' '--^^ ' '*'i>fi .,. 
 
 
 
THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THE WILMER COLLECTION 
 
 OF CIVIL WAR NOVELS 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 RICHARD H. WILMER, JR. 
 
 .¥r^f!!W^M''^ 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive 
 
 in 2010 witli funding from 
 
 University of Nortli Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/savedbywomanorhiOOseab 
 
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 '-f^SL^.^JU (^'f^<r^. 
 
 
SAVED BY A ^VOMAN; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 
 
 A STORY OF THE LATE WAR. 
 
 By STROBHART. 
 
 ATLANTA, GA. : 
 JAS. P. HARRISON & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 
 
 1S84. 
 
"^ebicaiion. 
 
 FIRST, 
 
 TO MY GENTLE, AND AFFECTIONATE MOTHER; 
 
 AND NEXT, 
 
 TO MY BRETHREN OP THE TELEGRAPHIC PROFESSION, 
 
 THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATEi/Y AND 
 
 FRATERNALLY DEDICATED. 
 
 — AUTHOR. 
 
 Augusta, Ga., 
 
 January 4th, 1884. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress in the oflace of the Librarian c 
 Congress, Washington, D. C.,1884. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 HE narrative which follows, is based upon a series of 
 truthful adventures. The hero of the work, actually 
 "lives, moves and has his being." He tells his own un- 
 polished story plainly, as a soldier, and not as a writer, and 
 modestly, as merely a man, and not as a hero. If there have 
 l)een added any embellishments they do not materially con- 
 flict with the truthful telling of the tale ; if there has been in- 
 troduced anything unreal, it has only been so much as was 
 deemed requisite to supply the "missing links" in the broken 
 chain of truthful incidents. So much is said on purpose to 
 shoAV that the writer's privileges have been greatly restricted. 
 To have introduced his hero into scenes and incidents wholly 
 imaginary, would have been, to say the least, impertinent ; 
 while to have followed unswervingly the veracious channel of 
 his adventures, would have been to endanger the interest of 
 the tale. For these reasons, therefore, the writer's task has 
 not been an easy one ; nor is it probable, that he has succeeded 
 in wholly obliterating every damaging evidence of a restrained 
 imagination. ***** Even under auspices, the most 
 favorable, a thousand doubts might well assail an unknown 
 "scribe," who is preparing to thrust himself into public notice ; 
 but for the reasons above enumerated, these misgivings are 
 greatly multiplied. 
 
 The story, however, in the judgment of the writer, possesses 
 intrinsically much which is interesting ; and if in this opinion 
 he succeeds in inducing the public to concur, he will have 
 accomplished his object, and obtained his reward. 
 
 "Author." 
 
SAVED BY A WOMAN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 It was in the spring of '61 that I voluntered my 
 services to "Dixie." The ominous war-clouds, which 
 had for months, even for years, hung brooding over 
 our peaceful land, had burst at last upon it, with 
 mighty and appalling thunder. The smoke of battle 
 had hung like a pall, over Sumter, and death had 
 already begun its abundant harvest in the east. Even 
 at this early stage of the strife, the cry for volunteers 
 resounded through the land, to find a responsive echo 
 in every patriotic heart. Men of low degree and 
 high, rich men and poor, old men and beardless 
 youths, were hurrying to the front from all points of 
 the compass ; some to reap honors and fame, others 
 to be brought back maimed for life, and many, alas, 
 how many, never to leturn. It was at this time, (in 
 the spring of '61, as I have said), that I too should- 
 ered my koapsack and turning my back upon a well 
 loved home, started to join the 16th Tennessee regi- 
 ment. How full of life, and hope, was I, on that bright 
 spring morning as I mounted my impatient steed and 
 rode away, and how well, even now, do I recaL the 
 sorrowful scenes at parting. The tears and prayers 
 of an affectionate mother, the blessings and counsels 
 of an aged father, all these I see, and feel, as plainly 
 
8 SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 now as then. But I must not linger o'er them. 
 With the mournful cadence of the oft- 
 repeated "Good-bye" still ringing in my ears, and in 
 my heart too, for that matter, I reined in my horse 
 upon a hillock hard-by and took my "last lingering 
 look" at the beloved home which 1 was deserting, 
 perhaps forever. I shall never forget the picture 
 which then I beheld. Leaning upon the garden fence, 
 his head bowed upon his swelling breast and his gray 
 locks waving in the early morning breeze, feebly 
 stood my father. Behind him in the doorway was 
 my dear, mother, alternately waving her handkerchief 
 to me and wiping her eyes with it, and even at that 
 distance, I imagined I could hear her last prayerful 
 words following me, in broken utterance, "God bless 
 you, my boy, and bring jou. safely back to mother." 
 I felt a choking sensation in my throat as 1 looked, 
 and before 1 knew it, burning tears were coursing 
 down my cheeks. I took off my military cap, raised 
 it in a last salute, and putting spurs to my horse, 
 dashed away. This was my last farewell to my 
 mother. I never saw her more ; but the blessing of 
 her last words has warmed my heart full many a time 
 since then. Alas! that we should receive so lightly 
 these blessings while we hear them uttered, and that 
 it should require the stamp — even of death — to give 
 theji a right impression upon our hearts. 
 
 But there is little room for gloomy reflection in the 
 breast of a youth just twenty-one years of age, and 
 before I had completed the half of my journey to 
 camp, my hopes were as high and my spirits as buoy- 
 ant as ever. I must pass rapidly over ; nay, I must 
 not even glance at the events of the first eighteen 
 months of my military service. At the end of that 
 time I was still only a private, but I was beginning 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 9 
 
 10 find fs,vor with my officers, and I had then every 
 reasonable hope of soon taking an upward step in 
 rank. I had made, and alas, I had lost many friends 
 during that period, and now I was to lose the dearest 
 friend of all — my mother. The news of her death 
 came upon me with crushing force. For a while it 
 stunned me, and I went the round of my daily duties 
 like one in a dream. "Troubles never come singly,'' 
 they say, and with me so it proved, for hard upon 
 the news of this great affliction, I was taken suddenly 
 ill, and lay for weeks with scarce a span 'twixt me and 
 death. When I at last arose I was more ghost than 
 man. I was offered a furlough without the trouble 
 of asking for it, but this I refused. I could not go 
 home, now that there was no longer a mother to wel 
 come me there, and I asked to be assigned to post 
 duty until my health should improve. Accordingly 
 I was sent as steward to the hospital at Atlanta, and 
 here, under the able treatment of Dr. Eave, the phy- 
 sician in charge, I rapidly regained my health and 
 was soon pronounced sufficiently well to rejoin my 
 regiment. A circumstance occurred, however, which 
 rendered this impossible,and whicb,as will soon be seen, 
 changed my entire future. I had conceived the plan 
 of visiting my afflicted father while on my way to the 
 f rontjbut as there were many difficulties to be overcome, 
 before this could be accomplished, 1 determined to 
 consult with Dr. Eave as to the plausibility of the 
 project. Accordingly I sought him out, in his pri- 
 vate office, and after laying before him my wishes and 
 doubts I asked what he thought of the scheme. 
 
 "Where do you live ?" asked the doctor after a mo- 
 ments reflection. 
 
 "In McMinnville, Tennessee, sir," said I. 
 
 "What," said he, jumping from his seat excitedly.' 
 
10 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Why, my dear fellow, you are the very man I am 
 looking for." 
 
 "If I can render yon a service doctor, '' — 
 " You can sir, you can, said he, interrupting me," 
 a most valuable service, if you will ; but let me ex- 
 plain. '■* I am sadly in need of a case of surgical 
 instruments here, and they cannot be found." "There 
 is'nt such a thing in the city of Atlanta, and the 
 the North, you know, is blockaded." "Now, there is 
 but one way out of the difficulty, and that is to send 
 or go for my own.'' Do you follow me. 
 " You wish me to get them for you ? " 
 " Exactly sir ; you have hit it." 
 " And where do you live, may I ask ? " 
 " Where do I live ? Why my dear sir," said the 
 doctor, we are neighbors. My home and those 
 instruments are less than twenty miles from your 
 father's house in McMinnville." 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say, that I eagerly ac- 
 cepted this opportunity of combining duty with 
 pleasure, and it took me but a short time to receive 
 my directions, get my "le.ive'' signed and start, upon 
 the most eventful journey of my life. 
 
 Two days later 1 arrived in Chattanooga; my first 
 act upon reaching here, being to seek out General 
 Ledbetter, then in command of the city, state my 
 business and procure a passport through the lines. 
 Besides giving me the passport and wishing me a 
 kind "God-speed," the General volunteered the advice 
 that I should make the remainder of my journey in 
 citizen's dress, and, accordingly, I lost no time in 
 making the necessary purchases. My uniform and 
 papers, except my pass, I left with a chance friend 
 for safe keeping ; and he kept them safely enough, 
 for I have never seen uniform, papers or friend since. 
 
11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 I am now about to relate an occurrence which made 
 but little impression upon me at the time of its hap- 
 pening, but which I had abundant and most startling 
 reasons for remembering more than once afterwards. 
 
 On the night of my arrival in Chattanooga, after 
 having arranged everything for my journey as before 
 stated, I sauntered into the hotel barber shop, intend- 
 ing to have my then very heavy moustache taken off, 
 with the view of helping my disguiee, for inasmuch 
 as I was traveling in a country in which I was well 
 known I did not deem the precaution superfluous. I 
 found the shop crowded, and not wishing to spend an 
 hour amid tobacco smoke and profanity, I left direc- 
 tions for a barber to come to me, and betook myself 
 to my room. I had not long to wait. A cautious 
 knock at my room door announced the arrival of the 
 barber, and a moment later a dried up little man 
 with a very oily head and a tongue to correspond, 
 bowed himself into the room. His peculiar accent at 
 once proclaimed him a Frenchman. 
 
 " If Monsieur" be ready he would have "ze honeur." 
 " Monsieur" had un grande, vat you call him — mous- 
 tach-cha. He hoped " Monsieur'' did not intend to 
 part ''vid dat." 
 
 I was not in the humor to be flattered, and setting 
 his scruples at rest, I abruptly bade him proceed with 
 his task. During the few moments of preparation 
 which followed the Frenchman talked incessantly 
 asking question after question, and never once wait- 
 ing for a reply, rattled on in a manner that quite con- 
 
12 SAVED BY A WOMAN ; 
 
 fused me. He was approaching me, at length, scis- 
 sors in hand, and I was in the act of throwing back 
 my head in the proper position for shaving, when he 
 suddenly stopped and began to gaze in my direction, 
 with such horror stealing over his countenance as I 
 had never seen upon human face before. Involunta- 
 rily I started and looked behind me, expecting to see 
 I know not what, but there was nothing but empty 
 space between me and the wall. 
 
 " "What's the matter, my man ?" 1 asked ; " you 
 look as if you had seen a ghost !" 
 
 " Ghost ! Aye, ghost !" said the Frenchman in a 
 half whisper ; " mon Dieu, Monsieur, it was a ghost." 
 
 The Frenclmian's face by this time was as white as 
 the sheet which I had pinned around my neck, and, 
 trembling in every limb, he sunk into a convenient 
 chair, where he sat fairly gasping for breath. I did 
 my utmost to laugh away the poor fellow's fears, but 
 all in vain. There was no reasoning with him, and 
 he swore persistently that he had seen the white-robed 
 form of a woman standing against the wall just behind 
 me, and that it vanished as quick as he saw it. Find- 
 ing, at length, that I could not reason him out of his 
 evident belief, I became a little vexed at what I termed 
 his stupidity, and bade him shave me at once or be- 
 gone ; but this he declared he could not do. He 
 must positively compose himself, he said, before he 
 could attempt so delicate an operation, and he hoped 
 Monsieur would pardon him. This announcement 
 irritated me beyond measure, and I am afraid I 
 slammed the door upon the retreating Frenchman 
 before he had fairly passed through it. Thus ended 
 my hope of being shaved before I commenced my 
 journey. 
 
 The next morning was bright and clear. The sun 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 13 
 
 was just gilding the top of "Lookout Mountain " ae, 
 seated beside several others, in a common plantation 
 wagon, I passed out of Chattanooga and anon reached 
 the first line of pickets. Here we showed cur passes 
 and proceeded to the second and last picket line ; where 
 again we produced our passports, and, after they had 
 been examined, destroyed them. Thus far I had paid 
 little attention to my companions, but now, being on 
 dangerous ground, we became as by mutual consent, 
 quite sociable. What power is there half so equalizing 
 in its effect, as the shadow of a common danger ? 
 
 To judge from outward appearances, we were a 
 party of peaceable civilians, who knew nothing of the 
 war, and cared as little about it ; for certain it is that 
 we seldom spoke of it. The weather, the scenery 
 around us and the products of the country through 
 which we were passing, were the subjects which 
 engrossed our conversation, and, at the end of a dozen 
 miles of travel, we knew as little of each other as 
 when we started. 
 
 Owing to the fact that our route lay directly across 
 the mountains, our progress was slow and laborious, 
 and at noon we had only compassed about fourteen 
 miles of our journey. We were now upon the extreme 
 top of the range, and had halted to give our horses a 
 moment to " wind," when we were rather startled by 
 the abrupt appearance of a man, who stood before us 
 BO suddenly as to create the delusion that he had 
 dropped from the clouds, while in reality, he had only 
 stepped from behind a tree. He was dressed as a 
 farmer, and carried a shot gun upon his shoulder. 
 
 " Mornin," said he, as with a grin, he acknowledged 
 our looks of surprise. 
 
 " Why, good morning, sir ; said the driver, at once 
 assuming the roll of spokesman. 
 
14 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " Dy'e know," said the stranger, pointing over his 
 shoulder, " that thar's lots on em right afore you ?'' 
 
 " Lot's o' what ? " asked the driver. 
 
 "Yanks," said the stranger;" Yanks, and as eure's 
 yon live you're waltzin into a hornet's nest. 
 
 *' Have you seen them ?" I asked, becoming myself 
 interested. 
 
 " I have," said he stepping a few paces nearer to us ; 
 "and now that I am satisfied, gentlemen, that you 
 are all Confederates, I no longer hesitate in telling 
 you that I am not what I seem." 
 
 "A scout," said I. 
 
 "Exactly sir ; one of Morgan's." 
 
 This announcement had the double effect of great- 
 ly surprising us, and of increasing our interest in the 
 stranger, and we at once began to ply him with ques- 
 tions concerning the proximity of the enemy, their 
 force, and eo forth. 
 
 "It is true,'' said he. "There is a full regiment of 
 Blue-coats, marching toward Chattanooga, and they 
 must pass this spot in less than two hours. It is not 
 to your liking, I dare assert, but your only course is 
 to turn back, and the quicker you do it the better." 
 
 "And you," said I, "what will become of you ?" 
 
 ''Oh !'' said he, smiling, "I have other fibh to fry." 
 
 The scout had spoken truly. We did not fancy a 
 retreat ; nevertheless, it was plainly the one course 
 left open to us. Thanking him therefore for his 
 timely warning, and bidding him good-day, we were 
 soon beating a hasty retreat, and at sunset, we had 
 retraced our steps to within three miles of the outer 
 picket-post of the city. Here we stopped at a farm- 
 house to water our horses, and were both surprised 
 and alarmed to learn from the farmer that there was 
 a considerable force of the enemy between us and the 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 15 
 
 city, putting us literally between two fires. A hasty 
 consultation was held, and we were not long in de- 
 ciding upon a course of action. This, in a few words, 
 was to journey across the country to a Mr. Foe's, a 
 well-known Southern man, distant about twelve miles 
 from where we tlien were, and arriving there to re- 
 main until it should be deemed prudent for us to 
 continue our journey. Having received directions 
 from the farmer we therefore sat out at once, and a 
 little before midnight we were safely within sight of 
 Poe's farm. But here another surprise awaited us. 
 Within the spacious enclosure around the farmer's 
 cottage, sparkled no less than a dozen camp-fires, and 
 not wishing to proceed blindfolded into what might 
 prove a camp of the enemy, we halted to reconnoitre. 
 Volunteering my services, I went cautiously forward 
 on foot. All seemed peaceful and quiet as I ap- 
 proached. Not a sound broke the stillness of the 
 night, save now and then the "cracking'' of the dying 
 camp-fire; the occasional "stamp" of a horse's foot 
 upon the earth, or the grinding of his teeth together, 
 as he munched the last of his supper, and I had reach- 
 ed to within a few yards of the enclosure, and still no 
 sign of human life presented itself ; but here, after 
 intently looking about me, in every direction, I at 
 length made out the indistinct outlines of a human 
 form leaning against a tree near to one of the fires. 
 The light was too indistinct, however, for me to de- 
 cide the question as to whether he was "Union" or 
 "Confederate," and until this question was decided I 
 dared not show myself. There was nothing for it, 
 therefore, but to wait where I was, and trust to 
 chance for the rest. Having made up my mind to 
 ihis I walked quite up to the fence, and was prepar- 
 ing to sit down and make myself as comfortable as 
 
16 SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 possible, when I felt a heavy hand grasp my shoulder, 
 and ere I conld think of resistance, the cold muzzle 
 of a revolver was pressed against my temple. 
 
 '^Better to keep quiet, I guess," said a low 
 voice in my ear," wouldn't like to make a sifter o' 
 your brain-house — understand." 
 
 "I understand quite well. You have all the advan- 
 tage , said I. What do you want with me?" 
 
 '"Don't know as I want you at all," said the man, 
 who now lowered his weapon, and stood in front of 
 me— "Depends entirely upon the color o' your liver." 
 
 "Well, really my friend," said I — "Considering the 
 fact that I have never had the opportunity of disccv- 
 erinff in what particulars my individual liver" — 
 
 "Balderdash," said the man. "What's your senti- 
 ments, gray or blue ? Out with it." 
 
 "I am a Confederate." 
 
 "Can you prove it?" 
 
 "Impossible — I have destroyed all proof of my 
 identity." 
 
 "Come, no nonsense," said he ;" show your papers; 
 but hold, it is not necessary now that I look at you." 
 "I met you to-day." 
 
 I soon discovered that this was true. The scout 
 whom we had met in the morning, and the man be- 
 fore me was one and tlie same person. 
 
 "How in the name of wonder, are you here ?" said 
 I, jumping to my feet ; for his heavy hand had pre- 
 cipitated me into a sitting posture. 
 
 "Oh !" said he. "1 am a fast walker ; but what are 
 you doing here ?" 
 
 "Sit down and yon shall hear — but what a walker 
 you must be." 
 
 "Behold!" said he, with a low chuckle as he 
 stretched a huge limb before me. "See the length, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMAXCE. 17 
 
 the shape, the thickness, and no longer wonder ;'' — 
 but proceed with your story. 
 
 We nDw sat down, and began to exchange confi- 
 dence. After relating to hitn the circumstttnces 
 which had led to our second meeting, he proceeded 
 to give me all the information I desired. By a short 
 cut through the woods he had an-ived at Poe's about 
 e ark, and found there stragglers from all directions 
 to the number of about thirty. These were all pre- 
 sumably Confederates, but as there could be no cer- 
 tainty upon this head, every man was shy of hi* 
 neighbor. Poe himself did not know the true senti- 
 ments of half his guests. Scarcely his guests either, 
 inasmuch as his abundant hospitality was forced up- 
 on him. He (Poe) was about to abandon his place. 
 He would leave next morning with his stock and 
 whatever valuables he could carry, for some f-afe re- 
 treat in the mountains, and the scout advised us to 
 join his party. There were animals enough he said 
 for all to ride, and we would thus be helping Poe 
 and forwarding our own ends at the same time. In 
 the scouts opinion this was the wisest, if not the only 
 course we could safely pursue. After a little further 
 conversation I parted with him, who was about leav- 
 ing for parts only known to liimself, and hastening 
 back to my companions proceeded to lay before them 
 what 1 had learned together with the plans suggested. 
 
 There was little need for a pilot in plain sailing 
 like this, and with one accord we determined to cast 
 our lot with that of Mr. Poe. In less than an hour 
 later, therefore, we had taken quiet possession of that 
 gentleman's barnyard, and had made ourselves as com- 
 fortable for the night as our surruundings permitted. 
 
18 SAVED BY A WOMAN 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 "After a few hours of refreshing slumber I awoke 
 to find it already daylight. Men in every character 
 of drees were hurrying to and fro, some saddling their 
 animals, some stowing away the remnavits of their 
 breakfast, some filling their canteens at the well, and 
 osiers strapping on their weapons, or packing their 
 luggage. Everything betokened a hasty departure. 
 At a little distance away, in an open pasture, grazed 
 a herd of about two hundred cattle, while in the yard 
 in which we were, young mules, sheep, swine, goats and 
 every Fpecies of fowl were huddled together in s-ti ange 
 confusion. I shall never forget the mournful melody 
 of their mingled voices. The 'bellowing' of the cow?, 
 the bleating of the sheep, the more indistinct 'grunt' 
 of the hog'", and the occasional shrill crow of a cock, 
 or cackle of a hen, combined to make sad, though — 
 not unpleasant music. But the stir and bustle of 
 preparation added a harsh accompaniment and robbed 
 the effect of its peaceful suggestion. Who that lived 
 in those dark days cannot recall some scene similar 
 to this ? The desertion of a long loved home, the 
 rude breaking asunder of all those ties and associa- 
 tions, which have hitherto combined to make up so 
 much of our happiness. At such moments we not 
 only feel an uncertain dread of what the future may 
 hold for us, but our hearts are tilled with a tender 
 concern, wholly free from vulgar or mercenary con- 
 siderations, for 'the dear old place' which we are 
 leaving without a protector. A tender concern? 
 Aye, truly this, for each familiar object that we look 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 19 
 
 upon reveals at this parting tyioment some new feature 
 to admire, if not an actual beauty, never before re- 
 marked. Trifles which had no value yesterday, i re 
 almost treasures to-day ; and the meanest gewgaw 
 which we yesterday spurned, we are strangely careful 
 of to-day. Alas, that so many should iiave known 
 the feeling, and that in so many instances their dark- 
 est forebodings should have been re lized to the full. 
 Alas, again that the devastating hand of war should 
 so often o'er reach ourselves and invade the sacred 
 precincts of our homes. But to my story. 
 
 Without waiting to eee that my companions were 
 stirring, I left the wagon in which we had all slept, 
 and hat^tened away to find our host ; my object being 
 to obtain his consent to our joining his party and to 
 borrow some animals for our use. I found him with 
 little trouble — an open-faced, genial man of about 
 sixty — and he readily gave his consent to all I asked. 
 We could have as many mules as we desired he said, 
 and he would be delighted to have our company. 
 With this report 1 returned to my companions, wheie 
 I found a hastily prepared , breakfast awaiting me, of 
 which 1 heartily partook, and this duty performed we 
 were ready for the road. Mounting upon my young 
 and fractious mule, I was one of the last to leave the 
 enclosare. Our host had lingered behind to give 
 some last directions to a negro, the only servant he 
 was leaving ; and, as the animal I bestrode suddenly 
 concluded to go no further, coax and spur him as I 
 would, I made a virtue ot necessity and patiently 
 awaited the coming of the farmer. It was now broad 
 daylight. The sun just kissed the tops of the tall 
 pines and touched a hillock here and there, as if to 
 dry up the tears the night had shed, and bid " the 
 hills rejoice," because it had come again. Gjeen 
 
20 SAVED BY A WOMAN ; 
 
 pastures stretched away on every hand from which, 
 now and tlien a field lark rose high in air, uttering its 
 melodious offering to the morning. 
 
 Just rising a gentle incline to my left, was the caval- 
 cade, which had preceeded me; the "smack" of the 
 long lash, the peculiar " hia,'' "hia," of the drivers 
 and the "tramp" and bellowing of the cattle, becom- 
 ing momentarily less distinct ; and behind me, nestling 
 peacefully among venerable oaks and cedars, stood 
 the deserted home of the farmer. At the gate through 
 which I had just passed, the latter alreadj^ mounted, 
 was in the act of bidding farewell to his trusted slave, 
 when, looking toward the train, I noticed with surprise, 
 that instead of taking the proffered hand of his mas- 
 ter, the negro suddenly began to gesticulate excitedly, 
 and to point in the direction of the house. In another 
 moment the negro had disappeared as if by magic, and 
 the master was galloping at full speed straight toward 
 me. With some anxiety 1 waited his coming, to learn 
 the meaning of his hurried flight, but long before he 
 reached me, the cause became but too apparent. The 
 Yankees were upon us. Charging through the yard, 
 having approached unseen from behind the house, 
 came on in hot pursuit a full company of blue-coated 
 cavalry. Mr. Foe swept by me like the wind, calling 
 to me to follow, and my hitherto refractory animal, 
 catching something of the spirit of the moment, 
 answered the spur right bravely, and dashed after him. 
 For a few moments we held our own, and the hope of 
 escape beat high in my heart. The cool air of the 
 morning and the lively pace at which I was going, 
 together with the excitement of the moment, produced 
 in me a kind of intoxication, intensely pleasurable ; 
 but the pleasure was short-lived. Mr. Foe was dis- 
 tancing me, and my animal losing the companionship 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE 21 
 
 of the farmer's noble charger began to lag; and, alas! 
 no persuasion on mj part,whether gentle or the reverse, 
 could induce him to save me from capture. I now- 
 realized this painful truth, and yet I did not cease my 
 struggles until my pursuer's were actually abreast of 
 me, and I heard the command to surrender, accom- 
 panied by the ominous " click " of several revolvers. 
 To struggle unarmed against such odds would have 
 been madness, and ere I had fully realized the un- 
 pleasant fact, I was a prisoner. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 In less time than it takes me to tell it, I was left in 
 the custody of two men, and the troops had swept by 
 us, hard upon the heels of lWv. Poe, 
 
 " Got'chcr eilf in a nice kittle o' fieh," said one of 
 my captors. ''Got any bull pups about 'cher? '' 
 
 " 1 am not armed, if that is what you mean," I 
 answered. 
 
 "Oh ! You are not? P'rap's you have some "dust," 
 then? No! Nor a " ticker " neither ?" 
 
 "What I have is my own," I said "and if you 
 dare rob me, I shall report it to your officers at the 
 first opportunity." 
 
 " O'ho, that's the tune is, it ? Well, I reckon, I 
 don't want'cher greasy Confed. " shin plasters," nor 
 yer brass turnip, neither ; so you need not tire off yer 
 lip, "Johnnie Reb." We don't like it." 
 
 By this time 1 had dismounted, and was being 
 marched back toward the farm house ; upon reaching 
 which I was surprised to find no less than fifty 
 
22 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 prisoners surrounded by a small guard. I was un- 
 ceremoniously shoved in among these, and left to 
 mingle with them as I pleased ; and I began at once 
 to look about me wondering if among all these unfor- 
 tunates there might not be found at least one face 
 with whom I was familiar. There were men of every 
 age, from the lad of sixteen to the old man of sixty 
 years or more. There was also every species of dress 
 among them; the common home-spun of the farmer; 
 the more fastidious dress of "the man from town;" 
 the rags of the pauper, and in a few instances 
 the full Confederate uniform, were all to be seen. 
 But' a single common feature pervaded the com- 
 pany, and this consisted in the anxious look which 
 marked every countenance. I was just beginning 
 to despair of finding any among them whom I knew, 
 when I noticed something of a commotion among the 
 guard, and I soon perceived that another prisoner 
 was being brought in. Prompted by a natural curi- 
 osity, I looked toward the latter and, at a single glance, 
 I knew him as the scout, who had twice befriended us 
 on the day before. Although I should rather have 
 felt sorrow at his misfortune, I confess to a selfish 
 pleasure at seeing him, and I hastened forward to 
 offer my condolence. Can I say condolence^ after the 
 confession I have made ? 
 
 "My dear fellow," I began, but I ceased abruptly, 
 to wonder at the meaningless stare which I encoun- 
 tered. 
 
 "Hist," he said in a low voice. "Be careful you 
 not know me herer 
 
 " Excuse me,'' said I aloud ; at once catching his 
 meaning. " I took you for some one else.'' I was 
 turning away when he touched me on the shoulder 
 and continued, " I see there is no one noticing us. / 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 23 
 
 am here from choice. I will escape at the proper 
 moment, but I must not be known as Morgan's scout. 
 The distinction between '-' scout" and "spy,'' is but 
 subtile at best, and besides, Morgan's very name is 
 enough to hang me. Do you understand ? '' 
 
 " Perfectly," " but I cannot help wondering at your 
 temerity. How on earth are you to escape?'' 
 
 " I don't know hoio^' said he; "but I am sure I will 
 escape." He drew himself proudly up and continued, 
 " I was educated, sir, by John Morgan." 
 
 "Good luck to you," I said, adding to myself — "I 
 do not wonder at Morgan's brilliant career, if all his 
 men are like you." 
 
 " Many better," said he ; his keen ear having caught 
 my soliloquy. "Many better and few not as good. 
 Morgan's men are for the most part educated scouts. 
 I do not speak of all whom he has commanded, but 
 of those whom he always chooees for his sudden raids. 
 There is not one among them but would dare as much 
 as this. Pshaw ! This is nothing. 
 
 "May I ask your name, sir," said I; becoming 
 much interested in the man. 
 
 " Certainly," he replied. " My name is McPherson, 
 Frank McPherson, but better known since the war com- 
 menced," added he with a chuckle, as "Slippery 
 Frank." " I hail from near Atlanta, in Georgia." I 
 have been captured and have escaped five times since 
 I joined the army; hence my nickname of "Slippery." 
 I have ; and now stranger, y'er curiosity hes took you 
 es fer es i'll foller, so just you git." 
 
 I needed not the cunning wink he gave me to 
 understand his sudden change of manner, for just 
 then an officer approached us. Producing a merao- 
 randvim book and pencil the latter asked us our names, 
 places of residence, etc., displaying an interest in our 
 
24: SATED BY A WOMAN ; 
 
 replies, which would have been quite flattering, under 
 other circunistances. For r/ij part, I gave him my 
 full name, my regiment, and even the letter of my 
 company, for at that moment I could think of no 
 reason for concealing anything of my true character. 
 Having given my answers, I was now all curiosity to 
 hear what those of McPhersou would be, nor was 1 
 long in linding out. 
 
 Before the officer had well reached him, the scout 
 commenced his voluntary information thus : "My 
 name's Speers. — Jim Speers — lives in Georgy — farms 
 — travelling to Shelbyville to see some relations ; got 
 tuck, and thar's the end of it;" and with this, he 
 stuck both hands into his trowsers' pockets and saun- 
 tered away. 
 
 The officer smiled while he made a note of this 
 information, but said nothing. Not long after this 
 the troop of cavalry appeared in the distance ; and 
 shortly thereafter they rode up, bringing with them 
 about twenty prisoners. Yery few, if any, of those, who 
 left the farm in the morning, had escaped. I recog- 
 nized among the unfortunates all of my late compan- 
 ions, except the driver, whom [ learned afterwards, 
 had escaped by hiding in the stable. After lounging 
 about for a half hour to "blow'' their horses, during 
 which time Mr. Poe's house was "gone through" from 
 top to bortom, we were formed by twos, and with a 
 strong guard on each side of us, marched off toward 
 the enemy's lines in front of Chattanooga. 
 
 Before we reached them, however, an incident 
 occurred, which, as it forms an important link in the 
 chain of my story, must be told in detail ; and, there- 
 fore, I beg 'eave to reserve it for another chapter. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 25 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 "It was high noon when we took the road, attended 
 only by a portion of our captors; the remainder hav- 
 ing preceded ns. by about an hour ; driving the 
 farmer's stock toward their lines. 
 
 The day was intensely hot. The sun hung in an 
 unclouded sky, and his riery rays beat full upon us, 
 with suffocating effect. The road, for the most part, 
 was deep in sand, burning particles of which tilled 
 our shoes, causing us acute pain, which increased at 
 every step ; and to add to our discomfort we were 
 hurried along at a pace little less than a run in order 
 to keep up with the horses of our escort. Taking 
 into consideration the gloomy thoughts which neces- 
 sarily filled us, our condition was as miserable as could 
 well he. 
 
 I could but pity the old and feeble of our party, 
 many of whom, heartsick and already weary, dragged 
 themselves along with an effort painful to behold. 
 There was one old man among the latter who partic- 
 ularly engaged my deepest sympathies. He could 
 scarcely have been less than seventy years of age. 
 llis hair and beard were silvery white ; his head shook 
 with the palsy of age, and his limbs trembled and 
 tottered at every step. Why was he made a prisoner ? 
 Because, on the night before, he had tired upon a 
 body of federals, who were driving away his cattle, 
 and otherwise depredatiuT; upon hi? place. Because 
 he had defended his substance, which in his old age 
 was life itself to him. 
 
 He was walking just in front of me ; walking did 
 
26 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 I say ? — rather dragging his limbs along, while he 
 supported his body between a stick, and the generous- 
 ly offered arm of a younoer man at his side. Now 
 in consequence of this, the progress of these two was 
 slower than of the rest of the line, at which delay 
 the guards became greatly incensed. Curses and 
 abuses were rained upon us, and threats became 
 numerous : but they availed nothing, for the old 
 man's scanty store of strength was fast failing him, 
 and every new effort but exhausted it the more. At 
 length, after a perfect torrent of abuse, and a savage 
 shove from one of the guard, the aged prisoner Stood 
 still and turning to the nearest officer, a sergeant, said 
 meekly and feebly : "Sir, if you wish me to go 
 further you must carry me — were death, the penalty 
 of halting, I could walk no more." 
 
 "See here," said the irate sergeant with an oath, 
 "you were not too old, nor too feeble, to handle a 
 siiot-gun last night, and by G — d you are not too old 
 nor too feeble to walk to day" — then springing from 
 his horse, he drew his sword from the scabbard and 
 placing the point against the old man's breast ordered 
 him to roarch. 
 
 "I cannot ; I cannot," he said — "take my life if 
 you will, but I cannot." 
 
 There was murder in the man's eyes. He had 
 already tightened his grip upon his sword and was in 
 the act of giving the cowardly thrust, when being 
 unable longer to restrain myself I leapt upon him like 
 a panther and felled him to my feet with a single 
 blow. 
 
 "For shame," I cried, "you cowardly cur — you 
 shall not harm those gray hairs while I live " If ever 
 there was a countenance to which the phrase "demon- 
 like" might apply, I saw it at that moment. There 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 27 
 
 was a smile upon his face that might have frozen my 
 blood, were I less heated with passion ; and his dark 
 eyes emitted flashes of terrible purpose, as he delib- 
 erately gained his feet and brushed the sand from his 
 clothes. 
 
 Not once did he take his eyes from mine, and I, 
 angry and defiant, met his gaze unflinchingly. For 
 one brief instant did we eye each other thus ; then 
 his right arm was raised slowly towards me, and when 
 it gained the level of my eyes I saw that the hand 
 held a cocked revolver. The weapon was scarce two 
 feet from my face. I watched, with a kind of fasci- 
 nation I could not master, the index finger as it 
 slowly left the guard and reached the trigger. 
 
 My heart raised itself in silent supplication, and 
 had I died then my last breath would have gone out 
 in prayer. The finger pressed the trigger, the flash 
 blinded me, the report deafened me, but the ball did 
 me no harm, although, alas ! it found a victim. The 
 innocent cause of all this trouble was standing just 
 behind me, and he it was who received the angry 
 bullet full in his forehead and e'er I could turn my 
 head to look upon him he had sunk to the earth a 
 corpse. This tragic incident consumed in its acting 
 much less time than it takes me to tell it. OflScers 
 hurried to scene, attracted thither ; first by the halt in 
 the procession and afterward by the report of the 
 pistol. 
 
 From many conflicting reports concerning the 
 affair he in command at last caught the drift of its 
 true character, and at once ordered the murderer to 
 be bound and treated as a prisoner. 
 
 As to myself he said, "Considering the end, I am 
 sorry you interfered in this business, but I neverthe- 
 less commend your motive.'' 
 
28 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 **I could not have foreseen the issue sir," said I, 
 and I meant to jeopardize no one's life but my own." 
 
 The officer now gave some orders which I could 
 not overhear, and two of the escorts dismounting 
 removed the lifeless body to one side of the road and 
 the procession was again put in motion, leaving 
 behind the two soldiers keeping guard over their 
 dead prisoner. I marched along after this with many 
 conflicting emotions struggling within me for the 
 mastery. I burned with indignation, because that so 
 little respect had been shown in the first instance for 
 one of the victims of age and infirmity, and that he 
 should have been ruthlessly compelled to encounter 
 hardships which might have taxed the hardihood of 
 many a younger man. And while I deeply deplored 
 the tragic event and my own dubious share in it, I 
 could not suppress a strong desire for revenge upon 
 the cowardly assassin. Nor was 1 alone in these feel- 
 ings. Lowering brows met the gaze on every hand, 
 and deep-toned, vengeful mutterings tilled the air. 
 For many a mile this bitter spirit pervaded the cap- 
 tives, but ere we reached our journey's end our own 
 wretchedness engaged our whole attention. Our feet 
 were blistered and swollen and our suffering from 
 this cause alone was great ; but there was another 
 and greater misery in store for us. There was no 
 water to be had and we were soon famishing from 
 thirst. And again, many among us had eaten nothing 
 since the day before and these began also to expe- 
 rience the dreadful pangs of hunger. 
 
 The midsummer's sun still beat full upon us ; his 
 furious rays falling like molten lead upon our brains, 
 and the road became even heavier as we labored 
 along. And thus were we forced to march, all through 
 that dreadful day and far into the night. What a 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 29 
 
 welcome sight when at last we saw the flickering 
 lights of the enemy's camp-firep, and how joyful the 
 thought that we must soon hear the command to 
 "halt; " a command which had it been given beneath 
 the shadow of the gallows' tree would still to us have 
 been welcome. No weary travel-stained adventurer, 
 longing for rest, ever crossed the threshold of his luxu- 
 rious home with more gladness in his heart than filled 
 ours as we entered the stronghold of our enemies. A 
 feeble cheer, half a sigh of relief actually struggled 
 for expression to our parched lips as we stood still 
 once more, tottering and catching at each other for 
 support. Some among us would, perhaps, ne ver know 
 liberty again ; none of us but anticipated months of 
 wretchedness and misery, and yet the half articulate 
 cheer we uttered was the voice of sincerity itself, for 
 each who uttered it had told himself "Whate'er 
 betides, I've known the worst.*' Some of the men 
 sank to the ground at once and begged piteously for 
 water; but this was not given us till we had been 
 told off, like so many sheep, to see if any were miss- 
 ing. After this they brought us water, every drop of 
 which might have come from Paradise. Every gulp 
 was a new life, since each would have given his life 
 for a single swallow. It was pitiable to see the fam- 
 ished wretches quarrel over the buckets as starving 
 dogs over a bone, and to see with what savage avidity 
 they gulped down the life-giving fluid. Had they 
 known each drop to contain a subtle poison they would 
 nevertheless have quaffed their death as if it had 
 been nectar. Ah, truly there was enough of suffering 
 there to atone for many a sin. The very thought of 
 it parches my throat to this day, and by the same 
 token it has made me too dry to say another word at 
 this sitting." 
 
30 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 
 "We slept that night in "Stringer's" stable, nor could 
 the softest bed of down have rendered our sleep one 
 whit the sounder or sweeter. The sun was high in 
 the heavens when I awoke, and great was my surprise 
 to hear the occasional booming of cannon in the 
 distance. 
 
 It was some moments before I could collect enough 
 of thought to wholly comprehend my situation. A 
 dull pain, more like a heavy weight, pressed upon my 
 brain and completely bewildered me , but soon I 
 began to form a clearer idea of my surroundings. My 
 fellow-prisoners la}' around me piled upon each other 
 in all the "abandon" of extreme fatigue ; just as they 
 had sunk down a few hours before, when conscious 
 of nothing but the sublime sensation of slumber 
 stealing over their tired senses, they had resigned 
 themselves unresistingly to its influence. They were 
 still asleep. Not tasting of that lighter repose, (the 
 recuperative draught which nature nightly sends us), 
 but drinking deeply from oblivion's cup ; a sleep the 
 very counterfeit of death ; and indeed 1 might well 
 have fancied myself in that monster's grim presence, 
 were not the breathing of my companions audible 
 enough to dispel the delusion. A suflfocating steam 
 arose from their heated bodies and scarcely able to 
 breath, I climbed upon a stall and put my face to a 
 small opening to catch a breath of the pure atmos- 
 mosphere from without. The cool air invigorated 
 me greatly, and being in no hurry to forgo to much 
 enjoyment I lingered there, looking wistfully out 
 upon freedom. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 31 
 
 I had just satisfied myself that the camp was almost 
 entirely deserted and that the firing came from the 
 direction of the city, when a gruff voice admonished 
 me to "git out o' that," and looking down I beheld a 
 sentinel with his piece presented toward me. 
 
 "What harm can I possibly do by standing here, 
 my man," said I ; "I am only catching some fresh 
 air." 
 
 "Might catch more'n fresh air if you don't git," 
 said the fellow, handling the lock of his musket me- 
 nacingly. 
 
 "But I'll suffocate below here." 
 
 "Suffocate and be d — n," said he, bringing the 
 musket to his shoulder. 
 
 "Miserable bondage," I cried as I sprang from my 
 perch to the ground; "miserable bondage that denies 
 a nan even breath enough to fill his lungs." 
 
 "Might I be permitted to suggest," said a voice at 
 my side, "that any addition to the present uncomfort- 
 able state of the atmosphere, in the shape of caloric, 
 might add to our discomfort." 
 
 "I should have little fear of such a disaster, sir, if 
 impertinence were calculated to forestall it," I rejoin- 
 ed, not deigning to notice the speaker. 
 
 "In what shape shall I administer the antidote 
 then ?" continued he with a low chuckle. 
 
 "In any shape you please," I replied, "so long as it 
 proves effective." 
 
 "Let us try then. In the first place take off your 
 coat; in the second, make a fan of your hat; thirdly, 
 sit down or lie down as I do, and"^ lastly, think of 
 everything on earth but one thing — the lieat." 
 ^ "Yery good in theory, not worth a cent in prac- 
 tice." 
 
 "But I have tried it." 
 
 "And 1 do not choose to." 
 
32 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Acknowledge that you have a very bad temper/' 
 
 "Which might be tried too geverely, sir," I quickly 
 rejoined, turning angrily towar^ the speaker, whom I 
 was dumbfounded to find was none other than my 
 friend 'Slippery Frank.* 
 
 "McPherton," I cried, "forgive my hasty words ; I 
 did not recognize your voice," and walking for\v^ard I 
 shook his hand warmly. 
 
 "Oh, I was sure of that," said he, with a laugh ; 
 "I rather enjoyed your mistake. Sit down ; it is 
 rather better near the earth, which to a degree is cool. 
 Bad enough anywhere, however, one might imagine 
 'Hades' to be only a foot or so below us." 
 
 "Not only steaming hot, but impure," I said ; 
 "what in heaven's name will become of us if we are 
 left thus much longer?" 
 
 "We will not be, I think. They must bring us 
 food before long, and the opening of the door will 
 help our condition greatly. Besides, I am in hopes 
 that then, seeing our condition, they will be humane 
 enough to remedy it." 
 
 "1 trust your hopeful conjectures may prove cor- 
 rect,'' I rejoined, "for this is a little more than I can 
 patiently endure." 
 
 "What a day was yesterday," said my companion, 
 musingly, "I confess I am not so much pleased with 
 my adventure as 1 expected to be." 
 
 "You told me yesteiday that your captivity was 
 voluntarily brought about by yourself." 
 
 "Yes, I put myself purposely in the way of it and 
 I now occupy the position of a spy, by comptilsion 
 This must not be long, however, for I must see Led- 
 better before this time to-morrow. How, is the ques- 
 tion." 
 
 "I fear you are over sanguine, sir," said I. "They 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 33 
 
 are watching every rat-hole in the building, as you 
 have 6een.'' 
 
 ''Perhaps I'm; and yet I have done it before, but, 
 hist, thev are unbarring the door ; remember, I am 
 farmer Speers.'' 
 
 The heavy oaken door was now unbarred, and while 
 several armed men guarded the entrance a large tray 
 of biscuits, a dish of fried bacon, two buckets of 
 water, and several large vessels filled with steaming 
 coffee, were brought in and spread out upon the 
 ground. While this was being done McPherson and 
 I, the only two upon our legs, stood as near to the 
 door as possible and drank in the delicious fresh air 
 which poured through the entrance; nor were we 
 modest in the matter of explaining our wretched 
 condition and of appealing to the humanity of our 
 captors to the end that it might be bettered. _ A 
 gruff answer or two was all that we got for our pains, 
 however, and the door slammed in our faces almost 
 as soon as it had been opened. 
 
 •' this is inhuman ; it is brutal," I said, turning 
 away in disgust ; " what of your predictions now, 
 friend Speers ?" 
 
 " D—n," he muttered between his teeth, while he 
 stamped the unconscious earth with his feet to vent 
 his anger. 
 
 " Becoming rather interesting," said I, with a fee- 
 ble attempt at pleasantry. 
 
 " (>, ho ! that is your "humor, is it ?" said the other 
 with ^ sickly smile ; " you are right. It is much bet- 
 ter than to rave, after all. Ridicule what is unpleas- 
 ant to us and it loses half its poignancy." 
 
 "We certainly have the advantage of 'anything we 
 can laugh at," I replied ; " but come, let us break our 
 fast. There is nothing so calculated to help a man's 
 feelings, whether bodily, or mental, as a full stona- 
 
 3 
 
34 SAVED BY A WOMAN ; 
 
 ach. See, these biscuits are bj no means bad, and 
 this bacon is done to a turn. Mj dear fellow, 'there 
 is a sweet in every bitter.' " 
 
 " There's no sweet in that bitter, I'll be sworn," 
 said he, as he made a wry face and shuddered, after 
 swallowing a mouthful of the unsweetened coffee. 
 " Taste that, and deny the adage ever after." 
 
 " On the contrary, I should be but the more firmly 
 convinced of its truth/' 
 
 "Pray explain yourself.'' 
 
 "Certainly. You say the coffee is bitter ; now 
 this proves its strength, and weak coffee is worthless. 
 The very bitter, therefore, is sweet in disguise." 
 
 "Balderdash," said McPherson ; "give me undis- 
 guised sweets then. But listen : the firing is more 
 rapid now; do j^ou notice it ?" 
 
 " Yes ; and by the way, what is your explanation 
 concerning this irregular firing ?" 
 
 "Merely feeling Ledbetter's strength, nothing 
 more,'' said he. 
 
 " Do you think so ; and why V 
 
 " The force is too small to attempt anything more; 
 Ledbetter is too well fortified for that ; and, besides, 
 Negley's men are scattered all over the country. Two- 
 thirds of them are out foraging ; the camp is merely 
 a place of rendezvous selected to watch Ledbetter 
 and hold him in check, while the coast is kept clear 
 for the business of pillaging and capturing the un- 
 wary." 
 
 "This is part of ' Negley's' division, then ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " And have they no one to fear but Ledbetter ?" 
 
 " They have Morgan to fear, but as yet they do not 
 know it?" 
 " Ah ! May we not be rescued, then ?" 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 35 
 
 " Scarcely that. The place is not suited for a sur- 
 prise, and they will not fight him openly.'' 
 
 " You think they will run V 
 
 " Yes ; and take you with them." 
 
 " And you ? " 
 
 " I go to Chattanooga.'' 
 
 " Yery easy," said I, laughing — " to escape first and 
 swim the river after." 
 
 " And yet I will do it," paid he. 
 
 "Nay," said I. "I do not doubt it; lam only 
 curious to know hoio you will do it." 
 
 " Oh, that must depend upon circumstances,'' he 
 returned, as he strode away in a thoughtful mood. 
 
 One by one, the prisoners now began to awaken, 
 and to hasten eagerly toward the meal which had been 
 so unceremoniously served, and ere long quite a crowd 
 had gathered around it. Having eaten all I desired, 
 I sought again for McPherson whom I soon found, 
 leaning against one of the stalls and conversing with 
 a man wh' m at a glance I recognized as the same 
 who had so generously helped along the feeble old 
 victim of yesterday's tragedy. 
 
 " Here he comes now," said McPherson, as I 
 walked up ; then turning to me he continued, " our 
 Irish friend here was just speaking of your narrow 
 etcape of yesterday." 
 
 " Bedad," said that individual, extending his hand 
 to me, "it's Barney O'Hare as never seen a narrower, 
 sir. Sure I thought you were gone entirely." 
 
 " A close call," said I, shaking his proffered hand, 
 " and what on earth saved me I cannot tell." 
 
 " They're quick, these farmers, sir;" said Barney, 
 looking admiringly at McPherson, " may be he didn't 
 bounce on the dirty spalpeen ; and may be he didn't 
 lave as quick as he came.*' 
 
36 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " What mean you," said I looking from one to the 
 other, "can it be possible that" — 
 
 " It's truth I'm telling you, sir," interrupted the son 
 of Erin. "Barney O'Hare's eyes niver desaves him." 
 
 " Am I to understand from this," said 1, turning to 
 McPherson, " that I owe my life to your generous 
 interference ?" 
 
 " Mf.Pherson answered not a word, but the Irish- 
 man executed a series of nods, evidently intended as 
 an affirmative answer to my query. 
 
 " Speak," said I, looking steadily at the scout, "tell 
 me in plain words whether or not I owe you my 
 life?"-^ 
 
 " 1 disturbed the fellow's aim," he said ; " otherwise 
 he might have hit you.'' 
 
 " My dear friend,'' I said, not without emotion, 
 " let me thank you most sincerely. I might have 
 known that some one had interposed in my behalf ; 
 and yet, strangely enough it never once occurred to 
 me. It is not likely that I can ever repay such an 
 obligation ; but if chance — '' 
 
 " Balderdash," said McPherson, interrupting me 
 with his favorite expression of dissatisfaction. " It 
 was nothing — say no more about it," and thrusting 
 his hands in his trousers pockets, he whistled a tune 
 and walked away. 
 
 I turned to the Irishman then, and plied him with 
 questions, curious to know every particular of the 
 generous action, but Barney was not so well informed 
 as I supposed. 
 
 " It's little I can tell you, sir, after all," said he ; "1 
 was looking at the fellow with the pistol, and scraming 
 murther, win all at once, a body bounded by me, and 
 lit on tap of him. Then 1 heard the report, and the 
 ould man fell." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 37 
 
 " And this is all you know ?" 
 
 "Divil a more, sir; but if you are not above a 
 piece of advice from an honest man, I'd say look 
 sharp for that villain. Shure he'd the devil's own, 
 sir, and he'll be after murtherin' you behind your 
 back. Sorrow bit of a chance he'll give you, sir, and 
 don't you forget that same." 
 
 "Tiiank you, Barney," said I ; "your warning 
 shall not be unheeded." 
 
 I had scarcel_y spoken when the unbarring of the 
 door again attracted our attention, and I was not a lit- 
 tle surprised to see an officer and two privates enter, 
 closing the door behind them. A conversation in a 
 low tone now took place between the former and one 
 of the privates, and immediately afterward my own 
 name rang out clear and sharp. 
 
 "Here," I said, stepping forward and confronting 
 the officer; "what do you wish of me, sir ?" 
 
 " Ah, ha ! you are the man, are you," said he, eye- 
 ing me sternly, and immediately afterward he began, 
 in a lower voice, to read from an open letter which 
 he held in his hand. His words were not intended 
 for my ears, but my senses being keenly on the alert 
 I was enabled to catch some of them : 
 
 " Tall, large ; black moustache, hair * *; eyes ^ 
 handsome * * ; age * * ; slight stoop, etc., etc. Yery 
 good description ; pretty accurate, and you are the 
 man, are you ?" 
 
 " I am the person whose name you called," I said, 
 "what would you with me?" 
 
 " Oh, you will find that out soon enough, I fancy ; 
 quite a shrewd looking young chap ; and now for your 
 friend. What name did you say, Douglass ?" 
 
 " Speers, Colonel — Jim Speers ; yonder he stands.'' 
 
 " Fetch him up, then, and be quick about it, for 
 this place is as hot as h — 11." 
 
38 SAVED BY A WOMAN ; 
 
 The private called Dougla?8 now advanced toward 
 McPherson, who was standing some distance from us, 
 and I immediately heard the loud voice of the sup- 
 posed farmer in angry protestation. 
 
 " Go to the devil !" cried he ; "I am safe enough 
 here. Why in the thunder do you want to move us. 
 I tell you, I'd rather stay among my friends, as hot 
 as it is, than go outside among vou blamed Yan- 
 kees." 
 
 But in spite of all this he was brought to where we 
 stood and unceremoniously handcuffed — an indignity 
 which I myself was made to share. 
 
 " I*^ow march them out and, mind you, guard them 
 well,'' said the officer, throwing wide the door; "they 
 must not escape, d'ye hear?" 
 
 " They will not escape ine^ Colonel," said Douglass, 
 and there was so much bitterness evident in his low, 
 sarcastic voice, that I looked quickly at him and 
 recognized the Sergeant who had figured so inglori- 
 ously in the tragedy of the day before. 
 
 A vague feeling of uneasiness, took possession of 
 me, but careful to conceal any emotion of this nature, I 
 assumed an air of unconcern and returned the fellow's 
 insolent leer with a smile of contempt. 
 
 "Good morrow, brave knight,'' I said; "is it pos- 
 sible that you wear a private's uniform after your 
 noble exploit of yesterday? You should have been 
 promoted to a captaincy at the least." 
 
 "Go to h — 11," he said, "and shut up. You'll sing 
 another tune soon." 
 
 " Oh, you dirthy villain,'' cried Barney, who walked 
 up in time to interrupt the contemptuous reply I was 
 about to make; " sure it's a nate lick I could give you 
 this minute. Look out for him, your honor — look out 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 39 
 
 for the blackguard ; divil a scruple there is in his 
 raurtherin heart, the thafe." 
 
 A roar of laughter followed these words, which 
 were accompanied by a series of warlike gesticula- 
 tions ; and amid the confusion which followed, we 
 were led forth into the open air. Not for long how- 
 ever, were we destined to enjoy the sense of freedom, 
 which unrestricted sight and action afforded us, and 
 which was none the less pleasurable because it was 
 unreal ; for hardly had the angry voice of the Irishman 
 died away, when, having walked toward the centre of 
 the encampment, we were halted before a tent, and 
 ordered to enter. Why we ^^ ere brought here was a puz- 
 zle to us then, and it is a puzzle to me to this day. 
 Having entered our new prison, our handcuffs were 
 at once removed much to our Joy, and this was another 
 mystery to us. 
 
 " Good," said McPherson, when we were alone, " I 
 am just one hundred yards nearer to Chattanooga;" 
 and he flung himself' at full length upon the hard 
 earth — the only flooring to the tent. A few moments 
 later, he was tasting of what habit had enabled him 
 at any moment to command — a refreshing sleep. 
 
40 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 I began at once to explore my tent, but there being 
 literally nothing to discover, I eoon wearied of a 
 search so barren, and flinging myself beside my snor- 
 ing companion, I became a prey to gloomy reflection. 
 The occasional booming of a single cannon ; the 
 measured tramp of our guards, one at each end of 
 the tent ; the loud regular breathing of McPherson, 
 and now and then the sound of a bugle, faintly heard 
 in the distance, all these fell upon my senses with 
 saddening effect. Yisions of home and friends ; of 
 places I had visited ; of scenes I had witnessed ; of 
 pleasures and of sorrows, crowded before me in quick 
 succession. Yisions that at another time and under 
 different circumstances, would each have held some 
 separate pleasure to bestow ; or else such tempered 
 sadness, as softens rather than wuunds the heart; but 
 now as if the shadows of a dark future were casting 
 their sombre colors upon the picture of the past, 
 they brought with them no pleasure. It seemed rather 
 that they had come to bid me a last farewell, than to 
 brighten the gloomy prospect before me. 
 
 A vague sense of impending danger poisoned my 
 every thought, and in spite of all my efforts to the 
 contrary I grew momentarily more nervous and 
 uneasy. I tried in vain to sleep. Hardly would I 
 close my eyes when some horrible dream would cause 
 me to start and shrink from — I knew not what. And 
 in these half-waking fancies, two faces always ap- 
 peared : the demon-like countenance of the man Doug- 
 lass, and, in vivid contrast, the angelic features of my 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 41 
 
 mother. The one passion-distorted, fiend-like ; the 
 other serene and peaceful ; the one on some terrible 
 purpose bent, and the other ever ready to thwart it. 
 At length I closed my eyes, determined no longer ta 
 struggle against what seemed decreed I should endure, 
 and scarcely had I done so ere I fancied I saw my 
 mother's face looking into mine. The dream, if 
 dream it could have been, was as vivid as life. I heard 
 her gentle breathing; I felt her breath softly fan my 
 cheek. Then distinctly I heard her lips frame the 
 one word, " beware ;" and with an arm outstretched, 
 she pointed with her finger toward the entrance of 
 the tent, while her figure slowly retreated, backing 
 away from me. Unable longer to endure this, I 
 opened my eyes and arose to my feet. The vision 
 was gone ; but there in the doorway, his eyes gleaming 
 with hatred, and fixed intently upon me, was the 
 hated and hateful face of my enemy, Douglass. An 
 illy suppressed cry aro3e to ray lips, and staggering 
 back, I clutched at the canvass wall of the tent for 
 support. In an instant McPherson was at my side. 
 
 "In heaven's name what ails you, man," he cried, 
 looking with wonder about him ; "you tremble in 
 every limb. Have you seen a ghost?" 
 
 The question made me start anew. It was the 
 same that I had put to the French barber but a few 
 nights before and under circumstances not very unlike 
 the present. 
 
 " A ghost," I said, "a ghost ; by heaven man, you 
 have very nearly hit the mark ; for I saw my mother 
 as plainly as I now see you ; I heard her speak in her 
 own familiar voice as plainly as I have just heard you, 
 and she has been dead these many months." 
 
 " Hum," said McPherson, " 'tis strange, but I was 
 dreaming something of the sort myself ; I wish I had 
 
42 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 a drink," and for the first time I knew that he was 
 superstitious. 
 
 " Bat this is not all,'' I continued, "I am complete- 
 ly unmanned, and as soon as I shake off this horrible 
 gpell I will tell you more. I must believe that yes- 
 terday's hardships, coming so soon after my illness, 
 were too much for me. My brain is in a whirlwind." 
 
 " When you begin," said McPherson, coming near- 
 er to me and speaking in a lower tone, "be careful and 
 not raise your voice too high — look there." 
 
 Following the direction of his arm I saw the out- 
 lined figure of a man standing still just outside of 
 the tent. 
 
 It could have been none other than Douglass. 
 
 " That man again," I whispered, "I tell you Mc- 
 Pherson, the earth is too small to hold us both, unless 
 one or the other be six feet below its surface. The 
 one purpose of his life henceforth is to destroy mine." 
 
 "I am afraid there is too much truth in what you 
 say," answered he ; "may not this mysterious separa- 
 tion from our companions be the first act of some 
 deep laid tragedy ?" 
 
 " I have thought so, nay I am sure of it, and yet I 
 cannot conceive of such terrible hatred as this, spring- 
 ing into life, as it were, in an instant." 
 
 " The cause is sufficient for some natures." 
 
 " You not only struck him down before a multi- 
 tude, humiliating and degrading him before them all, 
 but you lo«t him his epaulets and the favor of his 
 officers. He is but a private to-day, yesterday he 
 was a sergeant." 
 
 "But you?" 
 
 " I ? — oh I, thwarted his vengeance ; think you 
 he knew not who did it?" "But," continued he, "we 
 fear him not my friend ; we fear him not." 
 
OR, 
 
 " N"eitlier do I fear a rattlesnake so long as I can 
 866 and avoid him or give him open battle. I fear 
 no open enemy ; but what of the coward ; the assas- 
 sin? The man who would coolly and relentlessly 
 work your ruin without once showing his hand in the 
 plot. You should have seen his face as he peered at 
 me through that door but a moment ago ; I shudder 
 yet to think of it. But this reminds me, I've a story 
 to tell you, sit down." 
 
 I now related to my friend all that I had undergone 
 while he was asleep, omitting nothing, and I perceiv- 
 ed that he listened to me with more than common 
 interest. When I had finished he turned thoughtful- 
 ly away without a word. 
 
 The day was now far spent, and already the shad- 
 ows of approaching night were stealing o'er the 
 camp. McPherson sat moodily in one corner of the 
 tent wrapt in his own thoughts, while I, equally 
 occupied with mine, walked to and fro chafing at my 
 confinement. 
 
 At length the night came. The firing of the can- 
 non had ceased, and the camp was fast filling with 
 tired troops. A little after dark a similar meal to 
 that of the morning was brought us, but we did 
 little more than taste it ; neither being in the humor 
 for eating. Later still our guards were relieved, and 
 this proved the signal which was to awaken my 
 companion into activity. 
 
 He afose and shook his massive frame as if to cast 
 off his gloomy broodings and prepare himself for a 
 coming struggle. 
 
 "The time for action has arrived," he said, ap- 
 proaching me. "If I need your help I can count 
 upon it." 
 
 " Most certainly," I answered. 
 
44 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " I was sure of it. Now I am going to play a bold 
 game ; such are ever the safest, and I avill need your 
 help. There is no occasion whatever for me to reveal 
 ray plans; you will see all for yourself. I wish it 
 were so you could escape with me, but that is impos- 
 sible, since one of us must remain in order that the 
 other may go. I would willingly be that one, believe 
 me, but I have dispatches which it is my duty to 
 deliver in person. And again" — 
 
 " Say no more," said I interrupting him ; "I would 
 not leave you here were there no such considerations 
 in existence." 
 
 " Enough then." We will meet again, I hope, and 
 under difierent circumstances. Believe me, I have 
 taken a warm interest in you, and I wish you well. 
 Now take this for what it is worth : Whenever you 
 receive such warnings as that of to-day, heed them to 
 the letter. Let the wise (?) scoff at such superstition 
 if they will, their hearts are full of doubts while they 
 laugh them to scorn. Who is he who dare lay claim 
 to wisdom, co-equal with that of his Maker, by affect- 
 ing a knowledge of the mysteries which rule the 
 other world ? You look at me with surprise. What 
 if I tell you that I believe we all have some one 
 amonff "the pabt and gone" to watch over and guide 
 us? Why are our infant lips taught to pray "Let 
 angels guard us while we sleep," and how is it we so 
 often FEEL an invisible presence near us without 
 knowing who or what it is ? There is such a thing 
 as a "guardian angel," my boy ; and I even I, have 
 mine. Your mother is yours ; it is my secret who is 
 mine. Enough that I thank God for it ; enough that 
 I believe I would have long since been dead did she 
 not watch over me by day and by night." 
 
 He had spoken throughout rapidly and excitedly, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 45 
 
 but now as if a suddenly remembered sorrow choked 
 down his further utterance, he bowed Jus head upon 
 his swelling bosom and was silent. Respecting his 
 emotion I said nothing, waiting for him to continue. 
 
 "There," he said at length, "I have said too much 
 already. Remember only the few words of advice, 
 forget the rest." And without waiting for me to re- 
 ply, he walked boldly to the door of the tent and 
 hailed the guard. v i » 
 
 "Hello, out thar," he cried, "this way, Yank. 
 
 "What's the racket, Johnnie Reb ?" said the fellow, 
 looking in at the entrance. 
 
 "What's the racket?" said McPherson, never once 
 f orgeting his assumed character ; "what's the racket ? 
 —a chaw of terbacky's the racket; have you got 
 
 one?" 
 
 "Naw," drawled out the guard, "de'ont chew, keep 
 quiet, whyaint yer to sleep, git e'out," and he re- 
 sumed his monotonous tramp without further parley. 
 
 "Can't see him very plainly," muttered McPlierson, 
 "but I guess he's not hard to manage," and with this 
 he chuckled to himself and walked away. 
 
 1 watched his further movements with momenta- 
 rily increasing interest. He moved stealthily to the 
 back of the tent and listened intently for a moment, 
 then, as if satisfied, he began rifling his pockets of 
 their contents. These were not numerous ; a hand- 
 kerchief, a piece of chewing tobacco, a few old letters, 
 and a small sun-glass being their sum total. Next he 
 took off his coat and laid it aside. Then doffing his 
 hat he took from its inner lining a small slip of white 
 paper, and carefully placing this among the letters, 
 he tied the whole into a bundle with his handker- 
 chief. This he shoved into his trowsers' pocket while 
 he threw his hat on the top of his coat. Again he 
 
46 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 approached the back of the tent and listened once 
 more breathlessly. My interest in his movements 
 now became intense, for instinctively I knew that the 
 decisive moment had well nigh arrived. A single fee- 
 ble ray from an adjacent camp-tire struggled through 
 the small opening at the door, and this with a gorge- 
 ous full moon afforded a light whose imperfection in- 
 creased the mystery and heightened the interest of the 
 moment. McPherson now approached me, and pro- 
 ducing a small flat package, carefully wrapped in 
 buckskin, he held it towards me. 
 
 "This," said he, has saved my life more than once. 
 It is keener than a knife, and more silent, and held at 
 a man's throat it will inspire more terror than all the 
 sabers and fire-arms in creation." 
 
 So saying he unwrapped the parcel and disclosed a 
 razor. 
 
 "Good Heavens man," I oried, "this is horrible ; 
 you do not mean me to — " 
 
 "Certainly not," said he interrupting me, "nobody's 
 throat shall suffer ; but it will help me to escape 
 nevertheless. Here take it, for 'tis in } our hands it 
 must serve me, and now farewell. In a few mo- 
 ments more I shall be either free or — dead." 
 
 I grasped his hand warmly. "Farewell," said I, 
 "you take with you my sincerest wishes for your suc- 
 cess and welfare. You have given me no particular 
 'rale' in this drama, but I presume I shall be 'prompt- 
 ed.' " 
 
 "When the curtain rises," said he, catching my 
 humor, and pointing to the canvas door of the tent, 
 and a moment later he had, for the second time, boldly 
 hailed the sentinel. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEISr ROMANCE. 47 
 
 CHAPTER yill. 
 
 The events of the next few moments transpired 
 much more rapidly than I can relate them. 
 
 "Se here, Yank, I'm powerful bad off for that ter- 
 backy, darned if I ain't," said the scout when the 
 unsuspecting guard had answered his summons. 
 "Now I'm willing to pay for it. Just you look at 
 this. It's worth ten dollars greenbacks, five hundred 
 Confederate, and I'll give it for a single chaw ter- 
 backy." 
 
 More from curiosity than with any intention of 
 striking a bargain, the man approached near enough 
 for the other's purpose. With the rapidity of light- 
 ning the powerful right arm shot out and the muscu- 
 lar fingers closed with a vice-like grip upon the throat 
 of the unwary sentinel. He was given no time to 
 utter a single cry, nor make the slightest movement 
 toward defence, so sudden was the onslaught. He 
 struggled violently, but McPherson took good care it 
 should be silently as well, for with the same motion 
 that he clutched the other's throat, the scout's left 
 hand had gripped his belt, and now he held the 
 struggling guard at arms length, his feet clear of the 
 ground. For full a minute he held him thus, while 
 a triumphant smile played upon his features and a 
 low chuckling escaped from his lips. There was not 
 the slightest trace of excitement about him, but there 
 was a merciless determination plainly legible in his 
 whole "mien," which the struggling man soon read 
 aright, and which caused him to forego his efforts 
 to free himself. 
 
 "Ah, you submit do you," said McPherson coolly, 
 
48 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "I was afraid you would oblige me to send you to king- 
 dom-come or yankee-dom — or here, be still sir; off 
 with your coat." 
 
 But the latter command was not obeyed, for the 
 ■man being now choked into insensibility, sunk list- 
 lessly to the ground. McPherson released his grip 
 and immediately began to strip the guard of his 
 uniform coat and cap. These he himself as quickly 
 donned, and picking up the musket of the still un- 
 conscious soldier, he turned to me. 
 
 "Now,"' said he, with a smile, "your time comes. 
 He will soon regain his senses. Stand over him; nay, 
 fit upon him, and keep your hand loosely upon his 
 throat, ready to stifle his first cry. Show him the 
 razor if he attempts to struggle, and keep him so, 
 until you hear the hoot of an owl in the direction of 
 the river, then you may let him go. But stay, you 
 may use his present helplessness to good purpose. 
 What if 3^ou menace him into a promise to suppress 
 i^'our part in this night's work. Think well of it, 
 you may save yourself much misery. And now, once 
 more, farewell ; I only await his return to life to 
 venture forth." 
 
 "Farewell, and success attend you," said I, "but 
 why wait for him to regain his senses ?" 
 
 "I must have the countersign," said he, "see — 
 already he moves; at your post, quick." 
 
 I sprang astraddle of the prostrate man and grasped 
 his throat, while I held the keen blade of the razor 
 close to his face. 1 had not long to wait, ere a fee- 
 ble sigh escaped him and he slowly unclosed his eyes. 
 A shudder passed over him as he comprehended his 
 situation, and he closed his eyes again without at- 
 tempting to utter- a word or make a single motion. 
 
 "Lie quiet, my man, and you shall not be harmed," 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 49 
 
 I said, and I added no menace seeing it was altoi^jether 
 useless. 
 
 "Tlie countersign, quick," said the scout, placing 
 the fixed bayonet of his own musket against the 
 fallen man's breast — "quick, I say, or bv Heaven — " 
 
 "The star of , the touth is settting," sa-'d the sentinel 
 in a feeble voice. 
 
 "Thank you for a lie," said McPherson, and noise- 
 lessly but quickly he bounded from the tent and left 
 me alone with my prisoner. 
 
 Each moment now seemed an hour, an hour would 
 have seemed a life-time. My heart beat against my 
 breast as if trying to burst from its confinement and 
 follow the footsteps of the friend, for whose sake it 
 was undergoing all the agonies of suspense. My 
 every nerve was strung to the highest pitch, and I 
 listened with an eagerness, painful in its intensity, 
 for the least unusual sound, that might betoken 
 alarm or pursuit. Nor were my fears without founda- 
 tion. I well knew that if recaptured and in a new 
 character, the daring scout would be carefully search- 
 ed, and the finding of dispatches upon him would 
 seal his fate as a spy. Nothing occurred, however, to 
 increase the fears which already racked mc. The 
 measured steps of the one sentinel without and the 
 other sounds — very few and indistinct they were, for all 
 that host was sleeping — served rather to increase, by 
 contrast, the stillness of the night. My prisoner all 
 this time lay beneath me with half closed eyes, and 
 with alistless submission I little anticipated. This, per- 
 haps, was less from fear than froiUjf.the extreme ex- 
 haustion which succeeded his violent struggles. Two 
 minutes must now have elapsed since my friend had 
 left me, and believing he must by this time have 
 safely passed the pickets, I began to breathe 
 
50 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 more freelj. I listened now with all my former 
 eagerness for another sound, that which would pro- 
 claim his freedom, and scarely had I concluded that 
 I might at any moment expert the welcome signal 
 ere it came with a distinct and exultant quiver, dis- 
 pelling my fears and filling me with a sense of hap- 
 piness, from which even the gloomy uncertainty of 
 my own situation could nothing detract. 
 
 "There," said I to the prostrated man, as I released 
 him, and sprung to my feet ; "there, do you hear 
 that ? What means it, think you ?" 
 
 " I can guess," said he, as he slowly raised himself 
 on his elbow and began to nurse his swollen throat. 
 
 " No need to guess," said 1, " I will tell you. It 
 means that for the sixth time since the war began 
 'Slippery Frank' has been captured and had made 
 good his escape." 
 
 "Ha! it was he, then ?" 
 
 " Certainly ; I have no wish to conceal it now. And 
 you know him, do you?" 
 
 " That I do ; and I am not likely to forget him, 
 either," said he, pointing significantly to his bruised 
 and swollen throat, which, in truth, was a sight to 
 see. 
 
 He now arose slowly to his feet and took a step 
 toward the door. I made no effort to hinder him ; 
 seeing which he stopped and said, with a smile: "I 
 presume I may go now since your purpose la accom- 
 plished ?" 
 
 "Tes," I answered, "go and arouse the camp and 
 have me put in ifens, and the rest of it : — go ; 1 only 
 wonder you have tarried so long already." 
 
 " Possibly I have a purpose, sir," he answered, " are 
 you ready to listen to a proposal ?" 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 51 
 
 " Certainly," I said, "if it be worth the trouble; 
 go on." 
 
 "It may prove beneficial," said he, still smiling. 
 "I mean mutually beneficial, of course." 
 
 "Indeed?" 
 
 " I would not be likely to propose it otherwise." 
 
 "I should think not. But first tell me how it is 
 your friend outside is so quiet?/ 
 
 " Why, he is as deaf as a post ; did you not knovv 
 that ?" 
 
 " Know it ; how should I have known it V 
 
 " And yet you dared what you did — the other knew 
 it then ?" 
 
 " I have no reason to think so ; in fact I am sure he 
 did not." 
 
 "Well this is strange," said he, looking thought- 
 fully before him; "but," he added, raising his eyes 
 to mine, " but mayhap the devil takes care of his 
 own." 
 
 " Oh, we were silent enough," said I, " when there 
 was occasion for it ; after he is safe I care not how 
 soon 'tis known." 
 
 "Nevertheless, my friend would have heard you 
 had he not been deaf; but listen: You guess, of 
 course, that I will be court-marshalled for this, or that 
 such a thing is at least probable ; you know, also, 
 that Tou will be loaded with irons and otherwise 
 roughly treated for your part in it." 
 
 " Go on," said I, " I begin to comprehend you." 
 
 "I half intended to propose something of the kind 
 myself, that is if I understand yoii;^right." 
 
 "Oh, I guess you do," said he; " my plan is sim- 
 ple. Neither of us will know how he got away, this 
 will clear us both — see? In twenty minutes' time 
 the relief guard will come i nd before then all must 
 
52 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 be arranged. I must get a log or something to throw 
 his coat over and to put his hat upon, understand ; the 
 imperfect light will deceive them, and I will take care 
 they look in. I must also get myself another coat 
 and'^ cap and another musket. But to do all this I 
 must leave you, see ?" 
 
 " It is all plain enough," said I, " and I agree. 
 Lose no time, if you have only twenty minutes you 
 must use them well." 
 
 " Yes, but I must leave you. Will you stay till I 
 return, that is the question ?" 
 
 " You need not fear," said I ; go, I will not leave, 
 you have my word.'' 
 
 " That will do, then, I'll go and trust to luck to 
 find what I want," and so saying he noiselessly left 
 me. 
 
 In a very few moments he returned. All had gone 
 well with him, he said. He had "lifted" a coat, cap 
 and musket, and in lieu of a log he had found a buni-h 
 of " brush," which was just the thing. 
 
 " Now, see," he continued, *' I lay the coat over the 
 brush, like this, and put the hat on, like that. I 
 spread the tail of the coat out wide enough to cover a 
 man's legs and there he is sleeping snugly, see ?" 
 
 " A master-piece of work," said I ; your wooden 
 nutmegs pale into insignificance beside such ingenuity 
 as this." 
 
 " Now," said he, not noticing my remarks, " you lie 
 quief beside it and feign sleep. I will see that the 
 ofticer looks in, and when all is quiet again just you 
 fling that rebel's coat and hat in one corner and the 
 brush in the other and all will be as nice as you please, 
 see ?" 
 
 "Exactly, sir ; I will do as you say." 
 " And you wont ' peech' will you V 
 
OK, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 53 
 
 " No," I said with a laugh, " I will not * peech.' '' 
 
 " All right ; I reckon I'll leave you now. Good- 
 night V 
 
 " Good-night." 
 
 He left me and walked outside, where he stood lis- 
 tening for a few moments. Finding all quiet he re- 
 turned to the entrance and cried out, " Say !" 
 
 " Well, what is it ?" said I. 
 
 " They're not coming yet." 
 
 " Yery good ; and what of that ?" 
 
 " Oh, nothing. Say, I like you." 
 
 " You overpower me, sir," I answered, laughing. 
 
 " And I would like to do you a good turn," he con- 
 tinued, 
 
 "Nothing easier," said I, while a sudden ray of 
 hope flashed tlirougli my breast. 
 
 "Oh, I can't let you go," he said," not that; but 
 you see here, will you tell me your name?" 
 
 " Certainly," I answered ; and having complied I 
 begged for a similar consideration from himself. 
 
 " You are the man sure enough, then," he said, 
 " and as to my name, it's * Balaam,* call me 'Balaam ;' 
 everybody knows me as * BaL.am,' and if you were to 
 ask for me by ray other name my best friend wouldn't 
 know who you meant, see ?" 
 
 I told him it was quite plain and begged that, as he 
 had aroused my curiosity concerning a certain service 
 he was anxious to render me he would proceed. 
 
 "It's a warning," said he ; "you must take care." 
 
 " Take care ; and of what V 
 
 " Oh, I can't tell you much about it, but look 
 sharp, you have enemies." 
 
 " One of whom speaks to me I believe." 
 " Oh, I don't mean that — no. There's one, a sin- 
 gle one, worse than all the rest." 
 
54 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 I knew but too well to whom he alluded, but wish- 
 ing to hear all he would be led into saying I assumed 
 an air of incredulity, laughing and snapping my fin- 
 gers at him. " Nonsense," I said ; " you are mis- 
 taken." 
 
 "I swear that I am not,'' said he, with a sudden 
 earnestness of manner ; " I know what I am saying. 
 If you value your life keep your eyes and ears con- 
 stantly open, especiai.lt at night." 
 
 " Enough of this," I said; "you either know noth- 
 ing of what you are speaking, or you wish to make a 
 fool of me. In either case you are wasting your 
 breath." 
 
 " I dare not tell you more, sir," said he meekly. 
 
 " Then you know no more, nor will I listen fur- 
 ther to your stupid twaddle. In short, ray friend, I 
 positively refuse to play the part of ' BalaarrJs ass.' " 
 A low laugh escaped him at this, in the midst of 
 which he stopped to listen. 
 
 "Hist!" he said, after a pause, "to your place, 
 quick, they are coming!" and immediately he with- 
 drew. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE 55 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 It all happened exactly as "Balaam" had predicted. 
 The officer glanced at the two silent figures and was 
 satisfied. Five minutes later one of tliose same fig- 
 ures had disappeared, and the other, Ijing with his 
 head upon a certain coat, was courting sleepi — a, 
 blessing which was not forthcoming. Not that Mor- 
 pheus had forsaken me, for already was he leading 
 me, with insinuating smile and soft, seductive touch, 
 to his pleasant land of dreams ; and the regular foot- 
 falls of my guards were growing less and less distinct 
 as I followed. But alas, at this delicious stage of my 
 journey I was rudely and cruelly recalled to the 
 sterner realities of a more substantial existence. A 
 horseman dashed at full speed into camp and drew 
 rein with a loud '' whoa !'' In a moment all was 
 confusion. Excited voices, hurrying footsteps and 
 the sharp, clear notes of the bugle were sounds that 
 almost instantaneously followed the advent of the 
 courser. I listened impatiently for some chance 
 word, amid all that deluge of articulation, which 
 might explain the meaning of this sudden change 
 from the calm of peaceful slumber to the bustle of 
 hasty preparation, nor was I long in the dark. 
 
 " Hallo, pard !" said one of my guards to the other, 
 " how do you read the signs?" 
 
 "Didn't you hear the bugle?" said the other. 
 
 "To arms, of course; but why?" 
 
 "Don't know. Here's a man might tell us now. 
 This way, comrade ; what's the row ?" 
 
 "H— 11 to play !" said a third voice, "John Mor- 
 gan's DOWN UPON us !'' 
 
56 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Attention !' cried an oflacer in the distance ; and 
 imn^ediatelj followed another bn^^le blast. 
 
 "He is coming up the river, eight hundred strong," 
 continued the informant outside ; another courier has 
 just arrived." 
 
 " The devil !" said one of the questioners, with a 
 ring of alarm in his voice. 
 
 " Not the devil, comrade, but worse !" said another. 
 
 "And are we to run or fight?"' 
 
 " We are to change our position, man; think jou 
 we can fight Ledbetter in our front and Morgan in 
 our rear at one and the same time?'' 
 
 A company of troops now hastened by completely 
 drowning the voices, and before the sound of their 
 retreating footsteps had died away my tent was being 
 "struck" over my head, and at the same iroment I 
 was abruptly ordered to get out. I found my fellow- 
 prisoners, but a few yards away, already formed by 
 twos and ready to march, being surrounded by a 
 small escort, the latter commanded by a young and 
 exceedingly handsome officer. 
 
 "Where is the other ?" said this officer, seeing me 
 come out alone. 
 
 "Gone," said I, laconically. 
 
 "Gone ? and where ?" 
 
 "First to Chattanooga, thence to Morgan, to whose 
 command he belongs." 
 
 "What — do you mean he has escaped ?'' 
 
 "I do." 
 
 "When, and how sir?" 
 
 "You must really excuse me if I do not answer 
 your questions," said I, smiling. 
 
 "How do you know he belonged to Morgan's com- 
 mand ?" 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 57 
 
 "That is no secret, sir : — did jou ever hear of Slip« 
 pery Frank ?'' 
 
 The officer started. 
 
 "McPhereon, the spy — was it he?" 
 
 "McPherson, the scout," said I, "the other is rather 
 an u^ly name." 
 
 "But not a misnomer in this instance," said he, and 
 beckoning to an Orderly, he spoke to him in a low- 
 voice. 
 
 The Orderly saluted, and walked rapidly away, and 
 we were immediately given the order to march. 
 By a happy chance I was placed next to "Barney," 
 ray Irish friend, :f the day before, who greeted me 
 warmly, and aft.rward lightened many a weary mile 
 with ins inexhaustible store of quaint anecdote and 
 sparkling mother wit. It would be pleasant to record 
 some of these, if only for the sake of their brighter 
 coloring, (an ingredient which this sombre-hued pic- 
 ture greatly needs,) but this, for many reasons, must 
 not be. Barney, like many others introduced into 
 this truthful history, was merely a chance acquaint- 
 ance, who contributed little to the main current of its 
 events, merely a land-mark to show its course ; a 
 beacon to light me through the dark labyrinth of 
 clouded memory. As such [ recall him, and as such, 
 whether regretfully or otherwise, I must also leave 
 him. Nor need I dwell upon the details of that long, 
 weary march. I soon discovered that a separate guard 
 had been placed over me, an honor which "Barney" 
 declared was but a wrightful homage to my impor- 
 tance. I need scarcely say that 1 considered it, but 
 another ominous sign of that mysterious evil which 
 was creeping so stealthily upon me. We heard no 
 more of Morgan. I have reason to believe that the 
 celebrated Scout was never within a hundred miles of 
 
58 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 US, and I cannot conceive of how the alarm, which 
 caused our flight, was originated. A forced march of 
 three days brought us to the Federal Garrison at 
 Shelbjville. Here we were driven, like so many 
 sheep, into a deserted commissary, and here began 
 two weeks o!: abject wretchedness, merely to contem- 
 plate which fills me with a sickening horror to this 
 day. We found the floor, the walls, the boxes (our 
 only furniture) and the shelves, all filthy with a u.ix- 
 ture of grease, molasses and flour. There was no es- 
 caping from it. We stood in it^ walked in it, sat in 
 it. We laid down and slept in it. And not for a 
 single night, nor yet for two, but for two long, mis- 
 erable weeks. And during all this ime the heat was 
 intolerable. Our food also was wretched, consisting 
 for the most part of rancid bacon, and half-done corn 
 cakes, and we also suffered from thirst, and from 
 many other causes too numerous — manj' of them too 
 disgusting — to mention. Most of the men fell sick. 
 One man died with a smile upon his lips and we en- 
 vied him ; another went stark mad, and was turned 
 out to wander, no one knew nor cared whither, and 
 we almost envied him. 
 
 What a place to read men's hearts was this, where, 
 tortured hy a common evil, one cursed and raved, 
 while another stood grim and silent at his side. Where 
 another wept, and another moaned, and a few (al'S, 
 how few) went about among the rest vainly endeav- 
 oring to administer comfort and hope, or else they 
 knelt, these very few, and prayed aloud, whilst — 
 horrible to relate — curses and blasphemies drowned 
 the voice of their supplications. 
 
 But let us not linger here, for very pity's sake. * ^ 
 
 At the end of two weeks sixty spectres tottered 
 
 from this place of torment, (it was originally a barn, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 50 
 
 and belonged to a Mrs. Aiken,) and staggered toward 
 the depot to be tumbled into box-cars and carried 
 whirling away. Most of my companions fell asleep 
 at once, but having noticed that my ''evil spirit,'^ 
 Douglass, was one of the guard placed over as, a 
 feeling of unrest took possession of me and prevented 
 me from following their example. Why his presence 
 should thus disturb me was incomprehensible at the 
 time, inasmuch as I had often seen him watching me 
 during the two wretched weeks just past, and never 
 THEN had his presence caused me a seconds thought. 
 Looking back upon that period, however, I can readily 
 explain now what seemed inexplicable then, and 
 I go about it thus : The moment that I escaped from 
 the terrible sufferings of the past fortnight, to breath 
 the unpolluted air and feel it fan my fevered cheeks 
 in its rapid circulation through the train, I began to 
 grow stronger both bodily and mentally. Excess of 
 suffering had plunged me into a kind of lethargic 
 stupor, from which I was now awakening, and with 
 this awakening came renewed hope, and a fresh desire 
 for life. These, in their turn, brought with them the 
 natural instinct of self-preservation, and thus it was 
 that the presence of Douglass renc.ered me uneasy 
 to-day, whilst yesterday I would scarcely have noticed 
 him." Many a look of hatred, many a smile of 
 triumph, did he bestow upon me as we flew along to- 
 ward Nashville. The contemplation of my wanted 
 form and the many other evidences of suffering with 
 which I was plainly marked, seemed to afford him 
 umlimited delight, and he never wearied of enjoying 
 it. I began really to hate the man for the first time. 
 Before this I had looked upon him rather as a serpent 
 in my path, a thing to be avoided for the present, and 
 destroyed, if chance should require it, in the future ; 
 
60 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 but now my fevered imagination, whether justly or 
 the reverse, began to picture him as the direct cause 
 of all my troubles ; the master-hand which directed 
 every adverse blow aimed at me by fortune, and be- 
 fore our journey was ended I hated Douglass in dead 
 earnest. How I chafed at my helpless condition, and 
 how I longed for the time to come when I might meet 
 him in equal combat. 
 
 Whilst these bitter thoughts occupied my mind we 
 were rushing onward toward JSTashvilk', whieh city 
 we reached early in the afternoon. 
 
 Arriving at the depot we disembarked and were 
 formed into line facing the penitentiary (which 
 frowning mass of brick was then plainly visible from 
 that point) and the order was given for all command- 
 ing officers and citizens to step ten paces to the front. 
 About one-half of our number stepped forward obe- 
 diently, leaving me, a private soldier with the original 
 line; but the front rank had scarcely "'dressed," when 
 an officer giving me a sharp "rap" with the "flat'' of 
 his sabre, ordered me to join them. 
 
 "I am neither an officer nor a citizen, sir," said I. 
 
 "Nevertheless, you will obey my orders," said he. 
 
 Still I hesitated, looking around me in that be- 
 wilderment which men often exhibit when at a loss 
 for a reason, and in this brief interval my eyes fell 
 upon Douglass, standing at a little distance away. 
 The sight of his sinister countenance fixed steadily 
 upon me, checked what further remonstrance I might 
 have made, and stepping boldly forward I took my 
 place in front without further hesitation. The two 
 lines thus formed were now marched off in different 
 directions, the private soldiers to the common jail and 
 ourselves to the penitentiary. 
 
 "Good-bye, yer honor," shouted a strongly accented 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 61 
 
 voice to me, as the two lines separated ; "may the 
 devil take your inimy's, sir ; bad 'cess to them." 
 
 "Good-bye, Barney," I yelled, in defiance of all 
 discipline, and being immediately ordered to "cease 
 my bawling," I was forced to content myself with a 
 leave taking, which I wished with all my heart could 
 have been warmer. I never saw Barney again, and 
 only heard of him once afterward as being among the 
 few who refused to take the oath of allegiance. 
 
 "You may murther me, bad luck to you, but yoi"* 
 won't make me swear be yonr colors.'' 
 
 This is what he told them — at least, so the story 
 went. ^ * "'^ 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 As soon as we were well within the high wall of 
 brick and stone, which surrounded the penitentiary, 
 the order was given us to break ranks, and we were 
 allowed to wander where we pleased, a leniency on 
 the part of our captors which both surprised and 
 pleased us. In fact we were not long in discovering that 
 an air of loose discipline pervaded the entire place, 
 owing, I believe, to the fact that many were there 
 confined for the reason alone of having refused to 
 take the oath of allegiance, scarcely an offence to war- 
 rant, harsh or rigorous treatment. 
 
 Many of these also were men of wealth and high 
 position, and of almost every variety of profession. 
 We found there merchants, lawyers, physicians, and 
 ministers of the gospel. The penitentiary was full of 
 them, and like the jury who finds the prisoner guilty, 
 yet recommends him to the mercy of the court on 
 
62 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 cacoiint of his "high connections," the stern military 
 law-makers saw their decree enforced to the letter^ 
 while they cared not for it's spirit. And thus it 
 came about that while we were kept strictly beneath 
 the shadow of the frowning edifice, and within the 
 walls that surrounded it, we were allowed to do pretty 
 much a& we pleased. We roamed about the grounds 
 at will, and amused ourselves in many ways. We 
 lived in a separate world from other men, and in a 
 certain sense we were even happy. And so the days 
 rolled by. Every evening at roll call we assembled 
 and answered to our names, after which we were 
 ordered into the main building, where we found good 
 beds, and clean ; an unspeakable blessing of itself. 
 Our food was good, our health excellent, and our 
 spirits li2;ht and hopes high in consequence. Com- 
 pared with our recent place of confinement at Shelby- 
 ville, we were living now in Paradise, and if we 
 thought of the future at all it was only to look for- 
 ward to the time when we would be exchanged. For 
 my own part, I became well and strong at ouce. I 
 met some old acquaintances of my father's, among 
 whom was, notably. Dr. Baldwin, the famous Metho- 
 dist divine, whose able writings on Methodism have 
 been read far and wide. This amiable gentleman, 
 after hearing from my lips the story of my capture and 
 subsequent trials, at once took a kindly interest in me, 
 and afterward proved himself a true friend. Through 
 him I was introduced to many ladies, who were 
 allowed at stated periods — between the hours of four 
 and six p. m. — to visit their imprisoned lords, or sons, 
 or friends, as the case might be, and so was I held in 
 opinion above my companions. 
 
 "You are now acquainted," said Dr. Baldwin a day 
 or two after my arrival, "in the select society of the 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 63 
 
 jpemtentiary^ and there is nothing to prevent your 
 being quite happy. Come let me show you a thing 
 or two," 
 
 And he did show me a thing or two. He led me 
 through a suite of rooms, little short of elegant in 
 their appointments, one of them being even luxuri- 
 ously furnished. 
 
 "This," said the Doctor, referring to the latter, "is 
 where we receive the ladies, and there on that piano 
 they play and sing for us and lighten our hearts, God 
 bless them. And here," he continued, opening a door 
 into an adjoining room, "is what we call their 'toilet 
 chamber,' look at it. Nonsense, you tay, not even a 
 looking glass ? But hist ; thereby hangs a tale. Come 
 nearer, and I will tell you. Do you see that large 
 table and those chairs ? bare enough noio^ but at four 
 o'clock, and from that until six, that table will be 
 .groaning under good things. Where do they come 
 from ? The ladies, sir ; how do they get them here 
 unperceived ? A word in your ear — hoojpskirts. You 
 laugh." In truth I did laugh. 
 
 "Listen," said he again, after my burst of merri- 
 ment ; "there is a laughable feature about it, but only 
 at first sight. See the risk they run, for if caught 
 they would surely be made to suffer, and think of 
 how they fearlessly lay themselves liable to the taunts 
 and insults of the base-minded, to evil-speaking and 
 slandering. And where is their reward, sir ? They 
 have none — none, save the sweet consciousness of 
 having done a generous action. Yes, they come every 
 day. There is a regular society, organized for this 
 and similar purposes, and they send a committee 
 every day, literally laden with good things." 
 
 "But, Doctor," I asked, "what can they bring in 
 this — ah — extraordinary manner ?" 
 
64 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "What can they bring, sir ?-any thing. A whole fowl, 
 a pie, sweetmeats, wine, and the like. Why, my dear 
 sir, yesterday a lady actually brought a ivhole ham, 
 ready cooked, concealed beneath her skirts.* It was 
 lirst wrapped in paper, then done up in a pillow case. 
 You can readily conceive how this could be done if 
 you but remember the immense size of the hoops now 
 in fashion, and do you know, I believe this lady wore 
 an extra large one on purpose. God bless her, but 
 she could scarcely walk up the steps. Ah ! you 
 should see with what eagerness the rough fellows 
 watch for their coming, and you should hear the ring 
 of pleasure in their voices' as they whisper to each 
 other, '■yorider connes a lioopHkirV " 
 
 "This is truly wonderful, Doctor ; but the ladies — 
 are they never caught?" 
 
 "Trust a woman's sagacity, sir; caught? No, 
 never. They come first to the sitt'ng-room, after ex- 
 changing a very knowing look with the boys, who are 
 waiting outside for a certain signal. Thence they go 
 into their 'toilet room,' where they unpack and load the 
 table and come out again all flushed with pride and 
 success. After this they begin to bang the piano, a 
 signal well understood, and the boys rush in and fall 
 to, while the playing and singing is kept up to drown 
 the noise of their revelry. My experiences since this 
 war began, sir, have taught me, among many other 
 things, that wliile there are only a moderate number 
 of heroes among men, there are among women only 
 a few who are not heroines. Opportunity is all that 
 is lacking to prove the truth of this maxim. I know 
 that it is a bold one, still, I believe in it ; and besides 
 I might say, what care I for the frowns of men so 
 
 -A fact. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 65 
 
 long as woman smiles. Ah ! I forget many things 
 that I should pray for, sir, but I never forget to say — 
 God bless the women." 
 
 "You interest me greatly. Doctor," said I ; "there 
 must surely be a wonderful amount of ingenuity at 
 work here." 
 
 "So there is, sir; ingenuity born of love and ^jatri- 
 otism. That which holds no obstacle as insurmount- 
 able ; no peril as sufficient to stay its exercise. Had 
 men composed the members of this society, it would 
 never have lived to half its age. Of course, the very 
 fact of its being composed solely of women has much 
 to flo with its success; for who ever suspects women of 
 intrigue ? No one in this country, surely. The fact 
 is, my young friend, that men, as a rule, know very 
 little about women. "Believe me, we make 
 very great fools of ourselves when we say, 
 ' a poor, weak woman,' if we mean one jot more 
 than her mere hodily weakness. They are 
 shrawder than men, and they never forget the part 
 they are playing. They are always curioup, and this 
 same spirit of investigation, which we so often ridi- 
 cule, enables them to see, and remove in time those 
 tiny obstacles, which, if left to grow, often thwart 
 our best laid plans. "But,'' said the doctor, "this 
 is a subject upon which I am wont to grow 
 enthusiastic, and I must check myself in time. 
 I will show you a woman this very even- 
 ing, who possesses every quality I have enu- 
 merated, and many others besides, which you will 
 not be long in perceiving for yourself. She is the 
 head and front of this charitable society, a bright, 
 intelligent, noble little creature. And — hist — 1 tell 
 you this 'sub-rosa' — she is a northern lady born, and 
 is supposed to be a 'Yankee,' in the literal sense 
 5 
 
66 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 of the word, while in truth, she is ardently southern 
 in her sympathies. This gives her an immense advan- 
 tage in serving us, but it also keeps her in constant 
 peril. Therefore, beware how you speak to her in 
 company with others. This is her regular evening 
 for coming, and I will take pleasure in introducing 
 you." 
 
 " Thank you very much doctor," said I, " I will 
 come in later and claim the fulfillment of your prom- 
 ise. Meanwhile I will visit Dr. Jones, your barber.'' 
 
 " Yes,'' said the doctor, looking at my three weeks 
 old whiskers, " yes it would improvQ you. You will 
 find Jones in the fifth room from here, left hand, 
 straight ahead — good evening." 
 
 " Good evening, sir." •5«- * ^ 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Following the doctor's directions, I knocked at the 
 fifth door on the left, and was immediately told to 
 "come in." Opening the door for this purpose, I 
 was surprised to find that I had intruded upon the 
 privacy of a gentleman, who, habited in gown and 
 slippers, sat reading near one of the windows. As 
 this was evidently 7iot a barber's shop, and the gentle- 
 man evidently 7iot a barber, I began to mutter some 
 excuses for having intruded, preparatory to beating a 
 retreat, when the gentleman astounded me by burst- 
 ing into a loud peal of laughter, during which he 
 slapped hiw thighs, and elevated his legs at intervals, 
 in a manner quite bewildering. 
 
 "Pray, sit down, Sanders," said he — " I — ha — ha — 
 — ha — ha. I will be over my fit — ha — ha — ha." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 67 
 
 Bein^ possessed of a very keen sense of the ridic- 
 nlons, I began to laugh also, and for a few moments 
 the old walls rang again, witli the merry strain. 
 
 " Sanders,'' said the gentleman again, after he had 
 succeeded in gaining a partial control over himself — 
 "sit down, man — you must think me a fool, but did 
 you ever — ha — ha — ha, ever read the ' Pick — ha — ha 
 the 'Tick-wick Pa — , Pick-wick Papers?" 
 
 Here the gentleman folded up his book, raised his 
 spectacles to his forehead, and looking toward me for 
 the first time, rounded off his enquiry by exclaiming, 
 "the devil.'' He looked at me steadily for a few sec- 
 onds, while his features began to twitch again, and a 
 comical smile to play over them. 
 
 '' You must really excuse,'' he began. 
 
 " It is I, who should," said I, and having got so far, 
 we both burst into another laugh, which delayed ex- 
 planations for some moments longer. 
 
 "I took you for my friend, Tom Sanders, sir," said 
 the gentleman, gasping for breath, after his last exer- 
 tion — "well, this is a lark." 
 
 " I fancy my mistake was a more grievous one still 
 sir," said I, "for I took you for Dr. J one?, the barber." 
 
 "You have made no mistake at all then,'' said he, 
 " for I am Dr. Jones. Have a chair sir." 
 
 •' But you cannot be Dr. Jones, the — .'' 
 
 " Oh, I see," said he, " you wish to be shaved ?" 
 
 "Exactly, sir, and if I have blundered — ." 
 
 " But you have not. Sit down and I will explain." 
 
 Being thus pressed, I took a chair opposite the jolly 
 doctor, and composed myself to listen, while he, check- 
 ing off each sentence with the index finger of hia 
 right hand (as the pen) upon the palm of his left hand 
 (as the ledger), and with a degree of loquacity, seldom 
 if ever rivalled, began, continued, and ended thus : 
 
QS SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Now, sir, you are a stranger, you therefore do not 
 know me, so far so good. Now, I am Jones, M. D., 
 outside ; that is, anywhere else bui here ; Jones, B. D., 
 inside^ or liere ; you follow me ? M. D., medical doc- 
 tor, B. D., heard doctor; (my own invention, and not 
 bad I think), ha, ha — do you see ? — you do? — good. 
 You wish to be shaved — you come to me as all the otiiers 
 do — not that I am obliged to shave you — no, sir — but 
 l>ecause being fond of surgery, and having no sub- 
 jects to work upon, I take to the razor. There's 
 amusement in it ; there's art in it. You scrape as 
 near to the skin a3 possible without cutting the 
 patient, you make him actually wince, sir, 
 vfithout drawing blood. My dear sir, there is art in 
 it— as I told my friend Sanders only yesterday. We 
 were discussing the movements at Manassas — a bloody 
 affair that, sir, I was on the spot, the arms and legs I 
 helped to take off on that day; astonishing — aston- 
 ishing. One of the most pathetic sights I have ever 
 witnessed occurred on that day — the case of a young 
 man — his mother lives right here in Nashville, and 
 has two beautiful daughters, lovely girls; the eldest 
 a blonde, no, a brunette, and the el — I mean the 
 youngest, has just become engaged to a very hand- 
 gome young fellow— an officer. Pdfrhaps you have 
 
 met him Mr. What did you say your name 
 
 was?" 
 
 I mentioned my name to the doctor, and v^entured 
 to hint that as I had made an engagement to meet 
 some ladies, lie might finish his very interesting nar- 
 rative while he took off my beard. 
 
 "Certainly," said the doctor — "yes that was it. I 
 never could remember names, sir — never. Shave you 
 while I finish, of course, sir — of course ; may I trouble 
 you to lather your face at the basin there ; sorry I 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE 69 
 
 have no brush; while I get my razor and mbit up. 
 I find the leg of a boot sir, to answer in lieu of a 
 strap, which I haven't got ; ah, here it is, not very 
 sharp I am afraid, but I will try to make it answer." 
 
 While the doctor, whose volubility never for an in- 
 stant flagged, was hurrying nervously to and fro, making 
 preparations for his task, I had approached the basin 
 and wetting the soap I began as directed to lather my 
 face. But before I had completed this preliminary 
 operation, a thing occurred which I would much pre- 
 fer to leave untold, could its suppression by any pos- 
 sible means be made consistent with the strict veracity 
 of this history. I was still vigorously rubbing my 
 bristly chin, when happening to raise my head a little 
 I caught a glimpse of my face reflected in a small 
 fraction of a mirror, which, from its diminutive 8ize,hud 
 hitherto escaped my notice. This piece of glass had no 
 frame around it, but leaned against the wall with its 
 base resting upon a small bracket, and was almost 
 entirely concealed from view by a brush and comb 
 and several other articles of the toilet. Now, there 
 is nothing, I am sure, to make even a timid child 
 start and tremble at the unexpected apparition of his 
 or her image reflected in a looking-glass ; and yet, 
 however inexplicable it may seem, certain it is, that 
 I, a grown man, in the full enjoyment of health, and 
 not given to timidity or excessive nervousness, did 
 start and tremble at thus suddenly beholding my own 
 image. I did more. I staggered back and uttered 
 an exclamation of fear, if not of actual terror ; for 
 although I saw the glass, and fully knew that the 
 reflection could have been none other than my own, 
 yet the face that I saw, and still seemed to see^ was not 
 my own, hut that of my dead mother. Call it what you 
 will; the hallucination of a brain diseased by recent 
 
70 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 suffering, the wild fancy of a nature naturally super- 
 stitious, but peculiarly so at this time for similar rea- 
 sons ; advance an hundred theories as explanatory of 
 this extraordinary effect produced by so common- 
 place a cause ; but ask m.e not to select from their 
 number the right one. I could by no means rid my- 
 self of the nervous ague which seized me. 1 laughed 
 at a weakness I could not cuncoal. I stammered forth 
 various explanations and excuses to Dr. Jones, who 
 stood watching me in open-mouthed wonder ; yet in 
 my heart of hearts I could ascribe my strange emo- 
 tion to no earthly source. .There was one desire 
 uppermost in my mind, which had sprung into life 
 simultaneously with and as a part of mj^ indescribable 
 malady, and this was a desire to leave the room as 
 quickly as possible. It was with much haste and very 
 little ceremony, therefore, that I washed my soap- 
 besmeared face, and scarcely waiting to dry it, hur- 
 ried away, leaving Dr. Jones staring after mo with 
 such a look as he might have bestowed upon the re- 
 treating form of a madman. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Actuated b}' a desire to be alone, I bent my steps 
 toward my own room, or more properly toward the 
 diminutive apartment whose comforts 1 shared with 
 two others. Here I v\-as disappointed to find one of 
 my room-mates, who for want of better occupation, 
 was stretched upon his bed indulging in a day dream. 
 This gentleman, whose name was Putnam, was six 
 feet three, and a very giant in strength. He had also 
 a heart of proportionate size to his frame, as I had 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 71 
 
 already begun to conjecture, ana of the truth of which 
 subsequent events gave infallible proof. 
 
 "Hello," said he, regarding me through his half 
 closed lids ; "is that you V 
 
 It was too late to retreat, and in order the better to 
 conceal my agitation I made him some light rejoinder 
 and flung myself upon my own bed, with my face to 
 the wall. 
 
 "Do you intend to sleep?" asked Putnam, "or are 
 you about to indulge in aerial architecture? If the 
 latter, let us work together. Come, I had just com- 
 pleted a most extravagantly beautiful country resi- 
 dence, away from wars and rumors of wars; but, 
 pooh, I blow it away and commence anew. First I 
 lay the sills of — " 
 
 "Air," said I, with a feeble attempt to catch his 
 humor. 
 
 "Of air; but of cool, delightful air; not hot, suf- 
 focating air like this ; and, go ahead, your turn comes." 
 
 " What comes next?" I asked. 
 
 "What comes next? Why the — let me see ; well, 
 I don't know, confound me if 1 do. We will call the 
 house finished, and proceed to furnish it — Proceed to 
 furnish it?" 
 
 " It must be shell-proof," I suggested. 
 
 " And proof against heat," said he ; "very good, go 
 on." 
 
 " The walls of gold, diamond chandeliers pendent 
 from the ceilings, handsome mirrors, in frames of 
 gold." 
 
 " Yes, and Brussels carpets a foot deep — every bit 
 of a foot deep, and curtains of rich — of rich what ?" 
 
 " Gold cloth ; we will say, gold cloth and lace." 
 
 "Fringed, you know ; they must be fringed with — ." 
 
 " Strings of pearls, perhaps." 
 
72 SAVED BY A- WOMAN; 
 
 *' Good ; excellent, and there must be sofas, soft 
 sofas," said he, striking with his fist the mattress of 
 shucks upon which he was lying. 
 
 "Aye, very soft, and — let me see ; what else ?" 
 
 "We will sum up the rest, and say every luxury and 
 every comfort that heart could desire." 
 
 " Good ; and now our aerial castle becomes ethereal ; 
 let us begin to people it." 
 
 " A wife," said Futnam. 
 
 " Two," said I. 
 
 "The devil," said he. 
 
 " I mean, one apiece." 
 
 " Oh ; that is a gray horse of another color; but 
 where are our cattle, man ? We must have horses." 
 
 " Certainly, and therefore erables." 
 
 " With separate stalls; at least two separate stallsy 
 for the asses^' said a voice at the door ; and looking 
 up we beheld Brown, our room-mate, who had stolen 
 upon us unperceived. 
 
 " Well, for two grown men," continued Brown, 
 after we had laughed heartily — " for two grown men : 
 — well, I never." 
 
 " Humph,'' ejaculated Putnam, assuming at a single 
 bound the air of a philosopher — "you know not at 
 what you scoff, man. For my own part, I am thank- 
 ful for the ingredient ; whatever you may call it, 
 which enables us to deceive ourselves, so long as that 
 deception is pleasing. Nor are tliey necessarily fools, 
 or " asses '' either, who indulge this fancy. Why 
 should they be ; there can be no harm in it ; and do 
 we not, by building up an imaginary world around 
 us, live for the moment in that^ while we lose sight of 
 this^ with its harassing cares and trials ? Thus, we not 
 only give ourselves a sinless pleasure (which is quite 
 
OR, THE HIDD£!N ROMANCE. 75 
 
 a rare thing, by the way) but we rest our faculties at 
 the same time. I tell yon, Brown, such exercise is 
 quite as harmless, and to the full as refreshing, as a 
 pleasant dream," 
 
 "Give me the sleep,'' said Brown ; "fools, idiots."' 
 
 " Oh, very well." said Putnam, shrugging his shoul- 
 ders, "nevertheless everybody — ." 
 
 " Everybody is an ass then," sneered Brown. 
 
 Before Putnam, whom the other's ' crustiness ' had 
 somewhat nettled, could make a reply, there came 
 to our ears, the soft, mellow notes of a distant piano, 
 at the first sound of which. Brown bounded to the 
 glass, adjusted his cravat, put a few touches to his 
 hair and whisker^, took his hat under his arm and 
 hurried away without a word. 
 
 " Always hungry," said Putnam, looking at me 
 with a smile — " always hungry and crabbed. He will 
 be the first there, I warrant." 
 
 " And I must not be far behind him," said I rising, 
 "for I have an engagement to meet Mrs. Nickolson.'^ 
 
 " She is there," said Putnam. "Listen, that is her 
 voice, I know it well. She would sing Dixie if she 
 dared," continued he after a pause, " but no, it is 
 'Home, sweet home' — ah, me — ah, me." 
 
 These last monosyllables, uttered in a tone so full 
 of sadness, opened before me, in an instant a volume 
 of serious reflection ; and as, guided by the music, I 
 took my way along the cold, damp passage, my mood 
 was by no means suited to the gaieties of the draw- 
 ing-room. 
 
 It fs a good and a beautiful tling in our nature^ 
 that oftimes, when separated from home, and the 
 countless influences for good, which continually sur- 
 round us there, a single word, a note of music, a scene, 
 the song of a bird, or the odor of a flower, will cause 
 
74 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 a host of sweet remembrances to rush upon us, filling 
 us for the moment with a tranquil though regretful 
 happiness, and softening us into better and purer be- 
 ings. And the greater the doubt of our ever renewing 
 those dearest of all earthly ties, as in times of war, 
 the oftener and the more easily are we moved to con- 
 template them. How very thankful we should be, 
 that we are one and all, susceptible to such influences, 
 especially when we reflect that at such moments, and 
 only at such, the good angel may hover quite near us, 
 without fear of the evil contaci. Occupied with such 
 thoughts and not willing to l)anish them, yet equally 
 unwilling to give way to the emot'o is which they awa- 
 kened, I hesitated at the door before opening it to 
 pass in, and it was at this moment that a rough hand 
 was laid upon ray shoulder. A sudden chill flashed 
 through me like an electric shock, and even before I 
 could turn to look upon him 1 had felt his presence, 
 and knew that Douglass was beside me. Returning 
 the malignant leer with which he regarded me, with 
 as much hauteur and contempt as I could concentrate 
 into my gaze, I drew myself proudly up, and folding 
 my arms across my chesl, waited for him to speak. 
 
 " Oh, you need not put on airs, my young cock- 
 sparrow,'' said he, ''your comb will soon be cut. Ha, 
 ha, ha, only a day or two ; only a few hours longer, 
 and then — vengeance ; sweet, sweet vengeance." 
 
 He stopped, while he shook with suppressed rage, 
 and a half smothered cry of exultation escaped from 
 between his firm set teeth ; a cry like the laugh of a 
 fiend. 
 
 "Why don't you EpeakT' said he again — "why 
 don't you beg for mercy — ha, ha, ha, for mercy. Oh, 
 hate, iiate, and sweet vengeance. I could take it now 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 75 
 
 The rope, nothing but the rope for yon. Where will 
 be your pride then, eh, eh? Oh, curse you, curse 
 you. You have thwarted me at every turn ; you have 
 heaped upon me disgrace and humiliation ;. but 2/^-?^ 
 know what you have done, during all this long time 
 since we first met. No need to remind yott of it all ; 
 curse you ; oh, curse you. Liar, thief, slanderer, your 
 time has come." 
 
 The man by this time had worked himself into a 
 perfect frenzy of passion. His bosom heaved, his 
 eyes seemed about to burst from their sockets, his lips 
 were bloodlessly white, and he trembled in every 
 limb. Up to this time I had said not a word, having 
 maintained throughout this bitter tirade, the exact 
 position I had assumed upon first beholding him ; 
 and tlie longer I kept silent the stronger grew my 
 determination to remain eo. For more than one rea- 
 son this seemed my wisest, if not my most satisfac- 
 tory course. If 1 opened my lips I would lose my 
 self-control and strike him. This done, I would be 
 thrust into a cell and loaded with irons, a result 
 which, in all probability, Douglass was then working 
 to bring about. This consideration alone would have 
 outweighed any desire I might have felt for punish- 
 ing the man, but as he proceeded, a new and equally 
 powerful motive, added as it were, the seal to my 
 lips. 
 
 "Give you rope enough and you will hang your- 
 self," I whispered in thought ; "and not only may I 
 hope that yo-; will reveal your plans of vengeance 
 and thus forearm me, but that you will utter words 
 which will throw some light upon the true source of 
 the hell-born hatred you loear me." 
 
 "You thought you were rid of me," continued 
 Douglass, who had only stopped to catch his breath. 
 
76 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "You thought you were rid of me, now didn't you? 
 Why don't you speak, I say? Are you not going to 
 beg for your life? Do you know you are about to 
 die? — dog — hound — speak, I say. Oh, you don't be- 
 lieve it ; you defy me; you ain't afraid; very well, 
 but when you are dead — dead and buried ; ha, ha, ha, 
 how then ; lolio will protect her then f Ha, you 
 start ; you grow pale ; no you donH start ; you donH 
 grow pale — oh, damn you , damn you. Who will 
 shield her from my vengeance then f I say ; you know 
 what that vengeance will be. Tou Hole her froin 
 me, did you ? — you — slandered me did you ? you lied 
 on me — you — but never mind — your time has come, 
 and Z will have her ; yes / — /." 
 
 Still I kept silent, not however without a powerful 
 effort. Insult heaped upon insult made my blood 
 boil, and I longed to strike him to my feet, but I 
 would not. There was that in his speech too, (it will 
 tax nobody's sagacity to comprehend what,) which 
 made me think of other matters than his bitter words, 
 and perhaps this to some degree dulled their poign- 
 ancy. 
 
 "Nothing will move you then," continued Doug- 
 lass, "will a knife in your he.irt move you ? Will a 
 rope round your neck move you ? — we shall see — we 
 shall see. And when you are dead — dead I say — she 
 shall pay — ." 
 
 Here the music, which had hitherto drowned his 
 voice, abruptly ceased, and Douglass hearing foot- 
 steps apparently approaching the door, slunk away 
 into a side passage ; his last act being to shake his fist 
 and spit at me. For a moment I stood quivering 
 with passion, inwardly cursing the fate that had ren- 
 dered my passive behavior necessary ; but by decrees 
 anger gave place to prudence, (we seldom possess the 
 
77 
 
 two at one and the same time,) and I be^an to feel 
 more eatisfied with my course. "lie shall pay dearly 
 for this at another time, I muttered, but for the 
 present I have acted wisely. 1 have not only served 
 myself well, but I have defeated any plan he miojht 
 have laid to get nie into immediate trouble. And 
 again — -his mysterious words. It is not then solely 
 my action on the day of my capture, which has created 
 the remorseless hatred he bears me. Can I have 
 crossed him in some other way without knowing it, 
 or can he be mistaking me for another?" 
 
 Having taken a turn in the passage, and having 
 stumbled upon no answer to these puzzling questions, 
 I suddenly remembered my engagement, and shaking 
 off as nearly as I could, all thought of Douglass, and 
 of the myriad evils in the shape of mocking devils, 
 which danced around his very name, I assumed an air 
 of unconcern and entered the reception room. 
 
 CHAPTER Xni. 
 
 Dr. Baldwin met and introduced me. 
 
 "Ah, my young friend," said he, extending his 
 hand ; "come in. 1 have been expecting you for 
 some time. You are much improved since you — but 
 you have 72<9^ shaved, eh ? What, Jones out? Why 
 that is strange, for he is something of a hermit gen- 
 erally. ■ But come, we will go the rounds. First, 
 here is the judge — Judge Marchbanks, (his father 
 a particular friend of mine. Judge,) and next. Miss 
 Fitzsimmons, and Miss Callahan, Mrs. Kent, Mr. 
 Horlbeck ; but you know most of the gentlemen, and 
 here, last but not least (except in size) is the lady of 
 
78 SAVED BY A ^YOMAN ; 
 
 whom I spoke to you this morning, Mrs. Nickolson ; 
 (a particular young friend of mine, ma'am)," 
 
 I had already heard enough of this lady to feel 
 more than a passing interest in her, and I now beheld 
 her with something of curiosity. 
 
 I noted at a glance, first, that she was rather below 
 the middle height of woman, but symmetrical in 
 ligure ; and secondly, that she was rather plainly 
 though neatly dressed in black, and that her com- 
 plexion was exquisitely clear, almost transparent. 
 Her manner of receiving me was hearty and unaffect- 
 ed in the extreme, and she wore a smile b.o sweet and 
 winning as to captivate me at once. . There was that 
 in her smile too, which seemed to give emphasis to 
 her unaesumed cordiality ; as if its brightness lit the 
 way to her heart, that I might read there the truth of 
 what she uttered. 
 
 Though by no mear>s a homely, she was equally far 
 from being a beautiful woman. Her features were 
 clearly defined and regular, but too prominent for 
 feminine beauty. Her eyes were dark, expressive 
 and penetrating; her lips thin and firm set, denoting 
 determination, and her forehead high and very promi- 
 nent. Her chief charm lay in her manner. Apart 
 from a soft sweet voice, a distinctness of utterance, 
 (always pleasing) and a wholly unstudied expression, 
 (too carefully selected speech often falls with a chill- 
 ing effect upon the listener, renders him ill at ease 
 and makes him wonder how mucli of it is really meant,) 
 apart from all these and many minor charms, for 
 which there is no name, unless the word "feminine" 
 embodies them all, there was a subtle attraction 
 about this lady not easily described. A "something" 
 in the atmosphere which surrounded her which lulled 
 the senses and filled one with a feeling of quiet enjoy- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 79 
 
 meut. A kind of mesmerism, so to speak; as if 
 something of her own peace and purity of heart 
 communicated itself to those around her. "Whatever 
 this nameless attraction was, (and I would like to call 
 it the delightful essence of her own chastity and 
 goodness,) it held as in a spell all who came near her. 
 No one approached her but with a sensation of grow- 
 ing pleasure, which only reached its climax at the 
 thrilling touch of her extended hand ; no one left her 
 but with lingering step. 
 
 ''I feel as if 1 know you already," said she : "Dr. 
 Baldwin has spoken of you so often and with so much 
 kindness. Take a seat and tell rae something of 
 yourself, you do look as if you had suffered ; but wha 
 has not? Ah me, how I wish this cruel war was 
 over." 
 
 I sat down beside her as she bade me, and for a full 
 hour I resigned myself wholly to the enjoyment of 
 her society. She monopolized the conversation, nor 
 did I once feel the remotest desire to "edge in a 
 word." Even to this day, as I glance backward upon 
 the picture of my chequered life, I recognize this, 
 my first hour with Mrs. Nickolson, as among the 
 brightest spots upon it, which shine forth here and 
 there to mark the moments of pleasure ; like stars 
 through a storm-cloud. Her conversation led me 
 away from every distressing topic. If she spoke of 
 the war at all it was only to recount some recent victory 
 for the Confederate arms, of which I had heard 
 nothing. At such moments her eyes fairly sparkled, 
 her bosom heaved and her cheeks flushed, while she 
 poured forth her triumphant story in one unbroken 
 stream of simple yet touching eloquence. Eloquence 
 not of the lips, but that which is far more beautiful 
 — of the heart. 
 
80 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 I listened spell-bound. I became filled with a far 
 greater devotion for my country and her glorious cause 
 than I had ever felt before, and my inactivity began to 
 weigh upon me with new and painful acuteness. Mental- 
 ly, I registered a vow to escape at once, and once free, to 
 wash out in the blood of our common enemy, the — 
 what 1 now deemed — positive disgrace of having thus 
 far quietly submitted to captivity. These resolutions 
 were formed while Mrs, ISTickolson — having for a 
 moment turned to the piano — was running her fin- 
 gers idly over the keys, as a signal to the revellers in. 
 the adjoining room to cease their noisy clamor. This 
 signal she often found it necessary to repeat, and it 
 never failed to have the desired effect. Even in the 
 midst of a boisterous fit of laughter, the very first 
 note of the piano would produce an instantaneous 
 silence ; cutting short the mirth in a ludicrous man- 
 ner. Having established silence, she again turned to 
 me and laughingly said : 
 
 "They are a parcel of boys, sir ; every one of them. 
 Afraid of me too — of poor little me ^ well, I neverP 
 
 I did not join in the low, silvery laugh which 
 escaped her after saying this, but scarcely waiting for 
 it to cease 1 said abruptly : 
 
 "Mrs. Nickolson, 1 must escape." 
 
 "Ah," she said, not so much as changing her ex- 
 pression ; "I saw it, you know. There was a new 
 light in your eye when I turned from the piano, 
 which I construed into something of the sort. 
 Escape? — why surely you must." 
 
 "But how, madam," said I, "how is the question?" 
 
 "Mind," said she, placing a finger upon her lip to 
 enjoin silence, "you must be careful. And you really 
 mean to escape, do you ?" 
 
 "1 do, madam, if such a thing is possible. I have 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 81 
 
 too long remained in careless submission to this bond- 
 age, forgetting all the while that my country neede^l 
 even my weak arm. But I am no longer forgetful 
 of my duty. Your words have opened my slothful 
 eyes and awakened within me a new energy. I must 
 escape, and at once ; but again recurs the puzzling 
 question — how?" 
 
 She remained in deep thought for some moments, 
 with her eyes fixed upon the carpet at her feet. At 
 length, raising them to mine, she said slowly : 
 
 "It cannot be done just yet, and you must abandon 
 the idea, at least for the present. There are others 
 besides yourself to be considered, who have been 
 longer in captivity, much longer than you have been, 
 and you must be content to await j'our turn. "Xour 
 own efforts would avail you nothing, be they never so 
 bold and daring. Stratagem alone can succeed, and 
 you cannot even exercise that to any fruitful end 
 without the co-operation of a friend. No, you must 
 be patient and leave it all to me. Yoa look sur- 
 prised." 
 
 "Leave it to you^ madam ? I scarcely understand." 
 
 "Not understand? You have not thought. Do 
 you not know that for the sake of the cause I love, 
 and for those who uphold its principles, I have con- 
 sented to live a perpetual lief — to spy upon and 
 heir ay those who believe me true to them, whose 
 hospitality I share, and who represent the very land 
 of my birth?" 
 
 (Here her eyes filled and her voice became tremu- 
 lous.) 
 
 "Do you not know," she continued, "that for the sake 
 of those principles I have recklessly hazarded every 
 tie that binds me to life? The love of friends, of 
 kindred, wealth, position — everything is held as noth- 
 
82 SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 ing by all who think as I think ; who love as I love. 
 Knowing then what I am, you can easily conceive the 
 immeasurable advantages my position affords me. 
 Nay, this knowledge might teach you more. It might 
 enable you to guess (knowing the depth of my love 
 for you and your cause) to what desperate lengths I 
 would go to serve you ; and it might teach you also, 
 (knowing the energy and ambition which such love 
 begets) how well I have employed my time in shaping 
 these advantages to serve you. How can you feel sur- 
 prise then, when I say leave it to rae? Think you I 
 cannot, or will not serve you ? Why, I tell yon, boy," 
 said she, brightening up and bustlihg hurriedly to- 
 ward the piano, "I have already 'done the State some 
 service.' There is a little memorandum here in my 
 pocket-book '^'\i\i jifty-four names upon it; the names 
 of your brothers in arms wliom, during the past year, 
 I have helped to escape from captivity. 
 
 " It is a fact,'' said she, pausing with her hands sus- 
 pended above the keys, "it is a fact, and whenever 
 my life of duplicity weighs heavily upon me, my life 
 of deoeit and falsehood, of heartless treachery and 
 calGiilating haseness — '' 
 
 "Hold, my dear madam," said I, "you are doing 
 youreelf a vast injustice — '' 
 
 " God knows, I hope so,'' said she, brushing away 
 the tears which had again filled her eyes. "I hope so, 
 and I always bring myself to believe so, if I but read 
 over these names, each one of which recalls in regu- 
 lar routine some touching story and its joyful sequel. 
 And when I reflect that were my actions wholly wrong 
 such universal success could never attend them, I am 
 comforted. 'God smiles upon and furthers my feeble 
 efforts,' I softly think, and every feeling of doubt 
 vanishes at once." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 83 
 
 Her fingers descended upon the keys as she conclu- 
 ded, and a moment later she was singing as if the 
 slightest care were stranger to her breast. I will not 
 attempt to de-^cribe the emotions which tilled me after 
 listening to these frank avowals. Let it suffice to say 
 that mj admiration for this character, every beautiful 
 trait of which stood self-revealed, amounted to some- 
 thiLg akin to adoration. The blending of so much 
 that was heroic, yet gentle ; energetic, yet prudent ; 
 firm, yet tender and sympathizing; a mind and a 
 heart so wholly generous and self-sacrificing, I am free 
 to confess I had never met with before ; and I now 
 contemplated them with something of awe. Nor can 
 I think this estimate of her overdrawn. It is possible, 
 that if called upon then, instead of now, to express 
 my opinion of her, I would have hesitated ere I gave 
 full warmth to my admiration ; but as subsequent 
 events only confirmed my first impressions, I would 
 be doing both her, and myself an injustice, were I at 
 this time, one iota less devout of my theme. But I 
 neither ask nor desire yoii, my worthy reader to indorse 
 what may seem unto you an extravagance. I am re- 
 cording facts, you know, of which mj- feelings and 
 impressions are part and parcel, and if these fail to 
 please, I must submit to, how^ever much I lament, 
 your displeasure. In no wise can I hope to afford you 
 any great amount of amusement. If I but help you 
 to forget now and then 'that little balance at Reug- 
 heimer'e,' or 'that small matter at Klmck & Wicken- 
 burg's.' That Mrs. Green wore a new bonnet at 
 church last Sunday which, (although a positive fright), 
 did make your wife's last winter's hat look shabby 
 alongside of it ; or if perchance I bring you to forget 
 
 that your arrears at the club, (blessed institution) 
 
 have been overdue these four days, in consequence of 
 
84 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 which you have not hinched there in three; if but for 
 a moment, I pay, you forget these, or any similar con- 
 siderations, in following me in my adventures, it is 
 all I can hope for, and quite enough to content me. 
 For believe me, it is well worth the trouble — so argues 
 my own experience — to turn the pages of the very 
 driest of chapters, so long as in doing so we are made 
 to forget the alarming discrepancy between our ex- 
 chequer and the myriad demands upon it. 
 
 And now, but one more word and 1 am done with 
 prosing. The character of Mrs. Nickolson, who lived 
 and still lives, is not an isolated one. That she was 
 among the fortunate few whom opportunity served 
 in pursuing her noble work, is undoubtedly true; but 
 that she was exceptional in either her love of coun- 
 try, her self-denying spirit, or her courage, is as un- 
 doubtedly false. Wliere is the veteran soldier who 
 cannot point you to more than one incident of his ex- 
 perience, in which the devotion and patriotism of wo- 
 man shines forth in deeds of heroism, among the very 
 brightest which stud the annals ot the late war? 
 Deeds the more to be honored because achieved in 
 secret^ and of a consequence, unalloyed by a single 
 thought of personal distinction or glory ; deeds sel- 
 dom rewarded and as seldom even recognized. Mrs. 
 Nickolson, then, is only one of many whose devotion, 
 whose willingness to serve, and whose personal prow- 
 ess were to the full as great as hers, but who lacked 
 the 02?po7'tu7iity to achieve the same amount of good 
 as herself. While I, therefore, in my humble walk, do 
 honor to this lady's name, let me not forget the many 
 others whose generous deeds are covered by the veil 
 of modesty. Because I owe my life to her, let me 
 not forget her unknown sisters, who have saved other 
 lives than mine. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 85 
 
 CHAPTER XIY. 
 
 Although all personal intercourse with my newly 
 made friend was at an end for that evening, yet was 
 I destined, before she departed, to witness a certain 
 ceremonial in which she played a conspicuous part, and 
 which afforded me a still greater insight into the 
 beauties of her character. This was the distribution 
 among the prisoners of certain pairs of socks, hand- 
 kerchiefs, collars, and even shirts, and also of cer- 
 tain small packages, carefully wrapped, and said 
 to contain tobacco, snuff, etc. These the president 
 produced from a well-filled pillow-case which, during 
 our interview, she had kept concealed beneath 
 the piano. It is scarcely necessary to say of the 
 donees that they were rough, uncouth fellows, a mot- 
 ley crew at best, and by far more familiar with the 
 smell of gunpowder than with the perfume of " eau 
 de cologne ;" yet were there none forgotten, each 
 receiving in his turn some little token of the watchful 
 care and generous love of their acknowledged bene- 
 factress. And these gifts were not offered haughtily, 
 or condescendingly, but each was accompanied by a 
 smile and a manner whose perfect candor disarmed at 
 once every lurking feeling of ditfidence or reserve. 
 Thus she knew them all personally ; called them by 
 their names ; shared with them their hopes and their 
 fears, and, as far as she was able, supplied their wants. 
 There was something quite beautiful, and unspeakably 
 touching, too, in the way in which these gifts were 
 received. In order to avoid any display of gratitude, 
 the good woman hurried through the ceremony. 
 
86 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 scolding all who dared to loiter near her even for a 
 moment ; yet was there time enough for each to offer 
 his thanks, and in a manner, too, which more than 
 once brought the tears to mj eyes. 
 
 " God bless you, lady," one would say in husky ac- 
 cents, while the next to follow could only looh his 
 thanks through eyes that swam ; and the next, may- 
 hap, would grasp her extended hand along with the 
 package it held, and cover it with kisses ; or 
 fall upon his knees, and with all the hallowed 
 reverence a worshipper might vouchsafe to some holy 
 relic, press to his lips a convenient portion of her 
 dress. This scene affected me greatly, nor do I be- 
 lieve it is ever destined to fade from my memory. 
 
 I saw Mrs. Nickolson depart with a feeling of 
 actual sorrow, and I roamed listlessly about for hours 
 afterwards, a prey to 'gloomy reflection. Even after 
 I had retired to rest, my thoughts were busy with the 
 events of the day, each particular of which kept con- 
 stantly recurring with a persistency that precluded all 
 possibility of sleep. Nor, strange to record, did I 
 find the letrospect in the least degree, enjoyable. A 
 etrange uneasiness had taken possession of me, a feel- 
 ing which I could not define, nor, combat it as I would, 
 could I master. It was not so much a regret for the 
 fleetness of my season of happiness, as a vague fear 
 that some evil consequence might flow out of it, as if 
 some dire penalty were attached to so much enjoy- 
 ment. I reasoned with myself in vain. I even sat 
 up in bed to be sure that I was thoroughly awake, 
 and checked off the "pros'' and "cons" on my fingers ; 
 but while I became satisfied that my one hour of 
 pleasure could directly cause no calamity, yet my 
 undefined fears did not leave me. Towards morning 
 I got up and walked about for an hour, after which I 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 87 
 
 felt keenly the need of rest, but no eooner had I lain 
 down again than I perceived the utter uselessncss of 
 attempting to sleep. My eyes seemed propped open, 
 my troubled faculties refused to desert me. I arose 
 again and walked to the window. The first streaks of 
 dawn were now visible in the east, and as I perceived 
 it, I felt my heart sink with an odd and crushing hope- 
 lessness. I sat down and buried ray head in my 
 pillow. One of the sleepers moved uneasily and I 
 started at the sound, unable in my extreme nervous- 
 ness to account for it. I moved once more to the 
 window and peered without. The daylight was now 
 fast approaching, and in the uncertain light each 
 object I beheld seemed distorted and misshapen. 
 Whatever I looked upon, it was sure to move, and 
 with a degree of stealth that chilled my blood; and if 
 I heard a noise, however slight or commonplace, 
 my fancy was sure to give it some evil significance. 
 I shuddered and turned away. "God of mercy," I 
 cried,. "can this be madness?'' and, as if in answer to 
 my despairing cry something darted through the win- 
 dow and fell upon ray bed. Trembling, I picked it 
 up and hurried with it to the light. It was a small 
 piece of white paper attached by a string to a brick, 
 and upon it was scrawled in pencil the word "to-day." 
 I unfolded the paper and a sickening horror seized 
 me as I beheld the rude drawing of a coffin sur- 
 mounted by a skull and cross-bones; and almost faint- 
 ing I fell upon my bed at the same moment that a 
 low, taunting laugh reached me from without. Once 
 again I arose and staggered to the window, reaching 
 it just in time to catch a single glimpse of a retreat- 
 ing figure as it slunk away in the serai-darkness. 
 "Douglass," I rauttered, drawing a long breath, and 
 oddly enough, the belief in his presence gave me 
 
88 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 instant relief. And so it ever is. An undefined fear, 
 the unexplained presence of evil, is more torturing 
 to the mind by half than the full knowledge of the 
 direst calamity which could befall us. I endeavored 
 now to think calnjly and carefully over ray situation. 
 Taking for granted that the horribly significant mis- 
 sive, which I still held crushed in my hand, had come 
 from my relentless enemy, I was not long in reading 
 it thus : First, that my life was in imminent and im- 
 mediate danger, and further that an attack of some 
 kind would be made against it on that very day. 
 This warning I considered as a great advantage 
 gained. It mattered little that I was entirely ignorant 
 of the particular kind of weapon my antagonist 
 would employ against me, I was at least able to show 
 him my front, knowing when to look for him. If he 
 could be stealthy, I could be wary ; if he (amply 
 armed and surrounded by friends) held every advan- 
 tage, I at least possessed an equal amount of courage 
 and determination. Having canvassed the situation 
 thus far, I began at once to "breathe more freely," as 
 the phrase goes ; but suddenly it occurred to me that 
 it was possible, nay, even probable, that my arch 
 enemy would employ some other hand than his own 
 to strike at my life ; and no sooner had I conceived 
 this idea than I began to accept it as a certainty, and 
 once more was I cast down, even to utter hopelessness. 
 Scarcely knowing what I did, I dropped on my knees 
 clasping tightly my throbbing temples, and immedi- 
 ately, even before I knew it, my heart lifted itself in 
 prayer. The attitude alone h&d suggested the sup- 
 plication, (alas, that it should have been so) but when 
 I arose I was calmer and more hopeful. I dressed 
 myself and issued forth. The first bright rays of 
 sunshine were slanting along the grounds,and the fresh, 
 brisk morning air invigorated and cheered me. Ere I 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 8^ 
 
 had walked many paces the eentry challenged me and 
 demanded my business, but having explained to him 
 that I was feverish and could not rest, he kindly 
 allowed me to continue on my way. For a full hour 
 I pursued my objectless walk, the mere act of motion 
 seeming to divert my thoughts and so assuage my 
 fears. Although I had fully resolved to meet my 
 fate unflinchingly (and I never doubted the near 
 approach of evil), yet had I ceased to wonder what it 
 was. I felt now a 'settled, ceaseless gloom,' nevertheless 
 I was resigned, and if I felt impatient, it was rather 
 from suspense than from a lack of submission. I 
 even began to long for the blow to fall, when by a 
 defiant and fearless bearing I might either conquer, 
 or, dying with a still unbroken spirit, cheat my enemy 
 out of half his revenge. While yet I pursued my 
 purposeless wanderings, the day had greatly advanced 
 and the business thereof had well begun. The bugle 
 summoned us to roll call preparatory to breakfast, 
 and with the rest I answered the signal ; but I started 
 when my name was called, and answered as one in a 
 dream. I ate my breakfast mechanically, and with 
 such an air of abstractedness that several remarked 
 upon it. 
 
 "He's still asleep," said one. 
 
 "He's been carousing all night," said another. 
 
 "I rather think he is drunk," said a third. 
 
 And to each of these charges my only acklowledg- 
 ment was a weary smile. 
 
90 SAVED BY A WOMAN I 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 I left the table among the first, only to continue 
 my solitary rambling. And now as the moments flew 
 and 1 found myself still unmolested, 1 began to grow 
 impatient. Yes, strange inconsistency of the human 
 heart; I grew actually impatient for the coming of 
 an evil whose approach I never doubted, and whose 
 coming I felt scarcely less certain would involve the 
 loss of my life. 
 
 A distant clock struck the hour of nine. I had 
 stopped to count the strokes, and having done so, I 
 was about to move on again when the sound of hurry- 
 ing footsteps arrested .me. Looking around I per- 
 ceived that Putnam was approaching me in a half 
 run, and ere I was given time to form a conjecture 
 as to the meaning of his abrupt visit, he \\as at my 
 side. 
 
 "My dear fellow," said he, "what in heaven's name 
 is the meaning of this report, which has just reached 
 me, that you are susjyected of being a sj)y, and that 
 you are to be tried by court-martial to-day .?" 
 
 "Ah !'' said I, with a sigh of actual relief ; "this is 
 it then ; at last I see his hand." 
 
 "Eh?" said Putnam, "I do not understand." 
 
 "It is nothing," I returned with a sorry attempt at a 
 laugh ; "nothing, except that 'tis a lie. I am no more 
 spy than you are." 
 
 "And you can prove it?" 
 
 "Indeed I cannot." 
 
 "You cannot? then this is serious." 
 
 "If the loss of my life be serious." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE 91 
 
 "But, my dear fellow, you speak strangely ; you do 
 not even seem surprised." 
 
 "No, my friend," said I, "I am not in the least 
 surprised. This is nothing less than a plot to ruin 
 me. I have an enemy of whom I have told you 
 something, he has done this. I knew full well he was 
 about to strike, for he even warned me, but I did not 
 know until now what would be his mode of attack." 
 
 "Good God," said Putnam, "this is bad ; and you 
 say he warned you?" 
 
 "Even so ; come, stroll along with me and I will 
 tell you all." 
 
 I now told him how that all night long I had been una- 
 ble to sleep, a prey to an extretne nervous depression, 
 which at first I could not account for, but which 
 later I had recognized as the shadow of an approaching 
 evil. I produced the horrible warnmg and showed 
 it to him, mentioning every mysterious circumstance 
 connected with it, and I wound up by saying that I 
 believed the snare had been but too well laid, 
 and that I could not hope to escape its consequences; 
 but that I was resolved to meet my doom as became 
 a man and a soldier. 
 
 Instead of offering me his sympathy, Pumam, to 
 my unbounded surprise, seized me by the collar with 
 his powerful right hand, and shook me until my teeth 
 chattered again. 
 
 " Now, in the name of all the gods at once," shouted 
 be, by a mere chance hitting upon a quotation to suit 
 the occasion ; " 'pon what meat doth this oiir — what's 
 his name, feed, that he hath grown so great ? So great 
 as to make a coward of you ; to rob you of your spirit, 
 your energy and independence. Will you allow this 
 sneaking coward to swear away your life, while you 
 stand submissively by and mope like this, actually 
 
92 SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 holding your neck for the halter ? Wake up, I say ; 
 what in heaven's name will become of your old father 
 when you are hung? No hope! nonsense — no 
 hope ! the devil." 
 
 Under other circumstances, this rough usage might 
 have nettled me, but now, in contemplating the advice 
 itself, I lost sight of the emphatic manner in which 
 it was given. The suddenness and violence of his 
 attack ; the emphasis with which he spoke ; his alUi- 
 sion to my father, reminding me of his age and help- 
 less condition, and the sudden and sweet conviction^ 
 that there was at least one iriend at hand, all conspired 
 to stimulate my waning hope, and arouse me into 
 action. 
 
 In a single moment of time, then ; so susceptible 
 are we by nature, so slight the agencies which sway 
 us, whether for good or evil, so fickle our judgment, 
 and so frail the foundation upon which we often buHd 
 our strongest arguments; in a single moment of time, 
 the despair which had tilled my heart had flown and 
 left it bounding with a new-born hope. 
 
 Ah, what tremendous destinies may hang upon this 
 brief interval, "one moment of time." Even in the 
 first story of all — that of the Garden of Eden — we 
 may perceive this momentous yet little thought of 
 fact. The doom of ages, the fate of millions, hung 
 upon the few brief seconds of indecision which pre- 
 ceded the fall of man. In a moment our Lord was 
 betrayed, and in a n oment did Peter deny him. It 
 consumes less than a moment to sign away the peace 
 of a nation, and in a moment or less the guillotine 
 accomplishes its dreadful work. In a single instant 
 the very blackest of crimes may be committed ; and, 
 thank God for this— in an instant too, so merciful ivS 
 our Master, the very blackest of crimes may be re- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 93 
 
 pented. What valuable lessons should we learn from 
 these contemplations. With what extreme care and 
 deliberation should we form our conclusions and our 
 resolves, and how well considered should be our 
 speech at all times and under all circumstances. These 
 are the lessons He contempbted to teach, who said: 
 " Be ye slow to anger ; '' and these the precepts so 
 beautifully comprised in the words, "Give thy 
 thoughts no tongue, nor any unproportioued thought 
 his act." 
 
 To Putnam I now turned, and grasping his hand in 
 the sincerity of my gratitude, I began to thank him 
 for his friendly interest and excellent advice. 
 
 "My dear friend,'' I said, "already I see my situa- 
 tion in a new and more hopeful light. I shall no 
 more despair, I shall — '' 
 
 " There — there,'' said he, suddenly tightening his 
 grip upon my hand, " it is too late to say more ; see, 
 here they come. Never say die, remember that. I 
 will do all in my power; I will not rest ; be calm; 
 be cautious ; be firm ; but above all, be hopeful ; and 
 now good-bye." 
 
 He was turning away, but at that moment and for 
 the first time a horrible thought crossed my ii ind, 
 and stretching forth my hand I held him back. 
 
 " Putnam," I said, " a single word before you go. 
 Should the worst come, and tbey drag me to the scaf- 
 fold, you will not let me die like a dog; promise me 
 solemnly, that you will — '' 
 
 " Hist," said he, trying to escape — " hist, they are 
 here." 
 
 " Promise,'' said I ; "if you be a man, promise me.'' 
 
 " I promise," said he, shuddering perceptibly — "I 
 will do it, if 1 cany 
 
 I loosened my grip, and he wa8 gone. 1 had no 
 
94 SAVED BY A W03IAN ; 
 
 time for further thought. Not a moment in which I 
 mi,2;ht have seen the magnitude of the wrong I had 
 inflicted upon my best fiiend, in thus exacting from 
 him a promiee, to be true to which he must inevita- 
 bly have wrecked his own happiness, and as surely 
 have hazarded his life. 
 
 Ere Putnam had walked a dozen yards away, an 
 orderly and three privates stepped up to where he 
 had left me standing. 
 
 " Your name, sir," said the orderly. 
 
 I drew myself up, and gave it in full. 
 
 " I have been ordered to escort you under special 
 arrest before the court-martial. Forward — (Dennis, 
 you and Uurch lead the way — Thompson, bring up 
 the rear with me) — march.'' 
 
 I made no resistance. 
 
 Until we left the prison grounds where, of course, 
 we were the "observed of all observers,'' [ felt an 
 actual delight in the thought that my steps were firm 
 and my bearing proud. A walk of five minutes brought 
 us to a handsome dwelling, recessed from the street, 
 at the gate of which stood several richly caparisoned 
 horses. This, I soon learned, was our destination. A 
 sentinel challenged us; the orderly spoke a few low 
 words in his ear, and the gate swung open to admit us. 
 The sound of boisterous merriment reached my ear as 
 we entered, and grew louder as we approached the 
 somewhat gloomy-looking edifice. I cannot say why, 
 but it sent a cold chill careering through my veins. 
 At the door we again halted and the orderly went 
 forward, leaving me with the three others. Soon, 
 however, he returned and led the way into a large 
 room, where the "Tribunal iVl ilitaire," was already 
 assembled. In the single haughty glance which I 
 threw around me as 1 entered, I saw a large table 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 95 
 
 upon which was piled a number of hats, some belts 
 containing side- arms, and a few swords, and around 
 which were seated a number of officers. Immediately 
 opposite the door, and just behind the president's 
 chair, stood a side-board laden with decanters and 
 glasses, explaining at once the source of the mirth 
 which I had heard while approaching the house. Ex- 
 cept these, the room was bare. As we entered, there 
 was a rap upon the table, followed by a hiding of 
 smiles behind handkerchiefs, a pulling down of vests, 
 a whispering and a winking, after which there was a 
 chorus of clearing of throats, an assumption of grave 
 dignity, and lastly silence. It was easy to perceive 
 from these an^ other signs betokening impatience, 
 that the company had been disturbed in the midst of 
 festivities very much to their liking, and that they 
 were by no means well pleased at the interruption. 
 There was a look and an air about the whole assembly 
 which, to me, was painfully eloquent, and which I 
 read thus : "A plague upon the meaningless rigmarole 
 of a military trial. If we had not to conform to these 
 empty formalities this fellow might have been com- 
 fortably shot without disturbing our frolic ;" and I 
 confess there was something exceedingly unpleasant 
 in the perusal. To me it smacked of a verdict already 
 fixed upon, of a doom already sealed. 
 
 I did not, however, allow these ominous appear- 
 ances to rob me of one tithe of my firmness, and when 
 the president commenced ihe proceedings by reading 
 aloud my name, and paused, looking at me with an 
 interrogation point in his eye, I bowed with the air of 
 a man who was very proud of it indeed, and who was 
 not in the least afraid of its ever getting him into 
 trouble. 
 
 " Ycu are denounced," said the president, "by Ser- 
 
96 SAVED BY A WOMA]S' ; 
 
 geant Douglass, of the — ah, regiment and division 
 bhirred— as a spy. The penalty, you are aware, is 
 death," continued he, coolly folding up the paper and 
 removing his eye-glasses. "Call Sergeant Douglass 
 and let him make the charge." 
 
 Immediately there was a scarcely perceptible noise 
 behind me, and glancing round, I saw the grinning 
 face of Douglass, behind whom stood two privates, 
 who afterwards appeared as witnesses against me. It 
 is useless to say that, to my knowledge, I had never 
 seen either of them, nor can I believe that they had 
 €ver seen me. Douglass made his charge in a mo- 
 notonous sing-song strain, avowing that on several 
 occasions he had seen me within the federal lines wear- 
 ing their uniform and mingling freely with the troops. 
 He mentioned several places and dates (which have 
 since escaped me), where and when he had seen me. 
 In proof of these charges he produced as witnesses the 
 two privates, who swore that they, too, had seen me 
 on each of the occasions mentioned by Douglass and 
 under the circumstances described. The plot, I soon 
 perceived, had been ingeniously laid, and before the 
 somewhat prolix charges had been half made and 
 sworn to, I saw my inevitable fate before me. The 
 court listened with every evidence of increasing im- 
 patience, and at length the president, rapping loudly 
 upen the table, remarked that the witnesses were con- 
 suming entirely too much time. Douglass, ceasing 
 at this, glanced for a moment at the faces around the 
 table, and as if he read in them an all-sufficient reason 
 for so doing, he saluted and withdrew. 
 
 " Have you finished ?" asked the president. 
 
 " I have nothing more to say, sir," said he. 
 
 " And what has the prisoner to say in his own de- 
 fense?" continued the former, turning to me. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 97 
 
 "Simply that these accusations are all false from 
 beginning to end, sir, and that they are manufactured 
 by an unscrupulous scoundrel, who, too cowardly to 
 seek the reparation common among men of courage, 
 resorts to this dastardly means of satisfying his per- 
 sonal revenge." 
 
 Uttering this bitter speech with all the vehemence 
 of long pent-upanger, I looked the while straight into 
 the eyes of my cowardly accuser, and had the satisfac- 
 tion of seeing that his glan -e fell before me, and that 
 he actually writhed in his seat. 
 
 There was a perceptible stir occasioned by this de- 
 fiant outburst, and the president, re-adjusting his eye- 
 glasses, looked at me through them long and search- 
 ingly. 
 
 "_ You are strangely violent, sir," said he, in a voice 
 which betrayed not a little agitation, "considering 
 certain unpleasant facts, which you seem to have for- 
 gotten. But where is your proof; nothing less will 
 serve you here." 
 
 "And do YOU ask me for proof," I cried, the mock- 
 ery of this demand firing my indignation and depriving 
 me of every instinct of caution ; "you who know every 
 circumstance con jected with these baseless ch?.rges? 
 You, who know that, up to a few moments ago, I was 
 not even aware of their existence. What time has 
 been allowed me to prepare defense of any kind ? 
 There is not a shadow either of justice or common 
 sense in such a demand, and this you well know. 
 You both mock my helplessness and disgrace the office 
 you hold, sir.'' 
 
 " Silence ! " thundered the president, rising to his 
 feet and turning livid with rage. 
 
 "I am nearly through," continued I, smiling at his 
 wrath. 
 
 7 
 
98 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "You shall insult US no further, sir," shouted he 
 again, while he reached forward and half drew from 
 its scabbard a sword which was lying before him. 
 
 " No other power than death shall stop me, sir," said 
 I, folding my arms across my chest and eying him 
 coolly. 
 
 " Then death it shall be," cried he fiercely, as he drew 
 forth the blade and started toward me. There was now 
 a general rising from the table, and a hurried resump- 
 tion of weapons. Some of the more impetuous pre- 
 pared to annihilate me at once, but a few of the older 
 officers interposed themselves resolutely between us, 
 while an old colonel hooked arms with the president 
 himself, and leading him forcibly aside, began a whis- 
 pered remonstrance. In less time than I have con- 
 sumed in the telling, the officers resumed their seats, 
 and the president, in a choking voice, informed me 
 that I might say whatever I wished in my defense, 
 but if a word were uttered, coming not strictly under 
 this head, the court would proceed to pass sentence at 
 once. 
 
 " I have nearly finished, sir," said I. "I have only 
 to protest against these proceedings, the indecent 
 haste and the mockery of which dishonors your coun- 
 try and yoiu\flag, and insults mine. I well know that 
 your verdict was fixed upon, even before you saw me, 
 and that, had you dared, you would have had me shot 
 without a hearing ; and I have to say this: that the 
 day of reckoning for each of you will as surely come 
 as that the sun rises and sets. And as to that cowardly 
 scoundrel whose lies you accept as truths, let him 
 tremble, also, for whether I live or die, a terrible ven- 
 geance awaits him. Now, sir, I am ready to hear your 
 sentence." 
 
 There was a moment of silence, followed by another 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 99 
 
 of whispering, and the president arose and said, lacon- 
 icallj : 
 
 "To-morrow, at sunrise, and 3'ou shall have until 
 then to decide whether you will be hanged or shot." 
 
 " I wish no time to decide thi?," said I. " Let me 
 die a soldier's death." 
 
 " Take him away," said the president, and a mo- 
 ment later, I was being led back to prison, surrounded 
 by a strong escort. 
 
 CHAPTER X.YL. 
 
 There are periods in the lives of most men which, 
 although they vie in importance with the most re- 
 markable events of a lifetime, are yet remembered 
 vaguelj' and disconnectedly; and especially is this 
 the case when impending danger gives consequence to 
 the occasion. At such moments the mighty instinct 
 of self-preservation engages our every energy, and soon 
 our mental faculties become clouded from overwork. 
 Myriad plots and plans flash, m.eteor-like, through our 
 brains, to be abandoned almost as soon as conceived, 
 each bringing with it a momentary ray c^ hope and 
 leaving behind it the blackness of despair. And so it 
 is, that all these vacillations, too numerous and too 
 fleeting to strike us with retentive force, are soon for- 
 gotten, and we remember the period and the events 
 thereof only as a unit. The traveler, caught in a ter- 
 rific storm, will scarcely forget the adventure itself, 
 but he cannot tell you how many flashes blinded him, 
 or how many peals of thunder shook the earth, not- 
 withstanding that each terrific shock made him cringe 
 and tremble at the time. 
 
100 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 Such a period, then, and so remembered, were the 
 few sliort hours immediately followir.^ my sentence. I 
 liave no remembrance that the fear of death haunted 
 me, or that I lost hope for a sino^le moment. The ac- 
 tivity of my friends, and their words of encourage- 
 ment, the universal indisjnation which my position 
 called forth, and above all my freedom ; for I was not 
 locked in a cell, as might have been expected ; all 
 these conspired to give employment to my thoughts, 
 and to keep them back from the dread to-morrow. I 
 was as active as the most zealous, and to the full as 
 cool to all outward seeming, and yet I had every 
 reason to despair. 
 
 Putnam was one of the first to meet me after the 
 trial. 
 
 " As I expected,'' said I. 
 
 " But not the rope;'' said he, with a perceptible 
 shudder ; " tell me it is not the rope.'' 
 
 "No, thank heaven," said I, " they have promised 
 me a soldier's death.'' 
 
 "A tight scrape," said he thoughtfully, " but we 
 have been in a tighter, eh ? Take courage. What a 
 pity we can do nothing till darhP 
 
 " Till dark." 
 
 " I echoed the words, and strangely enough I began 
 from that moment to look upon the coming of the 
 night as the period which would end my troubles. I 
 have said that I was active, and this I repeat ; but in 
 what my activity consisted I know not, nor can I say 
 what it was that I hoped or expected to gain from it. 
 I dined as usual, and I remember that, although every 
 eye was turned upon me, I read in them nothing but 
 encouragement. Many of my companions toasted me, 
 and wished me God-speed upon my journey, each ac- 
 cepting my escape as certain. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 101 
 
 After dinner, Dr. Baldwin took me aside and handed 
 me a crisp twenty dollar greenback note. " Thie," 
 said be, " may be useful. There is scarce a lock 
 which a golden key will not open." 
 
 Thanking him, 1 took the note and added it to my 
 scanty fund. 
 
 " Putnam is raising a purse for you," said the doc- 
 tor. "Ah, here he is now." 
 
 "I've just seen them all," said my huge friend, 
 walking briskly up. "Let me see, here is the list : 
 Dr. Baldwin, twenty (he has given you his); Elliott, 
 twenty ; Dr. Ford, twenty ; Judge Marchbanks, 
 twenty ; myself, twenty ; — now, what had you before ? 
 Count it up." 
 
 "One hundred and sixty dollars, all told," said I, 
 after reckoning my wealth. 
 
 "Good," said Putnam, "that will do admirably, 
 and now we can do no more until — " 
 
 " Until dark," said I. 
 
 "At least, until after roll call," said the other. 
 
 "Do you know," said Dr. Baldwin, " that Brown 
 has taken the oath, and was released an hour ago ?" 
 
 " Is it possible," said I. 
 
 " Yes, it was I who begged him to do it, although 
 I had reason to believe he would have done so before 
 very long of his own accord. I wished to communi- 
 cate with Mrs. Nickolson in your behalf, and this was 
 my only chance." 
 
 " And did you send him to her, doctor?" 
 
 "Yes, and if he has succeeded in seeing her, she 
 will be here before the sun goes down." 
 
 The doctor had scarcely ceased speaking when a 
 carriage rolled up to the gateway. 
 
 "The reception room," said the latter, abd I imme- 
 diately made my way thither. 
 
102 SAVED BY A woman; 
 
 Mrs. Nickolson was not long in appearing. 
 
 "Mj dear young friend," said she, approaching me 
 with both hands extended, '''• xohat is this I hear? Oh, 
 dreadful, cruel war. But have you hope^ have you 
 courage ? '' 
 
 " Thank heaven, madam, I have both," said I, as I 
 stooped and touched each of her hands to my lips. 
 
 " Then never despair, I am doing my utmost to save 
 you, and can only stay to eay so much. If I succeed, 
 you shall hear from me io time, and if I do not — 
 but I WILL — good-bye." 
 
 Without waiting for me to reply, she hooked arms 
 with Dr. Baldwin and hurried from the room. 1 
 walked to the window to see her depart, and was rather 
 surprised to notice that the gate stood ajar, and that 
 several men, whom I took to be prisoners, were en- 
 tering. I counted Fcv^en of theee, and was wondering 
 where they had been captured and what news they 
 might bring, when something about the foremost 
 struck me as familiar. I looked at him more closely 
 as he approached, and soon perceived that he was in- 
 deed an old acquaintance, Willie Watterson by name. 
 A friend, I should rather say, for although I had 
 known him in all but two weeks, yet so slowly 
 do* the hours of adversity drag themselves away, 
 that, in that otherwise limited time, there had sprung 
 up a warm friendship between us. I had first met 
 with him at Shelby ville, and had partem with him 
 at the depot in Nashville on the day of our arrival, 
 he to go to \,hQ jail, and I to come to the peniten- 
 tiary, Wq was scarcely out of his teens and pos- 
 sessed a hearty, open manner, a handsome face, and a 
 light-heartedness withal which seldom failed to please 
 at first sight. I sought him out at once, and told him 
 my sad story. As I expected, he was greatly shocked, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 
 
 103 
 
 and his words of sympathy were many and sincere. 
 He made me repeat my story many times over, and 
 after each repetition, he poured forth a perfect torrent 
 of abuse upon all blue-coats ; invariably windmg up 
 by saying, " but you shall not die so— no, by heaven, 
 you shall not." 
 
 Shall I own that these vehement assertions pleased 
 me well? That I fed my hope upon these empty 
 boasts, and that, stranger still, I found them nutritious 
 and strengthening? Tell me, ye wise men— is there 
 any such thing as downright despair ? At length 1 
 questioned Wutterson concerning himself and his own 
 fortunes. 
 
 " I have taken the oath," said he sadly ; " there was 
 nothing else for it. I blush to own it, but I was com- 
 pelled to the step by necessity. What that necessity 
 is, 1 cannot tell you now. There are nine of us, all 
 told, who obtained our release this morning, and as 
 most of us had friends here, we were allowed to visit 
 the penitentiary. I swear to you, my friend, that I 
 am ashamed to look you in the face, but if you but 
 
 knew — " . 1 , , 1 J 
 
 I stopped him abruptly, for a sudden hope had 
 flashed through me. " Hold," I said, " you must have 
 had a pass — let me see it." 
 
 He looked at me steadily for a mcment, and as my 
 meaning struck him, he turned pale. ^ ^ 
 
 "I understand," said he, in a low voice, " but it is 
 of no use — a part of it is printed." 
 
 " But the signature, let me see that'' 
 
 Without a word he produced the pass, which! 
 €natched eagerly from him ; but a single glance at it 
 was sufficient to crush my hope, for there was a seal 
 upon it which I saw at once, would defy every art of 
 
104 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 forgery. Slowly, and sorrowfully, I handed it back 
 to him. 
 
 " Without the seal, it would be useless," I said. 
 
 "Yes," said Watterson, "but I have thought of 
 something else. Look you," he continued, with in- 
 creasing agitation, "this pass may save you yet. It is 
 made out for nine men, and on our route hither, two 
 strayed away. Do you sec— do you understand?" 
 cried he, as with trembling hand he grasped my shoul- 
 der ; " you can pass out as one of those who did not 
 enter P 
 
 Heaven help me. I had sustained my courage up 
 to this moment upon absolutely nothing; but now, 
 that a reasonable chance of escape presented itself, I 
 grew in an instant as weak as a child. 
 
 " Go," said Watterson, who had actually to support 
 my tottering limbs; "go — lose not a moment. See, 
 already they are assemiiling for the ro;l call. Answer 
 to your name, then hasten away and disguise yourself. 
 Borrow another suit, and shave off your heard. We 
 can only remain here until seven o'clock. Rouse 
 yourself, my dear friend, and be active, without dis- 
 playing haste; be bold, but cautious ; lose no time in 
 action^ but lose sufficient in thought, that your deserv- 
 ing has'e may be the greater; go, and meet me at the 
 gate as " Jackson Williams." 
 
 " I will do as you say," said I, "your thoughts are 
 inspired. But why must I call myself Jackson Wil- 
 liams ?'' 
 
 " Because such was the name of one of the men 
 who strayed away." 
 
 "Enough," said I; " I will be there." 
 
 I was barely in time to answer to my name, having 
 done which, I touched Putnam's arm and led him to 
 our room. Once there, I told in a few words of what 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 105- 
 
 had passed between Watterson and myself, and before 
 I had yet finished, the honest fellow began to strip- 
 himself of his clothes. I verily believe that had I not 
 stopped him, he would, in his blind generosity, have 
 divested himself of every rag he wore ; but having 
 hinted to him that his garments were at least a dozen 
 sizes too large for me, he began slowly to don them 
 again with an air of much disappointment. 
 
 "I will find you a suit," said ho, hurrying away, 
 "meanwhile go to Dr. Jones and get a clean shave." 
 
 I found the doctor at home, puzzling his brain 
 over a problem of chess. 
 
 "Walk in," said he, "draw up a chair and look at 
 this — whites to play and check in three moves." 
 
 "Come, doctor," said I, "I am in something of a 
 hurry ; shave me clean — quick." 
 
 "Eh," said he, "there is really not a particle of 
 soap." 
 
 "Never mind, sir, if you can make it appear that I 
 shaved a day or so ago so much the better, and I 
 fancy the absence of soap will help lo produce thi& 
 very appearance." 
 
 The doctor looked his amazement, and although 
 he prepared to do as requested, his movements were 
 so slow that I was obliged to acquaint him with a 
 portion of my story in order to arouse him into 
 greater activity. To produce a pair of scissors and to 
 crop me close was the work of a very few moments ;. 
 after which followed the scraping with the very 
 dullest of razors, a process which was a little less than 
 torture. Although the doctor was but a few mo- 
 ments in completing his task, yet did it appear an 
 age to me, fretted and impatient as I was, and when 
 I arose from my chair it was with a feeling of relief 
 seldom more sincerely felt. After washing my face,. 
 
106 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 which felt strangely diminutive and unfamiliar be- 
 tween my palms, I hastened to the glass to note the 
 change made in my appearance. I confess I was not 
 prepared for so great an one. The bronzed soldier 
 with fierce moustache and long beard had become a 
 fimooth-faced youth, the upper half of whose physi- 
 ognomy was sunburnt enough, but whose cheeks 
 were as fair as a girl's. 
 
 "This will never do," said I, turning^ to the doctor, 
 ^'the contrast between my upper and lower face is 
 too striking. I will be detected at once." 
 
 "I have thought of that," said he, "and happily I 
 have the remedy at hand. Resume your seat for a 
 moment." 
 
 While speaking the doctor had produced a coffee- 
 pot, into which he now plunged his hand and drew 
 iorth a quantity of the dripping sediment. This he 
 rubbed upon jny cheeks, and having given it time to 
 dry he brushed away the particles which adhered and 
 announced with every evidence of sati^factioQ that I 
 might now defy recognition. 
 
 "Remember, however," said he, "that soap and 
 water or even a vigorous rubbing without either, 
 will obliterate your artificial bronze ; look." 
 
 Thus speaking he held the glass before me, and 
 I was greatly pleased to note how well this simple 
 device had worked. 
 
 Taking a hurried farewell of the doctor, whose kind 
 words at parting I felt to be sincere, I hurried toward 
 ray room. As I hastened along the gloomy passage the 
 sudden remembrance came to me of my first visit to 
 Dr. Jones. This remembrance, and the reflections it 
 <ionjured up, took me at a bound to the scene with 
 the French barber in Chattanooga, and brought me 
 back again to the present, and to the fact of my now 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 107 
 
 beardless face. Many a time before had I pondered 
 deeply upon the mystery of the first two of these 
 occasions. Many a time had 1 aeked my inmost self 
 if indeed it could have been my mother's spirit who 
 had twice prevented me from carrying out the same 
 intention, and who once had warned me against the 
 man who had indeed proven himself a subtle and 
 remorseless enemy, but never had I found an answer 
 to the puzzling queries. Never, until now, when 
 of a sudden the mystery appeared revealed before me. 
 The sublime, the beautiful thought of a mother's 
 love, living even beyond the grave, overwhelmed me 
 with emotion, and involuntarily pausing I raised my 
 hands and cried : 
 
 "It is indeed you, my mother, who thus watches 
 over and protects me. I see it all now, how that you 
 have interfered to save me, for had you left me to my- 
 self, I had been helpless at this crisis." 
 
 I brushed away the gathering tears and resumed 
 my hurried way. 
 
 Neither difficult of acceptance nor unpleasing 
 is the belief, that those who loved us here 
 are still permitted to regard us with affectionate 
 solicitude after the insatiate grave has claimed them ; 
 and whatever the doubts which have come to me 
 with twenty years more of life, certain it is, that at 
 the time, I believed most fervently in the theory. 
 
 I found Putnam awaiting me. A long coat of 
 coarse, dark stuff and a black slouch hat had been 
 procured, and these I proceeded quicklj'' to don. 
 
 "I would not have known you," said Putnam, as 
 he assisted me in dressing, "had I not anticipa'ed the 
 change in your appearance. I think there can be no 
 doubt that you will escape. Leave the city at once 
 and make directly for the nearest Confederate lines. 
 
108 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 Try and 'press' a horse, better not trust to the rail- 
 road ; and now farewell and ^ood luck attend you." 
 
 Only a fervent pressure of the hand and a look 
 straight in the eye (neither devoid of eloquence), and 
 we parted. I have never Feen iiira since, nor do I 
 even know if he be still alive, but I have neither for- 
 gotten his exceeding kindness, nor the generous 
 warmth of his friendship. 
 
 It was now nearly seven o'clock. 
 
 As I passed out into the passage I stuck my enor 
 moiis hat well back upon my head, and assuming an 
 air of swaggering self-sufficiency, I left the 
 building and mingled boldly with the men outside. 
 
 Dr. Baldwin passed me, and sidling up to him, I 
 whispered my name and my farewell in his ear. He 
 seemed perplexed, but I dared not venture upon 
 an explanation, and I Jeft him, not even wiiting for 
 his parting blessing, which otherwise I am sure would 
 have been forthcoming. I now sought for Watter- 
 son, whom very soon I found surrounded by a group 
 of his friends. I had my doubts about joining the 
 group, but Watterson set at once the question at rest 
 by calling out : 
 " "Hello, Jackson, this way." 
 
 "Our time is nearly up," said I. "Good-evening, 
 gents.'' The men bowed and echoed my salutation, 
 but none seemed to recognize me, although there 
 were those present whom I knew and who knew me 
 well. 
 
 "This way a moment," said Watterson, leading me 
 to a little distance. "The guard at the gate has just 
 been changed," said he in low tones ; "but the fellow 
 relieved still lingers there. We must wait until he 
 leaves, or we must get him away by some means ; do 
 you understand ?" 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMxiNCE. 109 
 
 *'Yes," I answered, "he alone knows that only seven 
 men entered the yard." 
 
 " Exactly ; and this is my only misgiving, for your 
 disguise is perfect." 
 
 "We have five minutes or so," said I, "but by all 
 that's lucky, we do not need them, for the fellow is 
 already moving away." 
 
 " Good," said Watterson, glancing toward the gate ; 
 " now I will rejoin these men, and as soon as the coast 
 is clear, I will give the order to march." 
 
 As Watterson left me, I looked once more eagerly 
 towards the gate. The relieved guard, with coat un- 
 buttoned, cap in hand and a musket trailing behind 
 him, was loi'ering lazily towards us, pausing now to 
 exchange a word with an acquaintance ; now to unfix 
 his bayonet and sheathe it at his side, now to listlessly 
 kick at a pebble, or to stretch himself and gape. "Will 
 the idle fool never be gone," I muttered, stamping 
 the earth in my impatience, and longing to catch him 
 up bodily and hurl him out of sight, a feat which, in 
 the intensity of my impatience, I felt as though I 
 could find the strength to accomplish. "If 1 could 
 but get behind you with a bayonet," I thought. But 
 he moved no faster for the wish, and it seemed an age 
 before he dragged himself up the steps and disap- 
 peared into the building. Watterson lost no time 
 after this. The six men who had accompanied 
 him were already at hand, and after a hurried farewell, 
 in which 1 joined or seemed to join, we marched to- 
 ward the gate. 
 
 What a war of emotions waged within me now. 
 The fear of discovery made my heart throb fit to burst 
 through my ribs, and fiercely did I struggle to pre- 
 serve the appearance of calm. Happily for me this 
 
110 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 struggle was short-lived, for before I had time to 
 think twice of mj situation we were at the gate. 
 
 "This pass is made out for nine of us, as you will 
 see, sir," said Watterson to the sentinel, " but one of 
 the nine left us before we got here." 
 
 The fellow took the pass and scanned it narrowly 
 for full a minute. It seemed with difficulty that he 
 read it at all, but at length as if satisfied, he slowly 
 moved toward the gate and, holding it open, nodded 
 for us to pass out. 
 
 I shall not attempt to describe tlie swelling emo- 
 tions of my heart as I emerged from. the deep arch- 
 way of the prison-gate and heard its heavy bang as it 
 closed behind us. The very madness of delight seized 
 upon me, and it was with difficulty that I could re- 
 strain myself from bounding away at the top of my 
 speed and crying aloud>in the ecstasy of my conscious 
 freedom. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 For all his youth and frivolous gayety of manner, 
 Watterson possessed a cool head and a wise. Be- 
 fore we had yet compassed a full block from my late 
 prison, he recommended that we should part company. 
 
 '' If by any evil chance your escape is immediately 
 discovered," said he, "you will, of course, be sought as 
 one of this compan3\ Let us say farewell, then, or 
 at least let us branch off by twos at this next corner." 
 
 The wisdom of this advice being self-apparent, we 
 acted upon it at once — Walterson and myself making 
 our way toward the " St. Clouds," and the others scat- 
 tering in various directions. 
 
Ill 
 
 ''Now,'' said Watterson, when we were alone, "so- 
 far so good. Those fellows are all true. Not one 
 but would die rather than betray us. For the present, 
 then, all is well ; but what of the future — what are 
 your plans ?" 
 
 "My plans?" said I. " Except that I have a vas^ue 
 notion of joining my corps as soon as practicable, 
 I have formed no plans. I tell you, man, this 
 glorious consciousness of freedom which I feel is 
 far too delightful to be banished. I will not think 
 now, lest I break the spell. Look you, Watterson, 
 my boy, did you ever feel like a balloon — eh'^ What 
 are you laughing at?'' 
 
 " Well, no," said he, chuckling heartily; " I cannot 
 say that I ever have. Nevertheless, I do not doubt 
 that you do, for you certainly possess at least two of 
 the ingredients which should produce the feeling." 
 
 "Name them," said I ; "what are they?" 
 
 " Elasticity, for one," said he, "for you walk as if 
 there were springs beneath your feet, and you keep me 
 in a half run to keep up with you." 
 
 "Well; and the other?" 
 
 "Gas, because you are remarkably fluent of speech,^ 
 and there is nothing in what you say. But here we 
 are at the St. Clouds. Hold ! we must register." 
 
 " I presume we must." 
 
 "And have you thought of an alias f* 
 
 "No, by the Lord, I have not ; but lead the way; 
 anything will do." 
 
 Watterson made straight for the desk and registered 
 his full name, after which I took the pen from him 
 and wrote off boldly, 
 • " Dick Mays, Gallatin, Tenn." 
 
 " Come, Dick," said Watterson, who had looked 
 over my shoulder, " let us have some supper,'' then 
 
112 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 turning to the sleek-headed clerk, he continued: ''My 
 friend and I will spend the night. Will you have us 
 shown to a room?" 
 
 The clerk touched a gong, and as if by magic a 
 neatly dressed black appeared. "Twenty-two," said 
 the clerk, throwing him a key. 
 
 The fellow grabbed it and turned to us with a low 
 bow. 
 
 "Baggage, gentlemen," said he. 
 
 "None," said Watterson. 
 
 '•Yes, sir; this way, sir, please,'' and he led the way 
 upstairs. 
 
 Once in our room and the servant dismissed, I 
 turned to Watterson, and with something of amaze- 
 ment, asked what he meant by saying we would spend 
 the night there. 
 
 "Where else would -you spend it ?" said he. 
 
 "What! shut ourselves up here?" 
 
 "JSot at all. We will have supper, and afterwards 
 a cigar and a stroll. We will follow our fancy, or 
 yours rather, and amuse ourselves in any way which 
 pleases you ; but when we are sleepy, here is our bed." 
 
 " The devil," said I ; " to be recaptured to-morrow 
 and shot the next morning at sunrise f* I confess I 
 like not the notion." 
 
 "What would you do then?" said Watterson. 
 
 •^^ I — I would leave this ; I would fly ; I would — " 
 
 "When, how, and whither, pray?" 
 
 " Well," said 1, somewhat crest-fallen, " I have not 
 thought of that. I presume I must trust to luck." 
 
 " A very poor dependence, let me observe, if you 
 adhere to your resolution and refuse to think, for 
 what is luck but the fiuit of cool, deliberate calcula- 
 tion — of energy and tact? Employ these, and be 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN EOMANCE. 113 
 
 guided by the result, or listen to my advice and fol- 
 low it." 
 
 "Go on," I said, "the cooler the head the better the 
 judgment." 
 
 "Then listen. Your escape, if not already known, 
 cannot long remain a secret, this you must admit; 
 very well. Once known, extraordinary precautions 
 will be immediately taken to prevent your leaving the 
 city, but notwithstanding these precautions, when 
 morning comes and you are not retaken, ninety-nine 
 men out of every hundred will believe that you have 
 outwitted them all and left the city. This belief will 
 cause them to relax their vigilance, orders from head- 
 quarters to the contrary notwithstanding ; do you 
 follow me V 
 
 "But to-night," said I; "they will search every hole 
 and corner of the city." 
 
 "Every hole and corner in the outshirts of the 
 city," returned Watterson, "but not in the very heart 
 of it ; and least of all here^ where fifty officers take 
 their meals daily, and half that number regularly 
 board." 
 
 "By heaven," exclaimed I, jumping up — "friend 
 Watterson, you have made me bolder than I am wont. 
 But after all," continued I, reflecting, "perhaps it is 
 this very boldness which you believe will constitute 
 my safety. A man in my position, however, never 
 feels safe unless he is on the go." 
 
 "Forgetting all the while," said Watterson, "that 
 he is making tracks by which he may be followed. 
 But I have not yet finished, this only brings us to to- 
 morrow morning." 
 
 "Exactly ; say that I am not facing a platoon when 
 the sun rises, what then ?" 
 
 "This," said he. "By the luckiest chance in the 
 
114 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 world, I have here a pass to Wartrace, Tennessee, for 
 myself and a friend. This friend is to meet me at 
 the train leaving the city at eight o'clock in the 
 morning ; but as he has nothing to fear in remaining 
 here, he will readily consent to lending you his name 
 and giving you his seat in the coach. I am sure he 
 will not hesitate to do this ; but even if he should, 
 you can still be off, for in that event you can travel 
 as Willie Watterson. And now that all is settled," 
 continued he, giving me a friendly slap on the back, 
 "let us hurry down to supper before those Yankees 
 bankrupt the larder. Listen to their noisy clamor.'' 
 
 Watterson threw wide the door as he finished speak- 
 ing, and we descended to the supper room. Here we 
 found seated at the various tables at least a couple of 
 dozen officers of every rank and arm of the service, 
 who were laughing and jesting at a high rate of en- 
 joyment. By a happy chance a waiter led us to a 
 small side table where, seated with my back to the 
 company, I enjoyed a hearty meal ; the peril of my 
 situation giving an indescribable zest to my appetite. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Those who are pleased to follow me in these con- 
 fessions will probably not complain if I but glance at 
 the events of my first night out of prison. 
 
 In common parlance, Watterson and I "made a 
 night of it," and if this hackneyed phrase be capable 
 of many constructions, their number could scarcely 
 exceed the variety of the feints we made at enjoy- 
 ment. With fool-hardy daring we ventured into 
 highways and byways, into saloons and billiard rooms, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 115 
 
 into cafes and public reading-rooms, and everj'where 
 our loud talk and noisy laughter drew special atten- 
 tion to us. We had reason enough, heaven knows, 
 to pursue the very reverse of this conduct, but had 
 we listened to prudence our pleasure had vanished, 
 for it was in the indulgence of this same dare-devil 
 spirit that we found our chief enjoyment. Youth, in 
 all the pride of its conscious strength and courage, is 
 seldom so happy as when sparring with danger. TJie in- 
 born love of adventure, possessed by us all in a greater 
 or less degree, lures us on to grapple with peril, merely 
 for the sake of the enjoyable excitement afforded by 
 the struggle. 
 
 Compared with this favorite sport of the young and 
 adventurous, the fascinations of the gaming table are 
 as nothing. On the one hand we stake our gold, and 
 to lose means only to cripple our fortunes; while on 
 the other we stake our lives, and to lose means—- 
 death. For these reasons then, and not in the exer- 
 cise of any profound art of strategy, did Watterson 
 and I recklessly and in many ways expose ourselves 
 to momentary detection, and for these reasons also, 
 do I look upon this night as one of the most intensely 
 enjoyable of my life. 
 
 Shake your venerable heads, ye sage old gentlemen; 
 pucker your lips and frown to your hearts' content ; 
 but when you have done,glance backward for a ruoment 
 upon the season of jonr own youth, and if you must 
 pronounce us young fools, you will at least forgive, 
 for I warrant me you will find something in the retro- 
 spect to plead for us. 
 
 The business of the night, which was to furnish 
 myself with a much needed suit of clothes and a pair 
 of boots, was soon concluded. A few steps from the 
 "St. Clouds" brought us to Church street, and once 
 
116 SxWED BY A woman; 
 
 here we were not long in finding a boot and shoe 
 Btore. 
 
 "Hold a moment," said Watterson, as we entered 
 the latter, "let me put a flea in the clerk's ear;" and 
 so sajing he left me and stepped forward to where a 
 young man lay at full length upon the counter. As 
 Watterson approached, he raised himself into a sitting 
 posture, and looked suspiciously from one to the other 
 of us. 
 
 "You have nothing to fear, sir," I heard Watterson 
 say, as he reached him, and after this followed a brief 
 half whispered colloquy. Whatever the words, their 
 effect upon the clerk was magical. Uttering a hurried 
 " eh V he sprang from the counter and approached 
 me at a half run. 
 
 " Certainly, sir, certainly," said he, " with the great- 
 est pleasure," and reaching me he grasped my hand, 
 which he shook warmly, and continued, " proud to 
 meet you, sir, honored sir, and you want — why cer- 
 tainly, sir, step this way — with the greatest pleasure, 
 I do assure you." 
 
 I was not a little surprised by these manifestations 
 of kindly interest vouchsafed me by one whom I had 
 never met before, but attributing it all to the effect of 
 Watterson's " flea," I followed the clerk to the rear 
 of the establishment. 
 
 "Now, sir," said the clerk, removing the lid from 
 a box filled with cavalry boots — " now, sir, here you 
 are — help yourself." 
 
 Thanking him, I selected a pair of number sevens 
 and drew them on, after discarding my well worn 
 "brogans." 
 
 "How much, sir," I asked, surveying my feet with 
 something of pride. 
 
 " Oh, nothing, nothing at all, sir, I wouldn't think 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 117 
 
 of charging you — wouldn't think of it. Wish I could 
 do more for you, sir, do indeed. Hope you will get 
 safely away from these Yankees, sir — damn 'em." 
 
 "How,'' said I, ''so then my friend yonder has 
 been telling tales out of school. But," I continued, 
 " I have no apprehensions on the score of either your 
 fidelity or your prudence, sir, and now allow me to 
 thank you heartily, and bid you good evening.'' 
 
 " What in heaven's name did 3'ou tell the fellow," 
 I asked of Watterson, as soon as we had left the place. 
 
 " Oh,'' said he, laughing heartily, " only that you 
 were a confederate ofiicer, high in rank, and that you 
 were here on a most important and perilous service; 
 that you were short of means, and that you very 
 much needed a pair of boots; that is all.'' 
 
 " A very good joke," said I, " but, my dear fellow, 
 is there not a dash of imprudence in it?" 
 
 "Kot at all," said he, "I knew the fellow's senti- 
 ments." 
 
 l^ext we entered a clothing house, where Watterson 
 repeated his strategy — if so it may be called — with 
 equal success, and I soon found myself fitted out, 
 "from top to toe,'' in a new, and what appeared to 
 me (more perhaps from contrast), a rich and handsome 
 suit. To the man who possesses a very nice sense of 
 gentility, a rent in his garment is a direct and severe 
 wound to his self-esteem ; a patch upon his boot is 
 no less a scar upon his respectability, and never, unless 
 he be faultlessly dressed, does he feel in its fullest and 
 grandest sense, the proud consciousness of the posses- 
 sion of all those ennobling attributes embodied in the 
 one word of "gentleman." Nay, I may even go 
 farther, and assert that a heart like this, if covered by 
 a ragged coat, cannot feel its full competence of 
 courage. 
 
118 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " I feel myself in every reapect twice the man of a 
 moment ago,'' said I to Watterson, as I stepped out 
 of the store arrayed in my shining apparel. "As I 
 cast aside my worn and faded garments I felt as if the 
 act relieved me of a burden of humilintion, almost of 
 shame, and as I drew on these, as if I clothed myself 
 once more in my natural pride and self-respect. Aye," 
 I continued, as drawing myself up, I stepped out 
 more boldly ; "pride and self-respect, the twin brothers 
 which stand ever in the vanguard of all the higher 
 qualities of manhood.'' 
 
 ''Excuse me," said "Watterson, "but are you rich, 
 are you a prince in disguise, have you great expecta- 
 tions, or have you ever stormed a battery single- 
 handed? No? then what the devil have you to be 
 proud of ?'' 
 
 " Excuse me,'' said I, catching his meaning and not 
 half liking it; " I speak not of the pride which is 
 puppyism; nor by 'self-respect' do I mean that cov- 
 etous self-love which in my esteem is the very basest 
 of all sordid qualities. I speak only of that pride 
 which glows in a man's heart, like the embers on the 
 hearth, kindling noble emotions and warming gener- 
 ous aspirations ; of the lire of pride, which is his 
 servant and not of the flame which, bursting forth, 
 defies all his efforts at control, becomes itself the mas- 
 ter, and consumes all that is highest and noblest in his 
 nature. And as to self-respect, it is only another con- 
 dition of this same pride, and unlike it in nothing so 
 much, as that we need never fear the possession of too 
 much of it. It is even the nobler quality of the two, 
 holding as it does a perpetual barrier of shame be- 
 tween us and every mean or ignoble action, and cre- 
 ating within us a wholesome love for all that is gener- 
 ous and excellent in life. Believe me, my friend, in 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 119 
 
 exactly the same proportion that we respect ourselves, 
 do we hold in respect all that is noble and ^ood." 
 
 "You grow strangely warm of your theme," said Wat- 
 icrson ; "I was only jesting in what I said. Let us step 
 in here," continued he, as we came abreast a restau- 
 rant — come ; we will have a sociable glass together 
 and you will forget my hasty insinuations." 
 
 I consented and followed him in ; and here the 
 * 'glance" must end ; for modest eyes should never 
 pierce beyond the screen which shuts off the view of 
 a bar. 
 
 Thus then, and in this spirit, did we begin our 
 night of imprudent revelry. * ■» * -^^ * 
 At two o'clock in the morning, much worn and 
 jaded, we gained our hotel. A party of six or eight, 
 all wearing the federal blue, were lounging about the 
 ante-room, some preparing for bed, others reading, 
 and a few writing; and as we passed up to the coun- 
 ter for a candle and the key to our bed-room, I 
 caught some fragments of their conversation, which I 
 soon found concerned myself most vitally. 
 
 "What did you say the reward was?" asked one. 
 
 "Two fifty," replied an ofiicer in undress uniform, 
 as he stretched himself and yawned. 
 
 "But how the devil did he escape?" asked another. 
 
 "Walked leisurely out with some visitors who had 
 a pass," continued the officer; "the fellow is bold 
 enough at any rate." 
 
 "And you say old 'Marchbanks' betrayed him, did 
 he?" 
 
 "So I learn. It seems the judge had in a moment 
 of generosity given him twenty dollars to aid his 
 escape, but soon regretting it (most likely through 
 respect for his own neck), he determined to out with 
 the whole business." 
 
120 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "And 80 be peached ?" 
 
 "Not for two hours or more after the fellow had 
 gone ; for one of the latter'8 friends got wind of the 
 judge's intention, and enticing him into a room on 
 some pretense or other, he locked the door and threw 
 the key out of the window." 
 
 "No !" said several in a breath, "and bow did the 
 pompous old rascal stand that?" 
 
 "Oh," said the officer, "there was nothing for it but 
 to submit, for all he fumed and swore beneath his 
 breath ; for Putnam, his captor, is a giant in size and 
 he swore he'd break every bone in the judge's body 
 if he spoke a word above a whisper for two hours by 
 the clock." 
 
 A roar of laughter followed this anecdote, in the 
 
 midst of which Watterson and I made our escape. 
 * * * , -x- * ■» * 
 
 Many were the thoughts which crowded upon me 
 as I lay awake that night beside my sleeping companion, 
 and many were the emotions born of them. 1 was still 
 awake when the clock struck four, but soon there- 
 after exhausted nature claimed her prerogative and 
 gradually I fell into a deep slumber. 
 
 Note to chapter xyiii. — The incident reco.rded in 
 the latter portion of this chapter, in which "Judge 
 Marchbanks" plays, if not an ignoble at least a doubtful 
 part, was given to the author in all good faith 2LQfact. 
 The author however, whose age did not exceed a half 
 dozen years at the time the incident occurred, (if it 
 did occur) and who therefore has no personal knowl- 
 edge concerning it, desires to give to the public so 
 much of it as concerns Judge Marchbanks as "mere 
 rumor." Author. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 121 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A lond knocking awoke me, and rousing myself 
 with a great effort I sung out, "Helloa !" 
 
 "Seb ner 'clock, sir," said a voice without. 
 
 "Seven o'clock already ? and what time does the 
 train leave for Wartrace?" 
 
 "Zactly at eight, sir." 
 
 "Then we haven't much time. Prepare breakfast 
 for two in fifteen minutes." 
 
 "All right, sir." 
 
 I awoke Watterson at once, and making a hasty 
 toilet we descended to breakfast. We were not long 
 here, for although the meal was excellent, neither of 
 us could eat. We drank some ice-water with mighty 
 relish and eyed each other askance. 
 
 "What is k?" said I. 
 
 "Me ? oh, nothing," said Watterson. 
 
 I sipped my coffee lazily, but it did not suit my 
 taste and I tried another gla83 of water. Watterson 
 followed my example. He was a thought more 
 nervous than I, however, and he did exactly what it 
 had cost me a tremendous effort myself to avoid — he 
 spilt half his coffee on the cloth. "Curse the luck," 
 he muttered, looking at me strangely, almost plead- 
 ingly. 
 
 "How now," said I. 
 
 "I was thinking," said he. 
 
 "And so was I." 
 
 "Good," said he, rubbing his palms together eager- 
 ly ; "not too strong, you know, but long and with a 
 dash of sugar in it." 
 
122 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Wouldn't seltzer be better than water?" 
 
 ♦'I think it would." 
 
 We beckoned to the waiter and gave him our order, 
 and while he was gone I indulged in a bit of moral- 
 izing. 
 
 » "A fellow not only spends all of his money in a 
 night of debauch," said I, my heart sinking at the 
 thought of the insignificant balance in my pocket ; 
 "but he throws away his appetite along with it." 
 
 "And buys himself a nasty headache," said Watter- 
 eon, claeping his forehead and groaning. 
 
 ''Never mind," said I with a laugh, "here comes 
 the waiter with the 'hair of the dog.' " 
 
 "I need it," said the other, "for I've been badly 
 bitten." 
 
 No sooner had we swallowed our liquor than Wat- 
 terson declared his head was already better, and in- 
 deed I felt an instantaneous improvement in my own 
 feelings. By mutual consent we now arose, and leav- 
 ing our untasted breakfast, hurried to the office. Ar- 
 riving here we paid our score and bidding farewell to 
 the sleek-headed clerk, took our departure for the 
 train. On our way thither wb amused ourselves by ad- 
 miring and commenting upon the many magnificent 
 dwellings which we passed, and which, despite the 
 presence of war, looked peaceful and tranquil in the 
 calm of the morning. A very tender chord in our 
 hearts was touched as we gazed upon these pictures, 
 every tint and feature of which recalled something of 
 our own deserted homes. 
 
 "Look, Watterson, at this," said I, as we came 
 abreast a handsome dwelling shrouded by tall oaks, 
 and a smaller growth of evergreens ; " is there not 
 something more than beautiful there? Do you not 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 123 
 
 feel a sense of tranquil happiness steal over you as 
 you look upon such a picture as this?" 
 
 " It is a lovely spot," said he, pausing to admire the 
 place ; " you perceive that Nature is the gardener here, 
 for, except that trimmed hedge of box which lines the 
 long gravel walk leading to the house, the garden is 
 untouched by the hand of man. There is no trim 
 propriety here, none of that fastidious neatness which 
 smacks of a prude indoors. What a wealth of vege- 
 tation, what a tangled mass of leafy beauty. Both 
 beautiful and natural," continued he, musing, " how 
 rare the combination, and yet, in this instance, how 
 exactly in keeping with the mistress." 
 
 "Ha," said I, "you know who dwells here, then?" 
 
 "Know her? Who does not know Mrs. Nickol- 
 son ?" 
 
 "Mrs. Nickolson !" I exclaimed, "and is this her 
 residence ?" 
 
 " Ask that driver,'' said he, pointing toward a car- 
 riage which at that moment stopped at the gate, 
 
 " It is of no use," said I, " for I know the equipage. 
 And so you know her, Watterson ?" 
 
 "That do I, man, but let us hasten on, I fear even 
 now we are late." 
 
 " Must we go, then ; can we not wait to see her as 
 she takes her carriage ?" 
 
 " We will be too late," said he, looking at his watch. 
 "It is already ten minutes to eight." 
 
 Although forced by circumstances to leave the spot, 
 I looked back yearningly towards it at every few 
 paces, and it was not until we had turned a corner, 
 shutting o£E the view, that I could completely master 
 my hesitation and resign the half-formed idea of turn- 
 ing back. In recalling this hesitancy of manner, and 
 this constant looking behind me, I cannot help think- 
 
124 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 ing how small and apparently insignificant are the 
 events wliich sometimes shape the entire course of our 
 lives. For instance, had we not paused to admire this 
 beautiful home, and had 1 not in doing so gained the 
 kno\\ ledge of its being Mrs. Nickolson's, or had I^ 
 even after acquiring this knowledge, passed on with- 
 out taking special notice of it, nor marked well the 
 way which led to it, in all human probability 1 had 
 not lived to chronicle these events. Wherefore, and 
 in what wise will soon appear. We walked briskly 
 for a couple of squares, and turning a corner came 
 full upon the depot. 
 
 "Here we are with four minutes to spare," cried 
 Watterson, as we gained the entrance to the depot ; 
 "Wait here for me, while I run across the street and 
 get a cigar." 
 
 I bought the morning's paper from a newsboy, and 
 leaning against the side of the great building I began 
 to glance at the headings. I had scarcely opened the 
 sheet, however, when I felt a touch upon my arm, and 
 immediately a suppressed voice said in my ear : 
 
 "Don't look up from your paper, don't utter a 
 word, but listen. If you board that train you are lost. 
 You must leave this, but not too suddenly. Hist, you 
 mu3t seefn to transact some business, and do it openl3\ 
 Draw on your ingenuity, and luck to you. Don't 
 hesitate, do as I say, I am Brown, your room-mate, 
 good-bye." 
 
 I did not move a muscle, nor did I once raise my 
 eyes from the paper. The printed words swam before 
 me and my heart beat against my Eide furiously, but 
 not from fear. 1 became possessed, rather, of that 
 exultant excitement which accompanies a sense of 
 abundant strength and courage, and as rapidly as the 
 warning was given I found time while listening to it 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 125 
 
 to resolve that 1 would die sooner than again become 
 a prisoner. In this spirit I folded the paper leisurely, 
 and muttering something about the dearth of news pro- 
 ceeded to elbow my way through the crowd toward 
 the ticket office. By dint of a determined will, ma- 
 terially assisted by a pair of stout shoulders, I soon 
 arrived within six or eight feet of the window, and 
 this being near enough for my purpose, I inquired of 
 the agent in rather a loud voice at what hour the train 
 from Shelbyville would arrive. 
 
 "Nine thirty," said he. 
 
 " What," said I, with a well feigned gesture of im- 
 patience, " they told me it was eight thirty. Con- 
 found their stupidity," I continued, in a lower voice, 
 as I began to edge my way out of the crowd, "I sup- 
 pose there is nothing for it but to make my way back 
 to the hotel." 
 
 By this time I had reached a side door, through 
 which I passed, and without pausing to consider what 
 route I should take, I began instinctively to retrace 
 my steps toward the " St. Clouds." I pursued my 
 way leisurely for some moments, and not until I had 
 turned the rirst corner, and lost completely the view 
 of the depot, did I quicken my pace. A few mo- 
 ments' walk brought me in sight of 'Mrs. Nickolson's 
 residence, and I saw with much delight that the car- 
 riage still stood at the gate. " That means she is still 
 at home," I thought, and without inquiring why, I 
 felt this to be a most fortunate circumstance. Follow- 
 ing the same impulse that had guided me up to this 
 moment, I crossed over the street and reached the 
 gate. The driver touched his hat as I essayed to open 
 it. 
 
 " This is Mrs. Nickolson's V I asked. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
126 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " And 8he is at home ? '' 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Thank jou,'' said I, and without waiting to learn 
 more, 1 walked boldly through the gate and rapidly 
 up the graveled walk leading to the house. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Mrs. Nickolson in person met me at the door, and 
 recognizing me at once, she started and turned pale. 
 
 " Rash boy," she said, half below her breath, " and 
 is this the only disguise you have worn since your 
 escape?" She passed me hurriedly aud closed the 
 front door, then opening another which led into a 
 sitting room, she motioned me to enter. Following 
 me in, she immediately closed the door, and seating 
 herself upon a sofa, beckoned me to sit at her side. 
 I obeyed, and was about to speak, but she raised her 
 hand in token of silence. 
 
 " Wait," she said, " let me think," and leaning for- 
 ward she clasped her forehead in both hands, and with 
 closed eyes, sat motionless and silent for full a moment. 
 I watched her closely during this time with increasing 
 surprise and even alarm, for I perceived that she was 
 greatly excited. Her breath came quickly and her 
 bosom heaved in rapid concert. I was about to ex- 
 press my uneasiness concerning her when, with a 
 sudden and single motion, she sprang to her feet and 
 began to walk rapidly to and fro. Still more alarmed, 
 I arose also and looked hurriedly around me for a 
 bell rope, with the half-formed idea of ringing for a 
 servant ; but divining my intention, she approached 
 me, and laying her hand upon my arm, begged that 
 I would resume my seat. 
 
OR THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 127 
 
 "I am not well to-day," she said, dropping heavily 
 upon the sofa; "I have lost much rest of late, and 
 my nerves are all unstrung. But I am better and 
 stronger now,'' she continued, as several times she 
 passed her hand rapidly over her forehead, as if to 
 brush away that which distressed her ; " and now, tell 
 me of yourself. Where did you spend the night ; 
 why are you not miles away ; and lastly, why are you 
 
 " You have heard in what manner I escaped, mad- 
 am ?" I began. 
 
 "Yes," she said, "I have heard it all up to the 
 time you were betrayed." 
 
 "Ha," I exclaimed, " that story is true then ?" 
 
 '•' I can scarcely believe it," said she, thoughtfully, 
 " but after all I have heard, I am forced to do so 
 against my will, but go on, go on." 
 
 In as few words as possible, I now acquainted her 
 with all that had befallen me from the time of my 
 escape to the moment of entering her house, and fin- 
 ished by imploring her to tell me frankly whether my 
 presence there had caused the alarm which she evi- 
 dently felt. " I beseech you to tell me this, madam," 
 I said, "and if it be as I fear, you must allow me to 
 take my immediate departure. I should never for- 
 give myself " — 
 
 "No, no," she said, interrupting me, "I am abun- 
 dantly repaid for any momentary uneasiness your 
 presence may have caused me in knowing that you 
 are still safe ; but do you know that a reward has 
 been offered for your apprehension ; that the city 
 swarms with patrol who are hunting you down ; and 
 worst of all, that Douglass is pursuing you with a 
 vindictiveness, nothing short of demon-like? It is 
 
128 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 he whom I fear more than all the rest. Such hate as 
 his is far-sighted, unwearying and subtle, and he will 
 hound you to the very ends of the earth if he but 
 find your track. Not twenty minutes ago, he passed 
 this house, and although he scarcely seemed to take 
 special notice of it, yet he did look toward it, and I 
 caught the look in his eye. It was wild, haggard and 
 vengeful, and I could not but think that he suspected 
 me of harboring you. Your coming so soon after 
 this will explain my sudden weakness, but that is 
 past." 
 
 In my surprise at this intelligence I was again upon 
 the point of speaking, but she quickly stopped me. 
 
 " This is a time for action — not for words,'' she 
 said, "come with me." 
 
 She opened a side door as she spoke and led me 
 into a library. 
 
 "ISTow," she continued, "you must remain here 
 for half an hour. If, while I am away, a lady comes 
 to keep you company, you may trust her implicitly, 
 she is one of the society and will tell you what to do, 
 in case any one else calls. For half an hour, then, 
 good-bye ; but stay, are you armed ?" 
 
 " No, madam," I answered ; " unhappily, I am not.'' 
 
 "Then, here," she said, taking a Colt's six-shooter 
 from behind a picture on the mantel and handing it 
 to me ; "preserve your life, but remember, thou shalt 
 do no murder y 
 
 I kissed the hand which held it, while I possessed 
 myself of the weapon, and as I released it she hurried 
 from the room. 
 
 I now began to examine my prize with much pride 
 and interest, and to wonder whether half a dozen of 
 the enemy could capture me while I held it. "A trusty 
 weapon," I muttered, trying the lock and admir- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 129 
 
 ing the mechanism ; " six chambers, which, if none 
 han^ fire, means six lives between me and captivity. 
 Now, indeed, is there a chance for me." 
 
 I was still admiring my treasure when the door 
 opened and a lady entered. This was she of whom 
 Mrs. Nickoleon had spoken. Her name I have com- 
 pletely forgotten, if, indeed, I ever heard it; but I 
 remember well that she was strikingly handsome and 
 that her manners were most engaging. In her com- 
 pany time flew rapidly, and I had scarcely missed my 
 benefactress ere she returned. She bustled into the 
 room with an armful of bundles, and I perceived at 
 once that she had regained her accustomed buoyancy 
 of spirits. 
 
 " You see 1 am back already," said she, dropping 
 into a seat at my side, "and better still, I have ar- 
 ranged everything. I have seen Roberts, who will be 
 waiting for us in fifteen minutes, and I have here eve- 
 rything you require. Now, first, here are some car- 
 tridges for your pistol, and here is a duster (which 
 you can wear over your coat, you know), and this is a 
 hat. I don't like the hat you wear ; it is of unusual 
 shape and may excite remark ; and this is a piece of 
 chalk. You smile, but I have not told you, you are 
 to play sick. Here, come to tins glass and chalk your 
 face well ; preserve what is left, for you may need it 
 again. Now, look as sick as ever you can ; rumple 
 your hair — it is too smooth by far ; a sick man never 
 wears his hair like that. Pull it down on your fore- 
 head — 30. Now, that expression again — are yau sure 
 you can put it on at will? You had better practice it 
 before the glass; there, you have it now to perfection. 
 Put on your duster now ; let me hold it for you ; and 
 the hat; that's it, now come, we must be off.'' 
 
 I was indeed a miserable looking object, as with one 
 9 
 
130 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 of the ladies supporting(?) me on either side, I walked 
 slowly and laboriously frora the house and took my 
 way toward the waiting carriage. As we reached the 
 gate I heard the sound of approaching footsteps and 
 the clanking of sabres, and at the same instant I felt a 
 sudden pressure upon my arm, which I knew wa& 
 meant as a warning. My heart leaped to my throaty 
 but I did not so much as open my half-closed eyes, 
 nor did I raise my head, which had fallen listlessly for- 
 ward upon my chest. There were a few low-spoken 
 words of salutation, and the gate swung open. 
 
 " Whom have we here ?'' said a strange voice. 
 
 " Ah, poor fellow," said Mrs. Nickolson ; " pray, 
 help us lift him into the carriage. He is the son of 
 an old and dear friend of mine, and has been very ill 
 for some time. I am taking him to a friend's house, 
 where he can have better attention than I can possibly 
 give him." 
 
 While she was yet speaking strong arms were 
 lifting me bodily into the carriage, but to whom they 
 belonged I did not know. As I gained the seat I fell 
 heavily upon it, particular in nothing save that my 
 head should fall in such a position as to effectually 
 screen my face from view ; and thus 1 lay, groaning, 
 gasping for breath and performing in pantomime, all 
 the horrible contortions of a man about to take his 
 unwilling departure from this world. The ladies fol- 
 lowed quickly in, and one of them began to fan me 
 vigorously while the other felt my pulse. 
 
 " I am so much obliged, gentlemen," said Mrs. 
 Nickolson, after cautioning the driver to move 
 very slowly, and to be careful in avoiding the rocks 
 and rough places. 
 
 "Not at all, madam," said the strange voice again. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 131 
 
 " Poor fellow, he seems to be very bad, indeed, I 
 hope he will soon be better. Good morning.'' 
 " Thank you, sir; good morning." 
 The carriage moved slowly off, and I opened my 
 eyes. " Am I better now, ladies ?" said I. 
 
 *'Yes," said Mrs. Nickolson, "I think you are 
 much better now." 
 
 I sprang at once into a sitting posture. 
 " And who were my humane and sympathizing 
 friends, madam ?" 
 
 "Two friends of mine," said she, quietly; Hoth 
 Union officers P 
 
 " I divined the truth, then," said I, laughing ; "and 
 how did I play my part?" 
 
 "You area very prince among actors, sir," said 
 she, herself beginning to laugh, "and if you survive 
 the war, you should go at once upon the stage. But 
 I think we may quicken our pace," continued she, 
 leaning forward and hailing the driver: "Tom' 
 Tom!" 
 
 " Tas, Missis." 
 
 "You may drive up now ; the gentleman is better." 
 
 "Fo' de Lord, Missis," said Tom, with difficulty 
 
 restraining a laugh, " it tek you for fool dera Yankey. 
 
 Degem.mun ain't bin sick frum de fus'; him well es 
 
 me dis minit." 
 
 "You know entirely too much, Tom," said Mrs. 
 Nickolson, frowning with mock severity. 
 
 An illy-suppressed guffaw, and a loud crack of the 
 whip followed this rebuke, and despite the clouds of 
 war which rolled dark and ominous on every hand, 
 we rattled along the stony pavements, a merry party. 
 
132 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The carriage drew up suddenly on M street, 
 
 but a few doors from the corner of Church. 
 
 " Was he there, Tom ?" asked Mrs. Nickolson of the 
 driver. 
 
 " Yas'Qra,'' said Tom, " right on de corner, mum ; 
 I shum, dey look dis way now." 
 
 "All right, then, drive up to tlie sidewalk; and 
 now,'' she continued, turning to me, "you must leave 
 us here. Walk straight back to Church — a friend 
 awaits you there. Meet him cordially, as you would 
 meet an old friend, and put yourself under his guid- 
 ance. It is not likely we will meet again, but you 
 will hear of me, if not from me. Good-bye.'' 
 
 "But how am I to know this friend of yours, 
 madam ?'' I asked. 
 
 "Oh, he will know you," said she ; "indeed, as you 
 have alighted he sees you already. His name is Tom 
 Eoberts, and that is all you need know." 
 
 "Then, good-bye, madam. I know not how to 
 thank you for all your generous kindness. Would 
 that ray heart could speak it, for my lips cannot. I 
 trust we will meet — " 
 
 " Yes, yes,'' said she hurriedly, "we will meet again, 
 I hope, but we must part now ; go at once ; good-bye. 
 Ready, Tom." 
 
 What a heavy heart was mine as I stood gazing 
 upon the heartless vehicle wheeling away my best, my 
 only friend. Dimly, through gathering tears, I 
 watched it till it turned a distant corner and left me 
 wholly deserted. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 133 
 
 With an effort I shook off ray padnees and walked 
 rapidly toward Church street, at the corner of which 
 Btood a young man lazily puffing a cigar. At first he 
 took no notice of me, and I had begun to fear he was 
 the wrong person, when looking up of a sudden, he 
 broke into a broad grin, and moving toward me, ex- 
 tended his hand, and cried: 
 
 "Why, Cousin Willie, where did you spring from ?'' 
 
 Determined not to be outdone, I shook his hand 
 warmly, and promptly replied : 
 
 "From Shelby ville. How lucky I should have met 
 you." 
 
 " Lucky, indeed,'' said he. "I am on my way to the 
 Suwanee ; will you go along ? Of couree you will. 
 My father (your uncle) keeps the Suwanee House, and 
 there you will put up. How did you leave them 
 all ?" 
 
 "Quite well," I said. "You say my uncle is well ; 
 and how is my dear aunt?" 
 
 "Humph ; you know she is dead." 
 
 A shade of sadness passed over his face as he said 
 this and his manner changed at once. 
 
 "You must know,'' said he, "that my father is a 
 Union man ; therefore, you must not see him. I will 
 take you to a third-story room (he seldom gets up so 
 high), and there you will have to remain in the char- 
 acter of a sick man for a day or two — perhaps a week. 
 Meanwhile, the lady you have just left will be work- 
 ing to procure you a pass out of the city. My name 
 is Thomas — Tom, for short ; and yours is Willie. Sur- 
 names are scarcely necessary and can be manufactured 
 if occasion requires. Now, here we are at the hotel ; 
 follow me right up." 
 
 We mounted to the third story and Roberts ushered 
 me into a small but neatly-arranged room. Here, af- 
 
134 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 ter looking to mj comfort in various ways, he left me ; 
 and here I was destined to spend three days and 
 nights. These were without incident. My meals 
 came to me regularly, and various books and news- 
 papers made their appearance from time to time. 
 Once I was visited by a young lady who introduced 
 herself as Miss Koberts — Tom's sister. I enjoyed her 
 one visit immensely and made her promise to repeat 
 it, but this she never did, probably because I left be- 
 fore she found a second opportunity. Young Tom I saw 
 each night, but seldom in the day, and from him and the 
 papers with which he kindly supplied me I learned the 
 current news of the period. The war was waging 
 fiercely and some of the events of the day were mo- 
 mentous, but it is not my province to speak of them. 
 As to the search after myself, it had grown less and 
 less vigorous, and was by this time (the third day of 
 my freedom) well nigh abandoned, so far at least as 
 the city was concerned. It was currently reported, 
 however, that a certain officer (name and rank un- 
 known to Roberts,) had on that morning left the city in 
 charge of half a dozen men with the avowed intention 
 of " bringing in the spy." This officer, so said rumor, 
 had affected a knowledge of the whereabouts of the 
 "spy," upon which representation he had been allowed 
 to go upon what most people considered "a wild 
 goose chase." I paiJ little attention to this story, 
 treating it rather as favorable to my final escape than 
 otherwise. 
 
 "And what of Mrs. Nickolson ?" I asked of Roberts, 
 who had just related the above. 
 
 "I saw her an hour ago," said he, "and she bade me 
 tell you not to despair, and that 3'ou might hope to 
 hear from her to-morrow. It has been rather difficult, 
 I fancy, to procure you a pass through the lines at 
 
OR, 
 
 135 
 
 this moment, even before the noise of yonr escape 
 has died away ; but if any one can do it Mrs. Nickol- 
 son can, so never fear. 1 rather think from the man- 
 ner in which she spoke this morning tiiat she has 
 already hit upon a plan which she will reveal to us 
 before many hours." 
 
 Soon after this Roberts left me. His predictions 
 were destined to be fulfilled. On the next day he 
 came to me at noon. 
 
 "What did I tell you ?" said he, handing me a note, 
 ^'read that, or better still, I will read it to you ; lis- 
 ten : 
 
 'At Home — 12 o'clock. 
 
 'Dear Tom — (you see she calls me Tom) I have 
 met with a deplorable loss.' (Ha, ha, ha.) 
 
 "What are you laughing at?" said I ; "who is the 
 note from 1" 
 
 "Oh, you will soon see," said he, "only listen, *I 
 have met with a deplorable loss in the sudden death 
 (ha, ha, ha,) of one of my carriage horses and I want 
 you to help in procuring another. Poor 'Bunkum,' 
 .that's the horse,) poor 'Bunkum' was taken buddenly 
 Wk last night, and despite every effort to save him lie 
 died at daylight this morning. Now I know of but one 
 other horse that will match 'Progress,' (that's the other) 
 and he is at Lebanon. But how am I to get him ? I have 
 just been to the Provost-marshal's on foot, (ha, ha,) and 
 he has kindly given me a pass for our friend 'Mr. W. 
 W. VVyatt.' I mentioned Mr. Wyatt to the Provost 
 because I knew he was trustworthy, and I feel sure 
 that under the circumstances he could le pei^suaded to 
 go. (That part i^ underscored, he, he, he.) Having 
 done so much, can you do the rest for me? that is, 
 can you find Mr. Wyatt and arrange with him to 
 leave by the eight o'clock stage in the morning? i 
 
136 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 have already written to Lebanon, and the horse will 
 be ready for him upon his arrival. Let him ask for 
 Mr. King, the livery stable man, and introduce him- 
 self. Tell me to-morrow if you have accomplished 
 this, and very much oblige 
 
 'Truly Yours, Mrs. Nickolson. 
 'P. S. — I enclose the pass.' 
 
 "Which she has done, by the Lord, for here it is. 
 Now, sir, what do you make of that?'' 
 
 "Oh, it is plain enough," 1 answered, "of course / 
 am W. W. Wyatt." 
 
 "Certainly, and you leave us in the morning; but 
 what think you of the horse story ? Ha, ha, ha." 
 
 I joined in his laugh, but my mirth was scarcely 
 sincere, for another sentiment tilled my heart at the 
 moment. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIL 
 
 Mrs, Nickoleon was mistaken as to the hour at 
 which the coach departed for Lebanon, and although 
 I was quite ready for the road by seven o'clock, I 
 awaited with burning impatience until half past three 
 in the afternoon before that lumbering equipage was 
 announced. Never before was porter's voice as wel- 
 come as that which cried, "All aboard for Lebanon,'' 
 and almost before its harsh echoes had died away I 
 stood ready at the door, passport in hand. 
 
 "All right, Mr. Wyatt ; step in, sir," faid the guards 
 returning me my pass, and I did not wait for a second 
 invitation. The door slammed upon me and we rat- 
 tled away. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 137 
 
 I was rather pleased to find that I was the only occu- 
 pant of the coach, and was proportionately disap- 
 pointed when we stopped before a crazy-looking resi- 
 dence on the outskirts of the city. Here an old lady 
 shawled, bonneted and gloved, and a young man, 
 evidently her son and the apple of her eye, got in. 
 They kept aloof from me, however, talking incessantly 
 upon family matters, and I soon forgot their presence 
 and gave myself wholly up to the enjoyment of that 
 freedom of which I had so long been deprived. Ah, 
 my kind-hearted reader, believe me, there are few ex- 
 periences half so delightful in this life as the sweet con- 
 sciousness of freedom after a long captivity. How 
 fervently and sincerely I now blessed Mrs. Nickolson 
 and the others who had befriended me, and how I 
 longed to leave the sluggish coach, too lazy by half 
 for spirits such as mine, and race and caper at will 
 over the peaceful country through which we were 
 passing. Not content with the mere knowledge of 
 freedom, I burned by actual test to prove and enjoy 
 it. The pure country air was never so "sweet as now, 
 the sunshine was never so bright. There was a new 
 beauty in every familiar object that greeted my eyes, 
 and the monotonous character of the scenery never 
 wearied. I had no thought for danger, never once 
 remembering that the ?entencc of death hung over 
 me. I had no future plans, no present cares, not a 
 thought for anything but the ecstasy of the moment. 
 At any other season, the journey might have been 
 dreary enough, for although we were now some miles 
 from Nashville, scarce a tree had thus far thrown its 
 shadow across our way. Wide expanses of open fields 
 (now neglected and weed-grown) stretched away on 
 either side, presenting a prospect which to less de- 
 lighted eyes might have appeared decidedly dismal. 
 
138 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 It was a hot day, too, "dreadfully, terribly hot," so 
 eaid ray tiavcling companions ; but what cared I for 
 the heat since its very intensity was another evidence 
 of my newly found liberty. " Old Sol seldom finds his 
 way through the bars of a cell," I muttered, and I 
 welcomed his fiercest rays. 
 
 During the third hour of our journey we entered a 
 forest of tall beech and pines, with here and there a 
 venerable oak gray with moss and age, and here again 
 I found a new atti action in all that met my eye. Birds 
 of gay plumage, and strange yet once familiar note, 
 hopped from branch to branch of the forest trees 
 which bordered and overhung the road. The gray 
 squirrel, covering his body with his bushy tail, peeped 
 timidly at us from behind a limb, or with one grace- 
 ful leap reached the ground and scampered away. 
 And the long-eared rabbit, seated on the graesy road- 
 side, took to flight at first sight of us, giving us only 
 a glimpse of his "cotton tail," as with a single bound 
 he disappeared. All this pleased me well — my, my, 
 how well. I never weary thinking of it ; I would 
 never tire telling of it. Nay, so pleasant is its recol- 
 lection that I could dwell upon each little incident of 
 that delighful journey with a fond prolixity, little 
 pleasing to you, most benevolent reader, but fear not. 
 One word more, but a thought, I should say, and I am 
 done. It is this : that among the many and various 
 pleasures of this life, those which defile us not are 
 doubly, trebly dear to us, since they alone are remem- 
 bered with pleasure. How often in our old age does 
 it happen that our hearts are warmed and softened by 
 the bare remembrance of a single hour of innocent, 
 healthful enjoyment. The cares of a long life vanish 
 as we recite such memories to our children ; our age- 
 dimmed eyes sparkle again with the light of youth 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN R03LA.NCE. 139 
 
 and liappy smiles smooth away the wrinkles, while in 
 the telling we dolig-ht both the little ones and our- 
 selves. And what shall be said of those other fleeting 
 pleasures, purchased with our substance, alloyed with 
 wickedness, ofttimes tinctured with actual crime? 
 These we remember (if we allow our thoughts to 
 dwell upon them at all,) only with shame and humili-. 
 atioa. Throughout our age, be it never so repentant, 
 they stand ever ready like clouds o'er the rising sun, 
 to darken and to sully the recollections of our youth. 
 
 Darkness soon fell upon us, a cruel inexorable dark- 
 ness, which deprived me of the scenes I had so long 
 enjoyed. As we seldom think long of what we can- 
 not see (unless the object be very dear indeed to us), 
 I soon forgot that which had entertained me during 
 the day, and began now to give serious thought to 
 my situation. In a hurried conversation, held with 
 Roberts a few hours before my departure, he had ad- 
 vised me not to enter Lebanon, but to stop at a Mr. John 
 Ashworth's, whose residence the coach would pass 
 en route. " Ashworth's is only three miles from Leb- 
 anon," Roberts had said, " and is immediately upon 
 the pike." I had half determined to follow this ad- 
 vice before leaving, but I had not thought of it since, 
 and now these questions began to puzzle me. Should 
 I stop at Ashworth's, where I was sure of a welcome 
 and all the assistance he could give me, or should I go 
 on to Lebanon, where nothing but uncertainty awaited 
 ine? In the latter course there was some risk ; in the 
 former scarcely any. This thought decided me, and 
 I immediately hailed the driver and inquired of him 
 how far we were from Lebanon. 
 
 " Little better than four miles," said he. 
 
140 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " And do you know where Mr. John Ashworth 
 lives ?" I asked. 
 
 " Kight ahead of us, sir ; less than a mile away." 
 
 "Then stop when you get there, please ; Mr. Ash- 
 worth is an old friend of mine and I think I will 
 spend the night with him." 
 
 " All right, sir ; we'll be there in ten minutes." 
 
 " Ten minutes ! A long enough space to look for- 
 ward to in times like these," I muttered, as I resumed 
 my seat. 
 
 In less than ten minutes the coach stopped, and I 
 alighted at Mr. Ashworth's door. T.he family were 
 seated upon the piazza; the bright moonlight showed 
 me so much, as I turned and walked toward the house. 
 The effect of my approach was three-fold. Two ladies 
 retired into the house, a man, the only one to be seen, 
 came forward to the steps as if preparing to exchange 
 with me either cunning words or leaden bullets, and 
 a huge mastiff met me at the gate with a savage 
 growl. 
 
 '' Is this Mr, Ashworth's residence ?" I cried. 
 
 "Yes, sir," said the gentleman, "and this is Mr. 
 Ashworth; — quiet there, 'Tug.'" 
 
 "Will you kindly step to the gate, sir? I have 
 something to say to you," said I. He hesitated a mo- 
 ment, but at length he came forward. 
 
 " Well, sir," said he, when he had approached suffi- 
 ciently near, " I am ready to hear what you have to 
 say." 
 
 " Are 3^ou Mr. John Ashworth ?" 
 
 " I am, sir." 
 
 " Then, in the name of the Confederacy, I claim 
 5''0ur protection. I am an escaped prisoner with a 
 price upon my head. I am immediately from Nash- 
 ville; you saw me alight from the stage, and I come 
 to you directly from Tom Roberts and Mrs. Isaac 
 Nickolson ; 1 am working my way to McMinnville, 
 and—" 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 141 
 
 " Say no more, sir," said he ; "whatever I can do for 
 you shall be done cheerfully. First of all, walk in." 
 
 Opening the gate as he spoke he called to his dog 
 and held him by the collar while I entered. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 " Walk right up the steps, sir," said Mr. Ashworth, 
 *^ I must hold this pup until you are indoors, he will 
 not molest you there. I've known the time," he con- 
 tinued, as he slowly followed me toward the house, 
 " when he was the most amiable of dogs, but the all- 
 pervading spirit of war seems to have taken full hold 
 upon him and the very domestics are afraid of him 
 now — walk right up, sir; now. Tug, go and lie down." 
 
 " A noble friend and a dangerous enemy, sir," said I. 
 
 " He is undoubtedly both," said he, as he mounted 
 the steps ; " he is known far and wide, and feared 
 wherever known. I am the only farmer for many a 
 mile around who is safe from the hand of the pilferer, 
 and I would venture to assert he has kept safely for 
 me a hundred times his weight in chickens, eggs, pork 
 and the like. Let me have your hat, sir, and sit here, 
 if you please, until I hang it up ; we will exchange 
 confidences on the piazza, if it suits you as well — I will 
 be back in a moment." 
 
 He left me for the purpose indicated and had scarcely 
 been gone a moment when the clatter of horses' hoofs 
 fell upon my ear. As I listened the noise increased, 
 and I soon became aware that several horsemen were 
 approaching at a sharp canter. Savage yells and 
 boisterous laughter now and then mingled with the 
 fall of the hoofs, and as my condition demanded ex- 
 treme caution I called to Mr. Ashworth and asked for 
 
142 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 his solution 'of what, in consideration of the state of 
 the country, seemed almost a mystery. 
 
 " By the Lord !" said he, after listening for a mo- 
 ment, '' they must be Yankees ; guerrillas are seldom 
 so noisy, and Confederates never. They are coming 
 from Lebanon straight down the pike, and are evi- 
 dently drunk. We will let them pass, and it may be 
 prudent for you to step inside until they are gone. It 
 is not likely they will turn up, but if they should you 
 will — ah, here is Mrs. Ashworth ; let me introduce 'Mr. 
 What's-name,' my dear; show him into the house 
 until these noisy night-prowlers pass by, and remem- 
 ber whatever happens he must not be 'seen ; now, be 
 quick, they are here already ; — and by the Lord," I 
 heard him add as I escaped into the hall, ^*they are 
 coming up." 
 
 Mr. Ashworth was right. The horsemen dashed up 
 to the gate and drew rein at the same moment that 
 the mastiff bounded from the steps to meet them. The 
 hubbub which followed was deafening. All the men 
 began to hail at once ; to rattle the gate ; to swear at 
 each other, at everything and nothing, while the dog 
 kept up a constant barking by Avay of protest. They 
 were five in number ; this was clearly revealed by the 
 moonlight ; and from the manner in which they 
 swayed from side to side in their saddles, I judged that 
 they were all drunk. Further than this I .could not 
 discover in the uncertain light. 
 
 " Shut up, I say, you (hie) noisy devils," shouted 
 the foremost, who was mounted upon a powerful horse, 
 and had drawn and raised his sabre threateningly 
 above his companions, " how the h — 1 am I to hear 
 when any one answers ? Peace, I say, j^ou devil's imps. 
 Damn that dog," he continued, when quiet had been 
 partially restored, " You, Ashworth, stop his mouth 
 or I'll—" 
 
 The report of a pistol followed, and the noble crea- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 
 
 143 
 
 ture, with a last dying yelp, fell upon his side and 
 was still. 
 
 It was now Mr. Ash worth's turn to be heard. 
 "You have killed my dog, sir," cried he; "you 
 drunken vagabond, how dare you" — 
 
 " Shut up, John Ashworth," shouted the leader in 
 return, "or we might treat you as we did your dog. 
 Nice fellow you lor harboring (hie) spies. Better be 
 thankful for the roof over your head in these days of 
 confis (hie) cation. Now listen to this. We have 
 an idea who you have in there and we are coming 
 in to search your (hie) house. We met the coach^ 
 understand, and" — 
 
 I waited to hear no more. "Madam," I said, turn- 
 ing to Mrs. Ashworth, who all this time had stood at 
 my side ; "if you will show me the way I will escape 
 through the back gate. Fortunately for me these 
 fellows are drunk and have not thought of guarding 
 every approach to the house." 
 
 " I am sorry to say you are mistaken, sir." said Miss 
 Ashworth, who had approached and caught my last 
 words, "I have just looked out and there are two men 
 at the back." 
 
 " Ha," said I, "then can you secrete me indoors ? 
 " That will never do," said^Miss Ashworth again,, 
 "for if they enter, which they seem bent on doing, 
 there is no hiding place here which they may not 
 discover. Mother, you are generally cool in these 
 emergencies ; can you not think of something now ? 
 Father tells me there is a price upon his head and"— 
 " A moment," said Mrs. Ashworth, "are you cleanly 
 shaven, sir ?" 
 
 " Yes, madam," said I, "I was shaved only this 
 morning," 
 
 "Then follow me; come, Kate, I shall need your 
 assistance." 
 
 The ladies led me quickly upstairs and into a bed- 
 room, and in the twinkling of an eye I was transform- 
 
144 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 «d into an aged female, with my hair in a net, my 
 hands in mittens and my i"ace chalked to the white- 
 ness of a sheet." 
 
 " Now," said Mrs. Ashworth as she led me to a 
 rocker, which was placed at one corner of the fire- 
 place, "sit here, and we will, if necessary, call you my 
 invalid mother; draw in your feet and let this shawl 
 conceal your hands and as much of your face as is 
 consistent with prudence. Kate, you will sit by him, 
 my daughter, and if those men enter here you must 
 pretend that the noise downstairs has frightened and 
 made ill your old grandmother. I trust this device 
 will keep you safe, sir," said she, turning to me ; "I 
 will now leave you and try to acquaint my husband 
 with the scheme. Hark ! they are below already." 
 
 She left us hurriedly as she concluded, and reaching 
 the entry she leaned over the balustrade and cried : 
 
 " Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Ashworth, will you tell those 
 brutal men that they have frightened my poor old 
 mother almost to death. Can they not pursue their 
 search with less noise and fewer curses ? " 
 
 " They have heard you, my dear," cried Mr. Ash- 
 worth from below, "and I hope that for the honor of 
 their flag they will be less boisterous." 
 
 "We won't hurt the old 'un," shouted the leader, 
 "rny men are outside guarding the doors and (hie) 
 windows, and if your darned scheming husband will 
 only lead the way with the light" — 
 
 Here the sound of breaking crockery, followed by 
 Mr. Ashworth's voice in angry protestation, drowned 
 the ruffian's further speech. 
 
 Mrs. Ashworth now returned to the room, and as if to 
 prepare her daughter for the coming ordeal, she ap- 
 proached her and took her hand. "Kate," she said, 
 ''you will be brave, will you not ?" 
 
 " Yes, mother," said the young lady as the two 
 embraced, "I am only concerned about — my grand- 
 mother there." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 145 
 
 " The old grandmother is quite comfortable, I assure 
 you, ladies," said I, "I am only sorry my coming should 
 have"— 
 
 *' Hist," said Mrs. Ash worth, "to your place by his 
 side, Kate; they are coming upstairs." 
 
 We were now given the full benefit of the conver- 
 sation between Mr. Ash worth and the intruder. 
 
 " Hold the light so as I can see." said the latter, 
 "would you have me break my neck down these d — n 
 stairs ?" 
 
 " I should not weep my eyes out if yoa did," return- 
 ed the host. 
 
 " Reckon you wouldn't, but guess I won't (hie) 
 break it just to please you." 
 
 " You will have it broken some day whether you 
 will or no, sir," returned the other, ''by the Lord I'd 
 do the job for you myself were it not that my wife and 
 child might suffer for it afterward." 
 
 " Well," said the man with a laugh, "you are plain 
 spoken, to say the least." 
 
 " I generally am, sir." 
 
 The door of the room in which we sat was now thrown 
 wide by Mr. Ashworth, who held a lighted lamp in 
 his hand. '-This is my daughter's bed-room," I heard 
 him say, ''and you cannot enter it. Step up and look 
 in, if you will, but go no further than the door," 
 
 "Suppose I say I will," said the other, taking a step 
 forward ; but Mr. Ashworth planted himself firmly in 
 the doorway, and raised his arm threateningly. Hith- 
 erto I had contented myself with merely listening, 
 but now, fearing that a crisis was at hand, I turned 
 my head sufficiently to behold what was going on. 
 Mrs. Ashworth, fearing for her husband, had risen, 
 however, at the same moment, and was now approach- 
 ing the door, her figure cutting off my view. It was 
 not, therefore, until she had reached it, and had gent- 
 ly but firmly drawn her husband to one side, that I 
 10 
 
146 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 was enabled to see the intruder, one glance at whom 
 was sufficient to set my blood to boiling, and to fill me 
 with a thousand mad passions, for the drunken wretch 
 before me was none other than "Douglass" himself. I 
 remember little of what transpired within the next 
 few moments. I remember that after many threats 
 and much parleying, and finall}'- through the inter- 
 cession of Mrs. Ash worth, Douglass Avas allowed to en- 
 ter the room. I remember that he peered into every 
 hole and corner of it, that he several times addressed 
 himself half insultingly to Miss Ashworth, and that 
 through it all her father raved and fumed, while his 
 wife endeavored unceasingly to quiet him. I remem- 
 ber so much, yet indistinctly, but I recollect best of 
 all the furiqus struggle between prudence and pas- 
 sion which all the while possessed me. A dozen times 
 during the few seconds that Douglass remained in the 
 room, was I upon the very verge of springing upon 
 him as a tiger upon his prey, but the presence of the 
 gentle girl at my side as often restrained me. This 
 was not the first time that a cruel fate had tied my 
 hands when most I longed to strike, and T now felt 
 as if further forbearance were a thing impossible. 
 Well for me was it that the temptation lasted but a 
 few seconds, for Douglass left the room almost imme- 
 diately and, relieved of his presence, I soon regained 
 my self-control. I kept my seat, though not without 
 a powerful effort, until his unsuccessful search had 
 ended, and he had left the house. I heard him descend 
 the stairs, swearing in his disappointed rage at every 
 step. I heard him summon his companions around 
 him and issue his orders to them, to "scatter, and 
 search every d — d rat-hole for ten miles around." I 
 heard them gallop away in every direction, and then, 
 and not until then, did I spring to my feet. Miss 
 Ashworth started back from me with a cry of alarm. 
 Following the direction of her horrified gaze, I looked 
 
OR, THE IIIDIJEN ROMANCE. 147 
 
 downward and discovered that I held in my hand the 
 pistol which Mrs. Nickolson had given me. What 
 was more, I found it was ready cocked, but in no wise 
 could I recall when I had drawn it. 
 
 "Good heavens!" said Miss Ashworth, Hhat was 
 what I heard 'clicking' all through that dreadful 
 time." 
 
 "I — I — ask your pardon, ladies," I stammered. "I 
 could tell you, perhaps, that which would excuse this 
 indiscretion, but I cannot tarry now, I must be off. 
 Let me thank you sincerely for my safety; it has 
 been preserved before by others of j'our sex, and now, 
 good-bye, and heaven keep you from harm." 
 
 "But where are you going ?" asked Mrs. Ashworth, 
 as I was bounding from the room ; "Good heavens, 
 must you take with you my wrapper, my mittens 
 and my net ?" 
 
 I halted abruptly, and returned somewhat crest- 
 fallen, scarcely liking the laugh Avhich my ridiculous 
 oversight occasioned, and with the assistance of the 
 ladies I soon discarded ray borrowed disguise. "Good- 
 bye," I said once more, and this time I descended the 
 stairs. Mr. Ashworth met me as I gained the door- 
 way, but I did not stop to answer his look of inquiry. 
 "I must not delay a moment," I cried, as I rushed 
 past him; "you may think me a madman if you 
 will, but I've no time for explanations now." 
 
 Reaching the gate, I passed quickly through it, and 
 a moment later I stood upon the pike. 
 
148 SAVED BY A WOMAN 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 I paused to listen, but not a sound broke the still- 
 ness of the night. The silence somewhat discouraged 
 me, but resolve such as mine was not to be easily 
 shaken, and I had soon determined upon a course of 
 action. "If I cannot hear you, 'Douglass,' at least I 
 can track you," I muttered, "and if my vengeance be 
 not so swift as I could wish it, it shall be none the 
 less complete at the last." I fell upon my hands and 
 knees and examined the tracks upon the pike. To 
 my impatient eyes there seemed a million on every 
 hand, for so beaten by hoofs was the surface that not 
 one perfect track could I find. "This will never do," 
 said I, "woodcraft like mine, could never read this 
 puzzle." I arose and crossed into the adjacent field, 
 and here again I stopped and examined the ground. 
 There were tracks wherever I looked, though fewer 
 than upon the pike, but I could not find among them 
 the particular impression for which I was searching. 
 "These are all fresh," I thought, "and they must have 
 been made by his men, but he was not among them." 
 
 What to do next I coi^ld not determine, and I had 
 abandoned my search for a moment in order to reflect 
 upon my situation when a distant whoop fell faintly 
 upon my ear. It must have been fully a mile away; 
 nevertheless, I at once determined to proceed in the 
 direction of the sound. " If I come upon one of his 
 men," I thought, " I have only to keep sight of him 
 to finally come upon the master," and this thought 
 spurring me on I quickened my pace into a run. I 
 shall never forget that mad midnight chase. Twice 
 I fell flat, and once I barely escaped falling into a 
 ditch of water, but nothing checked my headlong 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 149 
 
 course. I stopped every few moments to listen for a 
 repetition of the whoop, but 1 heard nothing upon 
 either of these occasions but my own heavy breathinor, 
 and the loud beating of my heart. A moment or less 
 spent thus and I w^ould dash onward again, until at 
 length I had crossed the open field and come full upon 
 a dense wood. The blackness of the forest and the 
 thick undergrowth checked me, and I determined after 
 a moment's thought, to sit down and rest, with the 
 hope that something might occur meanwhile, to de- 
 termine my next step. Upon this resolve I immedi- 
 ately acted, selecting as a seat the butt of a fallen log 
 which I found conveniently near. As I sat thus, out 
 of breath and trembling from exhaustion, I leaned for- 
 ward and clasped with my hands my burning fore- 
 head, and to my horror I discovered that I was hatless. 
 This discover}^, together with the fact of my bruised 
 shins, my mud-bespattered clothing and my much- 
 exhausted condition, did much toward bringing me to 
 my senses ; for, the more I pondered upon my situation 
 the more Convinced I became that I had been upon 
 the very verge of madness. ''What, in heaven's name, 
 could J have been thinking of," I muttered ; " or have 
 Tbeen thinking at all? Afoot, but poorly armed, and 
 against such odds ! Say that I fought them from cover, 
 even then could I expect to hold my own against 
 seven? It is true that I have my pistol but if I 
 killed or disabled one at each fire, there would still be 
 another left ; and here am I, bare-headed, bruised and 
 well nigh hors de combat before the fight begins. 
 Surely I must have been mad." Full of impatience and 
 not a little vexed at myself I sprang to my feet and 
 began to walk to and fro. "Now 1 wonder," continued 
 I in thought, "if a greater fool than I ever lived. What 
 the deuce am I to do now f Ash worth's must be all of 
 a mile aw^ay and yet I must return to his place for 
 my hat; oh, stupid, stupid! and where the devil is 
 Ashworth's ?" I stood still and looked away over the 
 
150 SAVED BY A \vo:max ; 
 
 moonlit scene hoping to discover some familiar object 
 which might guide me in retracing my steps, but I 
 could make out nothing but the wide expanse of open 
 field and the dark, Avooded background beyond it. 
 "Every portion of the field is as similar as a sheet of 
 water," I muttered again as I continued to scan its sur- 
 face, "but how now," I suddenly cried, "what is that over 
 yonder?" It was a moving object which had attracted 
 my attention. At first I took it for a cow, or some 
 other animal, but as I continued to look it gradually 
 assumed the shape of a man. My first thought was 
 to conceal myself and await his approach, for he was 
 evidently coming in my direction, but there was a 
 peculiarity about the figure which caused me to stand 
 still and scrutinize it more closel3\ 
 
 " Now, what in the name of all that's peculiar can 
 that fellow be about ?" I again soliloquized ; " he walks 
 as if his back were broken, and he stumbles from side 
 to side as if he were drunk. One of Douglass' men, of 
 course, but where is his horse ? Ah, by heaven, I 
 have it, he is on mytrail.''^ I sprang behind the log as 
 1 became convinced of this fact, and concealing myself 
 from view I drew forth my revolver and awaited the 
 issue. " Now may fortune grant," I muttered, as my 
 passion began to rise again, " that this may prove to 
 be Douglass himself; the time and the place are both 
 well fitted for the last act of all." 
 
 The figure came quickly on, stopping at every dozen 
 paces to rise to its full height and look intently on 
 every hand, then bending low again it approached 
 me swiftly and noiselessly. At length it reached the 
 edge of the timber, and here, as I had done, it paused, 
 seemingly at a loss to determine what next to do. 
 The distance now dividing us was scarcely more than 
 a dozen yards, and as the man straightened himself 
 once more, I began from my ambush to scrutinize his 
 appearance. 
 
 " It is not Douglass," 1 thought, '• for he is not in 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 151 
 
 uniform, nor can it be one of his men for the same 
 reason." This discover}^ surprised me not a little, and 
 caused me to redouble m,y scrutiny; but further than 
 that the man was above six feet in height and that 
 he was heavily bearded I could not make out in the 
 uncertain light. I had just made up my mind that if 
 he proved an enemy I must have the drop on him, 
 when he stooped once more, and caking up my trail 
 followed it to within a few feet of where 1 lay con- 
 cealed. Had he stepped across the log, as at first he 
 seemed about to do, he must inevitably have planted 
 his feet directly upon me ; but, as fate would have it, 
 he turned half round and seated himself exactly upon 
 the spot where, a few minutes before, I myself had sat. 
 I had now but to stretch forth my hand to reach him, 
 and this I determined to do, but before I could make 
 the first motion, the man, to my utter astonishment, 
 burst forth into a low but hearty fit of laughter. 
 
 "Well, well," muttered he, when the paroxysm had 
 exhausted him ; "well, well, if this ain't a lark, then 
 I never — " He began to laugh again, and this time 
 he wound it up by giving vent to a low, but long- 
 drawn whoop. 
 
 All this time Ilay still, scarcely breathing as freely 
 as I would have liked, and wondering as I never won- 
 dered before, what manner of man was this. I could 
 not determine upon a course of action. The indignant 
 anger which the first sight of him had occasioned, had 
 gradually disappeared, the man's jollity having com- 
 pletely dispelled it, and I was never less in the humor 
 for fighting than I found myself after listening to his 
 mirth. Nay, the sudden and strange turn which af- 
 fairs had taken began now to strike me as so extremely 
 ridiculous that I could scarcely restrain a laugh my- 
 self. 
 
 "Well, well," said the individual again, rising to his 
 feet and stretching himself, "the boy is as mad as— as 
 the devil. Of all the freaks ; two falls at the least, and— 
 
152 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 wonder he didn't break his neck the last time. I'd give a 
 pretty to come up with him, if only to listen to his 
 explanations — explanations, the deuce — explanations, 
 balderdash r^ 
 
 As the last word left his lips I sprang to my feet with 
 an ejaculation of joyful surprise. 
 
 "McPherson," I cried, as I bounded toward him with 
 extended hand, "I might have mistaken your voice, 
 but after hearing that expression, I can no longer 
 doubt who stands before me. By all that's fortunate, 
 man, how came you here ?" 
 
 ''The devil," said the other, returning the pressure 
 of my hand with an earnestness which made me 
 wdnce, "You almost startled me. I thought you could 
 not be far away, but I'm blowed if I looked for you as 
 near by as this. Glad to find you, boy, 'pon my 
 word, I am. I have mourned you as dead, but here 
 you are in the flesh, a*nd looking particularly well by 
 moonlight. Well, well; and how have you been, 
 my poor fellow ? They tried to hang ,you, eh ? Yes, 
 I heard all about it, every w^ord; but sit down and let 
 us not burn daylight, for we have much to talk about; 
 here, put on your hat." 
 
 Something struck me in the breast as he concluded, 
 then fell to the ground at my feet. I stooped and 
 picked it up, and to my surprise I recognized my hat. 
 
 "You stopped at Ash worth's, then," said I, as I cov- 
 ered my head, "but w^hat carried you there, and how 
 did you come by my hat ?" 
 
 "That will all be revealed in its turn," said McPher- 
 son, "but at present, you must allow me to have my 
 laugh out — don't bother me now." 
 
 I stood before him somewhat abashed as he said 
 this, and m}^ confusion momentarily increased as he 
 deliberately seated himself upon the log, laid aside his 
 long rifle, placed one hand upon each of his knees, and 
 catching my eye, continued for some seconds to gaze 
 upon me with an expression so reproachful, and yet so 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 153 
 
 comical and full of mischief, as to make me feel exceed- 
 ingly small, and somewhat hysterical. 
 
 "My young hero," said he, beginning to breathe 
 hard, "my rattle brained mad-cap — " 
 
 The laugh choked his further utterance, and for a 
 considerable time his huge frame shook as if racked 
 with the ague. 
 
 "My brave boy," said he again, when the fit had 
 ended, "what a scout you would make. I'll recom- 
 mend you to Morgan, and tell him of this night's ex- 
 ploit — ha, ha, ha — whoop-ee, what a lark !" 
 
 "Oh, pshaw," said I, impatiently, "have done with 
 your nonsense, man ; were you never imprudent, fool- 
 ish, or whatever you like, when as young as I ?" 
 
 "Why, yes," said he, "many a time ; but I was never 
 stark, raving mad like you but once, and that was 
 when I tried to hoist myself into an apple-tree by 
 pulling at the top of my boots— ha, ha, ha." 
 
 "Oh," said I, snapping my fingers and seating my- 
 self beside him, "let us talk of something else. I ac- 
 knowledge to having been 'stark, raving mad,' as you 
 say, but at present I am enjoying a lucid interval, and 
 I pray you have done — unless," I continued, *'you 
 would drive me to the conclusion that the malady is 
 contagious. Come, now, where have you been and 
 what have you been doing ? Begin at the beginning, 
 and let me hear all about it." 
 
 "Well," said McPherson, Aviping his eyes, "I believe 
 I have laughed enough for once, but I haVe little to tell 
 you. You know I'm always on the go, and yet there 
 is a monotonj^ in mj^ life, after all. Let me see. I 
 left you a prisoner, in front of Chattanooga, and you 
 were astraddle of a Yankee, if I mistake not. Tell me, 
 how did you pull through that scrape ? I've never 
 heard.'; 
 
 "I will tell you later on," said I, "but at present you 
 have the floor. Did you reach Chattanooga in safety?" 
 
 "I did — you heard my signal, did you not?" 
 
15 J: SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 ''That did I, and a more welcome sound never glad- 
 dened my heart; for I was tortured with anxiety be- 
 fore it came." 
 
 "On my account?" said he. 
 
 "On your account, of course." 
 
 "Thank you. Well, I swam the river, with 
 my valuables between my teeth and my musket 
 strapped to my back, (an old trick of mine), and I saw 
 ■ Ledbetter at sunrise the next morning. I was entrust- 
 ed with the answers to my dispatches, and I left the 
 city at noon, this time in a boat. I pressed a horse 
 soon after crossing — " 
 
 '' You 'pressed' a horse ?" 
 
 "Yes; I borrowed him, and set out after Morgan. 
 I found the latter in Virginia after a week's steady 
 going. (I had to move slowly on account of the pris- 
 oners), and" — 
 
 " The prisoners ? What prisoners?" 
 
 ''Three whom 1 caught napping; and — where was 
 I?" 
 
 " But tell me how you took the prisoners." 
 
 " Oh ! balderdash, nob now — and as I said before, I 
 reached the general after a week's march. Well I 
 was with him only two days Avhen he sent me, post 
 haste, to Tennessee. I reached the neighborhood of 
 Nashville on the very day of your trial, for I read an 
 account of it and also of your escape in the next 
 morning's paper. Of course I felt concerned about 
 you and I scouted around the city all that day and 
 night trying to pass the pickets, but all I got for my 
 pains Avas this " He rolled up the sleeve of his left 
 arm as he spoke, and showed me near the elbow the 
 livid track of a bullet. 
 
 " It was a close call," he continued before I could 
 speak, "for it passed between my arm and my body, 
 but the rascal got a closer, I fancy." 
 
 " And did not the firing bring down the other pick- 
 ets upon you ?" I asked. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN RO:\IANCE. 155 
 
 " Two or three," 'said he, "but I soon slipped them, 
 and by sunrise I was safe enough. I slept in the forest 
 during the greater part of that day, and went to Leb- 
 anon after nightfall, where I had business and where 
 I remained until yesterday morning." 
 
 " Well, and what brought you back and put you at 
 last upon my trail ?" said I. 
 
 " Why the Nashville paper, of course, which spoke 
 of a certain sergeant with a half dozen men, who had 
 set out in the direction of Lebanon for the avowed 
 purpose of bringing in the spy dead or alive." 
 
 " Ha, and you were on their trail when you ran 
 across mine.^'' 
 
 " Not exactly, for I was keeping them in sight. I 
 found their camp last night." 
 
 " And did you notice who was the officer ?" 
 
 " No, I did not ; but after hearing of your to-night's 
 conduct from farmer Ash worth, I can readily guess 
 that you recognized him as your old enemy Doug- 
 lass; am I correct?" 
 
 '' You are," said I, "it is he and none other." 
 
 " I thought as much, and now let us have your 
 story, for there's an end of mine." 
 
 " But you have not told me how you came by my 
 hat," said T. 
 
 "Oh, I had forgotten," said he, "it was Miss Kate Ash- 
 worth who sent it to you, and she bade me say that 
 she hoped her grandmother had not caught a cold for 
 need of it." 
 
 " Quite thoughtful in her," said I. 
 
 "And quite mischievous, you would add," said the 
 other ; "but come, young man," continued he, glancing 
 at the moon which now hung low in the west ; "you 
 must begin 3^our narrative, for I will not budge an 
 inch until I hear it, and I fancy there's work ahead 
 of us between this and high noon to-morrow." 
 
 " I think I catch your meaning," .said I, "and what 
 
156 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 you hint at is so much to my liking that I will lose 
 no time in hems and haws." 
 
 " All right," said he, "you will find me a good lis- 
 tener. As I have said, I left you astraddle of a Yan- 
 kee and I find you astraddle of a log. You must fill 
 the gap between them, and then we will to business." 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 The moon had completely disappeared when, as 
 expressed by McPherson, I had ''filled the gap" be- 
 tween the Yankee and the log. My companion 
 proved an excellent listener. As I proceeded I was 
 astonished to note with what extreme quickness of 
 perception he comprehended every little detail of my 
 narrative, which, if I attempted to explain, he would 
 wave his hand and say, "Yes, 3'es, I understand, skip 
 it and go ahead." 
 
 Answering my reference to this peculiar gift, Mc- 
 Pherson declared that it was the result of the close 
 and constant observation which was one of the first 
 essentials of a scout's existence. 
 
 " I have found, after two years of such study," said 
 he, '-that the connection between cause and effect is 
 much clearer than is generally believed, and if I am 
 given to know the one I can generally guess pretty 
 correctly at the other. But," continued he, "there 
 is one feature about your mad freak of to-night which 
 I am at a loss to comprehend, for all you call me 
 quick to see. How in the name of all that's wonder- 
 ful did you hope to pick out from among the hoof- 
 marks of seven horses the peculiar track of the animal 
 ridden by Douglass ? Did the beast have a a\ ooden 
 leg, or"— 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 157 
 
 " Oh," said I, "I noticed upon first seeing the party 
 that the worthy commander's horse was an unusually 
 large one, while those ridden by his men were of the 
 ordinary size." 
 
 '' And you concluded of course that the largest 
 horse would make the largest track." 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 " Well," said the scout, ^' you may be right and you 
 may be wrong. If your mammoth brute is a common 
 'hack' the chances are his hoofs are the largest, but if 
 he happens to be a blooded animal I'll wager my head 
 his feet are the smallest in the lot. But in view of 
 our surroundings," continued he, " this talk is idle ; 
 I have a proposition to make to you." 
 
 " Well, I am listening." 
 
 " I told you I had found your friend Douglass's 
 camp." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Would you like to visit it ?" 
 
 " Not a whit, since he has left it." 
 
 " But he has not ; that is, I think he has returned 
 to it." 
 
 " Ha ; and you can guide me there ?" 
 
 " Upon one condition." 
 
 " And that is"— 
 
 " That you put yourself completely and uncondi- 
 tionally under my orders." 
 
 " But what do you propose to do when you get 
 there ?" 
 
 " Make a prisoner of your pretty sergeant." 
 
 " And the others ?" 
 
 " Oh, we'll fight them as long as they fight us, and 
 let them alone after." 
 
 " Agreed," I cried, jumping to my feet, "agreed ; but 
 promise me one thing, only one?" 
 
 " 1 said 'unconditionally.' " 
 
 " Yes; but listen before you decide." 
 
158 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 " Well.;' 
 
 " Promise that if we succeed in capturing Douglass 
 you will let me have the disposal of him." 
 
 " Why, what do you suppose I want with him?" 
 said MciPherson ; " do you think I care for the scoun- 
 drel ?" 
 
 " Then you would simply lend your friendly assist- 
 ance in forwarding my vengeance ?" 
 
 " Scarcely that either, boy ; for, although I believe 
 in fighting when there's occasion for it, yet I have 
 never sought a quarrel with any one ; and as to this 
 thing of vengeance, I have never understood it — can't 
 harbor malice, not I." 
 
 " Then why do you propose to guide me to this 
 camp ?" 
 
 " First, because I would help you to preserve a whole 
 head upon your shoulders, for ] see you are bent upon 
 exposing it for these fellows to crack, whether I am 
 with you or no ; and secondly, because I have taken a 
 fancy to that noble steed of the sergeant's, and I am 
 determined to test his 'mettle.' " 
 
 '' Then it is your interest in me which actuates 
 you, after all," said I, 'and I appreciate it highly, my 
 kind friend. But tell me, before we set out, what makes 
 you think our birds have returned to the ne«t." 
 
 " They left a jug of whisky there," said McPher- 
 son, rising and shouldering his rifle; "and I'll be 
 bound they have returned to finish it. Now let us be 
 off; Ave have an hour's fast walking ahead of us and 
 if we would beat the daylight we must be moving. 
 Follow me, and remember, no talking and no noise 
 with your feet. If you step in my tracks you Avill 
 have no occasion to stumble about. Come— forward, 
 march." 
 
 McPherson took the lead and for some distance we 
 skirted the edge of the wood, moving in the direction 
 of Na'=!hville. At length my companion stopped and 
 examined, first the ground and then the shrubbery 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN R03IANCE. 159 
 
 and some of the trees upon the edge of the forest ; but 
 after some moments spent thus he shook his head 
 and moved on again, only, however to repeat the pro- 
 cess at the distance of perhaps fifty yards further on. 
 Upon this hitter occasion he must have found that for 
 which he was searching, for after intently scrutinizing 
 the bark of a tree he beckoned to me to follow him, 
 and turning abruptly to the right he plunged into 
 the forest. Here the darkness was so intense and the 
 undergrowth so densely matted together that our 
 progress became exceedingly slow and laborious. To 
 keep together was a thing impossible, so long as we 
 preserved the silence which McPherson imposed, and 
 this difficulty at first caused much blundering and 
 many a halt. At length, however, the scout, with 
 blunt authority and without a word, grabbed my 
 right hand and placed within it the butt of his long 
 rifle, himself seizing the muzzle, and thus linked to- 
 gether we proceeded at a rate of speed which, although 
 quite slow, was yet by no means consistent with com- 
 fort. It was perhaps fortunate that in selecting a 
 camp Douglass had chosen a spot but a few hundred 
 yards distant from the field through which we had 
 just passed ; for, had he moved a single rod further 
 into the forest, I verily believe I never should have 
 reached his rendezvous. As it was, my patience was 
 taxed to the utmost limit of its endurance before my 
 companion halted. I drew a long breath as we paused, 
 and mentally vowed that my further progress in the 
 manner described should be limited to not more than 
 a dozen paces, and I had just sealed the resolve with 
 an impatient stamp upon the earth when McPherson 
 stepped backward and directed my attention to a 
 flickering light faintly discernible in the distance. 
 
 "That," said he, "is what we seek; remain here till 
 I return," and without giving me time either to ob- 
 iect or consent to this arrangement, he hurried noise- 
 i essly away. 
 
160 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 Now, to be alone at night, in a dense and unfamiliar 
 forest, is at no time, and under no circumstances, a sit- 
 uation calculated to produce a soothing effect upon a 
 nervous temperament ; but if to the natural perils 
 which surround, or seem to surround, such a situation, 
 be added the presence of a sworn and merciless foe, 
 the position becomes decidedly unenviable. Such, at 
 least, is ni}^ individual opinion, based upon the expe- 
 riences of the night in question. It was less than 
 fear, and more than nervousness, which I felt, and 
 which I am at a loss to describe. I know not, if there 
 be a monosyllabic designation for the intermediate 
 sensation, but if there is such a term, it is my opinion 
 that it should be harshly suggestive of everything un- 
 pleasant and harrowing to the mind. I squatted down, 
 probably with the idea of occupying less space, and in 
 this position I impatiently awaited the return of the 
 scout. I had remained thus for perhaps fifteen min- 
 utes, during which time, to increase my discomfort, a 
 swarm of mosquitoes buzzed around me and stuck 
 their poisonous bills into every exposed square inch 
 of my person, when a low whistle fell upon my ears. 
 This I quickly answered, and soon thereafter McPher- 
 son stood at my side. 
 
 "Man alive," said I, in a louder tone than suited the 
 scout, "have you been exploring Africa, that you leave 
 me here in torment all this time? What in the dev- 
 il's name have you been doing ?" 
 
 "Put a clapper on that tongue of yours," said the 
 other in a whisper, "would you frighten the game, 
 after all this chasing? But why do you prate about 
 ^torment,' who has tormented you ?" 
 
 "The — ah, mosquitoes," said I, "there's little left of 
 me ; but what have you discovered ?" 
 
 "The camp is there, and every man in it, except 
 the commander himself, is wrapped in a drunken slum- 
 ber. Their cattle are hitched some fifty yards beyond 
 the rendezvous, and by the way, I've seen the ser- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 161 
 
 geant's horse and examined his hoofs, and I find that 
 they are not the largest of the seven. He is a fine- 
 blooded creature, with small keen limbs and feet, and 
 "I'm more determined to have him than ever. In fact," 
 he added, with a low chuckle, "I've already saddled 
 and bridled him, and have selected and caparisoned 
 your mount also; so now there's nothing left to do but 
 to secure our gay sergeant, and sjDirit him away while 
 the others sleep. Come, are you ready?" 
 
 "Quite ready," said I, "but might it not be prudent 
 to acquaint me with your plans before we start, in or- 
 der that I may not blunder in my part ?" 
 
 "It is scarcely necessary," said the other, "but as 
 you desire it, I will tell you the little I have deter- 
 mined upon. First, we will pass the camp, and reach- 
 ing the horses, we will create a disturbance among 
 them, sufficient to attract the sergeant's attention, 
 and bring him thitherward; then it will be hard lines 
 if we do not find an opportunity to secure the gent, 
 and persuade him to take a ride with us — come 
 along." 
 
 "Both simple and plausible," said I, "lead the way." 
 
 Five minutes later we had crept sufficiently near to 
 obtain a good view of the encampment, whose wild 
 and picturesque character we could but pause to ad- 
 mire. The spot possessed all the qualities of a secret 
 fastness, being guarded on all sides by a complicated 
 screen of underwood, consisting principally of tall 
 canes, and of those stout and luxuriantly plaited vines, 
 which give so distinct a character to the southern 
 woodland. The group now occupying it consisted of 
 seven men, six of whom, as McPherson had said, 
 were prostrated in a drunken sleep, while the seventh, 
 whom I at once recognized as Douglass, was pacing to 
 and fro, with his hands clasped behind his back and 
 his eyes fixed upon the ground at his feet, as if in deep 
 thought. A small fire of brushwood had been kindled 
 11 
 
162 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 near at hand, whose feeble blaze was just sufficiently 
 strong to throw a ghastly glare over the prostrate 
 ''rank and file," and to give to their ungainly forms 
 and ill favored countenances a weird and ghostly ap- 
 pearance. Drinking cups and empty flasks, and here 
 and there disjointed pieces of raw flesh, cleanly pol- 
 ished bones, and '-hunks" of bread, lay confusedly 
 scattered about among the forms, while sundry weap- 
 ons could be seen lying upon the beaten grass, having 
 been carelessly discarded or fallen from the persons of 
 their swaggering masters. 
 
 "Those men are as good as dead," whispered McPher- 
 son in my ear. "You might fire a cannon over their 
 heads and they would not so much as moan in their 
 sleep ; but come, the daylight is upon us." 
 
 We moved onward again, silently as before, and a 
 few rnoments later we had reached the small "clear- 
 ing" in the forest, in the midst of which the horses of 
 the unconscious enemy stood fastened, their halters 
 having been secured to a long rope, stretched across 
 the opening from one bordering cypress to another. 
 A little behind the animals, and scarcely clear of 
 their heels, were piled their saddles and bridles, 
 together with several saddle-bags and some coils of 
 long rope, the latter to be used for what purpose we 
 could not guess, unless, as McPherson mischievously 
 suggested, they had been prepared especially for my 
 individual benefit. "This shall serve a worthy pur- 
 pose at any rate," whispered the scout, as he selected 
 one of the coils and proceeded to make a "slip knot" 
 in one end of it; "it shall choke one of the horses 
 until he calls the sergeant to his rescue, and after- 
 ward it shall bind the rescuer himself, but before Ave 
 spring the trap 1 have a word for you." 
 
 " Well," said I, "out with it." 
 
 " How do you intend to dispose of your prisoner 
 after we take him ?" 
 
 " I have thought of that," said 1, "and had deter- 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 163 
 
 mined what to do even before we embarked upon this 
 enterprise. I shall give him the choice of being 
 taken to the nearest confederate post to be there dealt 
 with as a prisoner of war, or of meeting me in single 
 combat. I need not say that I hope he will choose 
 the latter alternative, for I have a heavy account to 
 settle with him." 
 
 " Spoken like a soldier," said McPherson, "give the 
 dog a chance for his life, and now we will to business. 
 Do you take the two horses which I've saddled, and 
 with another lead them a little distance into the 
 bush ; I will do the rest." 
 
 "One other word," said I, "what will we do with 
 the rank and file ?" 
 
 " Leave them Avhere they are ; I havn't the time to 
 bother myself with them, even if I chose to, which I 
 do not." 
 
 " Very well," said I. "and now that all is under- 
 stood, I leave you, to play my part." 
 
 Selecting the two equipped horses, with another, 
 which was "barebacked," I led the trio a few paces 
 into the swamp and scarcely had I halted when a 
 commotion among the remaining animals informed 
 me that the scout was already busy in their midst. 
 Turning my attention to the camp, I listened atten- 
 tively to note the effect of the melee which was 
 momentarily becoming louder ; but after listening for 
 some moments and hearing nothing, I began to fear 
 that the irate sergeant had himself fallen asleep 
 among his comrades. This idea began to gain 
 strength and soon took the shape of actual belief, as 
 the moments flew by and there still came no sound 
 from the camp ; and I was upon the point of returning 
 to my companion with the half formed idea of pro- 
 posing that we should "beard the lion in his den," 
 when the commotion suddenly ceased, and the low, 
 but clear and firm challenge of the scout rang out 
 upon the night : 
 
164 SAVED BY A WOMAX ; 
 
 " Hold for your life," it said, "a single word, a mo- 
 tion, and you die in your tracks." 
 
 A savage oath quickly followed, immediately suc- 
 ceeded by a blow, and the sound of a falling body, and 
 all was still. 
 
 I listened breathlessly for the next sound. That 
 McPherson and Douglass had come to blows I did not 
 doubt, and that the contest had been decided at the 
 first passage seemed equally certain, but which of the 
 two had fallen was a matter of painful doubt which I 
 was impatiently anxious to set at rest. I did not for 
 a moment question the scout's ability to conquer the 
 sergeant in any sort of open contest, but in the 
 darkness, I mentally argued, a treacherous foe such as 
 Douglass might find the opportunity to strike unseen. 
 Scarcely had this fearful possibility flashed through 
 my mind, however, .when the sound of cautiously 
 approaching footsteps arrested my attention, and a 
 moment later McPherson stood beside me, having, to 
 my unbounded astonishment, the limp body of the 
 captive sergeant thrown across his shoulders. My 
 surprise was too great to be expressed in words, and I 
 watched the scout in silent wonder as he lightly 
 deposited the body upon the animal prepared for its 
 reception and began to tie it in position. 
 
 '' There's an impertinent feature about this proceed- 
 ing," said he when his task Avas nearly completed, 
 "which tickles me, by the Lord it does. To tie up an 
 oflficer like that upon his own horse and with his own 
 rope, after knocking him down, haw — haw, haw." 
 
 " Have you killed him, McPherson ?" I asked. 
 
 " Well, it was not my intention to do so," said he, 
 " though I did give him a square shoulder lick behind 
 the ear. He is as good as a dead man for the present, 
 however, if not for good; and now bring up the rear; 
 I will lead the sergeant's horse." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN R03IANCE. 165 
 
 McPherson sprang into the saddle as he spoke, and 
 m the order indicated we started in the direction 
 from which we had come. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 "We passed the sleeping camp in a ''dog trot," with 
 no fear of awaking the intoxicated sliimberers. The 
 fire had died away, leaving onlv a few fast decaying 
 embers to mark the spot where ^it had blazed, but the 
 light of da}', which was now fast penetrating the re- 
 cesses of the forest, had already grown sufficiently 
 strong to reveal the silent figures stretched upon the 
 sward. Notwithstanding the fatigues of the night 
 and the loss of rest, the crisp and bracing air of the 
 morning invigorated me greatly, and as we journeyed 
 along I felt my spirits rising with each onward 
 bound of the spirited animal I bestrode. The feath- 
 ered inhabitants of the forest began to waken on 
 every hand and to carol forth their gladsome notes in 
 welcome to the coming day. The distant yelp of the 
 wild turkey, as he flew from his roost, recalled the 
 quiet, happy days of the chase, and the mellow notes 
 of the industrious Avhippoorwill added to the peaceful 
 suggestion. Now and again the loud hooting of an 
 owl startled the air, but only to increase, when its dis- 
 cordant echoes had died away, the sweetness of the 
 softer music which issued from a thousand tiny threats. 
 And not the least enchanting among the many lulling 
 melodies which filled the forest, was the tinkling of a 
 distant cow-bell, Avhose old, familiar music awakened 
 within me many a treasured memory of home, and 
 fillecl me with reflections entirely foreign to the stern 
 business before me. Our procession was melancholy 
 
166 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 enough, heaven knows. The unconscious body at my 
 side might of itself have kept before me the unpleas- 
 ant realities of the moment, but I thought not of these. 
 
 In the presence of so much that was calming and 
 peace-inspiring there was little room for tumult or 
 passion in my soul, and I marked nothing but the 
 gladness which shone forth from every object I be- 
 held. Yea, literally from every object ; for the very 
 leaves of the trees, stirred by the gentle breeze, and 
 sparkling each with its separate gem of dew, seemed 
 laughing and dancing in the very ecstasy of delight. 
 And as we approached the open field — memorable 
 from the events of the night — the wind, as if to scat- 
 ter wide the bounties of heaven, wafted to our grate- 
 ful nostrils the delightful fragrance of many a wood- 
 land flower. 
 
 A feeble groan from the prisoner, and an attempt 
 on his part to assuihe an upright position, rudely 
 awakened me tu the less agreeable facts of the present, 
 and spurring forward I reached McPherson's side at 
 the same moment that we emerged into the open pas- 
 ture. 
 
 " We had best stop here," said I, " the light is now 
 sufficient for our purpose, and I would have this un- 
 pleasant business at an end. Have you pistols?" 
 
 " I have one," said McPherson ; " but how do you 
 know he will consent to fight?" 
 
 "I will compel him — " 
 
 At this moment I inadvertently touched my horse's 
 flank with the heel of my boot, and, plunging sud- 
 denly, the animal regained his footing a little to the 
 left of his former position at the same instant that a 
 loud report rang in my ear, and I felt a stinging sen- 
 sation upon my right cheek. A second report quickly 
 followed, and looking behind me I was just in time 
 to see Douglass throw up his hands and clutch at his 
 horse's mane, whileMcPherson was vainly endeavoring 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 167 
 
 to gain control over his affrighted and wildly plunging 
 steed. 
 
 My attention being momentarily directed toward 
 the latter, I did not notice the wounded man's prepa- 
 ration for his second and last vengeful act, and I 
 started anew as a third pistol shot deafened me. I 
 looked quickly toward Douglass, whose eyes met mine 
 in one swift and terrible glance, as he fell forward 
 upon his horse's neck. That ireful look, which 
 seemed to freeze my very blood, I shall never forget. 
 The smoking revolver fell from his nerveless hand at 
 the same moment that his horse reared and plunged, 
 and dashed madly away. The body swung beneath 
 his belly, entangling his feet and causing him to trip 
 and stumble at every bound, and finally, when a lit- 
 tle distance had been compassed, to fall prone upon 
 the earth. Horrified, yet fascinated, we watched to 
 see him rise again, but he did not, and anon we slowly 
 approached the spot, to shudder and grow sick when 
 we had reached it, and to turn our backs upon it and 
 shudder again. 
 
 " How did it happen," said I, "for I know very lit- 
 tle about it ?" 
 
 " He must have been armed," said McPherson, 
 "without my knowing it, and at the first opportunity 
 after recovering his senses he used his weapon. I 
 ■quickly answered his shot and must have hit him 
 hard, for his second attempt to take your life failed for 
 want of strength. The ball he intended for you pierced 
 his horse's head ; look and you will see it. Yes," con- 
 tinued he, after a moment's thoughtful pause, " his 
 arm refused to do murder as its last act before it 
 ^stiffened in death, and— but come, let us go, let us 
 go." 
 
 "And leave him there ?" 
 
 "In the first place, we have no implements with 
 which to bury him, even if we had the time; and— he 
 is so mangled." 
 
168" SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "Shall we ride to Ashworth's and request him to 
 have it done ?" 
 
 McPherson nodded. "Anything to get away from 
 this," said he, "for I confess I like not the vicinity." 
 
 "Come then, 1 am ready." 
 
 We conversed but little now as we rode along, for our 
 thoughts were not of the pleasantest, and we had no 
 mind to exchange them. Having reached a small hil- 
 lock not far distant, we paused and looked behind us. 
 The sun had just risen, gilding the tips of the forest 
 trees, with his beauteous rays, and the wind had lulled 
 into the gentlest of zephyrs. A tiny cloud of white 
 smoke hung over the spot where the firing had been 
 done; but, other than this, no token remained of the 
 late painful occurrence. The birds sang as sweetly as 
 before, the cow-bell tinkled as peacefully, and nature 
 smiled to the full as complacently. The death of 
 Douglass affected me 'strangely. For some hours be- 
 fore, and even up to the very moment of its occur- 
 rence, it had been the fixed purpose and active business 
 of my life to slay him ; yet, now that the deed was 
 done, I could in no wise content myself with the 
 dreadful issue. It was not his death itself that I 
 minded so much as its terrible character; not the end 
 so much as the means employed to attain it. That 
 the man was richly deserving of his fate I could not 
 doubt, but the thought did not dispel the unequal 
 seeming of the contest ; and more than all, it detracted 
 not one whit from the revolting memory of his man- 
 gled corpne. 
 
 Filled with these unpleasant reflections, I turned ta 
 McPherson, whose moody silence assured me that his 
 thoughts Avere in sympathy with my own, and re- 
 marked upon the disagreeable termination of what 
 promised to be a ver}'- satisfactory enterprise. 
 
 "Is not the result precisely what you wished for?"" 
 said he, with a feeble smile. 
 
 ''The result itself, yes; but" — 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 169 
 
 "But you would have preferred a more decent and 
 orderly proceeding. Well, so would I, but there is no 
 use to cry over spilt milk, so let us forget it. I could 
 wish, however," he continued, "that I had — that I had 
 searched him — that is all " 
 
 "I wish you had," said I, "and I wish also, that I 
 could have spoken to him before it was too late. I 
 should have questioned him concerning this bitter 
 enmity which he bore me, and in which some woman 
 is mysteriously concerned. I have never wronged the 
 man ; I never crossed him, save on that one occasion 
 on the day of my capture; and yet has he pursued me 
 like a blood-hound, from that very hour until this. 
 That there existed some more powerful motive than I 
 am able to assign for hatred such as his, I have never 
 doubted, even before the confirmatory insinuations 
 which he uttered a few days since, and I should like 
 well to have had this hidden motive revealed, but 
 now" — 
 
 "It is likely to remain a mystery," broke in McPher- 
 son, and before the sentence had left his lips, to my 
 surprise, he threw forward his long rifle and fired on 
 the instant. Looking in the direction of his shot, I 
 was just in time to see a horseman wheel quickly and 
 spur into the thicket from which he had just emerged. 
 
 ''The distance was too great," said the scout, smiling 
 and proceeding to recharge his rifle after quieting his 
 horse. "Did you see him?" 
 
 "Yes ; one of those we left at the camp." 
 
 "So his uniform would indicate ; so come, we must 
 quickly to cover, for although I should not object to a 
 brush with the drunkards, we are too meager] y armed 
 to meet such odds." 
 
 "Agreed," said I ; "lead on " 
 
 Turning our horses' heads in the direction of the 
 pike, which intersected the field at the distance of 
 perhaps a half a mile to eastward, we were upon the 
 point of proceeding when my attention was attracted 
 
170 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 by a cloud of dust arising from that highway. Mc- 
 Pherson also perceived it at the same moment with 
 myself, and divining its meaning at once, he gave 
 vent to a protracted and significant whistle. 
 
 "Horsemen," he Siiid, "and Yankees, by the Lord; 
 see their blue uniforms." 
 
 It was too true. 
 
 A second glance, showed us a detachment of the 
 enemy's horse of about twenty strong, leisurely pur- 
 suing its way in the direction of Lebanon. 
 
 "What is to be done now ?" said I. 
 
 ''A question not easily decided," answered the scout. 
 "Let me see, menaced in the rear and blockaded in 
 front ; is that what you make of the situation ?" 
 
 "Yes ; but there is no time for parley, man ; see, 
 they have already discovered us and have halted." 
 
 "Then there is nothing for it but to crawfish, boy, 
 and what is worse, we-must part company. We will 
 stand a better chance separated, and after all, it is 
 only hastening the inevitable. I go towards Nash- 
 ville, and you in an exactly opposite direction, to- 
 w^ards McMinnville, so give me your hand, and good- 
 bye. Now listen; you are armed?" 
 
 "I have a revolver; >es." 
 
 "Good; then make with all speed for yonder point 
 of w^oods. The 'blind' road which you will discover 
 just beyond it leads to within a few miles of your des- 
 tination ; follow it, and good luck attend you. Once 
 more farewell; no time for regrets; be gone." 
 
 He wrung my hand as he spoke, and wheeling his 
 horse dashed away. A "worm" fence, capped high 
 with "stake and rider," stretched across the field di- 
 rectly ahead of him, immediately beyond Avhich was 
 a strip of wooded land, looking like an outstretched 
 arm of the forest, and for this cover it was soon evident 
 that McPherson was making. But, "how would he 
 cross the fence," was a question which immediately 
 occurred to me, and so interested did I become in the 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 171 
 
 subject that I lost sight of my own danger, and stood 
 my ground, watching the flying horseman Avith mo- 
 mentarily increasing interest. The obstruction could 
 not have been less than six feet in height, and to at- 
 tempt the leap with an untried horse seemed to me 
 nothing short of madness. A few breathless seconds 
 ensued, in which I caught myself crying out in anx- 
 ious warning to the daring rider, and the supreme 
 moment arrived. The manly voice rang out in en- 
 couragement ; the gallant animal rose high in mid- 
 air, and seeming to pause suspended there for one 
 brief second, landed firaily upon his feet on the other 
 side, having bravely cleared the topmost railing. 
 
 A shout of admiration arose from the group of 
 Yankees who, like myself, had stood still in breath- 
 less expectancy to watch the daring feat ; and as the 
 echo of their voices died away, McPherson answered 
 them with a loud and defiant yell, at the same mo- 
 ment wheeling in his saddle and discharging his rifle 
 full in their faces. When the smoke of his fire had 
 died away, he was lost to view in the friendly cover 
 of the wood, and the Yankees were scattering in hasty 
 pursuit. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say, provided the reader 
 is but half so well acquainted with the character of 
 the scout as I myself am, that this last and apparently 
 foolhardy action had nothing of bravado in it, but 
 was indeed a Avell considered effort on the part of the 
 scout, to draw the pursuit after him and away from 
 myself — an act, in short, of brave and surpassing gen- 
 erosity. The device succeeded admirably, for in less 
 time than it takes me to tell it, I found myself alone, 
 the entire troop having entered the wood in eager 
 pursuit of "Slippery Frank." 
 
 Now was my chance to escape unnoticed, for I had 
 still to fear the six men of Douglass's command, who 
 might at any moment be expected to appear upon 
 the scene, and I did not neglect the opportunity. 
 
172 SAA'ED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 Turning my horse's head in the direction of the point 
 of wood indicated by McPherson, I gave him full rein, 
 and he quickly took me across the intervening space. 
 I gained the cover none too soon, however; for, looking 
 back immediately after halting, I beheld a quartette 
 of the "knights of the forest," gallop into the field and 
 draw rein to reconnoitre. An object lying upon the 
 ground not far distant attracted their attention, and 
 riding up to it they dismounted and gathered around 
 it, awe-struck, and stupefied with horror and amaze- 
 ment. 
 
 "I am glad they have found it," I. muttered, "for it 
 saves me both the inconvenience and the danger of a 
 ride to Ashworth's," and thus thinking, I rode away. 
 I was not long in finding the by-path or ''blind road," 
 as the scout had called it in imitation of the country- 
 folk, and following this I arrived toward nightfall 
 without further incident at my father's door. I must 
 not ask the reader, however indulgently disposed, to 
 share the memories which linger with me of this 
 brief visit to the home of my childhood. To throw 
 m3^self into the arms of a beloved and loving family, 
 and to dream away afew short hours amid a thousand 
 tender caresses and fond indulgences; to feel m3'self for 
 the moment out of the reach ot danger, and to rest in 
 this peaceful haven, as only a tired soldier can rest, 
 was a privilege and a blessing; unspeakably great ; and 
 yet, though all these sweets were mine, there was still 
 a void in my heart which they could not fill. There 
 was not a voice which spoke to me in love, but it lacked 
 the cadence I 3'earned to hear. There was not an ob- 
 ject which met my eye, but it seemed to share my 
 grief and reflect it. The empty chair by the fireside, 
 the seat at the table now filled b}' another, the bunch 
 of keys hanging at another's side, and the ring on my 
 father's withered finger - all these, and whatever else I 
 looked upon, kept constantly before me the mournful 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 173 
 
 fact of my mother's death. I visited her grave and 
 wept over it, and when this was done I felt that my 
 visit must end. Two short daj^s only did I linger there, 
 and mounting my horse I rode away again, missing 
 nothing so much in the parting, as my beloved moth- 
 er's prayers and blessings. 
 
 ^ * * >:= >ic * * 
 
 It was not until I had left the village some miles 
 behind me that the thought of whither I was going 
 crossed my mind. I had determined no longer to 
 pursue the mission which had started me from Atlan- 
 ta, believing it to be altogether useless on account of 
 the time which had elapsed since setting out upon it; 
 and although I could now have been but a few miles 
 from Dr. Eave's home, I did not think of turning out 
 of my wav to find it. Then whither was I going? 
 
 Had I known the probable whereabouts of my old 
 regiment, it is likely that the knowledge would have 
 determined me to seek it out and re-enlist with my 
 former comrades, but having no information whatever 
 upon this head I did not think twice about it. 
 
 And again, I might have joined "Forrest," whom I 
 knew to be in the immediate vicinity of McMinn- 
 ville, but Forrest was for the moment inactive, and 
 this fact alone was sufficient to check at once any idea 
 I might have conceived of casting my lot with his. 
 No ; I had been idle long enough. The active theatre 
 of war was to northward, in which direction I was 
 traveling, and among whose tragic scenes alone could 
 I be content to play out my further part ; and feeling 
 thus 1 spurred my horse onward. How I found the 
 wars and what happened to me for the next few 
 months must not be told. Enough to say that in the 
 interim I attached myself to no particular corps, being 
 obligated to none, but that nevertheless, T saw my full 
 fihare of active service. 
 
174 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIL 
 
 The months flew rapidly by, the war still furiously 
 raged, and "Old Father Time," moving tirelessly 
 onward toward eternity, strided over many a ghastly 
 battle-field as he went. 
 
 Scarce a line there was in this, the eighteen hun- 
 dred and sixty-second chapter of his massive history, 
 but showed a date upon it registered in blood ; and 
 scarce a page, but told some awful tale of death and 
 carnage. Scores of sanguinary battles had been 
 fought, and thousands had bit the dust, deluging the 
 land with their blood ; but the end was not yet. 
 " The army of the Cumberland" rested upon its arms 
 in the vicinity of Nashville, with its fort}^ thousand 
 faces turned frowningly toward Murfreesboro, where 
 Bragg lay fortified and expectant. This was early in 
 December. Toward the close of the same month 
 Kosecrans moved his legions a day's march nearer to 
 his waiting adversary and prudently halted, and the 
 Rebel General, seeing only the caution in the act, 
 chuckled in his sleeve and again inspected his intrench- 
 ments for the hundredth time. A week of prepara- 
 tion ensued— of silent, dogged, ominous preparation, 
 and the bloody three days' battle began. 
 
 It must not be my task to attempt a description of 
 this terrible encounter. The fortunes of war had 
 borne me thither, and of so much of it as directly 
 concerned my individual fortunes I am bound to 
 speak, but for the rest, the historian has left me noth- 
 ing to tell. The movements of each veteran general 
 have been chronicled again and again, and the story 
 of each heroic charge has been as often told, in lan- 
 guage exultant with pride and eloquent with enthusi- 
 astic praise. Whether clad in the blue or the gray^ 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 175 
 
 mortal men never fought more valiantly than upon 
 this bloody field, nor faced the torrents of death with 
 more consummate courage. It is of the third and 
 last day's engagement that I would most particularly 
 speak. 
 
 The fury of the first day's fighting had been follow- 
 ed by heavy skirmishing during the next (new year's 
 day, 1863), and the morning of the third day found 
 each army panting from exhaustion and silently pre- 
 paring for the final crash, which was plainly inevita- 
 ble. On the two previous days the harvest of death 
 had been terrible. Men had fallen as liberally as the 
 leaves in autumn, and "Hell's Half Acre" had been 
 leveled to the earth, burying beneath its fated tim- 
 bers hundreds of Sheridan's brave brigade. Whole 
 companies of charging confederates had been blown 
 to atoms at the mouths of the thundering cannon, 
 and now, to bring together their shattered regiments^ 
 and prepare them for a final struggle, was a necessity 
 with both armies alike.* 
 
 It was during this temporary calm that I found 
 myself anxiously searching among the hospitals in 
 the rear of the confederate army for tidings of my 
 friend McPherson, whom I had just learned was 
 numbered among the "seriously injured." For some 
 time previous to this date I had been on the lookout 
 for the scout, knowing that Morgan, his noble chief, 
 was not far away, but it was not until the day before 
 the struggle began that I found him, and in this wise : 
 
 Late in the afternoon of that day, having nothint>- 
 better to do, I was lounging near a group of officers, 
 among whom was General Bragg in person, when a 
 slight commotion was created in camp by the arrival 
 of a courier, who, mounted upon a powerful horee, 
 
 -A prominent historian estimates the killed and wounded in this fight 
 nearly 25,000 men ; "of which ap 
 federates and over 14,000 unionists. 
 
 at nearly 25,000 men; "of which appalling aggregate about lo.OOO were con- 
 
176 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 dashed past me and up to the General. I scarcely 
 glanced at the liojiir 3 as it swept by, for to me the 
 hasty and oft-recurrina; arrival of a courier was not 
 more significant than might have been a sudden gust of 
 wind proclaiming the approach of a storm, and had 
 1 not overheard some remarks made by a couple of 
 passers-by, it i^ probable that I should hav^e paid no 
 further attention to the event. 
 
 " Ye gods, what an animal," said one. 
 
 "And how'well handled by the dashing dare-devil 
 on his back," said the other ; " I'll wager my buttons 
 he is of Morgan's troop." 
 
 Yery naturally I looked toward the object of this 
 criticism, and at a glance I recognized both horse and 
 rider. I need not say that I was delighted and that I 
 lost no time in meeting the man, whom of all others I 
 most longed to see. Since this meeting and the sub- 
 sequent half hour which we spent together, I had not 
 seen the scout, ar.d now I wa^^; searching for him 
 among the wounded. It was an anxious and painful 
 duty. The hospitals were numerous, and each was full 
 to overflowing. The dead, the wounded, and the dy- 
 ing, lay side by eide in never-ending and ghastly array, 
 the cries and groans of the latter falling upon my 
 heart with sickening effect, and moving me to utmost 
 pity. Wherever I looked, some pale and pain-distorted 
 face, seemed imploring me for mercy, or admonishing 
 me to away and avenge the blow which had stamped 
 it with agony, and marked it for death. Cart-load after 
 cartdoad of the dead were being hastily taken away for 
 a no less hasty burial, and those that were left (many of 
 them soon to follow) were being hastily, and of a con- 
 sequence roughly treated by surgeons, who with bared 
 and bloody arms seemed fairly reveling in human 
 gore. But why should I linger over scenes which 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 177 
 
 I cannot even contemplate without a shudder. * * 
 
 * * * Having fruitlessly pursued my search 
 through as many as a dozen different hospitals, I en- 
 tered still another, and after a hasty scrutiny of the 
 recumbent forms which lay nearest around me, I ap- 
 proached a surgeon and describing my friend, asked 
 if there was such a patient in his ward. 
 
 "What was the nature of his wound, sir?" asked 
 he. 
 
 " I have not been able to learn," said I. 
 
 " Then I cannot help you. The quickest way is for 
 you to search for yourself ; look around you and — " 
 
 A voice from another quarter of the room caught 
 my ear and I did not wait to hear the last of the sur- 
 geon's speech. 
 
 " This way, my boy," said the voice, "for I'll wager 
 my left arm you are looking for me." 
 
 A sudden thrill of pleasure shot through me at 
 sound of i', and I bounded toward the reclining form 
 of its master even before he had finished his charac- 
 teristic greeting. While approaching him I noticed 
 his bloodless face and haggard expression, but what 
 shocked me most was the sight of the bandaged stump, 
 and the empty sleeve which hung at his left side. 
 
 " My poor fellow," si id I ; "I have found you at 
 last, and maimed." 
 
 " Yes, and maimed. Better that than this, how- 
 €ver,'' said he, pointing to his head, and smiling faint- 
 ly ; " but were you really searching for me? Yes? 
 Then I do not owe you my left arm, which, faith, 
 is forfeit whether I owe it or not, for yonder it lies in 
 that bundle over there. They took it off an hour ago, 
 at least so much of it as the shell left me. And how 
 fares it with you, my lad ? Not a scratch, eh ?" 
 
 12 
 
178 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 "No, not a scratch, I am thankful to say, and it 
 almost geems a miracle, for it has been hot out there." 
 
 " Hot, indeed ; as hot as I have ever seen, and I 
 liave had my share of it. But how goes the day ? 
 They tell me our army does not fare so well; can this 
 be true ? " 
 
 " 1 fear it is. We have been terribly cut to pieces^ 
 and although the others have suffered proportionately, 
 yet 1 cannot but think that 'Old Rosy' has the advan- 
 tage. At this moment both sides are preparing 
 for the death grapple, which may come within the 
 hour ; and when it does come I fear the issue will 
 go against us." 
 
 "Give them a cavalry charge," saidMcPherson, his 
 eyes taking fire at the thought, "a cavalry charge 
 with a man like Morgan to lead it. "That is what 
 they want, and if that infernal Stone river were out 
 of the Avay it might be done even yet, migiit it not ?'* 
 
 "My dear friend," said I, " we will leave that to 
 General Bragg, and talk of something else. When 
 were you shot ?'' 
 
 " Late yesterday afternoon. A shell from one of 
 McCook's batteries burst under my horse, killing him 
 and depriving me of my left hand. I managed to 
 scramble from beneath the carcass and make my waj 
 to the rear where they stopped the bleeding after I 
 had lost a full gallon, at the least. The rest was done 
 this morning. Yes," continued he, after a pause, 
 "the poor fellow is no more and I owe McCook an 
 everlasting grudge for it." 
 
 "Of whom are you speaking?" said I. 
 
 "Of Douglass, my horse, whom I named after our 
 famous sergeant, and as good a beast as ever man 
 straddled." 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 179 
 
 "Ah, but _yoa are very pale, my friend, do you suffer 
 much pain ?" 
 
 "Pain ! balderdash ; it is the lo^^s of blood, man." 
 The infernal thing does feel somewhat uncomforta- 
 ble, however. Now, wliat I want most at this partic- 
 ular moment is a pull at somebody's flask, and if you 
 will just investigate the contents of yonder canteen ; 
 do you see it hanging at that poor fellow's head ?" 
 
 "Yes; wait a moment and I will see." 
 
 The supposed prize hung from a nail against the 
 opposite wall, and just above the form of a man who 
 lay stretched upon the bare floor with only a saddle 
 blanket under his head. 
 
 In pursuing my investigation I made as little noise 
 as possible, fearing to disturb the wounded soldier, 
 who was evidently asleep, but after removing the 
 canteen and finding it empty I inadvertently struck it 
 against the wall in my effort to replace it, and the 
 noise occasioned awakened the soldier. Up to this 
 moment his face had been concealed by a blanket 
 which some friendly hand had thrown over him, but 
 this he now removed and looked feebly up into my 
 face. 1 was in the -ict of stooping over him, the better 
 to apologize for having disturbed his rest, when I 
 first caught sight of his wan and haggard countenance, 
 but it was not the stamp of suffering upon it which 
 made me start and shrink away from him, with a thou- 
 sand indescribable emotions filling me. A greater 
 cause than this; wonder and incredulity was the 
 outcome of that look, for the wounded man before 
 me was in every respect the very counterpart of my 
 own self, and the more I looked upon him the more 
 perfect became the resemblance. The black hair and 
 beard, the dark eyes and the other features, the gen- 
 eral expression, the size and even the dress, (for we 
 
180 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 both wore the confederate uniform) were so exactly 
 mine that in the puzzled condition of my senses I 
 actually groped before me, half expecting to find a 
 glass reflecting back my image. For some moments I 
 stood gazing upon the outstretched form in speechless 
 amazement, until at length the expressionless eyes 
 feebly closed as if wearied with staring at me. Re- 
 minded by tills that I was probably intruding upon 
 the few short moments of life that remained to the 
 dying man, I arose and left him. 
 
 On my way to McPherson's side I passed an atten- 
 dant and closely questioned him concerning the 
 stricken soldier whom I had just left, but he only 
 smiled and shook his head when I spoke. 
 
 "Beyond the fact that he was brought in about 
 noon yesterday, I know nothing of him," said he. 
 "The poor fellow has not spoken since we laid him 
 there, and although he has had all the attention we 
 could possibly give him he cannot live. He is shot 
 in several places, and so badly that I am su prised at 
 his being still alive." 
 
 "And is he not suffering terribly upon that hard 
 floor?" said I. 
 
 "Oh, no ; he feels no pain. The doctor adminis- 
 tered an opiate last night and another this morning to 
 prevent it. But your dress is not that of a chaplain, 
 sir." 
 
 "Nor am I one, and yet my inquiries are not idly 
 made. Tell me one thing more and I will not occupy 
 your time longer. Has there been any one here to 
 see him ? Any one from whom I might gather some- 
 thing of his past life?" 
 
 " There was a man here this morning, sir, and I 
 think an otficer, whom I saw stoop over him for a 
 moment, and take his hand as if to bid him good-bye, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 181 
 
 but I was verry busy, and when I looked a^ain he had 
 disappeared. Dr. Jones may be able to tell you some- 
 thing more, however, as he was here at the time, and 
 may have noticed the visitor more closely than I." 
 
 *' And where is Dr. Jones?" 
 
 " He will be in directly, I guess — a short, thickset 
 man, who wears spectacles, and is very talkative ; you 
 will know him at once ; good-bye." 
 
 '* Good-day, and thanks to you." 
 
 I now approached McPherson, who all this time 
 had been watching me with much curiosity, as was 
 soon revealed. 
 
 "I might have died for lack of the liquor," said he, 
 as I reached him, " but who was it you discovered — a 
 relative, or merely a friend ?" 
 
 " Neither," said I, " but listen, and I will tell you 
 a curious story," and so saying, I related what I had 
 seen. 
 
 He did not interrupt me, and even when I had 
 finished, he said nothing, but held out his one arm to 
 me, that I might assist him to rise, 
 
 " I'll go over with you and have a look at him," 
 said he, "and if he's not too far gone, I'll ask him a 
 question." 
 
 Having reached the side of the dying soldier, the 
 scout stooped over him and gazed long and search- 
 ingly into his pallid face, then scanning each feature 
 separately he looked up, and compared them with 
 mine again and again. At length he arose and led 
 me a short distance away. 
 
 " He is not your brother, boy ?'' said he. 
 
 I only stared at him. 
 
 " You are perfectly certain of this." 
 
 I continued to stare, in silence. 
 
 "Well then, it is simply wonderful, and it is the 
 
182 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 first time I've ever known nature to counterfeit her 
 
 work. There's not the shadow of a flaw in the 
 
 resemblance." 
 
 . '' Indeed, it is startling," said I. 
 
 " And have you thought of anything else, in con- 
 nection with this likeness?'' asked the scout. 
 
 " You mean the possibility of my having been 
 mistaken for this man by Douglass V 
 
 " I mean the great probability of such a thing," said 
 he, " for there cannot be three so much alike, and I 
 have always imagined it was something of this kind." 
 
 " I had some such idea in my mind -when I ques- 
 tioned the attendant,'' said I, " but it had scarcely 
 assumed the shape of a probability." 
 
 " I am so curious to know the truth," said theecout, 
 " that I have a mind to try an experiment with the 
 poor fellow there himself, without waiting for this Dr. 
 Jones to enlighten ns." 
 
 He approached the outstretched form as he spoke, 
 and seeing that the eyes had unclosed and were va- 
 cantly staring into space, he knelt down without 
 further hesitation and endeavored to attract the dying 
 man's attention. 
 
 " Do you see me," said he, " can you speak ?" 
 
 There was no reply, not even a look, to indicate 
 that the query had been heard and understood. 
 
 " Hear me if you can," said McL'herson again, 
 stooping nearer to him, and taking the poor fellow's 
 hand in his. **^ Listen to me now, do you know Doug- 
 
 The effect of these last words was no less sudden 
 than awful. With a last and powerful effort the sol- 
 dier gained a sitting posture while a cry which seemed 
 to choke him gurgled forth from his throat, and a 
 sudden flush showed itself upon his cheeks. 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 183 
 
 "Douglass," said he, with thick articulation, "Doug- 
 lass, where is he? Oh, Janie, Janie :" 
 
 His expression, which had been momentarily wild 
 and fierce, changed in an instant to one of blank 
 vacancy, the color deserted his cheeks and he sank 
 slowly backward into his former position. 
 
 "Janie, Janie," once more escaped his lips, and his 
 eyes closed, shutting out the world forever. * * * 
 
 Still kneeling beside him until the last painful breath 
 had been drawn, McPherson composed the dead man's 
 limbs, and called me to see the smile which rested 
 upon his rigid features. 
 
 " He has crossed the river," said he, in tremulous 
 accents, " and if his Janie is not there to meet him he 
 will wait for her. Poor lad, poor lad." 
 
 Drawing the blanket reverently over the body the 
 scout arose and turned away. 
 
 " Come," said he, dashing a tear from his eye as he 
 spoke, and turning his head away to hide the act, 
 ■" Come, let him rest in peace." 
 
 Not caring who saw my tears, I made no effort to 
 hide them, and as I followed the scout to his allotted 
 resting place, I used my handkerchief without feel- 
 ing shame. 
 
184 SAVED BY A AVOMAN ; 
 
 CHAPTER XXYIII. 
 
 For some moments after this sad event I sat silently 
 beside the scout as he reclined upon his blanket, hav- 
 ing no heart for conversation. The strange revela- 
 tions of the past few moments had given me enough 
 to think upon, and thus occupied I remained until 
 rudely, yet not unpleasantly, interrupted. 
 
 A voice whose accents sounded strangely familiar, 
 fell upon my ear; an all important, precisely accented 
 and never tiring voice. It was approaching the room 
 ift which I sat, becoming more and more familiar as 
 it could be more distinctly heard, and at length, even 
 before I had seen rhe spectacles, the stout little figure 
 shorn of coat, and the fat arms bared to the elbow, I 
 had recognized the voice as that which belonged to 
 the veritable Dr. Jones who had shaved me on the 
 memorable evening of my escape from the Nashville 
 penitentiary. 
 
 With a few words of explanation to McPherson, I 
 hastily arose and approached the doctor (who was 
 talking to no one in particular but talking incessant- 
 ly all the same), and taking his hand, without ceremo- 
 ny, I began a slow and measured shaking, while I 
 looked silently into his ruddy countenance. 
 
 " Eh," said the doctor, "now upon my word, as I 
 was telling my friend Jenkins, a fellow meets so many 
 people in this confounded business that it is almost 
 impossible to remember the half of them. Something 
 of the same kind occurred to me at Manassas — bloody 
 business that — but, upon my soul, I've seen you before." 
 
 "You most certainly have, doctor," said I, and I 
 might have added a few words for his enlightenment 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 185 
 
 had not my utterance been choked by the laughter 
 which his comical expression, no less than his ridicu- 
 lous volubility, provoked. This comical expression of 
 the doctor's is worthy of note. It was not a counte- 
 nance sparkling with humor, nor yet a face lighted 
 up with the smiles of friendly recognition, which he 
 turned upon me, but a physiognomy whose frowning 
 severity might have become an angry tyrant ; the 
 only incompatible feature about the comparison being 
 that the tyrant aforesaid, if laboring under the incon- 
 venience of passion, would presumably have kept hi& 
 lips firm-set, while the doctor's lips were half opened 
 and puckered into a perfect "0." 
 
 " Well, now, upon — my — word" — continued the 
 doctor, after his frowning scrutin}'- had lasted full a 
 minute, "where was it ? Tell me, where was it f Yet 
 stay, I have it ; bv the Lord, I have it ; vnas it at 
 Nashville?" 
 
 "Exactly, sir; when you were 'B. D.' " 
 
 " *B. D.' to be sure, very good, sir ; why how have 
 you been ? (the doctor here turned the tables 
 on me and shook my hand vigorously). Glad to see 
 you ; 'pon my word I am. Got away safely, did you ? 
 Remarkable woman that Mrs. Nickolson,sir, extreme- 
 ly so, as I was telling" — 
 
 "And how did you ^Qt away, doctor?" 
 
 "Took a certain deraned oath, swore never to take 
 up arms against the Union again, but did not swear 
 never to help the suffering wounded, and here I am, 
 sir, 'M. D.' once more ; but what brought you here^ 
 if I may ask ?" 
 
 "I came here in search of a wounded friend, doctor, 
 whom I regret to say I found minus an arm. You 
 may see him by looking across the room." 
 
 "Ah, yes ; I helped to take it off this morning; 
 
186 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 brave fellow, sir; never flinched, peculiar name he 
 gave us — 'Slimy' something." 
 
 '"Slippery Frank,' you mean." 
 
 "To be sure, that was it, and yoa say he is a friend 
 of yours?" 
 
 "An exceedingly dear one, sir ; come over and I'll 
 introduce you formally," 
 
 "Not at all necessary," said the doctor bolting to- 
 ward McPherson without further ado, "not necessary, 
 eir, in these times ; rough and ready politeness is all 
 that's required;" and by this time, having reached 
 the scout, the doctor tapped him familiarly upon the 
 shoulder and exclaimed : "How goes it now, Mr. 
 'greasy,' ah, Frank." 
 
 Standing a few feet behind the doctor and facing 
 McPherson, I was enabled to catch the latter's eye 
 and impart to him something of the innocent charac- 
 ter of this "rough and ready" salutation before he 
 could reply ; and it was well perhaps, for the doctor's 
 dignity that I did so. As it was, the scout seemed 
 half inclined to knock the doctor's theory concerning 
 the requirements of camp society ,into a cocked hat, and 
 the doctor along with it ; but his better nature and 
 his love for fun in an instant assumed their usual 
 sway, and he did no more than gaze upon the comical 
 little figure while he said with a low laugh, 
 
 "Why, what the devil have we here?" 
 
 "An old acquaintance of mine, McPherson," said 
 I, stepping quickly forward to save the doctor's feel- 
 ings ; "let me introduce you, gentlemen ; Dr. Jones, 
 Mr. McPherson." 
 
 The doctor bowed low, but the scout, now thor- 
 oughly launched into his teasing mood, began a vacant 
 staring at his feet while, as if recalling some forgot- 
 ten memory, he muttered : 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 187 
 
 "Jone?, Jones ; it seems to me I've heard the name 
 before, a 'taw-bones' did you say V 
 
 "Have done, McFherson," said I, while I darted at 
 him a swift glance of displeasure, and turning to the 
 doctor, (who by this time had drawn himself majes- 
 tically up upon his dignity) I continued in an under- 
 tone ; "an uncombed devil of Morgan's, capital 
 fellow at heart but rough of manner, you must not 
 mind him." 
 
 "Certainly not, sir, since you explain," said the 
 doctor, thawing at once into a smile and descending 
 with precipitate haste from the elevation above men- 
 tioned ; "certainly not, but he is droll, now isn't he." 
 
 "Yery," said I, "and now, doctor, if I may claim 
 your attention for a few moments I will give you the 
 outlines of a curious story, and afterward claim your 
 assistance in unraveling some of its threads, which at 
 present are vexatiously tangled." 
 
 The doctor promised and kept his word. Reclining 
 upon the bare floor in camp style, between McPher- 
 son and myself, he listened attentively while, in a few 
 words, I outlined so much of my story as bore upon 
 the mysteries of the moment, and having arrived at 
 the proper stage, I led him across the roorn and 
 showed him the face of the dead soldier wiio was so 
 perfectly and wonderfully my image. 
 
 The doctor was dumbfounded. 
 
 "Well, well," said he, "in all my experience I have 
 never seen the like before." 
 
 "It is passing strange, sir, passing strange," said I, 
 "but listen a little further. We saw the man whose 
 body you have just viewed breathe his last an hour 
 ago ; the concluding exertion of his life being to start 
 into energetic action at the bare mention of the nan e 
 of 'Douglass.' This was an experiment of my 
 
188 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 friend's, and I need not tell you that the startling re- 
 sult has filled me with an eager longing to know 
 more of this curious circumstance." 
 
 "And quite natural that it should, sir; 'pon my 
 soul, I'm burning with curiosity myself," said the 
 doctor. 
 
 "Then let us consider the best means of obtaining 
 the knowledge we seek." 
 
 I here questioned the doctor concerning the visitor 
 of whom the attendant had spoken, but he assured 
 me, much to my disappointment, that he had not 
 noticed the man and knew nothing of him. He 
 promised, however, to watch the body so long as it 
 remained where it was, and to importune any who 
 approached it, with the view of gaining the de- 
 sired information. 
 
 "I will do more than this," said the doctor, "I will 
 immediately set inquiry on foot among the other sur- 
 geons and their assistants, and as soon as I can bring 
 together the proper witnesses I will search the body 
 and let you know the result. But upon my word," 
 he continued, glancing hastily at his watch, "it is 
 nearly three o'clock and I must be off. I will drop a 
 note to your tent — ha — " 
 
 At that moment a volley of musketry, quickly fol- 
 lowed by the fierce confederate "war whoop,'' told 
 us that the term of armistice was at an end, and bid- 
 ding ray companion a hurried farewell, I quickly 
 sought my tent to arm myself for the tray. 
 
 •5fr * * * ■ -X- -X- '-X- 4(- 
 
 When the sun went down a few hours later, I 
 dragged myself once more into camp, smoke-dyed, 
 exhausted and carrying a heart like lead in my bosom. 
 For the confederate sortie, their last and only hope, 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 189 
 
 had failed ; the day was virtnallj lost, and the too 
 abundant bicrifice ot blood had been offered fruit- 
 lessly and in vain. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 The earth trembled to the foot-falls of a moving 
 host, before yet the sun had risen on the morning of 
 the third of January, 1863. It was Bragg steah'ng 
 noiselessly away from Murfreesboro. 
 
 There were no bugle blasts to be heard, to stir the 
 soldier's heart into gallant throbbing; no music, no 
 beating of drums; none of the clamor and uproar 
 which usually follows a sudden order to march. The 
 men moved and maneuvered to half whispered com- 
 mands, cavalrymen picked their way along with cau- 
 tious rein, and drivers of artillery wagons and ambu- 
 lances laid aside their lashes and spoke no encouraging 
 word to their her,vily laden cattle. Indeed so secretly 
 and quietly were these movements designed and put 
 into execution, that even after having left the town 
 some miles behind them, one-half the troops were still 
 in doubt as to whether the entire army was on the 
 march, or that only a portion of it had been sent out 
 to execute a flank movement upon the enemy. As to 
 myself, however, I was not among the latter. Being 
 to some extent a privileged character about the camp, 
 belonging to no particular command, and in conse- 
 quence, doing no post duties, I had in my roamings, 
 picked up quite enough to assure me that this secret 
 night march meant nothing less than the abandonment 
 of our camp and the town of Murfreesboro to the 
 
190 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 enemy ; and with this information, obtained early in 
 the night, I had sought and found McPherson, in or- 
 der to aesist him in his preparation for the road. The 
 scout liked not the idea of being disturbed "during 
 his first nap," as he expressed it, and stormed for quite 
 awhile about " a cowardly midnight retreat,'' but he 
 finally consented to every arrangement I proposed, 
 and by the time the tents were being struck, I had 
 procured him a horse ; he having scornfully refused 
 the comforts of an ambulance; and made all ready for 
 the journey. 
 
 " Confound the vagabond that shot away my hand,'' 
 exclaimed the scout, as he mounted his horse and in- 
 vohintarily motioned his stump toward the rein — 
 " how in the devil's name am I ever to manage my 
 beast and use my sabre with the same hand ? I'll have 
 my head chopped off by the first stripling whom I 
 meet in the charge." 
 
 "I^ot so bad as that, my dear friend," said I, in an 
 effort to reassure him — "some day when your stump 
 is completely healed, you will le^rn to use it in many 
 ways which you reckon impossible now." 
 
 "I shall never handle a fork with it more," said 
 he, " and that of itself ^'s enough to break my heart, 
 and, I shall miss it in a thousand different ways. 
 But most of all,'' continued he, sadly, as we slowly 
 rode along, " most of all will I miss it, if I survive 
 this war and go back again to the quiet of a farmer's 
 life; most of all then^ when the evening's come, and 
 1 sit with the rest around the happy fireplace, and 
 glance above it at my old, old friend, hanging there, 
 a companion to cobwebs and dust. My old, old friend, 
 whom many and many a night I've held to my breast 
 and mused delightfully over, while it sung to me and 
 softened me, and smoothed away every ripple of care 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 191 
 
 from my breast, like oil poured upon the troubled 
 waters. I speak of my violin." 
 
 "Ha! you never told me you were musical, Mc- 
 Pherson.'' 
 
 " Musical? Why, man, I was once the chief per- 
 former at every country dance for miles around my 
 home. Being too clumsy to enjoy the dance, I always 
 played from choice, and watching the blunders of the 
 careless country folk, I enjoyed myself to the full as 
 much as the veriest jigger among them. Yes, I'm a 
 dear lover of music, and so was my father and all of 
 us, for that matter. My father, did 1 eay ? Why, God 
 bless you, the old man worshiped music. ' Frank,' 
 he would say, over and over again, ' the mind is trou- 
 bled to-night ; get down the tiddle, my boy, get down 
 the fiddle ' ; and I had no need to ask him what to 
 play. It was 'Down Upon the Suwanee River,' or 
 * Auld Lang Syne,' that he wanted ; and I had but to 
 ru J over the air once or twice when he would lean his 
 head backward upon his chair and close his eyes as if 
 sleeping; and generally," continued the scout, whose 
 voice now trembled with a holy emotion, "generally 
 when I ceased to play, he would jump up suddenly 
 and wipe his spectacles, which he had worn close over 
 his eyes, and before he sat down again he would 
 move his chair nearer to my mother's and fondle her, 
 and make love to her, for the rest — '' 
 
 His voice died away and he spurred his horse for- 
 ward with a sudden impulse that left me several 
 lengths behind. I made no effort to regain my place 
 at his side, and it was some time before he drew rein 
 and waited for me to join him. His manner had 
 completely changed when again he spoke. 
 
 "What balderdash have I been talking,'' said he, 
 
192 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 *'when all this time I am forgetting that I have a 
 message for you." 
 
 "From whom — from Jones?" 
 
 " Yes ; did you get his note V 
 
 " A few words hastily scrawled upon the back of 
 an envelope, saying that he was upon the track of the 
 man who visited the hospital in the morning, and 
 would report later — nothing more." 
 
 "He must have written you another, then, which 
 you did not get, for I saw him not more than an hour 
 before you routed me up, and he -spoke of having 
 written you what it seems you have not heard." 
 
 " And what did he say ?" 
 
 " That he had traced the unknown visitor to the 
 extent of leainiiag his name and mess, and had visited 
 liis tent after the fight with the view of meeting him 
 and arra'iging an interview with us." 
 
 " Well, did he succeed ? and what was the man's 
 name ?" 
 
 " I cannot answer your last question, for if Jones 
 mentioned the name I have forgotten it ; and as to 
 the first — the man was killed." 
 
 " Killed r 
 
 "Yes, early in this afternoon's engagement." 
 
 "Then I am completely baffled, and the past — " 
 
 " Has been hidden by the shroud of death," inter- 
 rupted the scout, "and if yon take my advice you will 
 no more seek to pierce its sacred gloom. Where is the 
 use of knowing that which no longer concerns you ? 
 There are three freshly dug graves between you and 
 harm ; then do not insult the dead by stepping across 
 their ashes, nor disturb their rest by prying into the 
 secrets which are buried with them. Let it alone, 
 boy, let it aloue." 
 
 " I am inclined to do as you say, McPlierson, and 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 193 
 
 unless tliG veil of which you spoke is lifted for rae, I 
 believe I shall no longer look into the past. Let the 
 secret rest forever." 
 
 "So say I ; and now I have something more to tell 
 you : I have been furloughed for a month, and I'm 
 going home." 
 
 "Ha! and when do you start?" 
 
 " In a day or two — a week at furthest. I shall fol- 
 low Bragg until he pitches his tents again, and after a 
 little preparation I shall set out on horseback. My 
 parents are both dead, but I have a sister and some 
 friends, among whom I can rest until this wound is 
 healed and I learn some tricks with ray stump.. What 
 think you of the project ?'' 
 
 " It is the best thing you could do." You are 
 unfit for service now, and exposure such as you 
 must undergo in camp, would only retard the healing 
 of your wound. But I shall hate to lose your com- 
 panionship, McPherson." 
 
 " You cannot accompany me ? " 
 
 " No ; I would like to do so above all things ; but I 
 must not." 
 
 " Then we must part ; for a month at the least." 
 
 " At the least," I echoed, and again we rode along 
 
 in silence. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Most patient reader, my story is told. Its difficult 
 threads ; difficult, because hitherto unrecorded and of 
 a consequence half forgotten — have been rescued after 
 twenty years from the slumbering events of the past, 
 rnd the fabric is before you. Not a dainty fabric, 
 not rich in color, in texture, nor yet in pattern, but 
 woven upon a loom of truth, upon which fact alone 
 is bast d the hope, that its contemplation may not be 
 considered wholly devoid of interest. My war adven- 
 13 
 
194 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 tures did not cease with the retreat from Murfreesboro; 
 but during my later experiences, nothing transpired 
 wliich has to do with the present narrative. I learned 
 no more of Douglass; nothing more of the origin 
 of that all-consuming passion which so ruled his life, 
 and which, with such vindictive persistence, he mis- 
 directed against my innocent head. If Douglass 
 mistook me for the soldier who was so exactly my 
 double — as I must believe he did — his error was 
 enormous, almost incredible, yet does every kindred 
 circumstance indicate that this, egregious blunder 
 was actually made. But this is all conjecture; there- 
 fore, enough. 
 
 McPherson and Dr. Jones both survived the war. 
 The former, happily married and the father of several 
 affectionate children, is to day a comparatively wealthy 
 farmer, living not far froiu the capitol city of Geor 
 gia;and the latter, at last accounts, was plying his 
 vocation of "M. D." in the city of Nashville, Ten- 
 nessee. 
 
 Mrs. Nickolson still lives. Shortly after my escape 
 from JSashville, she was betrayed by a cowardly rene- 
 gade, for what object I know not, and was forced to 
 leave the citj alone on foot, and in the dead of night, 
 to save herself from imprisonment or worse ; but not 
 for long was she friendless, and she made good her 
 escape without encountering any positive suffering. 
 She is well known and well loved, and in many a 
 veteran soldier's home to-day her name is held in 
 uncommon re?pect, and the fittle ones lisp it sweetly 
 in their prayers. The people of Nashville know her 
 best. 
 
 Dr. Baldwin died toward the close of the war, after 
 a long imprisonment This good man could at any 
 
OR, THE HIDDEN ROMANCE. 195 
 
 time have escaped from his weary confinement, whose 
 irksome bitterness did much to hasten his end, by 
 simply signing the oath of allegiance, but he would 
 not. 
 
 All honor to his memory, and to his self-forgetting 
 courage. All honor to this humble hero, who pre- 
 ferred a living death, to a life of freedom purchased 
 by the sacrifice of a single principle of right. 
 
 Of the other characters herein introduced I will 
 say no more, except it be a word of myself, to be 
 considered as a part of my adieu x. 
 
 In narrating these personal adventures, I have not 
 sought to screen myself from the lash of public 
 opinion by suppressing or misrepresenting any foolish 
 act of mine, committed in my youth, and which at a 
 maturer age I might myself have condemned. Nor 
 do I to-day, indorse a^l of the opinions held, the con- 
 clusions arrived at and the sentiments fostered by the 
 rash and unreasoning boy, whom I certainly was, 
 twenty odd years ago. Kemember this, indulgent 
 reader. 
 
 Concerning the mysterious visitations herein de- 
 scribed, In have only to say that, trusting alone to 
 memory, I have exaggerated nothing in their connec- 
 tion. The impressions which they made upon me at 
 the time of their happening, and which 1 have en- 
 deavored truthfully to describe, were — be pleased once 
 more to remember — the impressions of a boy, and 
 possibly of a superstitious one besides. As to what 
 my opinion is to-day, I will not venture an expres- 
 sion. For who will rashly argue the mysterious points 
 of contact between the earthly and the spiritual world ? 
 Few there are who will even acknowledge to a belief 
 in such a contact ; fewer still will argue upon it, and 
 yet, strange inconsistency, how very, very few are 
 those who do not, to themselves alone, do homage to the 
 
196 SAVED BY A WOMAN; 
 
 doubt. Let the wise (?) man prate of his philosophy ; 
 the soldier boast his valor; the scholar his skepticism, 
 and the worldling laugh his scorn; but with each 
 there comes a time of honest self-confession, when 
 lonely and beset by terrors; the darkness of the forest, 
 the howling of the wind, the rushing of the torrent; 
 these are the moments, and such as these, when in- 
 stinct smothers argument, and the feeble pigmy man, 
 trembles at his own imaginings. 
 
 I pause in my task at the sound of a well-known 
 voice addressing me in tones of gentle reproof. 
 
 "Come, my husband," it says ; "it is past midnight 
 and you should be at rest ; lay aside your pen, now; 
 lay aside your pen." 
 
 ''Yes, dear papa," • chimes in another voice ; "pray 
 cease your labors for the night." 
 
 "I am coming," I answer; ['1 am coming at once," 
 and preparing to obey these affectionate admonitions, 
 I bend over these lines for the last time, and only so 
 long as it takes me to write the one word — 
 
 "Finis." 
 

RARE BOOK 
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