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a history of my whole life； where I was born； and where I went to
school； and whether I prefer beef to mutton； and whether I drink
beer； and a thousand other things。 No； the sooner I am away the
better。 As to the hotel； I have only had one meal； and they have
got the bag with what clothes there are； that will pay them well。〃
Accordingly when he rejoined Dan he told him that they would
start at once。
〃It is the best way； anyhow；〃 he said。 〃To…morrow； no doubt； the
fellow I had the row with will be watching the hotel to see which
way I go off； but after once seeing me go to the hotel he will not
guess that I shall be starting this evening。 What have you got left；
Dan？〃
〃I got two dollars； sah。〃
〃That makes us quite rich men。 We will stop at the first shop we
come to and lay in a stock of bread and a pound or two of ham。〃
〃And a bottle of rum； sah。 Berry wet and cold sleeping out of doors
now； sah。 Want a little comfort anyhow。〃
〃Very well； Dan； I think we can afford that。〃
〃Get one for half a dollar； massa。 Could not lay out half a dollar
better。〃
Half an hour later they had left Nashville behind them； and were
tramping along the road toward the east； Dari carrying a bundle in
which the provisions were wrapped； and the neck of the bottle of
rum sticking out of his pocket。 As soon as they were well in the
country Vincent changed his clothes for those Dan had just bought
him； and making the others up into a bundle continued his way。
〃Why you not leave dem black clothes behind； sah？ What good
take dem wid you？〃
〃I am not going to carry them far； Dan。 The first wood or thick
clump of bushes we come to I shall hide them away； but if you
were to leave them here they would be found the first thing in the
morning； and perhaps be carried into the town and handed over to
the police； and they might put that and the fact of my not having
returned to the hotel…which is sure to be talked about…together； and
come to the conclusion that either Mullens was right and that I was
an escaped Confederate； or that I had been murdered by Mullens。
In either case they might get up a search； and perhaps send
telegrams to the troops in the towns beyond us。 Anyhow； it's best
the clothes should not be found。〃
All night they tramped along； pausing only for half an hour about
midnight； when Dan suggested that as he had only had some bread
to eat…and not too much of that…during the last forty…eight hours； he
thought that he could do with some supper。 Accordingly the
bundle was opened； and they sat down and partook of a hearty
meal。 Dan had wisely taken the precaution of having the cork
drawn from the bottle when he bought it； replacing it so that it
could be easily extracted when required； and Vincent
acknowledged that the spirit was a not unwelcome addition to the
meal。 When morning broke they had reached Duck's River； a
broad stream crossing the road。
Here they drew aside into a thick grove； and determined to get a
few hours' sleep before proceeding。 It was nearly midday before
they woke and proceeded to the edge of the trees。 Vincent
reconnoitered the position。
〃It is just as well we did not try to cross； Dan。 I see the tents of at
least a regiment on the other bank。 No doubt they are stationed
there to guard the road and railway bridge。 This part of the
country is pretty equally divided in opinion； though more of the
people are for the South than for the North； but I know there are
guerrilla parties on both sides moving about； and if a Confederate
band was to pounce down on these bridges and destroy them it
would cut the communication with their army in front； and put
them in a very ugly position if they were defeated。 No doubt that's
why they have stationed that regiment there。 Anyhow； it makes it
awkward for us。 We should be sure to be questioned where we are
going； and as I know nothing whatever of the geography of the
place we should find it very difficult to satisfy them。 We must
cross the river somewhere else。 There are sure to be some boats
somewhere along the banks； at any rate； the first thing to do is to
move further away from the road。〃
They walked for two or three miles across the country。 The fields
for the most part were deserted； and although here and there they
saw cultivated patches； it was evident that most of the inhabitants
had quitted that part of the country； which had been the scene of
almost continued fighting from the commencement of the war； the
sufferings of the inhabitants being greatly heightened by the bands
of marauders who moved about plundering and destroying under
the pretense of punishing those whom they considered hostile to
the cause in whose favor…nominally； at least…they had enrolled
themselves。 The sight of ruined farms and burned houses roused
Vincent's indignation； for in Virginia private property had； up to
the time of Pope's assuming command of the army； been respected；
and this phase of civil war was new and very painful to him。
〃It would he a good thing；〃 he said to Dan； 〃if the generals on both
sides in this district would agree to a month's truce； and join each
other in hunting down and hanging these marauding scoundrels。
On our side Mosby and a few other leaders of hands composed
almost entirely of gentlemen； have never been accused of practices
of this kind； but； with these exceptions； there is little to choose
between them。〃
After walking for four or five miles they again sat down till
evening； and then going down to the river endeavored to find a
boat by which they could cross； but to their disappointment no
craft of any kind was visible； although in many places there were
stages by the riverside； evidently used by farmers for unloading
their produce into boats。 Vincent concluded at last that at some
period of the struggle all the boats must have been collected and
either sunk or carried away by one of the parties to prevent the
other crossing the river。
Hitherto they had carefully avoided all the farmhouses that
appeared to be inhabited； but Vincent now determined to approach
one of them and endeavor to gain some information as to the
distance from the next bridge； and whether it was guarded by
troops； and to find out if possible the position in which the
Northern forces in Tennessee were at present posted…all of which
points he was at present ignorant of。 He passed two or three large
farmhouses without entering； for although the greater part of the
male population were away with one or other of the armies； he
might still find two or three hands in such buildings。 Besides； it
was now late； and whatever the politics of the inmates they would
be suspicious of such late arrivals； and would probably altogether
refuse them admittance。 Accordingly another night was spent in
the wood。
The next morning； after walking a mile or two； they saw a house at
which Vincent determined to try the