ the Shenandoah. By Capt. Mark wiiton. A tlirilling t;ilo of Sheridan and his men. 4~ON TO RICHMOND ; or. Scout and Spy of the Grand Army. Grant. [Iteady Oct. 7. 5-VICKSBU RG;or,The Dashing Yan- kee Middyof the Gunboat Flotilla. By Corporal Morris Hoyne. A s'.ory of the Great Siege. 6-SHILOH ; or. Only a Private- By Ward Edwards, U. S. V. A stirring romance of a Kentuekian Campaign. [Ready Oct. 21. 7-BULLET AND BAYONET, or. Guer- rillas of the Ozark. By Captahi Mark Wil- ton. A tiile of tlie Missouri battlefields.