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been as fortunate as himself in getting clear away。 He was startled
by reading the following paragraph： 〃We are enabled to state that
the police have received a letter stating that one of the officers
who escaped from Elmira prison has adopted the disguise of a
minister； and is traveling through the country with a black servant。
At present the authorities are not disposed to attach much credit to
this letter； and are inclined to believe that it has been sent in order
to put them on a wrong scent。 However a watch will doubtless be
kept by the police throughout the country for a person answering to
this description。〃
Accustomed to rise early； Vincent was taking his breakfast almost
alone； only two or three of the other guests having made their
appearance。 He finished his meal hastily； and went out to Dan；
who was lounging in front of the hotel。
〃Dan； go upstairs at once； pack the bag； bring it down and get out
with it immediately。 I will pay the bill。 Don't stop to ask questions
now。〃
Vincent then walked up to the desk at the and of the hall； at which
a clerk was sitting reading the paper。 Sincerely hoping that the
man's eye had not fallen on this paragraph； he asked if his account
was made out。 As he had fortunately mentioned on the preceding
evening that he should be leaving in the morning； the bill was
ready； and the clerk； scarce looking up from the paper； handed it to
him。 Vincent paid him the amount； saying carelessly； 〃I think I
have plenty of time to catch the train for the east？〃
The clerk glanced at the clock。
〃Yes； it goes at 8； and you have twenty minutes。 It's only five
minutes' walk to the station。〃
CHAPTER XI。 FUGITIVES。
ON LEAVING the hotel Vincent walked a short distance； and then
stopped until Dan came up to him。
〃Anyting de matter； sah？〃
〃Yes； Dan。 There is a notice in the paper that the police have
obtained information that I am traveling disguised as a minister；
and have a negro servant with me。。〃
〃Who told dam dat？〃 Dan asked in surprise。
〃We can talk about that presently； Dan； the great thing at present is
to get away from here。 The train for the south starts at ten。 Give
me the bag； and follow me at a distance。 I will get you a ticket for
Nashville； and as you pass me in the station I will hand it to you。
It must not be noticed that we are traveling together。 That is the
only clew they have got。〃
Dan obeyed his instructions。 The journey was a long one。 The
train was slow and stopped frequently； passengers got in and out at
every station。 The morning's news from the various points at
which the respective forces were facing each other was the general
topic of conversation； and Vincent was interested in seeing how
the tone gradually changed as the passengers from St。 Louis one by
one left the train and their places were taken by those of the more
southern districts； At first the sentiment expressed had been
violently Northern； and there was no dissent from the general
chorus of hope and expectation that the South were on their last
legs and that the rebellion would shortly be stamped out； but
gradually； as the train approached the State of Tennessee； the
Unionist opinion； although expressed with even greater force and
violence； was by no means universal。 Many man read their papers
in silence and took no part whatever in the conversation； but
Vincent could see from the angry glances which they shot at the
speakers that the sentiments uttered were distasteful to them。 He
himself had scarcely spoken during the whole journey。 He had for
some time devoted himself to the newspaper； and had then
purchased a book from the newsboy who perambulated the cars。
Presently a rough…looking man who had been among the wildest
and most violent in his denunciation of the South said； looking at
Vincent：
〃I see by the papers to…day that one of the cursed rebel officers
who gave them the slip at Elmira is traveling in the disguise of a
minister。 I guess it's mighty unpleasant to know that even if you
meet a parson in a train like as not he is a rebel in disguise。 Now；
mister； may I ask where you have come from and where you are
going to？〃
〃You may ask what you like；〃 Vincent said quietly； 〃but I am
certainly not going to answer impertinent questions。〃
A hum of approval was heard from several of the passengers。
〃If you hadn't got that black coat on；〃 the man said angrily； 〃I
would put you off the car in no time。〃
〃Black coat or no black coat；〃 Vincent said； 〃you may find it more
difficult than you think。 My profession is a peaceful one； but even
a peaceful man； if assaulted； may defend himself。 You say it's
unpleasant to know that if you travel with a man in a black coat he
may be a traitor。 It's quite as unpleasant to me to know that if I
travel with a man in a brown one he may be a notorious ruffian；
and may as likely as not have just served his time in a
penitentiary。〃
Two or three of tha passengers laughed loudly。 The man； starting
up； crossed the car to where Vincent was sitting and laid his hand
roughly on his shoulder。
〃You have got to get out！〃 he said。 〃No man insults Jim Mullens
twice。〃
〃Take your hand off my shoulder；〃 Vincent said quietly； or you
will be sorry for it。〃
The man shifted his hold to the collar of Vincent's coat amid cries
of shame from some of the passengers； while the others ware
silent； even those of his own party objecting to an assault upon a
minister。 It was only the fact that the fellow was a notorious local
ruffian that prevented their expressing open disapproval of the act。
As the man grasped Vincent's collar with his right hand Vincent
saw his left go under his coat toward the pocket in the back of the
trousers where revolvers were always carried。 In an instant he
sprang to his feet； and before the man； who was taken by surprise
at the suddenness of the movement； could steady himself； he
struck him a tremendous blow between the eyes； and at the same
moment； springing at his throat； threw him backward on to the
floor of the carriage。 As he fell the man drew out his revolver； but
Vincent grasped his arm and with a sharp twist wrenched the
revolver from his grasp； and leaping up； threw it out of the open
window。 The ruffian rose to his feat； for a moment half dazed by
the violence with which ha had fallen； and poured out a string of
imprecations upon Vincent。 The latter stood calmly awaiting a
fresh attack。 For a moment the ruffian hesitated； and then； goaded
to fury by the taunting laughter of the lookers…on； was about to
spring upon him when he was seized by two or three of the
passengers。
〃I reckon you have made a fool enough of yourself already；〃 one of
thcm said； 〃and we are not going to see a minister ill…treated； not if
we know it。〃
〃You need not hold him；〃 Vincent said。 〃It is not because one
wears a black coat and is adverse