pRICE ][j CENTS Of^ENTURE^^I^ieJjNION. Copyrighted at Washington. D C, by Novelist Piiblishinc Co. Ent, Vict, Nrw York, as second-cla. NEW YORK. ON SHILOH'S FlELD: or ^ hti "8 KitnfKe " tuck y- By WARD EDWARDS, " High Private,' U. S. V. How Kit became master of the rebel camp. THE W ^R LIBRARY. On Shiloh's Field; OB, Fighting Kit of TCentviolty. A Story oj Battlefield and Bivouac. BY WARD EDWAHDS, "HIGH PRIVATE, U.S. V. Author of '•Blue or Gray," etc., ete. f CHAPTER I. A SAD PARTING. Crack— crack ! A double rifle report broke the stillness o£ the night air. "Mv soul, what is that?" The suiveriuu toned exclamation fell from the lips of a gray-haired man, whose mild, smooth shaven face and garb proclaimed him to lie a minister. He had sprung to his feet, as had all the other members of his family, and while every face blanched every head was bent in a listening attitude. BYom a point not far off oaniivi wild shout, uttered by a number of men at one time, and intoned with vindictiveness and hatred. Crack— crack ! Two more shots rang out, clear, sharp, with deadly emphasis. " What does it mean ?" Again the speaker was the gray haired man of the gospel. "Charles— Charles— it may be— a dread presentiment tells me it is— our darling first- born who is returning." Once more a wild shout reached their ears. At first it was exultant. Then it changed to the fierce tones that bespoke disappoint- ment. One minute of hreathlesssuspenseand then the tread of swiftly falling feet could be heard. " it is Kit," gasped Mr. Langdon. Bang— bang ! Somebody was pounding on the door. For one "instant all were spellbound, and then Ben Langdon leaped to the door. He heard the bullets crash into the wood. But he did not hesitate. "Hurry!" He recognized the voice. It was that of Ins i husky and filled with pi bly that he had been w< "Courage, Kit." Ben second or two later she and flung open the dooi Kit Langdon staggerei his face ghastly white pain. Ben let him pass and then barred the door with his figure and faced the mad rabble that rushed up the graveled walk hailing from the road to the door of the little par- sonage. "Let us at hi Kid the traitor They would have thrust Ben aside, but he caught up the first man in his arms and violently hurled him against those imme- diately in his rear, sending halt a dozen sprawling to the earth. "Down with all opposition!" "Kill the hull on "em!" " Wipe out all the cursed viper's brood !" "The South forever!" "All shoot together!" As this last wild and savage cry rang out fully a dozeu rifles were raised and aimed at Ben Langdon's breast. But he never quailed. "Pause ere it be too late!" he cried in ringing voice. "Do you know me? Does anyone present know me?" " Yes, you're Ben Langdon." shouted some one. " Has any taint of treason ever attached to my name?" " No; you're of the right stuff. But not so with the fellow who got away from us and actions in time of trial " We've heerd tell, Ben," croaked an elder- ly man, "ay, lad, we've heerd tell of the glorious work ye' ve done along with Morgan. It is said as how he took you by the hand and complemented you afore all the men." "It is true." "I'm glad to hear it. They do say that you fit like a lion. And report says as how the hull of Morgan's cavalry 'ud a been gobbled up if yer hadn't done jest a9 you Bring out the Union spy! Now, then, is there a man here whi doubts my loyalty to the South?" "Not one," was the unanimous reply. Does any one here believe that I am i coward?" ■' Not one. ' "Does any one here believe that I am 1 liar— that 1 will chew any words I once utter?" "Not one." "Then listen to me: That man whom you have been pursuing is my brother. His sentiments are L'uiou, but he is as honest in his convictions as I am. He is not a spy— he is not a Union soldier even— and I intend to defend him until the last gasp. He is in the house there — I am in this door. To reach him you will have to go through this door. anil von can do it only over my dead body." He' spoke firmly and presented an un- daunted front to the wild rabble. A silence followed— a silence so profound that brave Ben could hear the beating of his heart. The would-be slayers of Kit Laugdon were in a quandary. "lsay, Ben," at last said one, "I don't think you're doing the fair thing." " Why not?" " 'Cause we want Kit, and we don't want to harm you." "You know my determination." He saw that to say much would be a mere waste of words. After a little the guerrillas— for such they were— retired a short distance. What passed betweeu them they made known through a person selected as a speaker. "Ben Langdon," he said, as he advanced to within a few feet of the door, " we've all heard of what you've done, and it ain't in our hearts to do ver harm. But I s'pose yer know as how Kit made a speech some time asro, advising everybody to go into the Union army. Well, even though he ain't never carried arms, he's as much a traitor as though he had." " And your decision?" "It is that while he's under that roof we won't try to touch him. But we holds to the opinion that he's ourmutton jest as soon as he sticks his head outside." " And you will not permit him to peaeably leave the neighborhood ?" " He had no business to come back after he'd once got away safely." "You will not spare him for my sake?" "No." "Nor for the sake of that gray-haired man— our father, God bless him !— who has pleached eternal life to you for so many years?" "No. 'Cause why? Cause the parson's gone back on us as 'well? He's Union, too. No— mo, Ben, of the hull family you're the only one who's true blue." "So be it, then," said Ben, seeing that nothing more was to be gained— that the man would not promiseain greater leniency toward his elder brother. As the speaker retreated, Ben closed and bolted the door, and with a serious face joined the group in the cozy sitting-room of the parsonage. He found Kit resting heavily in the large arm-chair, that was generally held sacred to the use of the revered father. " Are you hurt, Kit?" Did any of their rascally' bullets hit you?" he tenderly in- quired as he approached. Kit held out his hand. "I heard all, Ben," he said, a grateiullook in his face. "It was noble of you to face those brutes in my behalf." " Hush ! Say no more — you are my brother —and we have always loved each other dearly. Are you hurt much— for hurt you must be?" " I do not believe it amounts to much— a mere scratch. But now I must go. I can- not consent to remain here longer, knowing that my presence means possible peril to these dear ones." "Not so," said Ben, firmly. Sit still; do not attempt to rise. Now tell us what has happened?" "Nothing so very much," returned Kit. "You know I was home soon after Sumter was lircd on. Excitement was running high, ■ _ the hicago, i went to work in my eld position " Of course I anxiously watched the drift of events. A newspaper account of the state of feeling in ft is vicinity alarmed me, es- pecially as father's name was mentioned. He had made several remarks in favor of the Union, it seemed ; and 'he feeling against him was said to be bitter. " At once I became alarmed for hi* safety, and determined to return here and assist them to reach a place of safety in the North, possibly in Chicago. " I kuew I was hated, and so came secretly, hoping to reach here uuditeeted. But fate was against me. I was halted a mile from here by a sentinel stationed in the road. He rec- ognized me. I shot past him, and then the fearful race began, which ended as you know." "My brave boy!" murmured Mr. Lang- don. " You thought of your mother, then," said Mrs. Langdon, with tears in her eyes. "And I returned home on the same mis- sion," said Ben. "I heard rumors of the excitement, immediately applied for leave of absence, and arrived here this after- noon." Kit's wound proved to be a mere scratch, as he had said, aud wheu.it had been exam- ined, washed and dressed by Ben, all the family gathered in the sitting-room. What was to be done ? That was the question which occupied theii minds. It was midnight ; and any number of plans had been discussed, ere they settled ou one that seemed to possess the elements of suc- cess. "That's the only course, father," said Ben. " You must seek refuge for the present in the mountains." " I hardly like to flee — to desert my charge and church," was the reply, a troubled ex- pression on the mild face. " I would become a martyr to principle if necessary." "It is for mother's sake and that of Belle," was the rejoinder. " For their sake then, I consent." he sadly said. "But how about Kit?" "I have hit on a plan. He must blacken his face and hands and pass as one of the negroes." "It is repugnant to my every feeling," cried Kit. "You must doit," said Ben, earnestly, m his brother's ear. " It would kill mother to have vim shot before her eyes." By two o'clock they were ready to start, Iii an hour the moon would rise; by tua* time they would— if successful— be at the flint nt tlie mountain, and the luminary of the night would render them invaluable as- sistance. " If oulv the guerrillas have withdrawn," wistfully' muttered Ben, when naught re- mained to do save to open the door aud issue forth. It was the back door at which they were to make their exit. Opened, while all held their breath, no sound of an alarming nature was heard, and " f y st< ' ling ' "They must believe that Kit will not make any attempt to leave the house to- night, and are not as watchful as they might be," thought Ben. His surmise was the correct one. In safety they passed the limits of the par- sonage grounds, and the highway lay before them. They did not venture along this, taking a cut across the fields instead. Just as the pale moon showed her rim above the horizon, aud when they were half a mile from the mountain foot, they were ordered to halt. "Who are you?" was demanded. "lamBenLaucdon, of Morgan's cavalry," was the reply of that individual as he step- ped to the front. " Is that truth?" "It is." " I must have a look at you anyhow," was the rejoinder. "I've heard as how all the rest of the family are Union." A lantern was soon flashed into his face. A score of men had crowded around. Some of them knew Ben, and stated that he was what he represented himself. "But," said one fellow, "you know we got word as how t'other one had come home to- night, Maybe he's in the party." "Look for yourselves," said Ben. " We'll take your word if you'll give it." "Look I'm yourselves, and then you'll be sat isaer' " said Ben, for he did not wish to stoop ti "llsehood if it could be avoided. It was uJ anxious few minutes that passed., during which the lantern was flashed into the face of each one of the party. Kit bud not been recognized. Every one breathed a deep sigh of relief. " Are you satisfied?" asked Ben. "Perfectly." " Then we may as well move on." " Where are you going?" " Into the mountains." *« Z* si THE WAK LIBRARY. "What for?" "To place my parents in a place of safety." " Ain't they safe to hum?" "No, not in such troublous times as these. Good-night." " Good-night But, I say?" " WeU, what is it ?" "You don't intend to stay there your- self?" I "No! I shall soon be where I belong when any lighting is to be done— at the trout 1" When the foot of the mountains was reached a halt was made. i "I must leave you here," Kit said. " If I I go into the mountains with you it would be impossible to say when I could getaway. If 1 make quick work of it I may be able to reach the other side of the! )hio in safety." "(an you not stay with us?" asked Mr. Laugdon. "No ; duty calls me North. After to- uight's experience— after being hunted like a wild beasts-only one course is left me, which is to subdue a cause which can breed such hell-hounds as those who sought my blood." "Kit?" It was Ben who spoke, and a world of gen- ii ■ reproach was com eyed in that one word. " 1 can't help it, Ben." " Injustice, Kit, you should not condemn the whole cause on account of the actions of a few individuals." "Oh, Ben!" and Kit's voice rung with pain, "can it be possible that you believe the cause of the South a just one?" " If I did not, I would not be fighting for ; t," was the proud reply. " Henceforth I will believe vou act on con- viction." " Even as yourself ." returned Hen. "You ivill join the Union army?" "I shall. " "May God watch over you — and if per- chance" we should meet in the heat of bat- tle " He faltered, his voice trembled, he "Heaven grant' that no bullet of mine ever harms you, Ben." solemnly said Kit. ' The thought is dreadful!" " And to me also. But, duty is duty, Kit, and « e must not shirk it. Duty calls you in one oireetion while it calls me in another, tut it can never sever us." "No, never," said Kit, in a husky voice. ■ You will first see our loved ones safe in ii place ot reluare in the mountains?" "1 will." Somehow, for a brief spell, those two strong men became children again; and, holding each other in close embrace, their bearded lips met as tenderly as those of lover Tic Kit now hade his parents and sister a sad farewell— perhaps the last he should ever utter it occurred to him; and then, turning in his heel, hurried away. "There goes a noble man," thought Ben, as he watched his brother's form recede. "Ah! if he could only think as I do." "Brave, high-spirited Ben !" murmured Kit, as he went swiftly forward. " It wrings tpy heart to have him fight against tic Union— but he is honest in his convictions, mid I must not blame him." Surely no father had two nobler sons enter that awful strife than had Mr. Langdou. But it was terrible to remember that they were opposed to each other, that either might shed the other's blood, that either might lay low and cold in death a head that had been pillowed on the same mother's breast, and stiffen limlis that had been bent in prayer at the same dear mother's knees ! CHAPTER II. A PERILOUS MISSION. The spring ol lsii:> was a period of gloom in all the Norl I. em states. It had been said: "In ninety days the rebellion will be at an end, and the rebels conquered." But this bad not proved true. The Southerners had shown that they knew how to light -and fight well. They had also made it perfectly evident hat their officers were not less ' brilliauf ind less able than those of the Federal irmy. Indeed, there were not a few people, who lould look facts squarely in the face, who aid that the Southern generals were more than a match for those of our own armies. Certain*! is, that with smaller armies, with their men lacking in discipline, the Confe- crates had given us (not to be mealy-mouth- ed as to the form of expressing the facts) several good drubbings. The Federal troop* bad begun to look with re-pec i opposed to them. ii.st be done!" esperate feeling and resolu- ( 'onfedeiate commander, had everything his own way. The Union generals decided that Fort I ionelsou should be taken, and preparations to that end were quickly made. Scouting parties were sent out in all direc- tions, and one of them was under the charge of Kit Langdou— or, as he was more fre- quently spoken of, Kit from Kentucky. It was an extremely dangerous mission which had been given him to accomplish; and, indeed, he had been selected because it was an extra hazardous expedition. Already Kit had made a nam., for himself, had established a reputation as a brave man, and he had been urged to accept an officer's position. But he had resolutely shaken his head. "I do not care to become an officer," he said; "and I shall never become one unless there is a need for officers that cannot be filled. Then, if my country calls on me, I will not shirk." He was a very useli 1 man as a private, since he could be dets ched and sent away without causing any c eminent, and his lion- like courage and ind initablc will insured success in everything ic undertook. And so, just before he affair at Fort Don- d, and bidden to hold himself in readiness country. He was permitted t< for a dash across select his own men. A score were offered him, but lie Ihoiighi a smaller number would be safer, so he took ouly three. "'What I want," said the brigade com- mander, "is to obtain a more accurate idea of the trend of the ground ahead of us. And particularly do I wish to learn about a ravine, about which the reports differ. I want to know all about that ravine." "I am afraid, sir, that our being mounted is a bad thing if we arc going to explore the ravine," said Kit. "Perhaps the expedition had better be made at ." The other shook his head. d gi wards '.''"'" or I know that vou aie not," iiy. loquy they moved forward far distant, all drew a deep breath of relief. They thought that now all danger was past. Yet they had never before, .-luce entering the ravine, been anywhere near as great peril as they were now in, for. as was nat- ural, they dropped a portion of their cau- tion— even while advancing and close upon a concealed foe! Forward they went, intending to emerge ■Hall ! The order was accompanied by the omin- iiis clicking of a musket-lock. Taken completely by surprise, all three vcrc speechless lor it minute. Then dropped from the lips of one the It was uttered iii a tone too low for the fiifs of any save his companions. " Hush! ' hissed Kit, " Do you surrender ?" " Surrender?" Kit repeated the word, iu a tone that was Idled with questioning surprise. ■■ Yes, surrender." " What should we surrender for? And t9 whom?" If.v trying to work, am " Yanks, did you say?" "Yes." "Well, my lads," he said, to his compan- ions, in a low tone, yet, intended to reach the ears of the other parly, "keep your pistols handy, and if there ain't too many of the cussed Yanks, just pile iu when 1 give the sign, and let eiii what three Texas fire-eaters can do." The words were not without effect. A party of half a score of Confederate cattered in the bushes, cut- Tie :.,ff i e grit in Kit's g about it, and having started tone. It had the gen the spokesman of thi out to fool Kit, was fooled himself. "You're Secesh, then?" hesaid. "If you're a Yank, then I'm a Secesh!" was the positive reply, to which more than one meaning could be attached " Guess its all straight." "Guess so, too," said Kit, "that, isforyou. You've got us dead to rights, if I'm to judge by all these muzzles sticking out here and there." The spokesman laughed. THE WAR LIBRARY. "No— no— I mean that you haven't fell into the hands of Yanks, but into the hands of your friends — for us ten fellows, I'll war- rant, are as rank Secesh as it's possible to make 'em." Kit sighed deeply. To all appearance it was a sigh occasioned bv a feeling of relief. " Makes you feel better, eh?" we've got a camp-fire a little bit up this wav, and we don't mind letting you have a hack at a little porker we've just been roastin'." Kit found an opportunity to say a few words to his two companions on the way to the i amp-fire. As they went along, more than one sus- picious glance was cast at Kit and his com- panions. The scrutiny, however, resulted in an opinion favorable to them, and they no sooner reached the camping spot than the rebels dropped all reserve and caution. The pig was masted to a turn. It was luscious— so Kit decided, as soon as his eyes rested on it. His eyes did not deceive him, as he learned a few minutes later, when he began to pick a spare-rib. In less than fifteen minutes the meal was finished, and the rebels for the most part pulled out pipes and tilled them preparatory to having a smoke. " Who can tell a story ?" This question fell from the lips of the man who had acted as spokesman. Like lightning. Kit saw the opportunity. He winked expressively at one of his com- S anions, and then let his eyes drift to where le guns were standing. Nobody volunteered to tell a story. "Can't some of you fellers?" looking at Kit and his friends.' " I don't know " said Sam Black, mus- " Want , so long as its exciting. "Well, now, let me see. I guess I might tell about the time when I was all buthung. You so " ••Ale in!" Every eye was turned toward Kit, who had coughed, as if on purpose. "What's the matter?" "Oh, nothing; only as I've heard that story about lifi'y times. 1 beg to be excused from listening to it again." At this then' was a laugh, and to all ap- pearances Sam Black was much discon- certed. Kit rose to his feet, si retched, yaw ned, and stalled slowlv away. After taking a couple of steps lie paused. and faced the party with a laugh. "I hope you'll enjoy Sam's story well enough to pay you tor the trouble he'll put you to. When lie gets to a certain point he'll declare he cant explain » hat followed until you all give him your revolvers, which I advise you to watch carefully, as he ha~ a weakness for a fine gun." A puzzled look shot into Sam's hue. The next instant he saw clearly the hint Kit was giving him. But it troubled him greatly. The story of how he came near to being hung must be concocted as lie went along; and how in the world was he to ring in a circumstance- on which to base a request for the use of their weapons to help make it plain ? Sam was a shrewd fellow, but for once he saw himself in a box, to escape from which would require all his wit and nerve. However, he proved himself equal to the occasion. From his lips there fell a rollicking laug •That ain't fair, old 1 he called afte laid it down in front of Sam, at the same time looking keenly at him. Perhaps he Mispected Sam, and meant to give him enough rope to hang himself. All his com- panion.-, followed SUlt. It was a simple trick— one which a person would think could hardly be played on ten men of ordinary intelligence. Yet the fact remains that it was done. "Ahem!" This time it was Sam who coughed. He glanced toward Kit. The latter darted at him a look which said : " Go ahead. Keep their attention for a minute or two." " Well, boys," began Sam, " you may think it a funny beginning to speak about Sir Isaac Newton, the man who discovered the law of gravitation through seeing an apple fall from a tree. bein' hung was because, while I'm a pretty smart fellow, I think I can be a blamed fool, and was then. And I mention Newton to show that a man can be a fool at times, even if he's got as many brains as that chap himself." "Well, don't be long-winded." " What's Newton got to do with your story, anyhow?" " Cut it short." " Ain't I to be let tell my story in my own way?" asked Sam, in an injured tone. "Yes, as long's you don't spin it too long." " Then I must tell what Newton did. You see. he had two cats of which he thought a heap. One of 'em was a great big fellow that 'ud a made three of t'other one, which wasn't more'n a kitten. "Now, then, it struck him one day as how he kept the cats in the house too much on account of not wantiu' to open the door when thev wanted to get out. So he sent for the carpenter, and he says to him : '"Iwan't you to cut a hole in the door so's't them cats can come in and go out just when they're so minded.' '"All right, sir,' says the carpenter, and soon he had a hole cut in the door big •enough for the biggest cat to go through. "Later on in the day, Newton felt the ' agin his 1 around for the big one ; but had gone out. '"Why ain't you out doors, puss?' says Newton. ' Why ain't you outside with your chum ?' " Then he chanced to look toward the door and at once jumped up from his chair, mad- der nor a hornet. ■•'Send that blockhead of a carpenter hen Kit. •What ain't fair !" "Why to go to prejudicin' the minds of this 'ere jolly lot of fellows agin my story." against it, I only "said jou'd give 'cm a heap of trouble in asking for their weapons so's to explain something more clearly." "That aiu't no trouble if the story's a good So said the spokesman. partner, who was ju>l beginning to compre- hend the drift of the by-play. "Supposin' we start I he tiling right?" sug- gested Sam. ".lo*t lay your weepous down here in a pile like, and theu I wou't have to break into my story and come to a stop while I get 'em?" "Not a bad idea," and with a laugh the leading rebel drew his ouly revolver and carpenter. 'Well?' Imw stupid you have u I wanted both my •• 'You did, sir,' says the carpenter, kind of mvsiilied like. •• -Well, sir, don't you see that the little one's in here?' "[do, sir. Well, sir?' " Newton was thunderin' mad, now. •■ • Well, sir, I want the little cat to go out as well as the big one.' " 'Then why don't she go. sir?' says the carpenter. " ' Why! You infernal blockead can't you see why?— you cut a hole for the big one, but didn't make one for t he little cat.' " The carpenter scratched his head. " 'My Lord !' he said, ' if the big cat can go through that hole, can't the little one, A hearty laugh burst from the throats of Sam's auditors. They could see the ludicrous- ness of the situation in which the great Sir Isaac Newton found himself. " Well, but now go on with the story of how you came near being hung," said the spokesman. "All right," said Sam, coolly; "I ouly wanted to show how the smartest of men can sometimes be fools— just as you have been." They all started. Something in his tone and words made them feel uncomfortable. Then suspicious looks flashed into their faces, and they eyed Sam qiiestiouiugly. " I demand that you all surrender peace- ably." All eyes turned in the direction of the voice uttering these words. It was to hud Kit. standing between them and their muskets, with a revolver in either hand. They half started to their feet. ' ' Be quiet ; do not venture to make a move —for the man who does so dies in a hurry." Sam and his side-partner had taken ad- vantage of the moment of surprise to corral the firearms which they had yielded up to explain his story in a far different manner than they dreamed. Kit's two stanch friends each stood hold- ing a brace of cocked revolvers, ready to use them, unless the rebs caved grace- fully. "Trapped!" groaned the spokesman. " And by three infernal Yanks, whose heads we could have blown the whole top off." " Do you surrender ?" Calmly Kit spoke, his tone being one that indicated that he meant business. CHAPTER III. Do ■ you surrender? So Kit had demanded. A verbal reply was hardly necessary. The bowed heads and crestfallen looks of the guerrillas fully answered the question. Had they been cornered in a fight, hemmed in by superior forces, it would not have been so hard to surrender; but it came awful tough for ten men to surrender to three, who had only a short time before been so completely in their power, and by a trick so simple that a child might have seen through it at once. But even though their captors were only three in number, they saw that they were caught as securely as though the number had been thirty. "Put up your hands!" Kit now ordered. There was no help for it ; they could only obey. With a groan they raised their hands. "Now, come forward one at a time!" was the next order. While Kit and Sam kept the others cov- ered, the rebel who advanced had his hands tied behind him by the third soldier, tight enough to prevent his using them, yet loose enough not to interfere with his ability to march. When all ten had been thus disposed of Kit formed them into line and marched them out of the woods. Less than half a mile away was the remain- ing number of the scouting party, with their horses. Having reached him, Kit aud his compan- ions mounted, and the cursing and crest- fallen rebs were ordered to advance. " I say, Kit." Sam aud Kit rode in the rear of the cap- tives, while the other two led the way. Sam's tone was very grave. " Well, what is it?" was Kit's rejoinder. " Do you really mean to try and take them chaps into camp?" "Yes. Why not?" "It's risky." " Granted." " I don't think it can be done." "Isn't it possible?" " Yes, but not probable. You know we've got a stretch of nearly five miles through a rebel country." "i know it." "We'll get cornered." "Perhaps so," assented Kit. "But," he added, "we won't, if we have as good luck as has attended us ever since we started." " Luck is a bad thing to depend on." " I know it, Sam, and if you say so, I'll let the rebs go, and spur for camp. You see I put a good deal of faith in your judgment." Sam was silent. '• Well, what do you say ?" Kit glanced keenly at Sam as he asked the question. "It would be something to talk about, wouldn't it, if we could only run them fel- lers in ?" he said, wistfully. "That it would." "I don't know as I'd feel comfortable if we was to let 'em go." "Nor I." "You ain't afraid to risk it?" " No." "Then I won't be," said Sam, resolutely. "We'll take 'em into camp or " "Or, what?" "Or we won't get there ourselves," Sam quickly finished. It was a mighty risky thing they hadstart- ed out to do. For a distance of five miles they must pass THE WaH LIBRARY. beside tin' woman's. "That settles it," he muttered. " He will give the alarm, and an attempt at rescue will be made." "Start the rebs at double-quick," suggest- ed Sam Black. The order was given; and, for a distance of a mile, the prisoners covered the ground at a rapid pace, and then, being winded, they fell i lit.i a walk Kit's fears of an attempt at rescue were well founded. On horseback, the mau who had seen tliem, dashed swiftly hither and thither, relating what he had seen ; and, when camp was still two miles away, Kit heard the tramp of ' be rear. ailes away, ' hoot's in the of all four of the scouting party. "What can we do, Sam ?" asked Kit. "I don't know." "Can't you think of something?" "No — except it is to cut and run, if we want to save our own bacon," was the re- luctant reply, " You see no way of hanging on to our prisoners?'' "No, Idon't. Do you?" "I wish I did." The rebs meanwhile were muttering ex- ultantly to themselves. Escape was sure, or so they thought, and they began to gloat over the vengeance they would help wreak on the heads of the dar- ing and cursed Tanks. Until the very last minute consistent with safety did Kit wait; and then his lips parted to give the order to press on and leave the prisoners to themselves. The order was not given. The words died on his lips. Less than a quarter of a mile ahead he saw a party of horsemen, perhaps a dozen in number. One glance informed him that they were rebels. They had taken a short cut across country and headed him off. "The devil!" gasped Sam. " We're in a fix now," grunted one of the men in advance. "Between two tiles," said the other. Involuntarily they came to a halt. They were in a very unenviable position, for if the tables were turned and thev be- came prisoners they could be called to ac- count as spies. What was to be done ? For one minute after seeing how he had been trapped. Kit was deadly pale. But, with the exception of that minute he re- mained calm and clear-headed throughout. At first he thought of deserting the roads and giving them a wild chase across country, but as Ins eye swept the landscape on either side of the road the idea was abandoned, for the conformation of the ground could only result in throwing Mini more certainly into the hands of the Confederates. "Shall we try to cut through 'em?" so asked Sam, in a hoarse voice. "No." a n£- " Well, we're going to take refuge there." " And be burned out like rats?" said Sam. "No; we're going to take the prisoners in ith us." "And the horses?" facesof the captive guerrillas when they were ordered to advance toward the leg hut. They had thought rescue certain, but now foresaw a possibility of not escaping at all. They hung back, delaying as much asthev dared, until at last Sam deliberated winged one of them. Impressed by this with the idea that busi- ness was meant they hung liaek no longer, but scampered across the intervening space and bolted through the open door into the hut. Before the door the scouts dismounted, and alter turning their horses loose with a sigh, sprung inside. just in season to escape a volley from the rebs, and then closed and barricaded the door. With a wild howl the rebs rushed up; but for the present, at least, the Federal scouts were safe from their vengeful fury. " Batter down the door!" suddenly cried somebody, and instantly a rush was made for the door. "We must put a stop to that," exclaimed Kit. "Right!" said Sam. " ( 'an you manage to sight 'em ?" " Wing one." " Correct!" Crack ! Then came a howl of pain, rising high and clear above all other sounds. Immediately tin- rebs retreated. They did not halt until they were out of rifle shot. "Think they'll come back?" asked one of Kit's men. "Come back!" repeated Sam, in an iron- ical tone, as lunch as to say that only a fool would ask the question. " Of course they'll come back. Yon don't suppose they're going to cave afore four men?" " But what can they do?" "That remains to be seen." An hour passed. The captive guerrillas cursed their luck most bitterly, alternating, with expressing fierce hopes of a speedy rescue. "Our boys have got you cornered, curse you!" one of them hissed at Kit; "and if they get at you they'll hang every mother's son of you." "Perhaps!" said Kit, sternly. "But you will not be there to see the hanging!" Kit spoke significantly. The fellow cowered and cringed, and said no more. Meanwhile the would-be rescuers had held a council to decide on the best steps to take. Suggestions had been made by scores, but when all were boiled down to hard pan, it became evident that if they were to rescue the captured rebs it must be by one of two methods— assault or siege. Time was too valuable to expend in trying to starve out the Federals. But to make an assault, meant sure death for some of them, and not a man there was in any hurry to die. Courage was finally plucked up, and a wild charge was made. Kit saw it coming. "Be ready, boys!" he cried. "Here thev come! When they get near enough so that you can be sure of hitting your mark le: "Ay, ay !" came the hoarse reply. A minute, and then four shots rang out in rapid succession, sending two men headloti" to thecal th. while two others turned tail poured a volley into the hut. They were answered by the revolvers of Kit and his men, and with such good effect that the rebels began to retreat. "The backbone ot that assault is broken, I guess," remarked Kit, grimly. The losses suffered by the rebs infuriated them to that degree that they began to lose all thoughts of personal tear, as Kit had shrewdly suspected might be the case. "We're in for it now," he said, as he watched the preparations that were being made for a new attack. "If it were not for the fact that we have these guerrillas here with us, whom they do not wish to injure, 1 am afraid it would go hard with us it those devils got at us." Consideration alone for their captive com- rades checked a warfare that would have approached ferocity. The Confederates, but for the fact men- tioned, would undoubtedly have burned the building around our hero"'s ears, eoiisie.niim him and his companions to a fearful death. Now they had secured a heavy piece of timber, which they evidently designed usim.' as a battering ram. Kit was very grave. He only too clearly comprehended the ex- treme peril in which they stood. "We must be ready, boys," he said, the words coining with a liL-sin" sound from be- tween his set teeth. "They must not be allowed to burst in the door! Five to one is odds that we cannot stand up against in a hand to hand struggle." "Suppose we do prevent their bursting in the door?" said Sam. As he spoke his eyes met Kit's. "Suppose we do ?" returned the latter. " What is to be the end ?" "I don't know." " Is there any hope ?" " You want an honest opinion ?" "I do." '^Then I believe that our goose is cooked, squad of cavalrv should chance to come this way." It was a dismal outlook. The odds were against a party of the Federals chancing in the vicinity. The very despcratcuess of their circum- tanees made a tiger of each man, and grind- ing their teeth, they took advantageous posi- tions to check tie- advancing party with tho across the open space before the hut, carry- ing the heavy timber, one stroke of which would certainly force the deor off its hinges. "The Union forever!" cried Kit, and then taking hasty aim. pulled the trigger. Crack ! A man went down. "The Union forever!" hoarsely yelled Kit's companions, and then three more shots rang out. Each shot had told. The four leading men had bitten the dust. The unsupported end of the timber fell heavily to the ground, jarring those in the rear so suddenly that it was wrenched from their grasp, and the heavy log lay stretched on the ground. The moment the revolvers spoke, the rebs began to beat a retreat again, worsted, panic-stricken, cuisine ;,, ma d fury. "If we can only keep them at bay," mut- tered Kit, as a new thought crossed his mind. " If we only can, help may reach us. This firing may attract attention and lead to the sending of a force of cavalry in this direction." The next move on the part of the rebs was to send a man forward, beai ing a flag of truce. "What do you want?" demanded Kit, when the man'haltcd near the hut. " I have come to demand that you surren- der to us," was the reply. Kit laughed, scornfully. "You make a very modest request," he said, sarcastically. "You refuse to surrender, then?" "Most emphatically." "Are you a ware that we outnumber you, six to one, and reinforcements constantly arriv- ing?" "I am." "You won't surrender?" "No." "You will do so if you are wise," urged the messenger. " If you resist longer, why, when you are taken, you will be fairly eaten alive." "With salt and pepper, or without?" ask- ed Kit, quietly, causing the face of the flag- bearer to purple with rage. " \oti'll sing a different tune presently," he howled. " When von are prisoners " "When we are," interrupted Kit. "You will be torn limb from limb. We "Then come and take us," again inter- rupted Kit. " We mean to have you," finished the flag- t now calmly and taction of a nag of ass insults, and unless white handkerchief attached, which had been converted into a flag of truce. " I guess we can expect some fun present- ly," remarked Sam to himself. He made no mistake. From some unknown quarter the rebels had fished up a small cannon, a field-piece, and this they could be seen planting so as to bear on the hut. In then- rage and mad desire to capture or kill the defiant Yanks all thought of the safety of tic guerrillas within the hut was lost sight of; it would never do to let such plucky and determined fellows get back to their commander alive. "I'm afraid that settles us," said Kit, soberly. "Well, I shall be satisfied to die if called on to do so, for I know that I have done my best." With the increase of their peril and the growing certainty that they would be slaughtered, Sam had apparently grown more calm and careles- a- to the result. THE WAR LIBRARY. Taking a fresh chew of tobacco, he re- marked, as he thrust it into his cheek with his tongue : "I can't say as I'm ready to kick the bucket yet. I want to have the pleasure of killin' a few more of them Seeesh first." In spite of the gravity of the situation Kit could not help smiling. " Sam !" he cried, a new idea flashing into his mind. "What's struck you now?" "Yourself ami the hoys must fire off your muskets at short intervals." " But the rebs are too far away to be hit." " I know it. But if we keep up a contin- uous tiring it may result iu drawing a squad of cavalry iu this direction to see what it means." Sam nodded approbation. " But they'll have to get here might}' quick, 'cause once that cannon gets to work on us these quarters'll get to lie mighty hot." At short intervals during the next few minutes the muskets were discharged, be- ing aimed at the distant rebs, vs ho, the bul- lets falling far short, uttered derisive cries. They seemed not to comprehend the real reason why these shots were fired. At last the cannon was ready. The besieged Unionists saw it charged with powder, and saw the large stone that was put iu because of having no balls. One moment of suspense followed. Then a match was struck. It was placed at the touch-hole. There was a flash— then a huff of smo_e. Boom! Closely following, that the two sonnds blended in Kit's ears, came a crash ! Then from the throats of the rebels issued a wild cry of savage delight. The missile which had been ejected from the black throat of tile cannon had crashed through the door, putting a hole in it and splintering it badly. It was, in fact, a wreck, banging loosely on its hinges. But nobody had been harmed, and Kit breathed a deep sigh of relief. Once again the engine of destruction was loaded, and once again it belched forth its flame and smoke and deadly missile. Once again the door was struck. A wreck already, the second shot demol- ished it completely. Then came a wild yell. The rebels were about to charge. "To the door boys!" yelled Kit. "Sam, you take the right hand Mde, and I'll take the left." To the door they sprung. The other two were separated, one sup- porting Kit, the other lending Sam the as- sistance of his sturdy arm. On came the rebels, with a rush and a blood-chilling yell. " Keep cool, boys, and make every shot count!" cried Kit; and he and the others braced themselves for the coming shock. Kit did not wait for the enemy to open the ball. He knew the virtue of having the first blow, and when he set the example his com- panions speedily followed suit. L'p to the very threshold came the mad- dened rebs— but no further! There they were held in check. Standing a little aside were the four brave men, out of the line of the rebel fire, but ready to send to his last account each man who "dared advance across the threshold. At last their revolvers were emptied. They had no time to load up. Their muskets could not be used at such short range for their legitimate purposes ; but those daring valiant men seized them by the barrels and used them as clubs with ex- cellent results. "They can't shoot any more!" yelled one of the rebels furthest from the door. "One grand rush, boys, aud you've got 'era," Kit was pale as death. The end was uow close at baud. Inspired by these practical words of a man who himself shirked danger, the hardier of the rebels made a combined rush through the doorway. More than one went down ; but the brave defenders could not cope with the swarm that came pouring in, and in a minute more Kit and his men would have been hurled into eternity but for a sudden irv that went up from the throats of those who remained out- side. "The cavalry are coming!" That was the unexpected cry which put a new aspect on the face of affairs. That was the cry which caused the Con- federates to pause, even on the point of The hands clutching cocked and ready re- volvers fell to the sides of their owners. Every man caught his breath. Assaulters and assaulted bent their heads to listen. There could be no mistaking the sound which floated to their ears, each second growing louder aud more distinct as it swept closer and closer. It was the rushing tramp of horses' feet, as a body of cavalry came swoepiiu: along. With a wild cry . plunged for the do rild cry of baffled rage, the rebels Hurry— hurry !" screamed those outside. "They're coining like the wind; there's no time to spare!" A panic seized the rebels, and they shriek- ed and groaned aud cursed as they tied, completely forgetting the vengeance they bad sw. nil against four of that armed foe which had invaded their country. All thought of those four men' had fled. Vengeance was forgotten. They only knew that a superior force was at hand and that they must seek safety in flight. Pell-mell they rushed toward the horses, and every man who was able to mount was soon soufryingaway across country as if Old Nick himself was in pursuit. As Kit had hoped would be the case the liring had been heard. At first no attention had been paid to it, but, when it continued, an order had been given to investigate its cause. The cavalry commander did not think it worth while "to pursue the fleeing men. The dead and wounded he left where they were, to be cared for by their friends. Kit-and his companions, each of whom had a wound to commemorate the occasion, re- gained their horses, and, under escort of the cavalry, went back to camp, carrying with them the guerrillas captured in the ravine The cannon which had done the rebels such good service, although worth nothing much save as old iron, was also taken along as a trophy. Great was the meed of praise awarded Kit for bis gallant recouuoiteriug expedition, and his commander personally thanked him for the valuable information concerning the ravine. night Kit was si ! made to recount CHAPTER IV. FORT DO NELSON. The month was February— not the Febru- ary of our Northern states, but still cold and iaw and disagreeable. ( In the tenth of that month Foote's flotilla opeued Are on Fort Donelson. A steady stream of shot and shell poured into the fort, and in two hours their batter- ies were silenced. Many of the infantry (the land force) grat- ed their teeth with anger when the fort no longer returned the fire. " By gum !" grunted our friend Sam, "if that ain't too bad I don't know what is. Here the fort's silenced and practically taken without us fellows gettintr even a crack at 'em." "Don't get uneasy," was Kit's quiet re- joinder. "This thing ain't over yet." Nor was it. The batteries that were silenced opened fire again, aud so furious and fast did they send forth their shrieking shot and shell that the flotilla was compelled to retire. "Forward !" The order came at last. To the men who had been under fire, who knew something of the horrorsofbattle.it was the cause of gravity. But among those who fancied that they bad some child's play to perform, as many of the new recruits did, there was much laughter and merriment. That night they bivouacked on the bare ground. They were in fighting trim, but bad no supply of rations, and many a man went hungry that night, as will be testilied to by many a hoary veteran who took part iu that conflict— which thousands believe was the turning point of the war. It was very cold, and they were not allowed to build fires, as a consequence of which the sufferings of many of the gallant fellows were greater than pen can describe. To hav" laid down to sleep all uight might have been to invite a death by freezing, so they slept and watched by groups, changing every hour or so, the waked one trotting uji aud down to keep the blood in circulation. Ye heroes of Fort Donelson ! Your praises have never been sung as they should be, and we are thankful that it is within our power to pay even so humble a tribute as ours. On the morning of the eleventh, at day- break, a heavy force of rebel infantry rushed out upon the right wing of the Union army. The onset was terrible. It was sublime — grand beyond description. Like an avalanche came the grays full of fire, impetuous, flushed with the memory of past victories, determined to add another to the list. On they came with that wild yell which struck terror, when first heard, into the heart of the new recruit. Aud the boys in blue. Where were they? They were in their places. Ay, riug it forth to the honor and glory of the Union boys before Fort Donelson— they were in their places, and there they stood like rocks! Many were so numb and stiff from the in- tense cold of the past night, spent un- sheltered on the frozen earth, that for a time they could scarcely move, and could not handle their muskets. But they could stand. And stand they did, aud breasted the shock of that seeiuiuglj irresistible tide of gray that had come with a rush and yet with a precision of movement that was majestic. A}-, they breasted the shock, and it started the chilled blood, it caused their hearts to beat more rapidly, it limbered their limbs, it took the numbness from their Angers. And then A word to steady them ! "Make ready! Aim! Fire!" Then a deadly volley of musketry came —a volley which made gaps in the close ranks of gray. ( >uce again the orders were given, and ably handled, aud the thousands of bullets they belched forth laid many a man prone on the earth never to rise again. It was fearful to behold. Again and again— and oh ! how gallantly the Confederates charged. Again aud again were they met by that. immovable phalanx of the boys in blue. " Forward I Forward went the boys in blue. Not far, to be sure. They gained a little, and held it while they threw out their breasts and received anoth- er of those grand but fruitless charges of their enemies in gray. The grays repulsed— once again came the command : "Forward!" Forward they went again. Foot by foot they went again; and at last the invincible blues were left possessors of the field. The first blow for the capture of Fort Donelson bad been struck. For a short space, a few brief hours, there was a lull iu the tempest, and the leaden hurricane of death was unheard. Then a courier dashed over the field. He bore a message from Grant to Smith in command of the left wing. It was brief: 'Tarry the enemy's intrenchments by assault." It was to the point. No provision had been made for such a thing as failure. It must be accomplished. And then, steady, with even tread, th* lines moved forward. The desultory firing ceased. Spellbound, everybody watched the lines of blue as they moved steadily onward— on- ward— onward— for some never to come back. And, beyond the heavy thud, as the even tread came upon the earth, there crept over everything a deep and solemn hush. It lasted only a brief space — only until the boys in blue drew near enough* to be fired upon. Then the silence was disturbed by a terrible sound— the crack of a thousand muskets and the demoniac shriek of as many musket balls, whistling and whizzing through the air at the same time. Now gaps were made in the ranks of the THE WAR LIBRARY. Marching beside Sam was oue of those who had accompanied Kit and himself on the scouting expedition. At the first fire lie went down. A bullet had entered his brain. Sam ground his teeth, tire flashed from his eyes; and his lips were grimly closed and rem pressed. And when the order came to fire no man was sooner to respond than was Sam. Again and again were deadly volleys pinned into that devoted band of brothers Again and again were huge gaps left in the lilies. And, again and ngam, were they ilosed up. to shoulder the gallant fellows shoved ahead, until they stood close to the intreuehments they had come to capture. "Charge!" At last this order came. Then forward — as if shot from some tre- mendous catapult. Now came the hand to hand battle. The slaughter was terrible. Men were swept away like chaff. Oue after another the officers had fallen; hut still those heroes battled on, each man an officer unto himself. Then came a wild cry. It was from Union throats, and proclaimed victory. The defeated rebels heard ;the cry, and it roused iu them a frenzy that for the moment swept away all fear. They turned, then formed aud back they came to renew the struggle on top of the breastworks, Desperate and reckless, they fought like very devils; aud along that line of blue there was seen a wavering and uncertainty. They looked from one to another. No voice encouraged them. No officer was near to lend his voice to in- spirit them. The officers were not shirking their duty. Ah— no— no! They weresilent only because they could not speak, because they laid dead or dying in the intrenchments they had come to capture. Could it be? Were the boys iu blue to lie driven back now for want of some noble fellow to fling himself in the reach and cry : "Stand your ground, boys; it is the last gasp of desperate men!" Such was not to be. "The Union forever!" A clarion voice rang out this battle-cry, aud hoarse voices caught it up, and in a great volume vent up the cry: "The Union forever?" And then to the front sprung a tall com- manding fin are and those who recognized him uttered a wild shout of joy. "Kit. from Kentucky 1" It was indeed Kit Langdon. "Hurrah!" he yelled. And the men caught up the cry as they had caught up the other, and there came a "Hurrah!" "Now, strike for the Union— strike for the stars and stripes— strike for victory. For- ward!" Madly, Mindly, they lull,, wed his lead. Tiny' were irresistible. The' New reinforcements were thrown forward, and the captured point made secure beyond recapture. Now came the attack at the center. Here again the boys m blue met and drove back as gallant a foe as ever opposed an armed force. The darkness of night closed in once more —a night like the preceding, when the brave and gallant boys iu blue, in spile of their fa- tigue, were compelled lor the most part to keep awake and stirring because of the un- usually iutense cold. But, although what sleep they obtained was on the fr,,/eii earth, with no shelter save the sky above their heads, the breaking of day did not find them dispirited. On the contrary they were full of enthusi asm, and only wanted the word of command to do and dafe anything. Gallant hoys of Fort Donelson! The names of each and all of you should be inscribed in letters of gold, where all the world might read and learn the names of as gallant men as ever battled for right, truth and honor ! There was one there deserving of special remembrance. It was Kit, from Kentucky. He was ordered to be promoted on the field of battle as a fitting reward for his gal- lant assumption of the lead at a moment when the absence of a leader might have re- sitted in a failure to hold theintreiiclimeiits, to obtain which so much blood had been shed. Modestly, and like his own true self. Kit accepted the acknowledgment of his meri- torious action, but declined the office to which it was desired to raise him. "I would rather be in the ranks," he had answered, when an objection was raised against his refusal. "I trust I am a good private, and I would rather remain such than run the risk of being a poor officer." " Of which, Heaven knows, there are enough in the service," said the commis- sioned officer who had been sent to see him. Kit's earnest nesss was not to be mistaken, and his desires were complied with in that he was not forced into taking a position he did not covet, aud in fact was averse to uc- eptiug. A few few days passed. Hernial Grant — clear-headed, bull-dog Grant— had made all his dispositions for a grand attack, which all— Confederates aud Union men— foresaw meant the fall of Fort Donelson. The morning of the sixteenth of February dawned. Everything was in readiness for the at- tack. Then came a messenger from the fort. The Confederate commander, General Buckner, had asked for an armistice pending terms of capitulation.* There was no waste of time in framing a reply. It was in a few words, and very much to the point : "No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepmlili'- 1 re, peso t<. 1,1, .,-,■ im- mediately on your works. U. S. Grant." Would the rebels surrender as they de- manded? A brief time was given for reply. It came at the last moment of grace. General Buckner, who had been left in com ina ml by t lie High! up t lie river of Flovd and Pillow during the night, could not ip himself, and he was forced to surrender at discretion. Such was the tenor of the reply. Then up rose such a cheer as "never before was heard, as the news traveled down the lines. The effect was electrical throughout the country, aud even in Europe those who were secretly in sympathy with the South thought it wise to deal with the rebels more circumspectly for the future. History tells us that with the surrender of Fort Douelson there were not far from fifteen thousand prisoners, counting the wounded, seventeen heavy guns, forty field pieces, and a great amount of supplies aud munitions of war. In the newspaper accounts of the affair ap- peared 1li« names of many of the heroes en- gaged iu the affray. Ki't Langdou's name was not infrequently mentioned, lbitamong all who in print received a share of tin-glory, there was not one who bore his honors more modestly than Kit, from Kentucky. CHAPTER V. IN THE MOUNTAINS. Meanwhile, how fared those loved ones whom Kit had left behind ? Were they as safe aud secure in their mountain retreat as Kit could wish them to be? To answer these questions we must turn back to the tinie'when Kit bade them good- by at the foot of the mountain, and sought his own safety in immediate (light, leaving them under the care of his gallant but mis- guided brother, who had cast his fortunes with the South. It was a very sad party that ascended the mountains oil that night on which our story opens. As a clergyman, Mr. Langdon was natur- ally and gallant sons had seen it to be their duty to take up arms in the great conflict. He could have borne it more easily had both espoused what he considered the cause of humanity— viz: the Uniou army. He had no word of reproach for Ben be- cause he had joined the Conlederates. , have discretion to i lie believed in living up to principles, and bad Hen believed the South to be in the right, and then had fought against it, the stern side of the old man's character would have come into view, and he would have at once disowned Ben. Although he honored aud respected both of his sons for acting so true to their princn- ples, this fact could not rob of its horror tl e knowledge that they had espoused different sides, that each in battle would practicalh seek the other's blood. As for the gentle mother, she was grieved and saddened to her very heart's core. Her convictions as to the right or wrong in the great struggle were not so clearly de- lined as her husband's, and she looked more to the result as to her loved boys than to the success or defeat of either army. She loved her boys equally well, and she could not honestly express a wish that either North or South should win, although as Mr. I.angdo with the North she naturally inclined that way. As for Belle, pretty, high-spii her sentiments were true blue, even though jirited Belle, there was one in the rebel army whose wife she some day expected to be. So it was a sad party that went up into the wilds of the mountains that night. As last the way grew so rough that the rays of the moonlight were insufficient, and they halted for the double purpose of rest- ing and awaiting the coming of day. When it had dawned, they resumed their wearying journey, made more tiresome by the fact that each of them bore some neces- sary articles. At last, late in the afteruoou, they reached a little valley, about two hundred feet in width and a thousand in length. Here Ben decided that they should re- main, as a good spring near by would fur- nish an ample supply of water. Axes were at once put to work, aud in less than a week a rude shelter— a hut made of rudely dressed logs— had been constructed. As everybody in that section of Kentucky had done, Mr. Langdon liau owned some negroes. Years before he had practically given them their freedom. He had called them to him oue by one and had told them that when they worked out their purchase price they should be free ; and that they might remain and work fol- ium at regular wages, and he would credit them with their earnings, or they might work for somebody else and pay him what they could as they i, I, lained it. They had always had a good home, had been treated kindly, aud all had remained with the Langdons, and uever were human beings more faithful than the four negroes- two men and two women- were to that kind family. Nobly they did their share now. While Ben aud Mr. Langdon constructed the hut, the men— the watch having been withdrawn from the parsonage when it was fouud that the bird hud flown— brought to the mountains several wagon loads of furni- ture anil agricultural implements, and such other things as were needed. Then, retaining one man aud one woman, Mr. Langdon gave the other two papers showing that they were free, and bade them go North into Ohio. It was then too lateiu the season to attempt to till the earth, but Mr. Langdon made what preparations he could to pass the win- ter comfortably there in the mountains. Ben remained as long as he could, and then sadly bade them good-by. "Good-by, mother," he said, his voice husky with emotion. He put his arm gently about her waist, and pressed her long and lovingly to his heart. "Good-by, my boy," she returned, with the tears coursing down her cheeks. " Heaveu guard over and preserve you to return to " Amen," he said, solemnly. fairly in the face " if it should be that you do not come back— if we should never ineet again on earth— you will meet me there .'" she pointed upward and raised ker eyes. " With God's help, 1 will," he said, in a tone as solemn as her own. Then he kissed her hastily and went out- side. Just beyond the door he found his fathers, and silently their hands met. It was a silence more eloquent than words. For a full minute they stood thus, their hands clasped, looking steadily into eacii 1HE WAR LIERABY. other's eves, and then they as silently un- clasped their hands and separated. Perhaps for a little, while — perhaps for- ever ! Ben glanced about him. Where was Belle ? He could see nothing of her near the house, ami moved slowly away in the direction he must take to get out of the mountain. He knew his sister too well to believe that she would evade the parting, and lie judged that he would find her waiting for him not far away. He was right. He had said good-by to the negroes, and hail passed out of sight of the house, when he oame upon Belle. "I ha ' thegirl, '• 1 knew I should hud you somewhere," he said, as he paused in trout of her and took both of her hands in his own. " You must go, Ben?" "Yes." "You believe the South right?" "I do." " After sober reflection?" "Ay, after sober reflection." " Then go, my brother ! Do your duty as you seeit, and i will always love and respect you. But, oh ! how much happier I should be were you going to fight side by side with Kit, instead of against him." "Regrets an- useless, in v dear sister. The die is east. Let God decide between the North and the South." " And if he decides against vou, will you accept the result cheerfully, and without bitterness of heart?" •'I will. I swear itlto you, little sister. If God rules that the North shall win in this struggle I will permit myself to harbor no feeling' of bitterness, but will bend myself to His will." "You have lightened my heart, Ben. I feel now that 1 can let you go." "And, Belle, there is another " He paused and gazed down on her sweet wistful face, half curiously, half tenderly. "Yes," she said, gravely. •' We may meet." " ion will cheer and help each other?" " Of course we shall. But, Belle, in case I see Harry Bi iggs, have you no message you , save this: That, if lie has taken up inst his country because he believes the call of duty, I forgive him as Irave you no word of love to send ? you. Belle, aud loves you still, with r'pussing great." dm 1 shall wait for him." [hat is all?" Ami " And for myself?" "My blessing go with you, Ben; and when the war is ended, God grant you may re- turn with no bitterness in your heart toward the victorious North " " You're a rank Unionist." " I am." " Well, we'll not quarrel. Good-by." " Good-by, Ben." As she littered the last adieu her voice broke, and he could feel her trembling like a leaf. Silently he pressed her to his heart. When he would have released her he saw that she was so overcome by emotion that she could not stand ; so he gently deposited her on the grassy bank, aud without another word strode awav. After a minute or so she struggled to her feet, aud watched his receding figure with a loving gaze. When he had disappeared, she turned and went slowly toward the new house, a home destined to be the theater of many exciting scenes in the mouth to come. In less than a week after Ben's departure they had company in the mountains. Other families of Union tendencies were forced to flee to the mountains for safety, and, indeed, it was only a short while before the hills and valleys were quite thickly popu- lated. This gave room for the operations of those bands of guerrillas, which, more than the regular armies, supply the most horrible features of a war, in the name of which they prey on friend and foe alike. It was not long before news of the little settlement in the mountains reached the ears of one of the lesser guerrilla chiefs— by uame Buck Toole. One day in December, when the snow was on the ground, he suddenly appeared in the settlement with his rascally followers— num- bering about a dozen. Itwasasmall nana, lint sufficient!} largo to hold in terror the women aud children. who for the most part comprised the inhabi- tants of the spot. The men— husbands and fathers— had gone to the trout, after conveying their families iuto the mountains for greater safety. There were only three grown men, includ- ing Mr. Langdoii, within a circuit of a mile. There were a half dozen or more of vigorous fourteen and fifteen year old boys, but they did not count for much at such a time. So, when Buck Toole made his appearance on that day iu December he found himself master of 'the situation, for no blow could be struck in its defense. In gruff tones he commanded the families there to shelter his men, aud give them the best to eat and drink that they had. "For," said he, "we're going to stay with you a few days, and it's just as well to have us your friends as your enemies." The men were divided around among the different families. Buck Toole coolly quartered himself on the minister. Mr. Langdon very calmly saw his ap- proach, aud very calmly acquiesced when Toole stated his intention of quartering there. Toole, believing this quietness was cow- .rdice, went inside and flinging himself into , chair, lifted his heels and put them on the tabli " Take down your feet!" Buck Toole was surprised. Could that firm and menacing voice issue from the minister's lips? "Takedown yourfeet!" There was a gleam in the minister's eye that Buck did not like. He dropped his feet. Then he opened his mouth, and an oath half crossed his lips, when a voice sternly in- terrupted : " Stop now— stop !" " Who're you orderin' ?" "You." " Why, do you dare " "Yes, I dare." "Boss me?" " Yes, within my own walls." "Why, what could vou do?" "Do?" "Yes — do." "Try me, and you may find out to your disgust," Mr. Langdon quietly said. Buck felt uncomfortable. ( If true courage lie did not possess a parti- cle, but he was chock full of bravado, and in the eyes of his men was a perfect lion. Aud why ? He could not tell Mr. Langdoii was not the highest type of a muscular man, yet he had a frame aud build that induced" respect fur his muscles. After that "try me" of Mr. Langdon's, Buck forced a laugh that was intended to imply a contempt for the other's words. About half an hour later, Belie came from the back room for the purpose of setting the tabic for the afternoon meal. Years before, when Belle was a child, Buck had seen her, and had been quite cap- tivated by her, aud his unholy eyes no sooner rested upon her on this day than he resolved that he would use his power to force her to become his wife. While he watched her as she went to and fro, and developed plans in his mind, she finished preparations for the meal. "We are ready now, father," she at last said. "Then, let us pray." As Mr. Langdon spoke he knelt down be- side his chair, a movement that was copied by his wife aud daughter, as well as the negro woman iu the kitchen that had been extended at the back. All knelt save Buck. Mr. Langdoii looked at Buck keenly. The latter fidgetted, but sat still. " Kneel!" said theminister. Buck folded his arms aud settled himself sullenly into his chair. "Kneel!" " I won't." " Then go outdoors until my prayer is fin- ished." to the cold?" •• Y. kne "I won't." Slowly rose Mr. Langdon. He spat on his hands, rubbed them to- gether, reached out and took Buck by the collar and yanked him toward the door. Belle opened it, and the next moment Buck was sprawling in the snow outside. The door closed, and when Buck appeared it was to hear the parsou's voice raised in prayer, as calmly as though nothing had happened Prudence and policy combined to cause Buck to take his treatment as a good joke instead of getting augr\ about it. He could easily have shot and killed Mr. Langdon but did not wish to do so; aud he stood outside until he heard the " Amen " said, and then he entered. A place had been made for him at the table, and he took it with a laugh : " You're a lighting parson, I see?" he said. " In case of need I can use the strength which God has given me," was the quiet re- ply- " I've seen you use it before," said Buck. " I remember a good many years ago, when I used tolivein the village' where y.m preach- ed, that I saw you put a man out of church. He was flourishing a brace of pistols, and every man there was afraid to tackle him." Buck laughed heartily at the recollection, but he had the laugh all to himself, for none of the others joined in. About all the conversation that was car- ried on was by Buck and to himself. They evidently did not wisli to talk with him, anil were so little afraid of his power that they would not do other than they wished. This chafed and fretted the rascal. He kept himself within bounds by the re- flection : " I'll have my laugh last, when beautiful Belle is Mrs. Toole." The villain was no fool, and he knew that it would be better for him could he gain his point without the use of violence. He acted the most frank aud agreeable part he could, hoping that he might win his way to the hearts of his hosts. He ventured once or twice to bend on Belle a look of admiration. "A woman's always grateful for an ad- miring look, even from a man she hates," he had told himself. To his surprise, Belle was far from appre- ciating the compliment. She became act- ually frigid at once. Buck saw that he was not progressing fa- vorably, gnawed his fiercely-bristling mus- tache, and decided on a plan. Rising and bowing v> ilh all the grace pos- sible, he thanked them fortheentertaiuinent afforded him, and added : " My purpose here to-day— I tell you in confidence — was to protect you. Word had reached me that a gang of rascals were plan- ning an attack, and I and my men came to help drive back the dastards." "Is that the truth ?" asked Mr. Langdon. "It is." " Then you are a better man thau I gave you credit for. And'is all danger over?" " I think so, and yet J cannot be sure. I shall keep a watch over this little settle- ment. Adieu now! And have you not one parting word, Miss Belle?" "Yes;" and she looked fearlessly into his face, "and it is that I trust you will— if you must fight— go iuto the army instead of fighting like a sneak, running from a stronger force and attacking only the weak and defenseless." He managed to smother his rage under a harsh laugh. Once outside, he clinched his hands aud swore to tame her hauj her proud head at his 1 In pursuance of his suddenly formed plan he got his men together, and even though it was uow dark— save for the light of the moon— descended the mountain. After this visit, which had upset the little community in the mountains, everything went smoothly and peacefully along for nearly a month. One day a wild shriek rang through the little valley. There was a rush in the direction whence the cry came. Belle Langdon being swiftly borne away in the arms of Han ! burly This fact, as might be expected, endeared, him to the men about him, his companions iu arms, audit gained for him the genuine respect of his superiors. He was spoken of as a model soldier, a man to do and dare, but without a spark of conceit. THE WAR LIBRARY. It was not singular that the officers of rank should desire to see so great yet so modest a soldier. And one day he was sent for by no less a personage than the commanding general himself. It required a conversation of only a few minutes to show him that Kit Langdon was :i man of superior ability as well as good education. 1 Office was again urged on Kit, and again lie modestly declined it. He was permitted to depart, but when he had pone word was sent to his captain to detail him as much as possible, and to re- i lieve him from picket duty. "There is good stuff in that fellow," was the general's expressed opinion; "and we must keep him in as good physical and fighting trim as possible." Out of this order grew the circumstance that on the fifteenth of March, one month less one day after the capture of Fort Donel- sou, Kit was given a commission to exeoute that would take him ten miles to the rear of the army. The country was a rebel one, nearly every Uniou lines, the country conquered, and tra\ .ling was consequently safe— or at least supposed to be. "Can I take a companion?" Kit asked. " Certainly. Two, if you want them." "I only want one." "Who is it?" "Sam Black." "You're old comrade?" "Yes." " You've tried him?" "I have." "Well, take him." "If " Kit, on good horses. They had left camp only a couple of miles behind them, when a little circumstance Inouglit a grave expression to Kit's face. A vinegar-faced woman, of lank, gaunt frame, laughed derisively as they cantered past her, and yelled after them : "Johnnie Morgan's goin' to gobble you chaps up slmer." The name of Morgan at that time was suf- ficient to strike terror into almost any Union heart. Morgan's daring and reckless exploits were themes on every tongue, for his raids were never less successful than daring; and. although Kit said nothing, he knew that their succe.-s was not a little contributed to by his brother Ben. " By the looks of your face, Kit, one would think you believed the woman spoke the truth." said Sam. suggestively. "It's possible." "PohV' "It is, however. ' " But not probable." "Perhaps not. But, Sam, no man knows where Morgan may turn up at any minute." "You're rigid .about that. He's given our boys some hig surprises. But, then, tain't likely lied run the risk of coming around in the rear of the Union army." "The very thing that he'd be likely to do." So said Kit. Thenceforth they kept their eyes wide opeu, and whenever they met anybody whose looks impressed them favorably Kit would put some cautious questions. He learned nothing that would either prove or disprove his fears until he en- countered an aged negro. The latter volunteered his information without being asked "Golly, gciielmen. Morgan's got youse." "Is he out there?" "Yes, rnassa." "In this vicinity?" "Yes, massa." "Sure?" "Pos'tive." " Have you seen him ?" "No, but I'se heard." "Where is he now?" " I tink he's divided his force, and part am on de fuss cross-road ahead." "And the others?" "On de road youse just passed." " Aud you " done af eared dat "Why?" " Dar comes my missy, an' if she seed dis chile, he'd get der eat." "I don't see her." " Dar she is, dough !" exclaimed the negro, with fear and trembling in his tone, and he put off as fast as he could go. What was to be done? So they ask cil [ hciuselves, and had not reached the solution of the question when the mistress of the aged African drew near. There was visible on her face a vicious kind of a smile that did not tend to reassure our friends. They spoke to her. but she passed them with a haughty stare. "Morgan is around!" said Kit. " I believe so myself, now." "Wonder if the negro knew exactly what he was talking about?" gained so good an idea of Morgan's ts." "He has in part!" Sam started as these emphasized words fell on his ears. "What are you driving at?" he quickly asked. "Just that!" Kit pointed up the road in the direction in which (hey had 1 n heading. Nearly half a mile away they could see a large body of horsemen, which doubtless « as a part of Morgan's force of cavalry. "Wemust turn tad," said Kit, regretfully. " There is no help for it." mistress of the friendly negro, and they could hear her scornful laugh ringing in their ears. Devil take her!" exclaimed Sam, shaking tin they sped Soon they were not far from the other cross-road, on which the African had ven- tured the opinion that another part of Mor- gan's cavalry was advancing. To be captured by Morgan was a fate not to be envied, and tin- hearts of both beat faster as they drew near the road. Unfortunately for them, a little piece of intervening timber made it necessary to get within a couple of hundred feet of the road lido 1 not halt and then go cautious- ly aheu.. to reeonnoiti i , for they knew that t'hev had been observed by the party behind them. Their only course was to dash ahead and cross the intersecting road if possible. If this could be safely done, they believed that, from there onward, they would find the road as free and unobstructed as when they had cantered along it so short a time t in they went— on like the wind. The timber loomed up just ahead. Beyond that ran the cross-road. "Now, then, torn dash!" exclaimed Kit. Into the Hanks ol their horses they p 1 aim- ed the rowels of their spurs, and the noble animals responded with a monstrous burst of speed. The timber was reached. "Halt!" As the stern command rang out, the road became suddenly alive with horsemen, who had been m covert in the woods. The way forward was barred. Kit wheeled his horse around. Perhaps, if he could get away, he might lead a chase across fields and escape. Fruitless hope. The rear was guard. .1 equally well. They had ridden fairly into an ambuscade, and were surrounded. Kit's hand had leaped to the butt of a re- volver. "Surrender pcacably, if you know when you are well off," said a gruff voice. " Hands useless. They were hopelessly involved. "What is it to be, Kit?" So asked Sam, a dogged look on his face, scowling at their captors, his hand still clutching his revolver. If Kit gave the word he was ready to light, all the frowning firearms in the world would not have prevented his drawing his weapons. Kit was silent. "What is it to be, Kit?" he asked again. "Shall we let these fellows bag us, or shall we kill about half, and run the rest in?" A hearty laugh on the part of the rebels fol- lowed this speech, and even Kit was com- pelled to smile, little as he felt like it." " I don't know, Sam, but that we might find some trouble in acoinplishiug the task," Kit now said. " These gentlemen seem to be a sociable lot of fellows, ami, as they are so particularly urgent for our < ipany, why perhaps it would be best accommodate them. T It was a happy speech. Those who hear. I it believed at once that Kit was a jolly, happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared litl le whether school kept or not, and would about as soon fight on one side as the other. "That's sensible, " said the leader of the rebels. "Now, we'll take your weapons, if you please." Kit handed over his weapons, and Sam did likewise, though he made an awful grimace as he did so. "Now, then, put them with the other cap- tives," said the commander, aud as Kit and Sam were conducted away he heard the cry: " Here comes the other division." Kit instantly guessed that for some reason ' ting the rende/.- question that Morgan asked, as he came dashing up. "Good. And now let us away again. The country is becoming aroused: word will soon reach the Union lines, aud if weain'twell out of the way there'll be the devil to pay." In less than five minutes the whole force was iu motion. The prisoners, including Kit and Sam, in number about forty, were placed iu the cen- ter, and before starting were warned that any attempt at escape would be the signal for shooting them down. Sam, however, was red-hot for trying to make a break at all hazards. "No— no, Sam," protested Kit. " It would be sure death. Wait a while— take things cool— we may get a chance by and by that will be worth frying to make use ofJ" Several hours passed, and still that chance had not presented itself. Meanwhile the number of prisoners kept rapidly increasing, several officers having been added to the score among others. At last the victorious raiders came to a halt. It was necessary, for the riding had been bard and fast, and the horses were much jaded. "Halt for an hour!" had been the order given. .Morgan himself — the .'unions M organ — with a grimly humorous li^ht in his large, pierc- ing eves, approached to survey the prison- ers. He was a bold and dashing looking man, just suited in appearance to the deeds of dar'niL' which had mad.- his name famous. Kit looked at him curiously, as the chief of his brother Ben, for whom he had been look- ing ever since captured. As yet he had fa i lei 1 to see anything of him, and a fear was beginning to creep into his heart that perhaps he should nevermore see that gallant and much-loved brother. Morgan, when he halted, was very near Kit, and he bad it on the end of his tongue, as the saying goes, to ask some question as to his brother. He did not utter the words. "It may strike him that I am trying to make capital for myself," bethought, "and I wish no favors from the rebel more than are granted to my fellow captives." As Morgan's piercing eyes ran over the prisoners, many of the men quailed. There was one pair of eyes which met his steadily aud unflinchingly. They were the eyes of Kit! Perhaps it was partially on account of his handsome, well-knit figure that Kit was es- pecially favored by a longer continued scru- tiny than any one else. After scanning Kit from head to foot Mor- gan's eves were lifted and fastened again on :it's. You have a fearless eve, young man," he said. "And you may add a fearless heart," calmly sa'id Kit. "Well said. Your eyes put me in mind of another pair I know of— egad, you might easily be brothers. Where are you from?" "Kentucky." "Humph ! then you'd ought to be fighting in agray suit instead of a blue one." "I am the best judge of that." "Don't be impudent, sir," agleamof angei in the large, full eyes. " I have the same right to my opinions a* you have to yours, and when you invit* 10 THE WAR LIBRARY. them I would he a craven if fear led me to keep »iy mouth shut." "I take it all hark.' said the dashingcav- alry chieftain. " I see that you do not wear any straps, although 111 swear you deserve them. If you'll come over to our side I'll promise yiui a majorship at the least." "Never!" scornfully returned Kit. "As you please," with a shrug of the shoulders. As Morgan was about to turn away, one of his men spoke to him. " That man you were talking to was the leader of that party of four which ran in twelve of our boys " Su this in;,,, told Morgan. '•Ttu. devil villi s;iv'" no Ye fods! what could I not do with a few hun- red such as him behind my back." While Morgan stood gazing wistfully at Kit, the latter saw one approaching, at sight ef whom his heart leaped for joy. It was Ben. Ah ! brave, noble Ben, who had so cour- ageously faced that howling mob and saved his life. But Ben never looked his way. How he wished to call to him. But he would not. He might have done, had Morgan not been near, but he would not while he could hear. To Sam, who was close beside him, he said, and his tone was very fond and tender: "Sam, is not that li noble looking fellow?" " Yes," was the reluctant admission of Sam, who dia not like to admit that there was anything good about any rebel. " He is my brother." "What?" Sam stared in open-mouthed astonishment at Kit. "It is true." " And him a rebel ?" "Yes." Sum scratched his head. " Bust me if I can understand it," he pres- ently blurted out. "It's easily understood. He believes the y South i; in the right and fights according to 'Miis convictions." Sam shook his head. "If you say so, why— it's so. But I'd never a'-lielie\ oil it otherwise." Phew! Sam suddenly gave utterance to a low whistle, and when Kit looked around winked knowingly at him. "That means that we're as good as free, don't it?" he said in a whisper. " What do a " Why, tha't to skin out of 'Do you "T itil he helps urn traitor?" cried his hand off before anted to I wouldn't Kit. " Never ! H he'd help us. And let him." "Sho!" said Sam, and his chin dropped, and he looked ruefully at his companion. "You edicated fellows puzzle me most all- flredly. He wouldn't help you. and him your brother all the time?" "That's it." " Well, blow me if I think it's brotherly," with which frank expression of opinion Sam relapsed into silence. Ben Laugdon delivered the message to his general and was minim: awav « hen Morgan halted him. "Laugdon," said he, " I want you to look atone of the prisoners we've captured. I think he's one of the handsomest built men I ever set eyes on." " Where is he?" "There." "Ah!" Ben gasped for breath. " You know him ?" said Morgan, "Yes, it's my brother Kit." "The devil, you say! Then I'll have to order the guards to keep close watch on him, for if he's your brother he's liable to get the upper hand of us and run us all into the t'nioii lines." Ben laughed at the left-handed compli- ment thus paid to him, anil then called out : " I've got something to attend to, Kit, but 111 be back presently to take you bv the hand, my brave old brother." Ben's eyes were glistening with moisture Sam just then "iilp -d down something. "I take it all back, Kit." he said. " He's a line 1 el low even it he is a hi ly Seeesh." Very impatiently Kit awaited" his brother's about him, and when the hour was nearly expired he whispered to Sam : " Keep your eye on me, and be ready to follow suit" in case I make a break. I foresee that an opportunity may soon come." " Bully," grunted Sam. In momentary expectation of the order to mount, the men were already beginning to look after their horses when Hen arrived. "Come this way, Kit," he called, and the man on guard said nothing, as Kit, olosely followed by Sam, edged out of the crowd of captives. Ben thrust out his hand. Kit seized il eagerly. "Ben!" "Kit!" "When have you heard from home?" " Not since I was there in the winter." "And then?" " You have not been to see the folks sinoe then ?" "No." "They were well then." " All of them ?" " Yes, all." "And mother— Cod bless her!— does she grieve much?" •' Of course, that must be expected." " And Belle? She's true blue yet?" " Yes, heart and soul." " Bless her little heart ! And does she still stick to Harry?" "Yes ; she says she'll marry him afterjthe war is ended." "And Harry ? Is he the same noble fellow he used to be?" "Ay. He is every way worthy of our sister, Kit. lie is a grand fellow, and a per- fect lion in a fight. But, Kit, I'm awful sorry to see you here in the light of a pris- " Don't grieve. You won't see me thus very long." "Don't ask too many questions." Ben grew pale. "For Heaven's sake. Kit," he exclaimed, "don't be so foolish as to attempt to escape. It is sure death. Promise me " He was interrupted by the command that swept along the line to mount. "I'll soon see you again," said Ben, hur- riedly, and clasping Kit once more by the hand, he sped away to where he had left his horse. " Prisoners mount!" ordered the guard. Kit and Sam were thefirst to get into their saddles. "Now!" Kit hissed the word into Sam's ear, just as he vaulted into the saddle. "Ready," grunted Sam, between his set teeth. A moment later and a wild howl weut up. Beu Laugdon turned, and every particle of color deserted his face at sight of Kit making a dash for liberty ! CHAPTER VII. A PROPOSAL OF MAHKIAGE Belle Laugdon had goue to the spring to procure some water, as she not infrequently did. She had no thought of danger, for she had performed that selfsame journey hundreds of times without ever having had cause for So. on this day, she looked about her with no more suspicion than she always had, and failed to discover anybody linking in the hushes which grew thickly not far from the spring. She had filled the pail and had turned around to retrace her steps when she be- came awaie that she was confronted by a burly rough-looking man, while now pro- truding from the bushes were the heads of three others. The pail dropped from her hand as he reached out his hand to grasp her. As she felt his brawny hand close on her arm, she gave utterance to that piercing scream which alarmed all in the settle- ment. " Confound it," growled her captor— "stop that sipiealin' or I'll throttle ye." Then, in spite of tin-brave girl's struggles, he picked her up in hisarms, and as it he were carrying no heavier burden than a child, he began to descend a rough mountain path. Her agonized father caught sight, of her at a moment when only she and the man who held her were in sight. "After him!" cried Mr. Laugdon. "Sure- ly we ought to beable to handle one man." Even as he spoke, three other men came in They were behind the abductor, as if to cover up the rear and insure his getting safely away with his lovely prisoner. " Oh ! if I had a rifle," moaned Mr. Lang- " Here is one." He turned quickly, and snatched it from the speaker's hands. Up to hij shoulder it quickly went, but soon was lowered. " I should be likely to hit her, and probab- ly kill her," he groaned. " Follow me— we must rescue her." Down the mountain path dashed the an- guished father, followed by the couple of men and a few half grown boys, who could be of no earthly assistance. The abducting party soon after disap~ peared from sight in the thick growth of bushes and young timber that grew on the lower reaches of the mountain. Mr. Langdon was not long in reaching the point of disappearance, and here all trace was lost. Earnestly they searched, but could not find trace of or rescue the lost beauty; and when night came on, dark and moonless, Mr. Lang- don assented to returning to the settlement. He found his wife overcome with grief, and wild with apprehension. " What can we do ?" she wailed. " I do not know," sadly. "Must we leave her to her fate?" " I can see no other way." " But what may happen her?" Mr. Laugdon bowed his head, and a tear forced itself from his eye. " She is in the hands of God," he reverently said. " Nothing more can be done to-night, and we must trust our darling to His care. When day comes again then— then we will see what, can be done." A sadder night had never closed in on that little settlement than this one when Belle Langdon was thus forcibly carried away. By whom ? And for what purpose ? These were the questions that agitated every heart, as the affair was discussed in hushed tones around each fireside. She had been loved by all— this gentle vet high-spirited girl. No little child in the settlement but ran gladly to her u hen they saw her, and manv a little one fell asleep that night with eye- lashes wet, or big tears resting on their faces. The night wore on until the hour of nine, and the people were all making preparations to go to bed, when attention was arrested by a stentorian : "Ho! ho!" What could it mean?" Every head was bent in a listening atti- tude. Was somebody freezing, and in need of as- sistance? "Ho! ho!" No ; the tone was not that of a person in distress, but seemed rather to he intoned with gladness. Perhaps somebody's father or brother was returning from the war to pay a visit. "Ho! ho!" Mr. Langdon stepped to the tloor, threw it open, and gazed out into the night. "Father!" Ah ! he knew that voice. "Belle! my child— safe!" Light feet came tripping over the frozen ground, and the next minute the head of the beautiful girl was pillowed on her father's breast. "Ho! ho!" "What does it all mean?" shouted some- body. The voice that had broken the silence with that— "Ho! ho!" answered: " Belle Langdon has been rescued, and is safe in her father's arms." The cry was caught up and repeated, and many a fervent "Thank God!" was uttered. "Come in, child," said Mr. Langdon, after straining his daughter to his heart. " And the noble man who has rescued you— let him too enter, that he may receive a father's blessing." The rescuer of Belle Laugdon followed the minister inside— Belle, as soon as released from her father's arms, having rushed in to fling herself in those of her mother. "You?" Mr. Langdon's tone was incredulous. "You?" he repeated. Surprise was depicted on his face. "Yes. Why, is it anything funny? Do you think that only parsons can fight?" The speaker was none other than Buck Toole. "Forgive me," said Mr. Langdon, gently. " I have always misjudged you... I have al- THE WAR LIBRARY. ways believed you to be a wicked man, but I humbly crave your pardon." "You can't always tell a diamond in the rough," was the reply. "I may do some ■ [ in-.-i' things at times, but my heart is in the right place." "To-night's action convinces me of that fact," said Mr. Laugdon, heartily. "And now tell me how you came to rescue my darling." " Oh ! there's not much to tell," in an off- hand way. " I ran across four fellows a takin' of Miss Belle with 'em, and quicker' n lightning I had <>ul my pops and was blazin' away at 'em. They dropped potato, and cut sticks like ler like a hot vardly cusses they are. Then I just about face and brought Miss Belle home. It was slow work coming up the mountain in the dark, which accounts for my gettin' here so late. " Heaven bless you for this good act," said the parson, and inwardly Buck exclaimed: " I've scored a bull's-eye sure." "You must stay all night," added Mr. Langdon. " Yes, don't care if I do. It's a long way down the mountain on p night as dark anil cold as this. A blanket here on the floor wi.l do splendidly." , In the privacy of their "leeping room Belle told substantially the same story of her resjcie as that told by Buck Toole. Soon after dayligh- the next morning, everybody began to crowd to the house of the Laugdon's to express their joy over Belle s escape. From the oldest, to these who could just toddle, they came to say how glad they were that she had returned home safely, the older ones of course anxious to satisfy their curiosity as to how it had been brought about. Buck Toole instantly was exalted into a hero, and on all sides were his praises sounded. He bore the compliments as to his bravery ■with as much modesty as he could muster, and shortly after noon took himself away. At parting, he offered his hand to Belle, anil she timidly accepted it. Mi * didl " Buck, when I can do you a favor, come to me. I wish I could reward you as you de- serve for rescuing my child from an un- kuoyvnfate, but that would be impossible." "I know it," witli an assumption ot gloom- iness "There is only one way in which I could be paid." "And that? If there is a way, mention it." "I'm dispritly in love with the girl," blurted out Buck, with an appearance of blunt honesty that quite deceived Mr. Lang- don, and then he strode away. "I've planted the seed," chuckled Buck, as he descended the mountain. " Now let it grow. That was a clever idea— that abduc- tion and rescue business. It's worked like a charm. But suppose it don't work after ally" His brow clouded. He paused and clinched his hands. "Curse it," he hissed, "if them there brothers of hers only get killed, I could force her into it whether she wanted to or not. But it'll never do to try any such game as that while they're alive— for they're both fire-eaters." From the foregoing, the reader will gather the truth— that the villains yvho had abduct- ed Belle, were acting uuder Buck's instruc- tions, and that the rescue was a clever sham. His reason for going to all this trouble was simply that he feared to resort to open vio- lence to gain his foul ends while either Kit or Ben were alive to mete out vengeance on his guilty head. If he could bring indirect influences and forces to bear— if he could obtaiu Mr. Lang- don's consent, however reluctant it might be, he would have attained his ends just the same and without taking upon himself the risk of incurring the active enmity of Kit and Ben. He was made of too coarse a material him- self to have any really line feelings, and he believed that while Belle did not now care for him, she would do so once they w-ere married. He let a weak pass by, and then again vis- ited the mountain. Belle saw him coming, and with a shud- der, retreated into the house. She did not like the man, and feared him, even though he had, to all appearances, res- cued her from a fate perhaps worse than death. She feared him still more, after hearing from her father's lips the words Buck Toole had used at parting with him. Straight to the parson's house he came and asked for Belle. She could not refuse to see him after hav- ing been so greatly indebted to him, and emerged from her own room. He came right to the point. "Miss Belle," he said, "I have conic here to ask you to marry me." Then he looked qucstioningly at her, his face lighted with eagerness. " Impossible!" she gasped. "Why so?" " Because— I— don't love you." " But you would after awhile." She shook her head. "lam sure not," she said. Buck guawed his lips. "I'm sorry that you can't marry me off- hand, whether you want to or not," he said. " Because it is necessary that you should be- come my wife within this very hour!" CHAPTER VIII. UP AND AWAY. Kit Langdon's keen eyes, as we have said, had not been idle while he was awaiting Ben's coming. Carefully they had scrutinized the sur- roundings, and he had reached the belief that it would be possible to escape during the bustle of remounting. At the east side of the road was a willow hedge, with a gap in it here and there. Beyond this hedge was an open field of two huiidred yards in breadth, and then came a piece of timber. Ouce through this hedge. Kit clearly saw that it would be difficult to bring them down with bullets. The hedge would prevent the rebels shoots ing at all, or else deflect the bullets. When that shout went up which caused Ben Langdon to look around, to see his brother making a dash for liberty, it was toward this willow liedne that Kit was head- ing. Morgan, too, saw the dash. "The devil!" he exclaimed; "and I act- ually warned the guards about that very fellow." He knew at a glance that it was Kit. There was no mistaking that tall athletic figi: 'Nov lips. ■ again this little word fell from Kit's This time it was addressed to his horse. As he spoke, he touched the animal lightly with the spurs, lifted him, and away the} went crashing through an opening in the willows not sufficiently large to let them pass without bending and breaking many twigs. "Now!" cried Sam. Then his horse reached outward and up- ward, and at Kit's heels he went through the hedge and A heavy discharge, of a dozen rifles shot off at once, rang in Sam's ears, and he could plainly hear the whizz of the bullets he had so narrowly escaped. It was a daring feat. From the lips of more than one fell an ad- miring exclamation. Kit had calculated well. The hedge prevented indiscriminate shoot- ing at least, and indeed (here were few pre- pared to shoot at such a moment. Nearly every man there thought of the remaining captives, and fearing a stampede, closed around them. Morgan and a few others, however, stood m a position where a complete command was held over the open space which the bold fellows must cross. Not one had presence of mind sufficient to try and shoot the escaping captives. Morgan was the only man among them who retained the use of his faculties to their full extent. He snatched a rifle from the hands of the man nearest him. To his shoulder it flew. Morgan was au unerring marksman, and when Beu saw him draw a bead, he groaned deeply. Catching his breath, he sprung forward with uplifted hand, as if he would dash aside the rifle held by his chief. He suddenly paused. His hand dropped. With his finger on the trigger, Morgan "Shoot! When the agonized fellow had seen Kit's life threatened, he had sprung forward to dash aside the weapon that threatened his brother ! His hand had dropped to his side when he remembered that Kit was au enemy and an escaping prisoner. So, when Morgan asked him the mute question, Ben groaned: "Shoot!" Morgan's keen eye leaped along the bar- rel and sighted the llyiug horseman, and Ben shuddered, and unconsciously mur- mured : "Poor mother I" The trigger was not drawn. Instead, the rifle was dropped into the hollow of Morgan's arm. " Blast me if I can do it, Ben," he said. " He's too grand a fellow to be made crow's meat of just yet." Then to an officer : " Stop all pursuit. We can't afford to waste the time it would consume to overtake them, for they have now plunged into the woods ; but keep a sharper lookout on the others." In the edge of the woods Kit came to a halt. Kit was not that kind. He wanted to see what steps the enemy would take, so as to try and offset each move Great was his surprise at finding that pur. suit was not given. "That's funny," he muttered. "So 'tis," grunted Sam. "They're going to move on." "Yes; and they seem to be in a hurry." "It may be that they have received word that they are pursued, and are in haste to get away." " Like as not. Hope so.' Kit was very wary. He could not be sure that this same triek was not being resorted to for the purpose of capturing him without any chase. As near as he could judge the whole body of cavalry moved on, but he could not be positive thai there were not a score or morn of the raiders lying in wait just beyond tin willow hedge which had stood to him in thij light of a friend. He was not going to fall into so simple a trap as this if there were such a one. Of course, as the reader knows, there was no necessity for this precaution, but it is the keenness of mind that looks out for such traps that makes a good soldier and scout. Sam went nearly half a mile inside the woods, and then emerging, crept toward the road in the concealment afforded by a cross- hedge. On reaching .the road, he found it abso- lutely clear. This he signaled to Kit, who at once came forward with the horses. Soon they were cantering back over the road which they had crossed only a short time before in the character of prisoners. Before very long they eneouiif ereda squad of Union cavalry, in hot pursuit of Morgan. A halt of a minute was made. Kit told the commanding officer all he knew, and in turn received for himself and Sam a brace of revolvers each. On being taken prisoner Kit had not been searched, and the message given him to de- liver was still sale in its hiding-place. So, now that they were armed, he deter- mined to go in and dcliv or the message as if nothing had happened, instead of returning into the lines. Chance threw across their path the same rank rebel woman who had laughed so scorn- fully just before they were captured. She stared blankly at them. In her surprise her mouth opened as weH as her eyes. " I — I — thought " She stammered out these words, and then paused, unable to say more. "You thought, Morgan had gobbled us up. Well, so he did," said Kit. " Then how in the world " " Did we get here, eh ? You wouldn't be- lieve it, I suppose, if I told you that the tables had been turned and Morgan had been gobbled up ?" "No, I wouldn't!" she snapped. "Then I won't tell you so," said Kit. "Get up !" this last to the horse, and away he and Sam again scurried. When out of hearing both gave vent to a hearty faugh. "She believes dead sure that Morgan's been captured," said Sam, with a chuckle. "Poor dear! She won't sleep soundly to- night— she won't dream pleasant dreams." And, as a matter of fact, Sam was right, 12 THE WAR LIBRARY. and the Secesh woman knew no peace of mind until she learned that Morgan had safelv reached the rebel lines after making a raid extending completely around the Union army. Laughing merrily over the woman's eTi- deut discomposure of mind, and making light of their really exciting experience in being captured and then making their es- cape, time slipped by very rapidly and al- most ere they knew it, they had arrived at their destination. Kit delivered the message of which he was the hearer, and was inld that another would lie, d tu They did not start to return until some time after sundown. The moon did not rise until after eleven, so it was thought wiser to delay, and ride by moonlight iuto the lines, thau to start kite in the afternoon and approach the lines in the darkness. About eight o'clock they started on the back trail. They had ridden along at an easy gait for over an hour, when Sam unburdened his mind of an idea that had been occupying it for the last quarter of an hour. •• Kit," lie said, " jest go easy a minute." ■ What's up?" 'What do you think of the road?" "Just what I thought thismoruing — which is that it is a blamed poor one." "What, then, do you mean?" "That this ain't the same road." "You're decidedly off, Sam.'' "Maybe,' drily. "Well, come, say something more. Why do von think we're on the wrong road ?" "Because things don't look the same to me as they did when we rode to-day— along some other road." "You think " "I know," Sain interrupt!"'. "You think " " I know!" rank. " Well, we'll go on, anyhow," he said, not wishing to give in un'il he was convinced. "All right." " You needu't go i* yu don't wish to." "Are you going?" " Yes." "Then so am I." "But " "lint you're going wrong all the same," said Sam, bluntly. ■■ We can't get veryfar out of the way, anyhow, and soma cross-road will lead us back if we are astray. See the north star there!— that shows lis that our course has been directed toward the right point of the compass." Sam shrugged his shoulders by way of reply. They weut more slowly after that, and presently Kit began to admit to himself right angles, they rode along this in hopes of striking the right road. But the result was another parallel highway, no object along which struck them as being familiar. Kit began now to look grave. They were lost. There was no discounting this disagreeable fact. Prudence suggested that they should face about and retrace their course, and spend the remainder of the night at the place where he hail delivered the message. But he did not like to give in beaten, and so they rode on. The moon would soon rise now, Kit re- flected, and by its aid he hoped soon to put himself straight. When the moon did at last rise, it did not prove of as great assistance as Kit had hoped. Of course it made objects visible, but it could not make st range objects look familiar, and at last Kit reined in, saying: Sam, I beg your pardon for doubting your word, and now acknowledge that I'm a blamed lunkhead, if you know what that is." " I do," said Sam. "And you agree with me?" tartly, for Kit had not expected Sam to take him as be- ing literal. "Perfectly," was the dry reply, and then square of large dimensions, which, turning the knife and remnants of tne piug to his pocket, he held up between his thumb and fort-linger. "See that 2" "Yes." " How is it forsize?" " Are you gettlug crazy that you ask such a question ?" "Not at all. I'm in dead earnest. How is that for size?" " It's larger than I'd want to put in my mouth," answered Kit. fond of a good chew r-i plug tobacco?' "Yes." "Well, seein' as this is the last I'll ever clap iuto my mouth I've taken a piece of extra size!" " What do you mean ?" There was alarm in Kit's tone as he asked this question. "Mean? Don't you know ?" "No. For Heaven's sake stop talking iu riddles, and say what you mean. Come, spit it out!" " We've ridden inside the rebel lines !' CHAPTER IX. A TIMELY ABRrVAL. Belle Langdon shrauk from Buck Toole with terror in her face and eyes. Perhaps he was drunk? No; a single glance assured her that he was sober, and knew precisely what he was saying, and she gasped: " Must marry you within an hour?" " Yes." "Must?" " Yes," again. " I cannot." " It is necessai v." •• But, why ?" "Because, unless you do, you may all be murdered in cold blood." ••Would you " "Oh!" lie interrupted, " I wouldn't harm a chicken. I'm .surprised, .Miss Belle, that you should start to ask me if I intended to murder you all." "I do not understand. Yon say that we all stand iu danger of— of — of " "Of being slaughtered. That is precisely what I mean." "And how " "How does your marrying me alter the ease?" "Yes." " It does, considerably. Now " At this moment Mr. Langdon crossed the threshold. "Oh, papa!" cried Belle, "I'm so glad you've come," and she sprung to his side and i-luiig convulsively to his arm. "What has happened to agitate you so ?" he said. " Has " and interrupting himself he glanced sternly at Buck Toole. "He says we are iu danger of being mur- dered." said Bell.-, quickly, with a shudder. "Can you explain this?" and the parson ga/.ed tixedly at Buck. " I can." "Then do so." " Very well. Now, Mr. Langdon, I chanced to get wind an hour or so ago that a party of cutthroat guerrillas intended coming up here to ' clean out ' this Union nest, as they calls it." "Well?" " Well— I ain't time enough to get my men together, so I packs off here to onct, afeard that I won't get here iu time." "Well ?" again. " Well, here I am, ahead of that bloody g ^Ind— » " I want to save you." " That is your purpose ?" "It is." " And how is it to be done?" " By marryin' Miss Belle to onct, before the gang gets here." "Ah!" The interjection fell from Belle's bloodless lips. Fr rom a distant point there came to their ears a hoarse shout. "That's them now," coolly observed Buck. "See here," said the parson, sternly, "are Fa'r dealin' Dealing fa'r, as 1 is Buck Toole's motto.' "If you have come to help us defend the place can't you do so as well without " "No," interrupted Buck. "I can't save you unless she's my wife." " Where does the difference come in ?" "Just here. I s'pose you remember the time when your Kit came home?" "I do." 'Then you know as how nothing 'ud a 1 his life if ." said: saved hadn't stepped forward • ' You know me to be true to the South. That man is mv brother, and vou eau'ttouch him.' " Just in the same way I can save you if I'm able to step up and say : "'You know me. Well, this man is my father-in-law, and this woman is my wife, and you can't touch any one here without first spilliu' good, loyal Secesh blood.' " Having delivered himself ot this speech in a very dramatic, tone Buck folded his arms and surveyed those before him. Another yell reached their ears. Belle cowered close to her father's side Poor girl ! Brave though she was, the prospect of marrying this rough man terrified her be- yond expression. " If I am able to say them words," added Buck, "or leastways somethiu' to the same effect, I kuow that I can save you. But if I can't, why 1 can't save you lio more'u Ben could have saved Kit, if lie hadn't beeu able to say, "He's my brother!'" Still another Veil came, as if to emphasize Buck Toole's words. "And if you don't help us in the way you "Why, you'll all be murdered, sure as fate. It is too late now to retreat— you can't get away. And you must decide quickly. Either Belle becomes my wife inside of the next ten minutes or else blood will flow like water." "And you know you can save us?" gasped Belle. " Yes." He held out his hand. She shrunk away with a shudder and a low cry of terror. "Oh, Harry— Harry !" siie wailed. "Quick!" exclaimed Buck. "Will you marry me to save your father's life and those ofall'the others on the mountain? Or do you mean to refuse, and see them all slain in cold blood?" It was a cruel questiou. Again came a yell, nearer thau the preced- ing one. " Their blood will be on your head !" cried Buck, excitement iu his tone and manner. " i ih, I can't become your wife!" "You can— at least in name," he said. "You needn'tlive with me if you don't want " You mean that?" eagerly. " Yes." " Upon vour honor?" " Yes." " With averted face, for she loathed the man, she stepped forward, her face whiter than the driven snow which covered the mountain side. "Make haste, parson," cried Buck, and he clutched the white hand much as the vul- ture seizes its prey. "There's no time to lose. Cut the ceremony short!" For a second, Mr. Langdon hesitated. His good sense was all averse to perform- ing so unholy a marriage. They were entirely defenseless, and it was terrible to think that all these innocent peo- ple might be murdered. But to sacrifice Belle! sacrifice his only daughter! It was fearful to think of tying her for life to this man. He could not do it, he thought, and he would not. Then came another yell, followed by the shrieks of the refugees of the valley. " Cut it short, parson I" With a groan, Mr. Langford asked: " Do you, Buck Toole, take this woman to be your wedded wife?" "Do you, Belle Langdon, take this man to be your wedded " ""What's the meaning of all this?" Buck Toole started in surprise, then gnash, ed his teeth in rage. Belle glanced toward the door, from whioh direction the words had come, then snatoheel her hand away from Buck Toole, and went staggering toward the door. "Ben!" sue gasped. THE WAR LI3RARY. 13 Then as he clasped her in his arms her white lips brokenly said : " ThankJGod— saved !" Mr. Langdon's back had been toward the doos, but turning swiftly, he was in time to see Ben catch Belle to his breast. " Heaven be praised !" exclaimed the par- son. " Your coming is very opportune." " I should judge so," with a very stern look at Buck. "Explain the meaning of this scene!"' "It's easily explained," said Buck, put- ting a bold face on the matter. " You heard those yells r" "Yes, and wondered what they meant. Can you explain them ?" "Yes; they an- from t lie throats of a party of guerrillas, who intend to 'clean out' the settlement." "Oh! they do?" sneered Ben. "That made it necessary to persecute this poor girl?" "Do not look that way, Ben?" pleaded Belle. " Indeed— indeed— he meant me no harm. He saved my life not long ?" " Is that so ?" " Then I will give him a chance to explain this peculiar scene ." Buck Toole briefly stated to Ben what he had said to Belle and her father. To Ben, the thing looked very fishy, and Axing his piercing eyes on Buck, he slowly said : " I accept your statement of your motives, for my father's and sister's sake. Otherwise I might be tempted to disbelieve you, and order the men I brought with me to fill you full of bullet holes." Buck Toole's gaze quailed before the searching eyes of tin- young man. "Now," : slid Bon, releasing his sister, and conducting her gently to a sofa, "how are you, my mother:'" pressing a kiss on thefore- head of Mrs. Laugdnii, who had boon sitting a silent and stupelied spectator of all that had passed. " I will greet you more to my heart's desire, my mother, when I return," he added, and ihen, turning, motioned Buck to toll, .whim. Outside the door were three men, who, at a word from Ben, fell in behind him. Quickly they went to the point where the advancing attacking party would emerge into the valley, if they emerged at all— which Ben very much doubted. Again came a hoarse shout. " Singular that men who are going to make an attack should take so much pains to ad- vertise the fact," remarked Ben. " It is singular," admitted Buck ; and Ben fancied he could hear his teeth chatter. A minute later, and suddenly : Crack! crack! Then a brief pause; then again: Crack ! crack ! " Ha! ha! I saw the head of one come up behind that rock !" exclaimed Buck. "I'm sure I hit the fellow." "Very likely," said Ben, and to himself added: "Two shots twice, with a short in- terval between. A likely signal ! I suppose it means for tnem to retire." Perhaps it did ; for certainly no more shouting was heard, nor did the expected attack take place. Buck found shelter with one of the fami- lies for the night, and in the morning left the mountain, cursing bis luck and gnashing his teeth at the miscarriage of his well laid plan. For a whole week Ben remained on the mountain, and this visit was referred to in the hasty conversation he had had with Kit, on the day of the hitter's capture by Mor- gan's cavalry, of which, had time permitted, he would have given Kit the details. Then, the week being expired, Ben bade them all a loving farewell, his last words be- ing ones of caution as regarded Buck Toole. " He is a dangerous man and a thorough- paced villain," he said, bluntly: "Do not trust him under any circumstances; and, father, though one of your cloth should es- pecially be averse to shedding blood, if that man should come here, and you see anything suspicious in his actions, do not hesitate to shoot him like a dog. The South can easily afford to spare the aid ol such men as he is; in fact, it is the Buck Tooles who bring dis- credit on our noble cause." Then he went away again. His earnest advice as to how to act, should Toole come again in the mountains, was not forgotten, and a loaded gun was kept where Mr. Langdon could readily place his hand on it. Belle exercised the greatest caution when she went out, to never be out of sight of somebody. But days passed and became weeks, and weeks multiplied into mouths, and still nothing had been seen or heard of Buck Toole. They began to believe that, as they hoped, they would see no more of him. Then one day a paper found its way into their hands, containing an account of Fort Doim Ison, in which the name of Kit Lang- don was mentioned. This news simply whetted the appetites of the refugees for more, and after that, once a week, some one of the community ventur- ed to a village some miles distant to get the papers. The papers brought sorrow to the hearts of a couple of the families, and a t last, spread a deep gloom over that of Mr. Langdon. There was an account of one of Morgan's reckless raids, and appended to it was a list of the killed and wounded. In the list of killed was the name—" Ben Langdon." There was one person who felt as great a glee at seeing that name in the list of dead as the Langdons' felt sorrow. Needless to sin it was Buck Toole. He had during all this time been nursing his desire to make Belle Langdon his wife. Langdon lived he dared not employ brute force. But now ! Less than a week later, Belle Langdon mysteriously disappeared ! CHAPTER X. A CLEVER RUSE. For just one minute Kit was ready to de- clare thai his e pauion had gone crazy. On the poiut of saying so, he remembered how he had once before been mistaken that night, and checked the words. he said. " I don't sec how we could do it?" "We have." "How do you kuow?" " Easily enough. I heard the click of musket lock a minute ago." "Where?" "Speak lower,'' warned Sam. picket must ii:n e been asleep and s Tic And, not bem' exactly sure whether we passed him or was a couple of rebel officers ridin' around inside the lines, he's believed it best to take the latter view as the right one, and so did not fire on us or give the alarm." " I do not see how it's possible for us to have traveled into the rebel lines." " It's easy enough," was the reply. " We just executed a Hank movement around our own army, and as might be expected, have letehed lip just here." Such indeed was the case. Kit knew that they had been in the saddle much longer than was necessary to reach the Union lines, but had not believed that they had covered as many miles as they ac- tual! v bad done. Kit was stumped. The picket certainly would not be so ac- commodating as to goto sleep again and per- mit them to pass out as they entered— un- challenged. Perhaps Kit Langdon had never in his life been placed ill so great a quandary, " If I'd only been guided by your judg- ment," he said, regretfully. "You wasn't; so that's settled," was the laconic rejoinder. " I wish I had, however." " No use of crying over spilled milk." "No, of course not. But how are we to extricate ourselves from this dilemma?" "It needs a wiser head than mine to answer that question." Kit immediately decided that it needed a wiser head than his also. Still he could not remain idle, could not permit himself to be made a prisoner in such an ignominious manner, without at least making one effort for freedom. As he sat. there in the saddle cudgeling his brain, all idea occurred to him. The boldness of the scheme, however, took away his breath. He uttered a little gasp, which led Sam to inquire what had entered his head. " I've got au idea, Sam ; but to work it re- quires a coolness and courage that is almost beyond the human." "What is it?" In a few low words Kit explained. "It is bold," assented Sam, and then he laughed softly. " If we only could work the racket," he added, wistfully. " Can you suggest anything better?" "No." " And are you ready to try my plan ?" "I am." " Then fall in behind as if you were my orderly." Sam prompt h obe\ ed. and then Kit started his horse forward until he reached an inner picket line. "Halt!" he was ordered. "Who comes there?" " Silence, man!" Kit sternly ordered. " Do not speak above a whisper." "Who comes there?" stubbornly repeated the picket, although in a lower tone. "A diet of bread and water for a few days may so improve your eyesight that you will know an officer when you see one," Kit threateningly rejoined. The man was overawed by this assumption of authority. " I didn't know " He began in an apologetic tone. Kit cut him short. "Never mind arguing the matter," he tartly said. " Now answer my questions. Where is the corporal of the guard ?" "In the tent yonder." "Go arouse him, and tell him to Make his captain and bring him here." The sentry was doubtful what to \i. The penalty of leaving a post en: i: . ii.cially relieved was something to be dream n. And yet he hardly liked to take it upon himself to refuse to obey one who spoke so author- itatively. Concluding to obey, he took his departure. "So far good!" said Kit, in a low tone. " Now if the moon will only remain behind those friendly banks of fleece, I believe the scheme can be carried through success- fully." The sentry was much relieved at finding the two horsemen where he had left them. "You obeyed my orders ?" "I did, sir." "Did you tell the corporal to make haste?" " Yfjs, sir." It seemed an age to Kit and Sam, but it was really a space of time less than five min- utes when the corporal came up with his captain. "Captain," said Kit, speaking in a cau- tious tone, which at once caused that per- son to form an idea of somethins: important, being in the wind. "Here, sir," was the reply. The captain stepped forward and saluted as he spoke. "Come this way— I wish to speak for your ear alone." The rebel captain advanced. In the darkness he could not tell whether the suits worn by Kit and Sam were blue, brown or green. "What is it, sir?" "Information has just been received that the enemy is advancing expecting to take us by surprise. Orders are that the picket line shall be quietly— absolutely in silence- drawn in, so as to prevent any alarm." " Yes— yes— of course. They will naturally expect to" first come upon a picket line, and will not believe themselves near us until they encounter one. They won't meet one, and" the lirst they know of our nearness will be when they And themselves confronted by a line of battle." " I understand, sir." " Instruct the corporal at once." "I will do so, sir." "And furthermore, tell the corporal to instruct the sentries to hold their file abso- lutely. I am going to riue down the line and do not want to be shot down by friends." "Very well, sir." The captain was completely fooled. Properly he should not have accepted any instructions from any one, save a known su- perior. There was something complimentary about his being sent for by one, whose tone implied high rank, and by him intrusted with even the reasons for making certain of anything else than that he was considered a very important personage. The moon still remained behind the fleeoe- banks, and Kit rode leisurely away for a space, and then came back. THE WAIL LIBHABY. In the meantime the corporal had been at work. The outer line of pickets were even then falling baek, presently passing inside of the spot where Kit and Sam then were. The moon still remained hidden, but the fleecy clouds were moving swiftly, and Kit knew that iu a couple of minutes the face of the orb of night would be unobseured. When that occurred, it was necessary that ' he and Sam should be far enough away so that their uniform i would not betray then. It was a ticklisii position. The whole operation was of an exceeding- ly delicate character, and the least circum- stance might upset everything. When thev found themselves outside the picket line, from tile fact that the pickets had retreated inside of their position, Kit drew a deep sigh of relief. So far, everything had worked to perfec- tion. If it came to the worst they a, least had a straight road before them and could make a goodraee for it. In fact, if thev escaped injury or slaughter from the first hie, the chances would be in favor of their getting safely away. "Now then, Sam. follow me, and be very cautious," Kit said, iu a low tone. "Try not to make any move that would arouse suspicion." "I savey," returned Sam, cool as a cucum- ber. Kit started his horse forward, directly away from the rebel lines! He had told the captain that lie was going to ride along the lines, while uow he was going at exactly right angles with the course mentioned. It a circumstance which, if noticed. i arc iug lor the first sound iu- would be ar Both of tl fact, and bo ed their ear: dicatiug a si The moot white cloud could be seen moving away '. It was a trying moment. I Both felt like digging spurs info the flauks [of their horses and riding for all they were 1 worth. Kit lemembered that the horses had al- ready traveled far and were considerably tagged, and beside they were not yet out of pistol Mm;, although distant far enough that the color of their uniforms could not be dis- tinguished. desire to make a dash, example faithfully, th they moved slowly angerous vicinity, and r be eas\ mo il eyelid neither br rifle shot. They began to feel confidence iu them- selves, but continued to proceed at the same slow pace, until the rebels were so far iu the rear that thev were surely unable to hear the tramp of 'the feet of the horses those darimr men bestrode. Sain sigualized their safely by a hearty burst of laughter. "That beats the Dutch," he gurgled out. "If it don't, theu I'm a sucker!" " Luck has stood bv us twice to-dav," said Kit, gravelv. "We have got out of two tight boxes"." •'You tell the solid truth, th. r ':" cried Sam. "I say, Kit, if a fellow was to tell about this affair, do you think anybody would believe him?" rapt by their own sentries. Going through the usual military form, they at last passed withiu the lines. Their first care was to find their own divis- ion, after which thev picketed their horses, and then turned in to get what little rest was possible before the roll-call. As for the rebel captain, he kept making preparations all night long, wondering mean- while how it was that so little activity was manifested elsewhere along the line. It was not until after daybreak that it began to dawn upon his mind that he had been fooled, although by whom, and for what purpose, he had no idea. To him it looked like a practical joke, but he could never discover any clew to the joker. If that rebel captain is still living, and chances to read these lines, he will for the first time become aware who it was and for what purpose he was called from his quar- ters. The corporal— ditto. This latter person doubtless has many an hour puzzled his brains over the mysterious officer with his mysterious orders. After this adventure came a period of in- activity in Kit's army life. He would have liked to employ the idle | time in paying a visit to the mountain home where his kindred had taken refuge; but it was a time when furloughs were very charity granted, for it was certain that be- fore very long a great battle was to be fought, in which everv man would be needed. After the fall of Fort Donelsou, the rebels had slowly made their way toward Corinth, from all directions. At the place mentioned great supplies of stores and ammunition were concentrated, as well as the rebel forces under Generals Van Dora and Price. Generals Beauregard and reatC ' perhuman such a manner as to bid defiance to the ene- my who had wrested Fort Douelson from them, there scoring a victory that went far toward wiping out the disgrace of previous defeats. Meanwhile, U. S. Grant, iu command of the Union army, was slowly but steadily advancing in the direction of Corinth, the retention of which place, being a great rail- road centre of the South, was ci, the utmost importance to the Confederates. The first day of April of that year found a portentous look on the face of every mau iu the opposing armies. Every man knew that the clash would soon come, and that when it did come it would be something fearful. As if the elemeuts were iu sympathy with the lowering brow of war the skies were overcast with heavy sullen-looking clouds. After much threatening these opened and let their suspended Hoods come down, and flic roads, already bad, became almost im- passable. But this daunted not General Johnston— a gallant man and a brave one, although a rebel— and his army moved out of Corinth, and struggled on through the mud and rain and mire, struggled bravely on, Johnston to pit his daring bravery against the bull-dog grit of Grant, in a death struggle tor victory ! On the fifth dav of April, Saturday being thedayof the week, General Johnston and his men arrived in front of the I'nion lines some time after the fall of darkness. The weather had changed. The sky overhead was clear and blue, and file myriad stars that spangled the azure dome looked down on that now peaceful scene— peaceful now, but destined soon to have its epiiet broken by the rebel yell, the Union shout, the whistle of bullets, the shriek of cannon balls, the groans of men all mangled and torn and dying; to have its bosom stained with the red life-blood of noble men— some clad in blue, some clad in gray. The dav dawned at hist. It was "the Sabbath. And it was a Sabbath day too calm and bright and quiet to be desecrated by a wild battle ill which thousands of human beings were to meet — eager to shed each other's blood. Aud yet it was so desercrated. The day had barely dawned ; some of the Union soldiers were just getting breakfast. while others were yawning and only half dressed, and many of the officers had not yet risen. Not one thought of soon being called upon to face bullet aud bayonet. But suddenly the holy calm of that Sab- bath morning was rent by a tremendous yell. While the Unionists are wondering what it means, to their ears come the crack of musketry. Next flying men are seen— they are the pickets wlin have escaped with their lives. All who do not thus come flying back — and there are many of them— are lying out there by their posts, riddled by rebel bul- lets, aud bleeding from many a gaping wound. Now out of the cover of the woods conic dense lines of men clad in the rebel gray, aud soon they come sweeping on, impressing one with the'idea of some immense and ir- resistible wave that will sweep everything before it. Breakfast is deserted, and a rush is made to form in line of battle. It is a complete surprise ! While hatless and coatless officers try to form half clad, and, in some cases, panic- stricken men into Hue, the gray tidal-wave comes resist lessly onward, and presently is heard a terrible burst of sound— the dis- charge of a thousand muskets at once- bringing death to many a poor fellow, and announcing the fearful struggle has begun! CHAPTER XL A battle ! Who can describe, it and its thousand hor- rible details :- Nobody Who would wish to describe it ? "Very It is horrible enough and terrible enou^i to describe a few of the many scenes. Were all the horrors to be crowded into one mind the brain would surely turn. And among all the battles of the war there was not one where more of these hor- rible scenes were to be witnessed than on Shiloh's blood-drenched field. It may not be out of place to say here that by the Confederates, and in their official papers, this nattlc is alluded to as " the Bat- tleof Pittsburgh Landing." A word more of explanation. Generals Johnston aud Beauregard had preferred the fight to take place here, and here had forced the issue, so that Corinth might escape. Another reason for the precipitate haste with which the Confederates commenced the battle was that Johnston wanted to try conclusions with Grant before certain rein- forcements then on the way— under Buell, and coming by easy marches from Nashville — could reach him. It was a good plan, and indicated his ability as a general. And so, as we have said, that lovely Sab ■ bath morn was desecrated, its holy calm broken by shriek and moan and anguished prayer, while bullets whizzed and whistled, and cannon Dulls shrieked as they flew on their missions of destruction. The Federals were completely surprised. That meant almost sure defeat. The rebels knew this, and it gave them new courage— or rather lent them new and greater ferocity. The scene, as the Confederates broke from the cover of the woods, as the pickets came flying in, as the rebel yell split the air, as the Federal soldiers dropped frying-pan and coffee-can, as half clad men rushed" this way and that, as shouting ami cursing officers tried to rally the men and form them into some shape whereby to repel the attack, all this— and much more than this— formed a scene of indescribable confusion. There were pallid faces there. Ay, and plenty of them. Ah unexpected attack always breeds a •panic, and unless the officers are prompt and energetic, besides having the confidence of their men, the enemy will surely find an easy victory. Presently came the crash of musketry. It told of the fray as begun. Pale cheeks grew paler. Trembling limbs trembled still more. Quivering lips quivered more rapidly. And high beating hearts pounded so heavy and swift that they seemed desirous of forcing theu- way from the breasts which contained them. Brave boys in blue ! Though tin- chill of panic was on them— and who could blame them for it?— they did not fly as cowards would have done. No— no ! Even when they knew that it would be useless to try— knew that they could not stem the gray tidal wave, they answered the call of their officers, they ooeyed in- stantly And out of the confusion lines of battl* sprung as if by magic. And then A hushed aud ominous pause for a briel space of time! Then came the clash ; and the terribla slaughter was begun— was begun to last all that dav long, to cease ouly when the sun went down and they could no longer see to do the bloody work. The Union lines fell back. The ling up. ing the rebels iu check until everything was in readiness. No'w the battle-line was strengthened, and the order came: " Stand your ground!" And the brave boys in blue stood there like men carved iu stone! THE WAR LIBRARY. 15 Against the newly formed line the Con- federates hurled themselves with tremen- dous f oree. Almost like demons the rebels fought A pulsation ran along the Union line. It was as if some great heart had given o»e single throb. The shock was terrible. They were wavering beneath it. Then came the cries of the gallant officers, putting new life and spirit and courage into those brave men. Then one more pulsation— another throb of a mighty heart— and then the Confeder- ate! fall back, repulsed with fearful loss. Then came the cry : "Forward!" The brave boys in blue advanced, and re- gained every inch of ground over which they had retreated. Gaiuing this, they paused to await another terrible onslaught. It was not long iu coming. They were heroes all, were these boys in blue. Still they were only human. Beneath the violent shock tiny recoiled, and could not again recover theground. Again and again the gray host came to the attack. Again and again, with greater violence, deeper confidence, more resistless fury, with each one. Bitterly did the Federals contest the dis- puted field. It was wrenched from them only by inches, but wrested from them it was surely beiug, steadily, although so slowly. For over twelve hours was the dreadful carnage continued in the front. In the rear things were no better. Nobly did Sherman's division, stationed on a ridge, meet the terrific onslaught, and meu went down like grain before the reap- er's scythe. Once again fate forced Kit Langdon to a to direct their movements, " Take command, Kit," urged Sam, during a momentary lull. "I do not like to." "But it's our ouly salvation. If somebody does not go to the front, the boys'll break a't the next attack, and they'll be branded as cowards— which they're not." Nevertheless, and in spite of Sam's logic, Kit was loth to assume any command. But it was forced upon him. His colonel came past, saw the confusion incident to being unofficered, and instantly he demanded : " Where's Kit Langdon ?" " Here, sir," was the reply. Kit stepped forth. He was so blackened by smokethat he had not been recognized. "Take command here!" Such was the brief order. He was not asked to do so, he was ordered peremptorily. From that time forth, during the remain- der of that fearful day, he remained at the head of that little bod'y of faithful men, and led them in the performance of deeds of golden valor. It was a tight against odds. From the very moment of the first onset the advantage had been with the Confeder- ates, and slowly and surelv thev had beaten back the gallaut sons of the North. The condition of the Federal army was growing very desperate. General Johnston could not have chosen a better time to strike before the Federal com- mander, Buell, arrived with his reinforce- ments. On a ridge in the rear of the dread and gory field a square-jawed, stern-faced man paced to and fro. Gloom was on his brow. It was Grant! Things were going badly It looked as if naught cm eral army. If Buell could only get there iu time! Buell was miles away. Noon had passed. The prospect for the Union army steadily grew more and more gloomy. There was no help for it. Everything that could be done to stay the gray tidal-wave had been don.-, and nothing remained save to obstinately oppose the foe until the bitter end. One o'clock came. could save the Feil- at each fierce onslaught, even though it was repulsed Two o'clock came. Still that stern-faced man paced to and fro and gh i clock l " General Johnston has been killed ?" This news came. Yes, the rebel chieftain had fallen on the battle-Held, mortally wounded. Would the knowledge unnerve the Con- federates ? Eagerly a sign of weakening was looked for, but none came that was observable. Though Johnston had fallen they still had Beauregard, aud his name was an inspiration to every heart that beat that day beneath a gray coat. Four o'clock came. The Federel camp was in the possession of the enemy ! Five o'clock came. The brave boys in blue, exhausted, weak, and faint, were 'now retreating more rapidly. In fragments the companies and regiment s fell back, aud ascended the ridge we have alluded to. Every man believed the day lost— as lost it was. Every man also believed that it would not be long before the whole army would be swept from existence. Did we say every man ? Ah ! we did. It was a mistake. There was at least one man whose keen eye saw that the victorious Confederates might here be checked in their triumphal progress. What a few words will sometimes accom- plish ! Messengers flew this way and that. Scattered commands were collected, brok- en brigades, cut-up regiments, separated companies, were massed together for a final stand. At the foot of the ridge was a narrow, deep and miry ravine. Across this the Confederates would have to go to reach the forlorn hope, formed on the ridge. It was a dangerous place for the rebels to venture into. Flushed with victory, they nelieved once again that they were invincible, ami at the word of command they rushed into the ravine. Now, indeed, came the climax. Back of the Federals was the river, cutting off further retreat. They must beat back the gray host or perish where they stood. Men who had wives, murmured their names ! Men who had children, thought of them, and brushed away a tear ! Into the ravine plunged the victorious rebel army. Hark! What was that? It is a peculiar sound, a sound that, once conceivable ang , ly hurl into eternity many an unprepared soul. Kit Langdon, standing where he could look down into the ravine, saw a flying frag- ment of the burst shell cut a man's head from his shoulders. For one brief second the headless trunk retained its perpendicular, a jet of blood spurting into air, and then with a convul- sive tremor, it went prone to the earth, and there quickly was clasped iu the rigors of death. Kit, shuddering, closed his eyes. Another shriek ! Another shell came! Again it claimed its victims when it burst. That one keen eye that had seized the possibilities of the situation was responsible for this. Among the brief orders which had left his lips was one to the gunboats in the river, of little use on that bloody day until the pres- ent Speedily the gunboats had reached posi- tions commanding the ravine, and now, last and furious, poured shot and shell into the dense ranks ol the rebel victors. The gaps filled up, aud the ranks of gray steadily advanced. Than they came within range of the gath- ered fragments of the defeated army, stand- ing there for a last grand effort, shoulder to" shoulder, grim faced, grimed with the smoke of hours of battle, slei n-eved— gather- ed there together to do or die ! Within the range of such a gathering, the Confederates came, even though shot and shell from the gunboats mowed them down; aud then rang out the rolling discharge of musketry. The forlorn hope had the advantage of position, being above the onward coming foe, and every shot told. Still the gray host rushed on. The gunboats in the river fired faster a»d more furiously The determined men on the ridge, per. fectly under control, calm through very desperation, poured down on the foe a con- tinuous Are, that, combined with shot and shell, melted away the Confederate ranks as swiftly as a blazing fire consumes a sheet of paper that is thrust into it. Ye gods ! It was grand to see those gray, coated meu push onward, over the bodies of the dead and the dying, without fear of death, ouly knowing that a stubborn foe was before them who must be conquered at any cost. They were heroes all ! Give them that just meed of praise. They deserve it— God knows. But they were human; and flesh and blood could not long withstand the fearful slaughter— their ranks dwindling swiftly 'neaih shot and shell from the river, and the murderous discharges from the deadly artil- lery aud musketry above. At last they halted. It was foolhardy— was even worse, was « illing suicide — to try to advance. They fell back. They retreated from the ravine. The sullen booming of the artillery became less frequent, aud the deadly fusillade of musketry u as gradually hushed. Then the curtain of night descended over the scene. The first day's battle was finished. It's fierceness was attested by the heaps of dead that lay strewn all over that contested ground. The Federals had lost their camp — were beaten— were exhausted. And the morrow? What was that to bring forth ? Ah! how many men asked themselves the question, as they laid down on the bare ground to try and snatch a little rest. CHAPTER XII. sky, when caught sight of inrougua rutin the leaden canopy of the battle's smoke, gave indication of an ap- proaching rain-fall. At last the rain began to fall in sheets, drenching the earth and the weary soldiers. Few of the latter knew that the rain was beating down on them. Exhausted by the excitement aud fearful physical exertions of the day, thev slept that profound, sleep that is almost akiu to that of death itself. Cannon might have thundered above their heads and it would not have aroused them dreamless Sleep. The tap of a drum— touched however lightly— would have brought them to their feet. The order to "Fall in!" would have awakened the dulled senses of every man. No other sound could recall them from that lethargic condition which held mind and body under such absolute control. They knew not that in the darkness — in the rain— wading through new-bi irn rivulets -struggling through the mud of the roads— Buell's army had arrived. Morning dawntd. The temperature had fallen rapidly during the early hours ol the morning, and the rain was changed into sleet and hail. to be attacked. It was hardly to be supposed that, after the experience of that Sabbath day, the Union army would lone the fighting. Buttheydid. Buell's reinforcements were men every whit as brave as those who had yesterday fought on the bloody field of Shiloh. They went to the front — to win! Enthusiasm was written on every face, and every man was eager to face the foe. " Onward :" was the order. Aud onward they went. 16 THE WAR LIBRARY. Bravely the host in gray met them, and for awhile the battle raged with inconceivable fury. Then went up the cry : " The rebs are giving away !" And bo they were. But not for long. They rallied, charged, regained theground they had lost, and from the ridge the heroes of yesterday's fight swarmed down to lend a helping hand. The Confederates were checked. A dashing charge of the boys in blue, and the rebs were forced back further than be- Biit still once again they rallied. Then, with one of their wild yells, they charged— hurling themsohcs against the Union lines with that tremendous force and recklessness which characterized the lighting of the Confederates. . Once more the boys in blue were pushed back, and left behind them many a brave comrade— some dead, some dying, some wounded. . ... .,. ' Many of the latter, in that wild rebel charge, were trampled to death. Among those who fell just as the retreat began was Kit Laugdon. Sam was by his side when the rebel bullet struck Kit, but he could not catch him ere he fell. " Kit-Kit!" he cried. ,, ,. . He dropped his weapon, and knelt beside the gallant young man from Kentucky. Kit opened his eyes. He smiled faintly, as he said : "Go, Sam, do not remain here, lou can do me no good and every man is needed now." .__. , . „ " 1 don't leave you— not if I know myself, grunted Sam. "But our lines are falling back! Ihe rebs will soon be between us ami «.ur tnends!" " Let 'em. That don't bother me." And devoted Sam remained there by his wounded comrade's side, while the rebels advanced, went past, and left them in the rear. " They'll make a prisoner of you now. gasped Kit. "P'raps," said Sam. i, " Go, Sam, try to reach our company." "Now, jest you keep quiet. I'm goin' to try and net vo'u out of harm's way." He stooped and picked up the form of his friend. Kit was a large man as well as a heavy one, and Sam found his strength taxed to its utmost. " Let me try to walk," Kit presently said. Sam placed him tenderly ou his feet, and supported him as he feebly and very slowly walked away. , . . , Kit was really unfit for the task, but lie would not keep' Sam there on that danger, .us field, where he was liable to be shot at any minute. , . , They had not gone far, whenadeep-voiccd oath drew their attention to the person who uttered it. . A wounded rebel was lying very near to where they were. His face was convulsed with hate, and his eyes glowed red and venomous, as they gazed upon these two men clad in blue. Sam saw him draw a revolver. He was going to shoot. "You measly Yankees!" he hissed. "You've fixed me, curse you!— and now, blame me, if I don't get square!" Oath after oath rolled from his lips as he hastily cocked the revolver, and then he turned it's muzzle on Sam. Crack! , , Sam fell heavily to the ground, dragging Kit down with him. From the rebel's lips rolled a harsh peal of laughter, and a string of blood-curdling „aths. "Iwisheyery chamber of this pop had a , art ridge iii it f" lie cried, with Hauling eyes. " Id find a Yank for all but one, and that I've got only one left, and that's for myself." Sam was now rising. "Ha, ha!— you Yankee dog— you think you'll get revenge on me! See how I cheat you — you " He placed the muzzle of the weapon to his temple and pulled the trigger. Crack! „ ,. With a half uttered oath the vile lips ceased to move — became silent in death. It was horrible to think of the man leaving the world with such venom in his heart, with such foul language ou his lips, Kit could not repress a shudder. He remembered Sam. " Are you hurt ?" " His bullet just grazed my arm," was the cool reply. "There wasn't any real need of uiv taking that trouble, but I didn't know but what the pop was full, and I wanted time to fix him so's't he couldn't bite any " About how badly you are hurt ?" "No." Nor was he. Once more he helped Kit to his feet, and they went slowly forward while the cutting sleet and hail pitilessly pelted them. Presently comes to their ears a roar of voices, swelling louder and louder. Both face the direction of the ridge. Thick clouds of smoke, hanging low over the field, make it impossible for them to see much. Fan. ugh is seen to tell them that the wild rebel charge was in vain, that they have been repulsed ! And more than that — that they arc routed, broken, in confusion, and "-Vilu Such was his determination. There he remained, unheeding the fierce storm, minding neither the thirst that he felt, or that he was drenched to the skin, and cold and numb. Once, and once only, did he make any move, and that was when he lifted the coat, noted where the last bullet had struck Kit- in the head— and then dropped the coat again and sobbed : Dead— dead— dead !" urrah !" Kit cannot help it^the excitement leads bey. mil the dietatesof reason when he utters that shout, for already the first of that ttying rabble — once army— are near enough to hear him. " We must be away from here as quick as possible," remarked Sam. "In about five minutes there'll be a stampede across here which nothing can resist." He was right. Kit understood it also. He called all his strength to his assistance. and hastened as fast as possible from the line of the rebel flight. On — on they went. Kit began to lag. " Only a little further," said Sam, encour- agingly. Kit .'ailed his will to his assistance, and struggled on a little further, and then halted. "I can't go further." So he weakly gasped. Sam danced toward the ridge. He saw that they were out of the center of the retreating mass. They were still in the path of a huge and maddened lot of stampeding men. " If you could only go a couple of hundred vards further," he said. Kit shook his head. '■ It is impossible," he said. "Try, Kit." "i can't." " Remember your mother." "I do." " Then for her sake try once agam. It is almost absolute death to stay here." Kit shook his head again. He was even then tottering. "For your father's sake," pleaded Sam. Kit moaned hollowly. "For your sister's sake, Kit. Just one more effort." Something like a smile might have been seen to appear on Kit's ghastly face, and he made a move as if bracing himself to the task. Then suddenly he reeled. A cry of alarm escaped Sam's lips, then an oath and a curse on the rebel " hose musket had sped this bullet which had just struck Kit. Ay, Kit had again been hit. Throwing up his hands, his eyes closed, he lurched hcavilv forward. Sam tried to catch him, and, in tact, did so, but in such a manner as to destroy Ins own equilibrium, so that he and Kit struck the earth at the same time. In a minute Sam was on his knees beside Kit, whom he turned on his back that he might see his face. It was whiter than marble, and set as though molded in iron ; and, as he looked, a deep groan burst from rough Sam Black's lips. He reached for a musket. He cocked it, a ferocious gleam m his eyes Crouching like a tiger over Kit, he awaited the mad onset. As the panic-stricken horde came ou he silently waved them to the right and to the left with the muzzle of the musket. Like sheep the terrorized men crowded close in each other's tracks, and once the di- vision had been made thev went to either side of Sam and the loved object he was guarding. , _ . Sam crouched there, stony-faced, fierce of expression, and with the threatening weapon divided friends as he had divided his foes. They should not trample Kit under while he lived! CHAPTER XIH. A WILD CHAKGE. It was as lovely a spring morning as one sees in the course of years. In the camp of the great rebel raider, Mor- gan, a bustle was visible. Preparations were in progress for another of those dashing exploits which had made him so dreaded and had rendered him fa- mous. Morgan and his officers were quartered in an old-time mansion, the once elegant lawns of which had been surrendered willingly as a camping spot for his command. The owner of the mansion, and the huge plantation sin rounding it, was Confederate to his heart's core, as were also all the mem- bers of his family. Two sons were in the ranks doing what thev could to help the cause, and his high- spirited daughters mourned because then- sex kept them out of the field. With such people it can be easily imagined that Morgan and his men were made wel- come, and that everything the place af- forded that tended to comfort was placed at the rebel commander's disposal. Since sunrise Morgan had been up and astir. He paced the broad piazza restlessly, ever and anon catching up his glass and surveying the road where it wound in the distance over a hill. His face was lighted with an expression of expectancy, which, as time dragged by, was coupled with another of vexation. He evidently was in expectation of news. "Curse the luck!" he growled at last. "Why don't he come?" "You are impatient, general." Morgan turned swiftly. "Ah! you, Laugdon?" ' ^ es;" with a laugh. ".I ll:-l UD f" . " Yes. I knew there was no use of looking for the messenger before this time, although you have been looking for him for an hour past." " So I have." " You are not usually so impatient.' "I know it. But the coolest of men gel that way sometimes, just as the jolliest and most careless man cannot escape an occasion- al attack of the blues. For the same reason, perhaps, I am strangely impatientthis morn- "'imr hostess has bade me to say that breakfast is ready, and to insist upon youi coming in to partake of the same before it has grown cold." "But " " Pshaw, general ! this anxiety is unbecom- ing to you. It would dispirit your men to see you so. Shake it off." "I will do so," was the rejoinder. "You are a good fellow, Langdon. I wish I had a few thousand like you— and your brother, he added, after a seconds pause. . " Kit is a hero." Ben warmly said. "He is one of the grandest and bravest fellows who ever lived." . " I believe you. But now let us go in. Morgan entered the house. Hen paused to give an order that U a mes- senger came, he was to be brought right in, and then followed his commander. The afternoon of the day previous a scout had brought in a report which had led to the preparations visible this morning. It was to the effect that a tram was ex- pected to pass over a railroad some miles dis- tant. ,. . . If the information was correct, the train was loaded with supplies of all kinds— in- cluding medicines— tor the Federal army, and was but imperfectly guarded, the tracks running through a section of the country previously conquered by the Federals, and therefore' believed to run little or no risk. As a consequence the train earned only a few soldiers, a mere handful, just enough to make a showing to intimidate rebel sym- pathizers along the route. Morgan kuew the Confederate army to be greatly in need of the very supplies— partic- ularly the medicines— reported te be on board THE WAR LIBRARY. and ho hail iiisUuitly made up his apture it if possible. lesneiigers had been dispatched im- home of his parents, ami Hit with tailtl. Poor Harry! His lighting 'lays miv over loubting hearts, am! art of Ruck Toole. ;ii to foresee that if whipped in the eom- hI himself placed in ; had in the mean- Morgan had finished his breakfast', thev were ready for a start. Now followed one of those swift, inspirit- ing gallops across country, and in three hours the raiders wviv. in a piece of woods near a small depot. To this Morgan mad.' his way. The station agent, who was telegraph op- erator as well, was alone in the depot. He looked up, nodded condescendingly to the man dressed in a butternut suit and slouch hat, whom he took to he some old farmer, and went on with his work. Click— click— click went the instrument under his deft Angers. "You're calling Morgan some hard names," remarked the man in the butternut suit. "You understand il »" queried the operat- " Yes," quietly. "But go on; I like to hear you give it to Morgan." eports have been coming the last few minutes that he has been seen, evidently aiming toward the railroad. Howl would like to see that famous cut-throat for about one minute." "Would you?" He ■yes , "I'd put a hole in his head as quick as wink. He'd never leave this office alive. I'd give fifty dollars to see him.' "Then hand out your money, for I'm lted instantaneously. aid Morgan, grimly. " I lid putting your threat ow sit down and tele- aud mark yon — I under- of the instrument and lay me false, I shall cer- ved. •tation he stated that it Morgan's having been 1 mation was reliable and On tl e.-e assurances tin- train proceeded ay, but was brought to a halt by a danger signal on arriving at this particular station. From the woods Morgan's men nowswarm- .•oiniuaud, and then called on his men to fire. One volley they poured into the ranks of Morgan, and then were swept from thepath of the victors. In this lire Ben Langdon received a serious wouud, which necessitated his going to the Hospital alter returning. The train fell a prey to the daring Morgan raiders, and such su'oplics as could nol he ■allied oil were destroyed on the spot. At last Harry l'.riggs, as he passed, called - lieu was exceedingly sorrv on linding that Harry had lost a hand", and' felt a keen sym- pathy lor thepour fellow when he ventured jpinion that, maimed as he now was, ryhi juld ni "We'll settle that at once!" exclaimed Ben. " We'll go and pay them a visit if I can find the time." Shiloh was lost to the rebels. The officers knew that some little time must elapse before any new engagement would take place. Ben felt that he could honorably leave for long enough to pay a visit to the mountain Hatty felt comforted. Now, if he could only get rid of the liauut- lg fear that Belle had ceased to love him — had sundered a noble girl, and will only do what If she decides against me I shall at w that she acted from noble im- But he did not wish to go directly to her. Ben, however, insisted, and Harry finally reluct lantly consented to bear him com- pany. It was tin undertaking not without great peril to Ben to pay the contemplated visit, since it was necessary to cross iuaii\|niilos of country now in possession of his enemies— the Union soldiers. They started on foot, since in this wav they would attract less attention than oh horseback. The arm that Harry carried in a, sling at- their route. When, however, they drew near that sec- tion where Ben was 'personally known, it was deemed prudent to make a wide detour, and finally reach the home of his parents by the unused mountain paths. ting early one morning, they hoped to falle lis,,-,. it a It a lire against suitable s] both for ec possible wild beasts. The fire was kept up all night long with- out materially interfering with their rest; and the next morning they started on their wav much refreshed, and their hearts swell- ing in anticipation of the now not distant meeting. Along the rugged mountain paths they toiled for nearly half an hour, when, as tbey emerged from a dense growth of bushes, Ben suddenly vented aery of horror. " What is the matter:'" asked Harry. "Mj7 God!" exclaimed Ben, in a shudd nig vote 'Sec the CHAPTER XIV. BUCK TOOLE'S VILLAINY. No sooner had Buck Toole seen the name of iieu Langdon in the list of the killed than lie began to form plans for the abduction of Belle. He had no less regard for Kit's bravery or auger, but he believed that as Kit was in the Union army, he had less to fear from him, since Kit would not dare venture into that section of the country where Ben could safely come and go at pleasure. At 'least such was the position of affairs at the time, although as a matter of tact it ire tin ling i del- This was decided bev 1 question bv the battle of Shiloh. We will not progress ahead of the inci- dents of our story. The fall of Fort Donelson had taken place. This was a bad blow for the Confederacy, aud for a little there was fear in many a rebel heart that it. was the first blow that set in motiou the disintegration of the seced- ing states. This fear to some extent haunted Buck, who kept well posted on the movements of affairs in the army. The reports of the state aud strength of the rebel army at Corinth, aud the certainty felt by the rebel generals of gaining a de- cisive victory in a few days, lent new cour- l lortune he wished 1o carry tintain valley, he would not oment in putting his plans only a woman ! n iu love with Belle, that is, aild fall in love with any- d do almost anything, no • and disreputable, to force ig him. If doing so meant ., his love was of that char- inted nothing to do with for and against, He weighed the himself as well as lie could. The conclusion reached was, that he could safely put his villainous scheme into execu- tion. From the fact of having seen and heard nothing of Buck Toole and his guerrilla baud for such a length of time, Belle had grown less fearful of meeting him. Now aud then she had wandered beyond the limitsof the little valley when out for her daily ramble. It was a fatal day when she permitted her steps to wander whither there was nobody to see her. Buck Toole's minions were lying in wait. Their orders were not to show themselves, but to wait until they could seize her un- perceived and then bear her silently away. This was prompted by the dread he could not help but entertain of the young man who bore the name of Langdon— Belle's brother Kit— who. by some fatality might cross his track and punish htm promptly for the dastardly deed he contemplated. Belle was very sad of face on this lovely April afternoon. She could not help thinking of Ben — dear, brave, noRte Ben ! " Dead !" she murmured to herself. " Can it be true? It seems so like a dream. If I had seen him die perhaps I could better re- alize it. But to merely see his name in that printed list— I can't realize its truth." Thus she communed with herself. Many a woman who reads these lines will comprehend Belle's feelings -the feel- ings that prompted the utterance of these words. They, too, some of them, saw the names of loved "ones in such a list. Could they believe them dead? No. It seemed that they must only be absent — not dead, but absent ! Aud that some day they would come back- It might be at a very distant day— but the day would come. Somewhat like this were Belle's feelings as regarded her brother Ben. And Kit ? Was he well ? They had not heard from him since he went away. Perhaps he, also, was named in some list of "killed " which they had not seen! "Poor mother!" murmured Belle. If Kit should also be killed it would crush her— she would die." She did not observe that she had stalled down the mountain path, nor did she notice how far she was straying, so occupied was her mind. Nor did she notice that from the bushes, after she had passed, there emerged four tough, bearded men, who looked after her, then at each other, winked, and then chuckled. Nor did she notice that she was being fol- lowed by them, they refraining from pounc- ing on her till the" last minute, until she should turn to retrace her steps. Turn at last she did. Her eyes lighted ou the four meu. Then her lac blanched. Instantly she divined that their presence there meaut her no good— indeed, meant harm to her. " Now then," said one of the men gruffly, producing a revolver, "don'tyougo to mak- iu' any fuss, 'cause if you do " He paused, and tapped the revolver sig- nificantly with one forefinger. Terror rendered her speechless. When they advanced to seize her she would have fallen, but she was rooted tc the spot. THE WAR LIBRARY. She fell au easy prey— as easy as wheu the same party had once before carried her away. Only on this occasion there was to be no sham rescue by Buck Toole. Once they had Belle in their power the men lost no" time in getting away from the vicinity, and as night fell they entered a large house built of logs, located among tin- lower reaches of the mountain, at a point ten miles distant from her late home. Buck Toole was there. He leaped to his feet wheu the men brought in their captive, a villainous smile of triumph on his face. " Glad to sec you. Miss Belle," he said, ad- vancing and ottering her his hand. She had by this time regained part of her composure, 'and scorning to touch the prof- fered hand, she cuttingly remarked: "I had expected just about what I now know. It was by your orders that I have been carried away." "Do you think so?" " I am sure of it." "Very well; then there's no need of my saying yes or no about it. But supposin' I was to say to you that it was not by my orders. These men are in your employ." " Granted." "Then it is clear that you are at the bot- tom of it." " Not so fast. Now, supposin' I say the meu have made a mistake— that one of them abducted you because lie fancied you'd hitch with him and go with him in double har- uess. And supposin' 1 should say if you'd marry me at once that I'd see that you were taken safely to your home:-" He paused for a reply. It came in the shape of a shudder and ex- pression of deep disgust. " Will you marry me, and go back home this very night?" "Marry you? Never!" "But you were on the point of doing so once." "Not for my own sake," she returned, gazing unflinchingly at him. "Itwastosave my father and mother, and the other people in the valley." Buck gnawed his lip. " You won't " "No, I won't." "Supposin' force is used ?" " You can't force me." " Did you say can't?" " I did," and she looked fearlessly at him. " Are you in any hurry to die ?" he asked, bending nearer to her, a deadly menace in his tone. " Death, before marriage with you, any time," she firmly said. " Then— the lives of others hung in the balance, or I believed they did. Wow— it is only myself. I will never— never— iicctc becomeyour wife!' Buck angrily clutched her by the arm and shoved her into a small back room, and re- turning, quaffed hoggishly out of a black bottle standing on the table. " Buck, she's chock full of the samegrit as her brothers," ventured one of the men. "So she is— curse her!" he growled. ^'But I'll tame her yet, or; kill her in doing Days passed, and Belle was kept prisoner in the little back room, waited on, and her meals brought to her by a woman whoacted in the capacity of cook and housekeeper, and was the wife of one of the men. Buck had not come near her— for which she was very thankful. Now and again she wondered what the end was to be, how long she was to be kept here, what Buck Toole meant to do, and where he would take her to in case they left this place ? For many hours of each twenty-four she could hear the shout and jest, and drinking song, as the guerrillas guzzled liquor in the large room beyond. Then, one day, the riotous song which she could not help hearing, even if she covered her ears with her hands, suddenly was hushed. It was singular. Thev had not waited to finish the verse, but bad halted in the middle. Why it was so, Belle could not conjecture; but at once her heart begun to beat more quickly. Then she stepped softly to the door. She had aimed ere this to shut out all sound, to not overhear any word coming from the outer room. Now she laid her head against the door, and strove to hear. Was it in the air? hid : ubtle instinct tell her that the army with which she sympathized was vic- torious ? Ascribe the change to what you will. Belle now strained to catch the words- hushed hoarse words— of the men in the outer room. News bad conn- from Shiloh. Buck Toole had heard it with paling cheek and quaking heart. It was dangerous now for him and his men to be in that vicinity. They must leave, and at once, ere the i nionists whom they had outraged should rise in their wrath and' string them up to the nearest trees. But where to fly ? To go North was to plunge deeper into the country of their enemies. To go South was impossible, unless they wished to be captured, for cavalry was out in force between them and the rebel strong- holds. There was only one place to flee to— the mountains. (Quickly were .he preparations made, and when the sun went down in the west they were high up the mouutain side. Buck Toole in advance, with Belle by his side. As they went higher and higiier, the night came on'apace, and when it became dark, Buck feared lest Belle might slip away, and he drew nearer, and put his arm around her. The insult maddened the girl. " Death— death— in preference to spending another hour in your company!" she cried, and then she twisted herself from bis grasp, and darted awaj'. self on the edge of a precipici — whose \ awn- ing depths were shrouded by the blackness. "Away— away!" she cried. "Let me alone — your touch is worse than a viper's sting." He laughed harshly, reached out to clutch her, and never dreamed she could do so wild a tiling as she did. "Death in preference!" she cried, and then she leaped over the precipice! CHAPTER XV. OFF FOR THE MOUNTAINS. " Dead— dead— dead!" More faithtul heart than Sam Black's never beat in human bi east. He had never said much to Kit about car- ing for him, but he loved him as a father loves his only son. Sam, grizzled and tanned by the suns aud bleak wintry winds aud the storms of forty years, had never known what it was to have an object to love. He had not married, so had no children to call him father. ( If family he had never known. He was a waif. Where he had come from, where he was born, more than that his fatker's name was Black, he did not know. Those few words sum up the histon of the man who had watched beside Kit and covered his face lest the sleet and hail should cut it. He had met Kit when the latter joined bis company, aud somehow, without knowing how it was done. Kit had won his heart. Perhaps it was because Kit aroused his ad- miration by being a iiuih in every sense of the word, even while he was so gentle and pleasant. Then Kit had made him a confidant, for nearly everybody feels at times that he m list talk to somebody of bis personal affairs. Kit had always taken him along on the numerous expeditions on which lie was sent, aud always placed the most implicit depen- dence in his courage and good sense. Another reason for this unselfish love on Sam's part may be found in the fact that they had together shared so many perils. Certain it is that tender woman never grieved more bitterly as she stood beside the body of a dead husband, than Sam did as he sat on that blood-deluged battlefield to pro- tect Kit's body from desecration. The tide of battle had rushed past him. He was dimly conscious that the reverses of the day before hud been counterweighed— that the Held of Shiloh was held by his own army. But he took no interest in the battle now. Far away the air was resounding with death-veil ' and \ietorious battle-cry and crash of musketry, as the boys in blue pur- sued the routed foe. It fell on his ear unheeded, as the lover of nature, pausing entranced beside some flower-banked streamlet, hears the distant hum and roar of the mill that is set busy scene within the mill walls, with its clangor and clamor, and jarring aud pound- ing and din, aud its revolving wheels, grind din of the flying fight, as the boys in blue pursued the vanquished and nearly annihi- lated foe. The distance increasing, the roar grew fainter, until at last a calmness and quid stole over the scene, broken only at inter- vals by the groan of some poor fellow wrestling in agony with a life-sappins: wound. And now many figures may be seen mov- ing swiftly hither and thither. It is the ambulance corps. All day yesterday, and for hours to-da\ men have been killing each other with mad glee, like men drunken on new wine. Now comes the ambulance corps. For what ? To try to repair, if may be, one ten- thousandth part of the damage that has be,u done to life aud limb. It seems irony of the most exquisite kind to see that corps now on the field. But— still— many a poor fellow has reason to bless their presence. " What have we here?" Sam looked up. His mournful eyes met those of the ques- tioner. The surgeon looked down at him, aud somehow he felt uncomfortable. He had seen so many pitiful sights that he had grown somewhat callous to them— was not so tender of heart as he used to be; but he felt uncomfortable then. Why? Simply because he had not expected to find teais in the eyes of one so coarse of feature, of so rough a nature as Sam Black. and more gently he repeated : " You have here the body of the bravest man on the field of Shiloh '."' So Sam solemnly aud huskily said, and then he drew away the coat as gently as a mother removes the screening cover overher child's face. "There he is— that's him— look at him! The bravest man on Shiloh's bloody Held!" Sam's voice trembled violently. "Shiloh's bloody - blood v field!" he said to himself, and then his head dropped -;;, . he surgeon bent a pitying look on the heart-stricken man, and then he knelt be- side Kit. He was deft. I'.xpei iciice bad taught him what to do. That same experience enabled him quick- ly to know whether a man be living or dead. He seemed scarcely to have knelt beside Kit more than a second, when he suddenly snatched away the coat which had covered the young man's face. Sam took it for rudeness, and he raised bis head quickly, a glare in bis eyes. "Lift this coat off," said the surgeon "It has stopped hailing now, aud this rain dashing into bis face will do him good." "Hey?" Stupidly, Sain thus exclaimed, aud theu slowly a strange light stole across his face. He scanned the surgeon's face. " Do him good ?" he echoed. "Yes." "Then he ain't dead?" "No." " Then— hooray ! ' ' For a little space he was an absolutely in- sane man. While the surgeon was making some fur- ther examination, Sam kicked up bis heeb ike a frisky leased from the coi the stable. But now he paused suddenly. His face became quickly grave. A new reflection had come to him. "You said he was alive, doctor?" anft Sam's tone was very pathetic, as he uttered flics.- words, and paused at t lie surgeon's side. "But will beget well?" The surgeon, having finished his t tiou, arose to his perpendicuVr, " He will, and speedily at that. He has received three wounds, has lost some blood, but is otherwise as good i had never touched him." The surgeon 1 and an- 1 1USL BUUlf OlOOVl, though a bullet Kit soon after opened b eutly requested Sam ' ' position. > a sitting THE WAR LIBRARY. After a swallow or two of braudv, lie was even able to get upon bin feet. Iu fact, be was apparently not as weak as when Sam had been assisting him from the field, be- fore being struck in the head by that last bullet, which had been a glancing shot, had slashed his scalp anil deprived him of con seiousness, but done him no greater in- Together they left the bloody battle- field. The next day Kit applied for leave of ab- sence. This battle of Shiloh had made it safe for him to return home, and he wished to go there to recuperate. Permission was readilj granted him for himself, and in addition, for Sam to go with him. A body of cavalry were to start the next morning for a tour across Tennessee, and through that section of the country, and the state nf Peling I icing as yet an uncertain thing Kit was advised to go in their eom- through a hard ride," Kit said. "But the ride will not be a bard one. They are ordered to go slow, take things leisurely, and if they get a chance root out these petty- bauds of guerrillas that have done so much damage." So Kit and Sam took horses that were pro- vided for them, and started off with the troop of cavalry. No incident of any moment occurred until they were within live miles of Kit's destina- tion. Night had closed iu a full hour before, and the cavalry commander intended soon to call a bait. Then some one chanced to observe a red- " It is the reflection of a fire," was the con- clusion to which everybody leaped. It was straight ahead of them, so they urged their tiled horses to a swifter gait, not knowing but that they might be of some service. At last they were near enough to see the flames themselves. "It is at, or near the residence of one of the wealthiest men in this section," Kit told the commanding officer. "And he was a stanch Union man." "Possibly the guerrillas have not fled yet." Kit nodded, and answered : "Yes." Only a minute later, and they could hear the fa'int echoes of a distant yell. Then came to their ears the faint report of firearms. "There is some deviltry afoot !" exclaimed Kit. " You are right," was the reply, and then the officer led the way at a more rapid pace. Up a gentle acelivifv, and pausing at the top, a swale lay before them. Near its center was the source of the flames. " It is the house of the man I spoke of," said Kit, quickly. The building was all in flames now, and beyond reach of its heat, on the sward, thirty odd men were dancing in mad glee — like so This was the order, sharply given, and on through the darkness swept the avenging force ! CHAPTER XVI. A TERRIBLE SITUATION. Shakespeare says: "There is a Oiviiitt v thin sliai-es our ends, Rough hew them 113 we will." Although the doctrine taught in these words is rejected by all of our smartest thinkers and reasouers of the present day. save here and there a olerg\ man. it certainly does seem at times as if there must be a greater or less degree of truth in the ideaex- pressed by the divine William, as some of his most ardent admirers speak of him. The reader may be wondering what the foregoing has to do with this story. To be perfectly frank, it lias nothing to do with the story at all. and is only mentioned to give point, as it were, to what happened to Belle Langdon. "Death in preference l"shebad exclaimed, and then, to escape the hateful persecutions of Buck Toole had leaped over the cliff— to be dashed to pieces ou the rocks below ! Buck Toole thought so. Hardened wretch as be was. he shuddered convulsively as he saw Belle's form suspend- ed in air for a half moment, and then go down— down— down ! He even reeled where he stood, and but for the fact that he swiftly retreated, might have tottered over the cliff and been himself dashed to pieces. The sweat stood out upon his forehead in great beads. He had killed his man, as the saying goes, and was proud of it. In fact, more than one human being had been hurried from the world by his hand, and he had never felt anything like remoise. But, as he saw that young girl shoot down into the darkness he uttered a groan, and treml Jed like an aspen. It did not seem right that she should die. Selfish and brutal and heartless as be was, could he have recalled Belle now he would have foregone his own desires to see her safe in her home. But that could not be. She was gone. In a minute or two, however, the weak- ness—as he would have called it— passed, and left him as hard and cold and callous as ever. He even laughed. He went to the edge and peered down into the gorge. He could see nothing. Darkness, dense, impenetrable darkness, there held undisputed sway. Then hi' led his men away, believing that Belle Langdon lay at the bottom of the gorge a shapeless mass of flesh and bones. But did she? Now note the application of Shakespeare's words. Perhaps ten feet below the top of the cliff some convulsion of nature had caused the formation of what might be called a pocket; that occurring centuries ago. As season succeeded season, and the winds blew, there were eonveved small particles o dust, perhaps a few leaves, and the disinteg- ration of tin- nick possibly added a little to- ward tilling this pocket. In the course of many years (his pocket became filled with earth by a process of slow accumulation. Then at last a tiny green shoot is seen to appear above the "surface, which, as other years go by, continues to grow and expand until, as the result, we have a tree that is nourished and supported by the soil in the pocket. Now, then, Belle Langdon leaped from the cliff at a point directly above this, and— she alighted in the tree. Must assuredly she could have had no idea that the tree was there, could have had no conception of the fact that anything could have saved her had she leaped into the gorge at any other point. She had leaped as she supposed to death, but after crashing through the top of the tree her clothing fastened on some projecting branches, and there she hung. Was it not fate ? As we have said Belle was a brave girl at heart, and was not a; fool by any means, be- ing a very quick thinker. It would never do, it recurred to her, to let Buck know what had happened ; and so catching her breath, she remained as still as a mouse during the succeeding few minutes. Then she heard Buck advance to the edge of the cliff anil look down. She held her breath in suspense. Much rather would she die than again fall into his power. A minute, and then she heard the villain withdraw, and she drew a deep breath of re- lief. The next minute her heart was caused to leap into her throat. There was a long-drawn, ripping sound. Her clothing was tearing. Would Buck bear the noise? He seemed not to ; but, oh ! how painfully anxious were the next few minutes. The party had paused to discuss some point. Belle could hear them talking earn- estly, although she could not make out a word that was said. Meanwhile, every few seconds there was a little r-r-r-rip. At each one she sank a little lower, while for the life of her she dared not reach out her hand to clutch a limb, and so help release the strain on her clothing. For nearly ten minutes Belle was kept in suspense, aiid then, to her inexpressible joy, she heard them take their departure. When they were almost beyond sound she ventured to reach out to lay hold of a limb. Strange to say, her hand did not come into contact with one. Again she reached out. She then still further extended her baud. Then she tried the opposite side, but met with no bettor success. With the iron of intense agony in her heart she reached in every direction ; but only empty space met her" grasp, and still, every little while, the stuff ol tier dress went r-r-r- lianging in an almost, horizontal position, her face turned downward toward the bot- tom of the gorge. , Just out of reach on either side were other 1 branches of the tree, could she have but reached which she would have been com- paratively safe. In the density of the darkness she could not see these branches, and only knew that nought but empty air rewarded her clutches on every side. Of course there was a limb behind her back, iu other words, above her. It was this one on which the skirts of her dress had caught. This limb she could lay hold of, however, only by turning herself completely over, which was an impossibility. Several times she threw her right baud be- hind her, and then reached upward as far as she could. This movement, however, seemed to put a particular strain on the dress goods, which, on each occasion, ripned most ominiously. So, with a groan Belle desisted from all at- tempts to reach the limb above her. She had not felt any great horror at the thought of death by leaping from the cliff, but this hanging here, not knowing at what moment the end might come, was an en- tirely different thing. Poor girl ! It was indeed a most horrible position in which to bo placed. She became bathed from head to foot in a cold perspiration, and her poor heart beat wildly within her bosom. What could she do ?" Only hang there until the dress gave away absolutely, or help came. But would help come? Was it at all prob- able that anybody would come along this lonely mountain path in. time to rescue her? \ "Father in Heaven have mercy ou me!" was her mental prayer. Then she assumed the most comfortable position that she could, and patiently waited —waited, for what? Only God knew ! Hours— years to her— passed. Still she'liung there. The dress had ceased to tear ; and in the very depth of the despair engendered by her awful situation, she had studied and pon- dered until the solution was found. The dress had ripped until the hem was reached and there meeting a double thick- ness held fast. Suspension by the hem would have per- mitted her to hang nearly head downward had not the skirt been swept upward when passing through the smaller branches at the top of the tree. As her heavy eyes swept the blackness be- fore her for the thousandth time they en- countered an object which had before es- caped them. This was a tiny spark of light, looking in the distance through the darkness, like a twinkling star. It was somebody's camp-fire, she instantly com bided and then she wondered who was beside it. Could it be Buck Toole, some of his men, or others of the same stripe ? She could not tell, although it was even probable that it was the case that they were evil men. Should she call for help ? She pondered this question for quite a few minutes, and then, reflecting that daylight, was net far off she did not do so. ting herself. Day broke at last. Its light revealed what we have already described to the reader— branches on either hand, just out. of reach, another above her, also out of her reach. Below her— far below her— was the rocky bottom of the gorge, to fall to which meant a crushing out of all semblance to humanity. What, now that daylight had come, could she do ? "I must devise some means,'' she desper- ately exclaimed. "Ah! I see a way !" in a joyous tone. Then, somehow, her eyes were drawn to the very spot where two men stod. Thev were considerably below her level. .JLE WAR LIBRARY. Igi'd standing at a spot where i up out thf gorge ran aero* They had just at that from some bushes, and fr< which they oajne Belle believed that it was their camp-fire which she had seen gleaming through tin- darkness. They turned and saw her. She* oould see them start, and then one pointed his linger in her direction. Clearly she saw that they became yery excited," and she at once leaped to the con- clusion that as a consequence they were en- mies to her. Now she saw them swiftly climb the rough p.nh, eager to reach her. ■• I will escape them," Belle told herself, In ively. one looked at the limb at the right and tfn.-ii at the one to the left. ' she set her teeth and prepared to accom- plish a most desperate feat, but one which, i; her dress held, promised to lie successful. She threw all her weight to one side in a second, and then threw it in the otherdirec- tloll. Again and again she repeated this, grad- ually accelerating her movements, and gaining a pendulum-like motion. It was hard work to start from a position of perfect inertia, but she accomplished it. Now each swing back and forth gave her new momentum, and describing a gradually enlarging arc she came nearer and nearer each time to the limb she wished to reach. Back and forth— back and forth— back an. I forth— and as she swung thus, the two men, hidden for some minutes, emerged into sight. '• For God's sakestay motionless!" shouted one, and Belle knew then that they were friends, not foes. But now she dared not stop ! The dress was ripping again, would tear through before she ceased swinging to and No; she must now keep on and try to grasp the limb ere it gave way entirely. Back and forth— back and forth— back and forth ! "Once!" breathed Belle, "twice! three times!" She flung out her hands, the dress parted ; but she had grasped the limb. " Belle — you— for heaven's sake, how Bui there's no time for questions, '.'an you hang on there one minute?" '•Yes. Uh! Ben, I'm so glad!" Quickly Ben Langdon found a path hy whieh he could descend to the based the tree, up which he swiftly went, and by his encouraging and sensible advice and an ex- ertion of his strength, he succeeded ill get- ( luce here. Belle was enough of a country girl to descend without trouble, alter which Ben assisted her up to the path. Belle glanced quickly around. "You had somebody with you ?" she sug- gestively said. " Yes." and he looked archly at her. "What would you say to seeing Harry Briggs— or rather, what there is left of him ?" " Yes, come out of hiding, Harry, wherever you are." From behind a rock, where he had shrunk as soon as he saw Belle was in safety, came Harry Briggs, looking very thm and pale, and with his left arm in a sling, but Harry Briggs all the same. "Oh! Harry!" she joyfully cried, and then her eves "rested with a strange look of pity and inquiry on the bandaged member. "I did not want to come, Belle," he said. " I have lost a hand, and I can't expect you to take a maimed man for a husband. I didn't want to come, but Ben forced me " You should be ashamed of yourself, Harry Briggs, to think that I could love you less because you had lost a hand," she said, very softly, reproach and tenderness mingling in her tone. Then she stepped gently to his side, and placed the one hand he had left about her "Waist As he drew her to him, he said, in a husky voice : " Ben was right." >iy to?" laughed Ben her, even if I had to roll over and over all the way on account of having no legs to walk on." He spoke jestingly, but it was to cover the fullness of his heart. Belle knew it, and glanced affectionately at him. " But come," said Ben, "I'm anxious to get home. We tried hard to make it last night; but since Shiloh this is Union ground, and such as I have to move very carefully. Finding we couldn't make it we camped down yonder— and mighty fortunate we did, asit turns out. But come, now, stop that hugging, can't you? Let'sbeoff. As we go, tell me how you came in that position." Ben's blood fairly boiled when she ex- plained how she had been carried oil' by four men acting under the orders of Buck Toole, and kept a close prisoner, and how to escape him she had jumped over the cliff. "The villain! I'll settle with him for this!" That was all he said, but there were un- spoken volumes behind each word. "I knew you were not killed !" Belle sud- denly exclaimed. " You got hold of a paper then publishing my name in the list of killed," he said. "I was in hopes you would not see it. I would have spared mother such needless pain if I could. Did she grieve much ?" " Ah! Ben, can you ask such a question?" "No — no— there is no need. Poor, fond mother! How she does love us all. And father?" " He bore it as he does all other troubles — meekly, as becomesoneof God's servants." "I am eager to see them again. Oh! that we were there." It was about ten o'clock when Belle sud- denly appeared in the little valley. She was instantly seen, and then up went a wild and joyous shout. "Isit^is it " gasped Mrs. Langdon, when she heard it, and then unable to say more, she sank back in her seat. "The lost is found— our child has return- ed," said Mr. Langdon, having stepped to the door and seen Belle coming with hasty step. When the greeting was over, she paved the way toward announcing Ben's return, and just as she had told them that he was alive and well he crossed the threshold. His father grasped his hand, and then re- leased him, that he might go swiftly to his mother, and press kisses on forehead, and cheek, and lip. So tender— so loving— and yet so daring and dashing a soldier! There are some who cannot believe that a man can be both. Yet the fact remains that it is true ; as witness these two gallant sons of Mr. Lang- don— one fighting for the Union, the other for the Confederacy. Harry was not forgotten, and was com- pelled to join the happy family circle. " If Kit were only here," wishfully said Belle. Even as she spoke, a shadow darkened the doorway. CHAPTER XVII. BUCK TOOLE GETS HIS DESERTS. The wild and savage men who had formed themselves into a body under the leadership of Buck Toole were divided on the question of what was the best course for them to pursue. A long and angry discussion had occurred ere they left the house they had occupied as headquarters. Influenced by having Belle Langdon in his hands, Buck advocated flight into the mount- ains, and, as the reader knows from circum- stances described, had his way. When Belle Langdon leaped from the cliff, to destruction, he believed, he no longer de- sired to go into hiding, and he again opened the question as to their future movements. Of course, those who had been for retreat- ing southward as rapidly as possible, spoke up at once, and a Ion- and heated discussion followed. This time Buck threw his weight on the reverse side of the scale, and flight south- ward was determined upon. "The enemy can't have any great amount of cavalry out. said Buck. "And i! " And what?" asked one near him " Who wants to strike a last blow!" So Buck asked, in a tone loud enough for all to hear. "I do." "And I." " Andl." The reply was unanimous, but with it some coupled the proviso : " That is, if it ain't too risky." " But s'posen it pays?" suggested Buck. "S'posen it does?" "Ain't you willin' to take a little risk for the vally of a thousand apiece?" " Certainly. If you can show us that much apiece." "Well, ain't Squire Thorn worth enough to pan out that much?" "I reckon," said one. "So do I," from another. "But's it risky business," said a third. "Good enough," said Buck, looking straight at the last speaker. "You needn't go— we'll count you out. Any one else want to be out?" As the reader has seen, Buck Toole was at heart a coward. Not a few of his men were likewise. Not a few more were braver men than Buck, and estimated him at his true value. These last felt that if Buck had pluck enough to make the venture, it could not be so very risky, and the ardor which they at once displayed, inspirited those of weaker hearts. Consequently nobody responded, when Buck asked it anybody else wanted to be counted out. The man whom Buck had applied the pr oftl lot to be off. to, at once became the most eager of the Repossessing themselves of their mounts they were soon dashing across country in the direction of the residence of the unsus- pecting man, the stanch adherent of the Cniou during all those terriblemonths when to admit Union sympathy, was almostequiv- alent to having a bullet put through one's head who was so foolish as to venture out after dark. Halting only a little way from the house two of those fiends in human form stealthily approached to reconnoiter. The family was gathered on the broad The rebels had South. All danger from them was now believed to be a thing of the past, and a great relief had conic into the hearts of all that family. Suddenly some one's eyes, more keen than those of the others, discovered a dark shadow creeping over the lawn. At almost the" same moment one of the servants came hurriedly but silently from the house. "What is the matter?" was hastily in- quired. " l'se done seen a man acrawlin' and acrawlin' up by de kitchen winders," was the reply ol the faithful wench. "Well?" demanded the squire, knowing from the catching of her breath that she had something more to say. "And I done knowed de man.' "Who is he?" " LanDoycer." " And what of him ?" " He am one of Buck Toole's gang ob bad men." The squire was on his feet in an instant. The circumstance thus reported, coupled with that of the figure on the lawn, was suf- ficient for him to guess what was up. "All of you go into the house," he said. "But go quickly one by one — and each take a station beside'a door or window that needs securing. When I give the word, make everything fast. In this way we can pre- vent their taking us by a rush." They had been attacked before. Familiarity with danger had developed courage in tiiem all, and to the letter were the squire's orders obeyed. There may have been some inward trem- bling, but all outward manifestations of fear wen- repressed. Presently a shout rang through the house. It was uttered by the squire. Slam.! Bang ! Every door and window was shut in a twinkling. Then came the grating of bolts and the dropping of bars. A howl of rage now went up from the lips of Buck and bis rascally gang. They had expected "to make a rush and overpower the inmates of the house in a twinkling. Overcautiousness or overcow- ardicehad been Buck's reason for the delay while a reconnoisance was made. He had just become satisfied that there were no persons around the place save the squire's own family, and had been just on the point of making the assault when win- dows and doors were so suddenly closed against him. This was bad. At least it was bad in Buck's eyes; for now a mere handful could give a plucky resist- "qoireThorne had been attacked THE WAR LIBK^K\' . 21 and had put his house in a state so that it could be defended easily. "Now follow me!" cried Buck. "Maybe they've left some hole unguarded through which we can get afore its fastened up." Forward they went, and like famished wolves, rushed around the building trying doors and wiudows with eagerness in their eyes and fury in their faces. Every door was barred. Every window was fastened. ,as they gathered in a sullen group around their leader. " We must get in," said Buck. "But how are we to do it? He's got loop- holes cut, I've heard, and knows how to handle a gun." "Hecan't shoot us all," said Buck. "For a thousand apiece we all agreed to take some risk." "There's one thing, Buck!" the other earnestly said. "What is that?" " We dou't want to stay around this place any longer than we can help. A squad of mounted hlueeoats are liable to come along Buck knew that the man was right, and felt a little uneasy. Still he could not give up the anticipated plunder. "Let's see if I can't frighten the squire," he said. "That's the easiest and quickest way, if it can lie done." "If it can be." returned one of the men, as Buck advanced toward the house. "Halt!" This command was given by somebody stationed behind one of the wiudows, which were all protected bv board shutters. At once Buck halted. " Is that you, squire," he asked. " I suppose you know what we want?" "What?" " A slice of your fortune." "Come and take it, then!" There was a genuineness in the squire's tone that was not to be mistaken. Buck bit his lips. Presently he said : tons " "I'll do nothing of the kind." interrupted Squire Thorn. " Are\ ou read) to take the consequences?" "I'm ready to tight until the last gasp," was the determined reply, ['topeu, then?" ■No.' not see it, but it hly pale. !" he presently one. " Begone, i the situa- Theie were a few who desired to take no risk, but bv far the larger majority were for battering down the door and forcing an en- trance. Their decision was made known to Squire Thorn when he saw them coming ou a run across the lawn, a huge log poised and ready to be hurled against the door. Crack— crack ! Two shots rang out. when they were within close range. One man fell dead and another was seri- ously wounded. The log was dropped, and the men swiftly retreated, like the cravens they were, leav- ing their wounded comrade to take care of himself as best he could. But the villainous crew were not ready yet to give up the prospect of plunder. ""Strategy must be tried," said Buck, hoarsely. ""We must try to force a cellar window. Who will volunteer to steal up to the house for that purpose?" At last two men volunteered, and went stealthily away in the darkness. In safety they gained the shelter of the house. But every window they could reach was so secure that it could not be toned without making so much noise as to draw the in- mates to the spot. Incensed bv the death of one of their number, afraid to make an open attack for fear of being shot, and unable to gain ad- mittance in any other way, they determined on revenge ! It was a base and cowardly thing to do. But no spark of houoranimated the breast of either; it was not a question of whether they icuuhl but whether they could. That they could they were soon satis- fied. Light inflammable materials were close at hand, and soon a goodly pile had been placed against the building. When all was ready a Dutch was applied. and when they saw that the wood had ignited they began a swift retreat. Crack ! Squire Thorn had been hastily called by his daughter, who had caught sight of the glow. He had reached that side of the house in time to see the dar" figures flying across the lawn. In an instant his rifle had leaped to the porthole in a wooden shutter; and, aiming quickly, he pulled the trigger. One of the dastards expiated his hellish work with his life. He flung up his arms, and fell forward heavily ou his face. He was dead before he struck the ground. A maddened howl burst from the lips ot the guerrillas, and there was a forward im- pulse as if they would have rushed forth to avenge their second fallen comrade. But a cowardly prudence restrained them, and they hung back, hugging to their hearts the glorious vengeance of which the fire was to be the instrument. It was a terrible juncture for the inmates of the burning building. For a short space they fought the flames as well as they were able. Had it been ,-tarted immediately beneath a wiudow they might have drowned it out. But it had not been, and of the water the squire flung out not more thau a quarter reached the flames— just enough to add fuel to rather than to quench it. At last the undeniable truth staled them in the fact — that there was no salvation for the building, that it was doomed What now could they do? They could not remain and perish in the » choose death all- There could be no doubt that the guer- rillas would shoot them down the minute thev left the building. Higher and higher the flames leaped, swiftly wrapping the budding in its fiery The beat finally became unbearable. Witli .-trained, pale face the squire gazed at the loved members of his family gathered about him. the wretches tin What should he do? How should he advise ? Now came a heavy tattling volley of mus- ketry. What could it mean ? "It is the negroes," said Mrs. Thorn. '■Thev were frightened to death. As I hey opened the front door ami rushed out they were shot." Such was the truth. This heavy volley was what caused that squad of L'uion cavalry to make greater ex- ertions to reach the scene of the conflagra- tion. At intervals, as one after another of the blacks darted across the threshold, there came the sharp report that said the devils were keeping close watch. The direction of the wind was such that the lire spread in a manner leaving the front of the house the last to be touched. Toward this Squire Thorn was gradually forced. At last only a few feet separated them from the threshold. To cross this meant instant death! To remain was to be wrapped in the em- brace of the leaping flames so swiftly draw- ing near! "We must go!" groaned the squire, when the heat began to blister their faces. "del preserve us !" murmured his wife. "(Ih! if flic tlames might only be seen, and no longer," said the ish out together and as possible. In that way some may escape. Wait until I giro the word. Get read y—n " The word "now" was trembling on his lips, but did not cross them. "Hark !" So he suddenly said, in a hushed voice. What did he hear ? It was the tramp of horses' feet, swiftly rushing in the direction of the house. Then he heard a wild, indignant cry. This was followed by a howl of fear and consternation. "Thank God!" brokenly murmured the squire. "Help has arrived." So it had. When they rushed from the burning building thev were not met by a shower of deadly bullets. The men who would have fired them were now wildly flying toward their horses, flying wdiile they panted for breath, while their faces grew paler than those of the victimsof their fiendish scheme when death by the tlames stared them in the face. Ou, like a whirlwind came the Union cavalry. Kit Langdon — clear-headed as ever— noted the direction in which the men were flying. " They have concealed their horses in that bit of woods," he said, briefly. "They must be cut off from them or surrounded.". ■• A good idea," was the response. A sharp order was given. Promptly it was obeyed, and as willingly as men ever obeyed an order. Tho blood was boiling within them, indig- nation was written in every face. Deep into the flanks of their horses the spurs were dug. The noble animals responded by a last wild burst of speed, and in less time than it takes to tell it, the guerrillas were sur- rounded. men fought like very fiends. Ou every hand was heard the sharp crack of revolvers, hoarse cries of anger, moans of anguish, with now and then a heavy thud to denote that some man had fallen from his .-addle, never to enter it again. At last it was over. The last shot had been fired. The guerrillas were all either dead or prisoners. Amoug the latter was Buck Toole. He had escaped unscathed. Sullenly and defiantly he looked upon his captors. Kit Langdon recognized him a- tin- lenii and told the commanding officer wh was. Buck wiuce Still he managed to play a bluff game until the rope was brought and he saw a noose reeved in one end. Then his seeming courage fled. His face became ashen— his knees trem- bled—his teeth shattered. "You're not going to hang me?" he "Itis murde "Yes, so it is." " Minder in cold blood. " "Just about as cold as the blood in your veins when von set tire to yonder mansion, and riddled' its inmates with bullets when they fled the tlames.'' Down on his knees went the redhanded wretch and begged and pleaded for merey. " Only spare my life," he wailed. " I don't care what else you do with me— only spare my life." Nobody heeded his prayers, and he obtain- ed no response. Calmly and coolly the preparations were made, and when they were completed he knot adjusted under his ear. " Mercy — nierey !" he howled. Absolute and craven terror had taken possession of him. "Can't you die like a man ?" coutemptu- ouslv said Sam Black, aud in his disgust at such' absolute cowardice, started to apply his boot to Buck, but desisted on reflecting that it would be unmanly on his part. The word was given. The rope had already been flung over the branch of a tree, and as the word came strong and willing hands hoisted Buck Toole Clear of tie- .roth, which he had so long polluted with hi |.i i --'nee. Leaving a guard to watch and see that Buck wa- not cut down, the officer. Kit and other-. Inn : I'd on to sec it anything of value 22 THE WAR LIBRARY. could be saved from the burning mausion. Sad to say they could not. At this spot thev remaiueu all night, ami in the morning Kit and Sam bade the ray- airy commander adieu, and a start was mad'' for the little valley up in the mountains. Kit was eager to get home, and as the say- ing goes, did not allow " the grass to grow iiiider his feet." , _ , In due season, he entered the valle\,and shortly afterward stood on the threshold of the little cottage of his father. Ben, looking [ Your paleness iu have been CHAPTER XVIII. THE REUNION. "Kit!" . x „ It was Belle who first saw him standing on the threshold, She bounded to her feet. Her face flushed with joy. She was the first to reach him as he step- ped through t lie doorway and flinging her arms around his neck, she gave him a rous- "^He fissed her fondly, and then crossed directly to where his mother sat: and, as Ben had i lone, testified to the tender love which he bore for her. Then he grasped his father's hand. Then he exclaimed : . . " Harry Briggs, this is a surprise indeed, but even more of a pleasure than a sur- P As 'he spoke, he shook Harry warmly by the hand. "Last, but not least, Ben," he said, as h turned to his brother. "Brave Kit!" exclaimed with pride at his brother. ' of face indicates that yi wounded." "I have been." "Where?" "AtShiloh." "I was there as well," said Harry, with wan smile, as Kit glanced toward him, and as he spoke he nodded toward the arm in the An expression of pity leaped into Kit's I ""Is it bad Harry?" he gently asked. I "A hand." I "Gone?" Then 'suddenly Kit remembered that he had for the time being forgotten one who was waiting outside of the door. He went to the doorway and called: "Sam — Sam Black, 1 want you." Sam came shambling from around flic corner of the house with a suspiciously moist look iu his eyes. He had obtained a glimpse of that home welcome, aud for the first time in ln> lite he knew what it was to have nobody who is bound to you by the ties of affectionate re- lationship. B3t took Sam by the arms aud brought him " Sam." lie said, " this is my father. ' "How do you do, sir? A minister, sir.' Can't understand how you could have such a lion-lighter for a son." "Sam— my mother," Kit went on, a smile playing about his lips. "How do you do, ma'am? A real lady, I'm sure, and I love you 'cause you're Kit's mother." 'Sam— my sister, Belle." "How do you do, miss? May be you wouldn't mind shakiu' hands with me, for though you're so much better than I am, you ain't so old." Belle gave him her hand freely. " And this, Sam, is Mr. Harry Briggs, a dear friend, who lost his left hand at Shiloh." , ,. . "How do you do, sir? Lost a hand, eh? First day? Yes? Well, now, I suppose you was up there on the ridge with us. Didn't we just give them Scceshes the devil, hey?" speaking very eagerly; and then, remember- in- he was in" the pi'cscii. f ladies, he mum- bled: "Beggin' pardon tor sayin' it, but we du! give 'em the devil, and no mistake." " But, Sam, he wasn't on the ridge," said Kit. "Where was he, then?" "In the ravine." "How'd he come there?" "He went there with his regiment." "Why, you don't mean " "Yes, I do mean that he was fighting oa the other side." , "Humph!" grunted Sam, who had shook Harry warmly by the hand. "I'm glad I shook hands with you afore I knowed it." " And this, Sam, is my brother." "Another Secesh?" "Yes," said Ben. He put out his hand. Sam gazed stolidly at it for fully half a minute, and then he met it with his own, saying: "You're Kit's brother." "Now that I have introduced you to these people, Sam, I must introduce them to you. Mother- father— Belle— Harry— Ben, this is Sam Black,- honest, faithful, devoted Sam Black, who never turns his back on the enemy while there is a cartridge iu his pos- session. . " Furthermore, to him I owe my life. Ihe second da\ at Shiloh settled me. I was un- coiiscious on the field, anil must have been trample.) to death had not Sam here " "Go easy, Kit, go easy," interrupted Sam, in a nervous tone. _ "Had not Sam here remained by me with musket in hand. As you all love me, you must all love him." . Mr. and Mrs. Langdon began to thank him, but Sam held up his hands and piteously ex- claimed : "Don't!" Belle looked shyly at him for a moment, and then her naturally sympathetic nature showed itself. She went softly up to Sam, and as she put up her hps to he kissed, shesaid: "For Kit's sake, I will love you, Mr. Black." . , . "No— no! not Mr. Black; uist plain Sam, he said, and then, after a doubtful look and a moment's hesitation, he bent and kissed To Belle's surprise he did not stop here. He caught her up and seated her on his hit arm, and looking foudly up at heron her elevated perch, waved his right hand and shouted : " Hooray— hooray !" When he finally let her down he anxiously asked : " How old are you ?' "Just eighteen." "Kighteen?" he repeated. "Is that old enough to get married?" "Yes," she answered, blushing scarlet. "Well, now," said he, "you just see here. Iittlela.lv: Now, 1 ain't much on good looks I'm forty if I'm a day, and 1 ve got lots ot voi'in'' as can bo, amfit's chock' fuu'ofVit and you. Now, then, if you don't find ex- actly" the kind of a fellow you like, and feel as it you wanted a husband, why just say the word, and hang me if I won't run the risk of being hitched to a woman!" Never in all his life was Sam more earnest than in making this speech. They all saw that it came from his heart, and tried their best not to laugh. Nor did they, until he added, a little anxiously : "Of course I'd want all haudS to be satis- fied." " 1 hold in no longer, and the eed as thev laughed, rderstand it. on came into his face at the , .. ere laughing at him. said Kit, as he kindly placed a Neither had he. There had been so many other things to think about and talk of, that were pleasant and bright, that thematter had not been re- verted to after Kit's arrival, all the explana- tions having preceded that event. When Kit asked about it, Belle briefly told how she had been twice abducted, and once nearly forced into marrying Buck Toole. " And to think," she said, with a shuddei "I suppose I should have actually becoiu his wife if Ben hadn't comein as suddenly if he'd dropped from the skies." " I wanted to tell vou all these things, K the day we captured you, but you did have time just theu and as you decided =o suddenly ou leaving us, I didn't have an op- purtuuih afterward." " Kit was too smart for you, now wasn't he?" chuckled Sam. "Granted!" laughed Ben : "and now, Kit, do you know what Morgan said of you ?" "Certainly not." " He said that you were the finest speci- men of a soldier he'd ever seen, not even ex- cepting myself. Aslstandvery high iu his that is saying a great deal." ' you ept stee Then t! rafters I: Sam CO A hurt idea that "Sam,' hand on his shoulder; "we're laughing he- cause you've spoke too late in the day. She s already bargained for." "Is that so?" . . . There was something akin to disappoint- ment in Sam's tone. 'Yes." " Who's the chap ?" "Mr. Harry Briggs there." "She'sgoing to marry a Secesher? "Don't like it," grunted Sam. "Bust me if I ain't a mind to run away with the girl, su's he can't marry her." " He's a square and honest young t.llow. Sam," Kit gravely said. "The only fault 1 can find with him, and I have known him many years, that he differs with me in his opinion of who is right and who wrong in this great struggle.'' ■• Well— well— may be," said Sam, relent- ing. "I'll take your word, Kit. Be kind to him Thank General Morgan for me ' sec him again." "I will; but now to settle this other mat- ter. I want to make a start to-morrow morning if possible, and try to run this Buck Toole to earth." "There is no need of hunting for him." "Why not?" "Because 1 know exactly where he is. "Where?" " About two hundred yards to the south of Squire Thorn's place." "There is some other meaning to your words," said Ben, a puzzled expression on his face. " Possibly." " And you have reason to believe he is there now?" "I have." "Come, Kit, why this provokiugly myste- rious way of answering." "There is nothing mysterious about my answers. Do you think so, Sam ?" "Not a bit,'' with a chuckle. "What is Buck doing there?" Ben next asked, determined to get at the bottom of the matter. "Nothing." " Is he there hatching up some new dev- iltry ?" " He's beyond that." " Vh '" as"a now lii-dit began to break iu ou Ben's mind. "1 begin" to understand. There is a large I. lack-walnut tree about the distance mentioned south of Squire Thorn's." "There is," said Kit. Again Sam chuckled. "There's a rope hitched fast to one ot the limbs of that tree," he said. " Aud the other end " "Is hitched around that same rascals neck," said Sam; "and I fixed the slip- knot." . , ■ "So now, Ben, you can see, said kit, "that there is no need of getting up that little party, for the insults that Belle has suffered at his hand have been avenged and he is beyond power to do her further harm." Then "Kit explained how it all happened, giving them a description of what occurred, Miss Belle, after you're married to him." "I'll try," laughed Belle. That evening, when they gathered after supper, Ben asked his father how many able men were in the settlement. " Four, including myself, at the present time; ami not including you four." " Of whom two, only— myself and Sam- are fit for the business in hand." "Which is?" said Kit. "To finish the abductor of our little darling here," said Ben. "Abducted? How— I have not heard of it?" s already known to the reader, and— hence unnecessary to repeat here. For the space of a week the family were Then Ben announced that he must leave ou the following day. "Aud that," said he, " brings us to a point we must discuss, what are the future actions of all of us ? You, Kit, will return, wheu re- covered, to the army?" "And I, of course, must go back. Now, father, do vou think it best to remain here ?" "I do," was the reply. "Wheu the Con- federate influence exteuded to the north of us we might better have been away from here; but then we couldn't get away. Now that the Union lines are to the south of ns there is no need for going." . "The Union army may be driven back, said Ben. ,, • . "I am sorry for you, B^u," said kit, just here, "but the Confederate army can never regain the ground. Shiloh is only the com- mencement of a series of blows which are going to crush you." "In all candor, I believe it possible, was the reply, "although, from the bottom of my heart, I hope otherwise. Then, father, you will remain here?" J iiv m ii THE WA.K LIBRARY. 23 "I'd like to stay myself," said Harry, bluntly, and then cast at Belle a look that made her grow suddenly red. "A good idea," said lien, warmly. "Come, Belle, say the word and make Harry happy. Let's have the wedding to-morrow night, and I'll defer my departure until after the ceremony. What do you say, Belle ?" "Why, that you're real mean !" exclaimed the little maiden. " Is it yes or no ?" " Would it please you very much ?" " Yes. I should feel much easier in mind could I know that Harry were to remain here. With only one hand he's a match even now for two ordinary men." Belle looked at Kit. " I agree with Ben," he said. "I don't think that arrangement would suit Han-v," Belle now said, demurely. " It's settled," said Harry, after springing to Belle's side, kissing her rosebud lips, and then placing his mouth in such a position to the girl's car that Sam began to grow un- eas\ lest that pretty sea-shell appendage might be accidentally injured between Har- ry's strong, white teeth. So the next night there was a wedding. Mr. Langdou" performed the ceremony, while Kit gave an ay the bride. When it was over Sam choked down a sol), and muttered to himself: " Well, I s'pose he's best suited to her, but, blame me. the more I see of her the more I feel asif I'd like to run the risk myself." An hour after Belle Langdou became Mr-. Harry Briggs, Ben took his leave of them, to return to the front. Two weeks later Kit was sufficiently recov- ered to return to his command, and with him of course went Sam. CHAPTER XIX. CONCLUSION. The limits of our story prevent us follow- ing in detail the army" lit.' of Kit Langdon bevond the battle we iiavealreadv described — Shiloh. Hence we can only hastily sketch it — give the mere outlines. He was back in his regiment in time to go into the scries of skirmishes that commenced soon after. History tells us that General Beauregard, after the battle of Shiloh, fell back to Cor- inth, which place he at once began to strong- ly fortify. Meanwhile, the Union army was re- arranged, and new troopsadded, and, having advanced slowly but steadily, the Federals soon were within a few miles of ( 'orinth. Every preparation was made to stubborn- ly defend this place, for it was the key to all the territory south of it. Should Corinth fall, it opened up the Mississippi River to the Federals from its source to its mouth. So on the ninth of May the Confederates sallied forth to check the Union army, and, if possible, prevent a nearer approach, and were successful driving back the Federal general, Pope. But this was only temporary ; and day af- ter day the Union army drew closer to the doomed place, which the rebels could not save, stru ggle as they might. Day after day they issued forth and gave battle to the foe who was pressing them so hard. In one of these skirmishes it fell to Kit's lot to rescue a brigade commander who had been snapped up by a party of rebel cavalry. It was a brave thing— and as cool-headed as it was brave— and for it congress voted him a medal in commemoration of the ex- ploit, and shortly afterward, having had at- tention called to the Fort Donclson affair, | granted him another for his conduct prior I to and at the time of the engagement. ; His rescue .if his brigadecommauderruade ! him hosts of powerful friends, and he was j urged again and again to consent to having a commission secured for him. But he adhered firmly to the determina- tion to remain only a private!" On May 21, General Halleck's batteries had advanced to within three miles of Corinth; and then the rebels themselves saw aud un- derstood that the place was doomed, that they could not hold it. All preparations had been made by the Union army for a long siege, which was made unnecessary by Beauregard, who, like the Arab, Ho evacuated Corinth on the thirtieth of May, during the early hours of the morn- ing while darkness still enshrouded the earth; and when daj dawned the Federals It would please us to follow Kit Langdon through the succeeding months, but, as we have stated, it is impossible at least in this time and place. Wherever there was fighting there Kit Langdon was! Where Kit Langdon was, there also was Sam Black ! Perry ville ! Murfroesboro ! (Stone River.) Libei ty ! Hoover's Gap ! ( 'hattanooga! Chiekamauga! The surest ions contained in the mention of the foregoing battlefields or skirmishings 11 be a key to every man who went through Now for a few linal wards. in of the war, leaving as he had entered— only Kit Langdon served through until the end a private. But that did not mean that he had not gained credit and glory, or that he had acted a less noble part than many another man who was proud of his shoulder-straps Sam Black fought side bv side with him, ge on the bore him company back to the valley in the received his discha : on the same day, and mountains. Here the old folks had remained over since, aud with them Harry aud Belle still were. This was the first time Kit had seen them since parting the last time, although he kept up a regular communication with them. By means of these letters. Kit knew that a little baby boy had come to Belle, but it was not until 'they got back that it transpired that Belle had named him Samuel Black Briggs. She had always felt a deep sympathy for the honest fellow, and named her firstborn after him. Sam, as the negress Hi expressed it, " hab gone cleah off de handle ober dat dere chile." He certainly was very much pleased over it as well as its name, and lie one day told himself in confidence that everything surely turned out for the best. "For," quoth he," here's a bright little boy who loves me as much as he knows how, and bears my name, and another man runs all the risk!" Aud then he chuckled softly. After Ben's departure on his sister's wed- ding night, very little was heard from him, and that only indirectly. But, a few months after the fall of Rich- mond, he cam. home. He bad been with Morgan until the very last, had accompanied him on his last daring raid, in which the dashing commander of cavalry lost his life. Morgan was a magnificent fellow," Ben way, Kit, I gave him that message of yours. "Ah! and what did he say?" "' I know that man. I'll write him to come and dine with us some day, and I'll give him an escort here and back.' " It is very seldom that the war is ever al- luded to in the Langdon family. Not be- cause there would be any jar, for, although divided in their convictions at the time, each knew the other was absolutely honest and sincere; but they avoid it rather because they all feel that "it issettled— is best so— and explanations are not ueceesary. But Sam will talk. He can't be choked off talking about the And nothing pleases him so much as to corner little Sam— not so little now— and tell him tales of peril aud adventures in the war, in all of which he acts a very modest part, w bile vhe hero always is his Uncle Kit, who really served his country truly and well, even though he was Only a Private. [THE END.] The Major's Story. The major had shown at his best, aud we had listened to his humorous narrative with keen delight. So the dinner had passed and the dessert was before us, the servants had been dis- missed, and cigars were lighted. Then one of those unaccountable silences that come to such assemblages fell upon us, aud we puffed away at our cigars and said nothing, until the stillness grew strangely weird and powerful. Suddenly the major stopped smoking, aud, looking at each of us in turn, said : "You have often wondered why I am not married, and now I will tell you. have thought that the secret should be shar- ed between us. " When the war came I had but just grad- uated from college, and, as you know, en- listed as a private. " It was no easy matter for me to do this, but I felt it to lie my duty. "I was young, strong, and able to fight. I bad mean's to make the life of a soldier as comfortable :is it could be made, and. while my mind longed for literary and peaceful scenes, 1 still felt that I owed my country a duty. " It was but a short time after 1 enlisted when we were ordered south. " The regiment, as you know, had hard work and plenty of it, but my part was as well rewarded as I could wish, for I was soon advanced to the command of my company. "You remember the time when we went south of the Rappahannock, aud were quar- tered in that queer little village, when even, though we were foes, the people treated us so kindly ? "You must also remember the large house back of the village, the one that crowned the hill on whose side were so many or- chards ? •• Well, I had been but a day in the village when I found out that it was the native place of Harry Wayne, my college ehum, and also that the house on the hill was his home. "For a few days I refrained from calling, thinking that my uniform might be distaste- ful to Harry's mother and sisters, for he had gone with his state and was an officer in Lee's army. At last my desire to know something of my old friend grew too strong to be kept down by such scruples, and one afternoon, I walked to the house, and, pass- ing up the broad carriageway, running from the road to the door, went slowly up the steps leading to the pleasant and shady ver- anda, and just as I was about sounding the massive old-fashioned knocker, the door was thrown open and a young aud beautiful woman stood before me. "The laugh that had been a minute before rippling from her lips ceased, and she start- ed back with a slight gesture of alarm, but my doffed cap and peaceful attitude reas- sured her, and she stood waiting. " ' Is Mrs. Wayne in'/' I asked. "'My mother is at home; who shall I say desires to see her?' '" Charles Talbot, a classmate of her son, and at present with the regiment quartered in the village.' " ' What! are you the Charley Talbot who was Harry's chum at college V " 'I am.' " 'Then come in, for we all seem to know you, aud, though on opposite sides, are friends,' and she held out her hand. bright eyes that were upturned to mine. "'I am Mabel Wayne, Harry's sister,' she went on. '"We have heard so much from Harry concerning you, and your kindness to him, that we have often longed to meet you. Harry said that he knew you would be in the Northern army ; but for us, in your case, there is no war. Please be seated, and I will call mother.' " We had passed into a large, airy draw- ing-room while she had been speaking. Here she left me, and soon returned with a I middle-aged ladv, whose beauty was of' that quiet, motherly kind, so rich in the| power that makes one comfortable and at that I had raised against love — barriers ol which I had made many boasts to myself- and I knew that, come what would, my future life would garner its joy from her kindness, or have no joy at all. " I was invited to remain to supper, and did so ; and when my duty forced me to take my leave, I asked to make my calls as fre- quent as my time and inclination would per- 24 ■HE WAR LIBRARY. my visits very short, ami I soon noticed that the door was opened by Mabel often ere I had reached the steps leading to the veran- dah. " Who eould mistake tlie motiveof such a mark of favor? And you ean know that to my soul this brought a glory that was brighter than sunshine, and whose music was sweeter than the spring chorus of birds. " I have not told you of Mabel Wayne's ' beauty. It was of that clear Saxon type, ' which denotes a bright and sunny dis- position. She was as merry as one could wish, possessing a finely cultivated mind, a sparkling wit, and a sweet, ringing voice, that made it a delight to sit and listen to hear her talk. "As you know, we were quartered two months in that village; but before my regi- ment marched south I had asked Mabel to be my wife, and her low voice told of a love that I knew would bless me all through the " Her mother gave a willing consent, and the time fixed for our union was the close of the war. "Then came our marching orders, and the raid in which I won my major's commission. During the year which followed, .and the campaign of which Gettysburg was the con- clu.-ion, I heard frequently from Mabel, for the communication between her home and our lines was kept open. The last tremend- ousstruggle southward with Grant followed this, and as you all know we were on patrol duty and re'coiiuoitering all the time; and when the flank movement began kept well on the outskirts of the army, and made that last raid down the peninsula which brought the crisis of ray life. "Do you remember the day we were ex- pecting to meet Fitz Hugh's men? I was on picket duty that evening, and had a battal- ion of our regiment deployed along a road that ran through some broken country. Just after night began to deepen, and the shadows lay heavy between the trees that flanked the road, "the rapid gallop of a horse sounded up from a narrow valley, and, tell- ing the men near to be ready, I rode down the sloping ground to meet the person ap- proaching. Soon 1 came to a place that gave me command of a long stretch of road and halted just in the shadow. In another mo- ment a horseman dashed into view, and came rapidly toward me. As soon as my voice could be heard I commanded a halt, but the older was unheeded. "'Halt, or I tire!' I cried, and still the horse came dashing on, and the next mo- ment mv pistol was leveled, and the sharp report run- out on the still night. With a low cry the horseman tumbled from the saddle. 'and then the flutter of a white robe made me spring to the ground and run to whe 'The ■ the iken for a foe was it over the white fold, for it was the >f Mi V arms, and her eyes look- ed up into mine so'full of love that I sobbed like a child. "'Oh, my darling— my darling!' I cried, " ' what brought you here ?' "'I heard you weie with the troops, Charlie, and I wished to see you.' " ' And I have killed you, and blighted my life,' I answered. '"No, not blighted it, Charlie. You did not mean to harm me, and it was my fault.' "Even with the chill of death making her blood grow cold, her love would not let me bear bkmie. "I saw she was rapidly growing weaker; and, saying I would get a surgeon, was turn- ing iiwii\ . when she stopped me. '"No, it will be useless,' she said. 'lam visiting at a house only a short distance awav; take me there.' " Binding up the wound as well as I could, I obeyed her. And in that house, clasped in my arms, her head on my heart, she died, and.there I left her lving asleep. " I wrote an account of the affair and sent it to her mother, and one to Harry. "They both answered, telling me theyheld »e free from blame. "But more comforting than this, more comforting than aught but her living, from here is the knowledge I have that her spirit is with me ; that her love is still my own, and " I have seen her face; I have heard her •i'oiee; I have felt the pressure of her lips, and soon we will bo together, and the love that was separated for a time will ke joined in Heaven for all eternity. "I can see her now, as beautiful and kind as in the old years. Yes, I can see her, and sin- is mine." The major ceased talking. A glad light grew brilliant in his eyes and suffused his face. Then he covered it with his hands. We did not say anything for a time; but at last the silence grew oppressive. "Let us take some wine," said the colonel. And all but the major Idled their glasses. "Will you not join us, major?" said the colonel. He did not answer, and the colonel rose, and, going to his side, touched him. There was no response. The colonel took down his hands, and a chill fell upon us. The major was dead. General Sickles Fighting His Bat- tles Over Again. A correspondent of the Boston Hi ■rahl en- countered General Daniel K. Sickles on are- cent visit to Gettysburg!! battlefield, and writes as follows : Wearied by a long tramp on crutches, General Sickles seated himself on a great bowlder near where he was wounded. He looked over the field care- fully, as if to recall the situation on that memorable day, and continued : " A few moments before I was wounded, I had, at the suggestion of my staff, passed around the farmhouse yonder, 1 had been standing on the brow of the hill, just above the barn. when several of my staff insisted that I had better put myself out of range of a heavy fire then concentrated upon us, ' If you will show me a spot on the field where the bullets are not falling thick, I should like to see it,' I replied. A few moments afterward I rode around through the low ground below the house and up to this knoll. I had hardly reached it when the shot struck me. It was at a most critical moment in the turning of that eventful day. A projectile from the enemy's artillery did the work. In the peach or- chard anil the wheat -field over there a dread- ful scene had been enacted. Over and over again had the ground been fought; a baud to-hand light of desperate men, where the soldiers of the Third ( 'orps faced great odds,' but where thev stood lii.e men wrestling in a battle, the like of whi. Ii was never before from r siblel : mel of horse t struck I did not realize lry. and did not stir Then as gently as pos- lied leg over the pom- slowly slid from my c. Bv this time I was " Hurriedly calling to a trooper near by, I ordered him to bring me a strap from his saddle, and with his aid I bound the leg close up to the body, stationed a guard of twenty men about me, and directed that no surgeon be allowed to disturb me until the arrival of Dr. Calhoun. I felt, if the leg must come off, I would take my own choice of surgeons for the operation. I had no sooner been wounded than the conflict along the line be- came more terrific than ever. The men iu the peach orchard and wheat-field, and in- deed along the whole line, had stir, en as only men of their mettle could do. How galiauth tliev fonirht, words can never des- cribe. They had been forced to yield the position in the orchard, and came falling back toward the spot where I lay. In a minute I was removed from the ground to the field hospital. On the Baltimore pike that night, m the gloaming, Dr. Calhoun cut off the useless limb." As the veteran told the story of the light, another soldier of that famous dav sat near. Colonel Randolph, Chief of Artillery of the Third Cor] is, who had come all the way from Colorado to visit the old field with his chief. As each critical point in the day's desperate business was gone over the 'talk became more interesting. " Was there ever any serious question as to the position you took'that day?" " Some critics who kuew nothing of the circumstances or needs of the hour have, since the war, indulged in some idle talk about mv position, about bringing on the battle too soon, etc. The absurdity about forcing the fight too early is seen in the fact, that the euemv decided the hour of the bat- tle bv attacking iu such force that I was obliged to fight, whether I wanted tool not. These latter-day military critics say I ought to have taken position along the low ground running from Bound Top toward Cemetery Hill. In other words, to have formed iu the hollow arid given the enemy the advantage of the hills along our front and to have left the Ronnd Top entirely uncovered. Look- ing over the position now, after nearly twenty years, I see nothing that I would . hange either in it or in any operations of that day. I am entirely content to abide by the judgment of those who are competent to criticise, and I am glad to know that my judgment is sustained by all such military officers as have knowledge of the cii stances and looked over the grounds." Catalogue of The War Library. All Earlier Numbers in Print. 229 UNDER GUARD; or, Raid and Battle in Kentucky, By Corporal Morris Huyne. 230 BATTERY BOB; or, Crest and Plain at Fredericksburg. By An- thony P. Morris. 23 I SIGNAL SERVICE SAM ; or, The Siege of Knoxvi lie. By Ward Edwards, " High Private," I '. S. V. 232 THE WAR DETECTIVE; or, Se- cret Service in the Rebellion. A Story of Booth's Great Conspiracy. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 233 PHIL, THE SCOUT ; or, A Fight for Beauregard's Dispatches. A Story of Pittsburg Landing. By Captain I lean Verne. 234-" TO HORSE ; " or, The Winged Scout Of Ceorgia. By Anthony P. Morris. 235 LION-HEARTED LUKE ; or, The Plan to Capture Mosby. A Story Edv 236 THE SWORD CHAMPIONS ; ; or, Rival Spies of Chancellorsville. A Story of the Batt les in the Thickets of the Happahannock. By Anthony P. Morris. 237 -LOYAL NED; or, The Last Cruise of the Alabama. A Romance of the Famous Kebel Privateer. By theauthorof "Before Petersburg." 238 THE RIVAL CADETS ; or, From West Point to Battlefields. A Stir- ring Story of Adventure in the Late War. By Ward Edwards, V. S. V 239 KILPATRICK'S BEST BOWER; or, A Cavalry Sweep Through Ceorgia. By Marline Manly. 240 ON SHILOH'S FIELD ; or, Fight- ing Kit of Kentucky. By Ward Ed- wards, " High Private," U. S. V. [Ready April 18. 24 1 THE WAR REPORTER; or, Bat- tle Smoke Among the Mount- ains. By Hugh Allen, of the New York Press. [Ready April 23. 242-SHARPSHOOTER AND SPY; or, The Terrible Panic at Bull Run. By Major A. P. Grant. [Ready April 30. 243 MAD SAM THE CAVALRYMAN; or, With Sheridan in the Shenan- doah. Bv Mark Wilton. [Ready May?. 244 THE MOUNTAIN CANNONEER; or, A War Mystery of Antietam. By Anthony P. Morris. [Heady May 14. 245-TAKEN AT FREDERICK S- BURC ; or, The Creat Tun nel at Libby Prison. By Aleck Forbes, "War Correspondent" [Ready May 21. 246 CHICKAHOMINY JOE; or, Mc- Clellan's Wonderful Boy Spy. By Ward Edwards, U. S. V. [Ready May 28 S 3E» E CIAIi :rci ow. Life and Military Services of GENERAL U. S. GRANT. For sale bv all Newsdealers in the United ■tales. Subscription price, $5.00 a year; single oiiv, bv mail, tea cents. YlWess, NOVELIST PUBLISHING 00., w No. 20 Rose St., New Took.