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THE BURLINGTON. VT. MIEE PKISSS. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 187. -TWELVE PAGES. THE HJ?J)AC0RA:. BY JOHN at'ELUOY, Author of "Andtrsiinoillr,' Hta. lOopyrlghtcd by Nnllonixl Tribune. rtiMisliiiig Co., end published by arrangement with them.) islllllll.V II HIT crossing till' I lll'l' they pasted n largo K'lit, with u nuinU'r tit others clus tered tllOUIld it. All MI'IH festooned with Confederate lings Mini brilliantly lighted. A haml cm no up 111 front of tho principal ono nnil played tin- "110111110 Hluc I'lag." "That's old llincriil Hrngg's headquarters," said Portlier. "He's tho king boo of ull the Confederates In theso lionh mrts, an' they think ho kin 'Imut make tho mm stand still rf ht wants ter." 'Phoy cantered on ivito tho town, nml going more slowly through tlio great public square and tho inoro crowded streets, eam at last to a modest home, -standing on a coiner, and nearlj hidden by vines and shrublx-ry. A iieculiar knock caused the door to open quickly, and lief ore llnehi-l was hardly nvuro of it, she win slandin? imido a comfortable room, so well lighted that her eyes took some littlo true to get used to such a change. When they did so she saw that she was in tho presence of a slender, eldeily woman, whoso fnco channed her. "This is yer Aunt Debby Urill," said Kort ner, dryly, "who ye canio so fur fur tor sec, an' who's bin 'spoetin' ye quite anxiously." "Yc're very welcome, my dear." said Aunt Dcbby after a moment's inspection, which seemed to In; entirely satisfactory. ".lest lay oir yer things thnr on the lied an' come out tcr eupiH-r. 1 know yu'ro sharp set. A ride from Nmhv illo soch a day ez this is mouty good for the apvtite, nil' we've lied supper woitin ye." Hastily throw iug ofr her lint and gloves slio sat don n with the rest to a homely but excel lent supper, which they all ate in silence. During tho meal a muscular, well knit man of 30 entered. "All c lar outside, Hill?" asked Kortncr. "All elnr,'' replied tho man. "Kverybuly's off on a high o' some kind." Bill sat down and ntu with the rest, until he sati-licd his hunger, and then rising he felt along tho hewed logs which formed the walls until he loiind a splinter to servo as a tooth pick. Using this tor a minute industriously km threw it into the tiro and nuked: "Well!" "Well," answered Kortuer. "I reckon hit's ez Rartln cz anything kin well bo that Wheeler's and Morgan's cavalry hoz been sent off inter Kentucky, and ez thefs what Ole ltosy's lieon wuitin' fur, lion's tho timo fur him ter put in his best licks. Yo'd better start afore midnight fur Nashville. Ye ll hev this news, nn' aKo t hot thar's I icon no chango in the location o' the Confederal, Vopt thet Polk's an' Kirby Smith's coi'i. are both henh at Mui'fioosboro, with a strong brigadi at Stewart's cri-ek, an' another at Jjivergnc. Ye'd I iet tor fall in with I)orcall's rijiincnt, whieh'll go out tor Ijivergne to-night lor re lievo om o' the lijinients thnr. Ye'd liotter not tr. to L'it back heah ng'in tell utter tho battle (food-by. Uod hli ss ye. .Miss, ye'd better git ter Ik d now cz soon cz iOssible, an' rest ycrself fur wluit's comin'. We'll nml (very mite an' grain of our strength." CHAPTKK XIX. THE 1IATT1.K OF hTO.NE RITER. The celebration of Christmas in tho camps around Nashville was abruptly terminated by tho roci plion of orders to march in the morning, with full haversacks and cartridge boxes. Tho next day all the roads lending southward luranv in rivers flowing nrmcd men. Kni.'li-so streams ot blue, thickly glinted everywhere with bright and ominous steel, wound around the hills, poureil over tho plains, and spread out into nnsry lakes wherevi r a Conlndemti) outpot checked the How for a few minutes. Four thousand trooei.s under the heroic Stanley the foam crest on tho war bHlow dashed on in advance. Twelve thousand steadily moving infantry under the luckless M-Cook, poured down tho Franklin turn pike, miles away to the right; twelve thou sand more streamid down the Murfreesboro pike on tho left, with tho banner of tho over weighted Crittenden, while grnnd oldThomas, he whnsn trumpets never sounded forth its treat, but always called to victory, moved steadfast as a glacier in tho center, with as runny more, a sure support and help to those on either hand. The. mighty war wave rolling up tlie deep plateau of tho Cumlcrlnnd was fifteen miles wide now. It would bo less than a third of that when it gathered itself together for its mortal dash npon tho rocks of i-elioHion nt Murfrrt slioro. It was Friday morning that tho wave 1k gau rolling southward. All day Friday, and Patunlay, and Sunday, and Monday it rolled steadily oiiunrd, swooping beforo it tho meiuyjs pickets and outposts ns dry sand by an incoming tide. Monday owning the lead ing divisions stood upon tho bridgo uliero llnchel and Fortner had stooil, anil looked as they did ujin tho lights of Murfreesboro, two miles away. 'Two days from to-morrow is New Year's," said Kent Kdwnrds. "Dear festival of egg no,;;;' how sweet are thy memories. I hope tin Tenuesseo hens nru doing thei.-duty this winter, so that wo'll havo no trouble lindiiig eges when wo get to Murfi'et aIkho to-nior-r iwt" "No mo likely to bo so busy tendering tho voiiipliuient.s ot tho season to Mr. llragg," said Harry, lightly, "that wo will probably havo but littlo timo to mako calls upon the lady hens who keep ojien nests." "Wo all may lie where we'll need lots o' cold water more than nnything else," said Al grimlv. "Well," 'said Kent blithely, "if I'm to Im nindo a sweet littlo angel I don't know any day that I would lather havo for my promo tion to d'lto from. It would havo a very proper liMik to ut in tho full year hero on Mirth, and start In with tho new onu in a world of superior attractions." "Well, I doclnro, if hero isn't Dr. Deaslow," said Harry, delightedly, as ho recognised a horw'tnan, who rode, up to them. "How did you cotjio heiv! Wo thought you Wore per mnently stationed nt the grand hospital." "So I was," replied tho doctor. "So I wns, at least so far us general orders could do it. lint I felt that I could not be nwny fioni my boys at this supremo moment, mid I am here, though C ii regular way in which I detached myself from my post may lequiio expla nation to a court martial. Anyhow , it is a grateful relief to lw away from tho smell of chloride of lime, nnd got n breath of fresh air that is not mingled with tho groans of a ward full of sick men. It looks," ho coutln uisl, with a comprehensive glance at tho firmament of Confederntocaiupflms that mndo Murfreesboro soem tho centre of a ruddy Milky way, ns if tho grand climax is nt last vt liand. llragg, likn tho worm, will nt last Hjrn, nnd after n year of foot races we'll huvo night which will settle who is tho siiioillu ouueat in this alloy. Thoro is ceitiihily ono too nany.'' "Tlio sooner it comes the belter," taid Harry, lliinh'. "It bus to bo sometime, .Hid I'm getting very anxious lor an end to tin ftenml in ,v lung iinl ' uiiuioi uri Ini " Mj' Win-mil llltle fill, Kilit 1 i vv .-ii-ii- put in, ilaintivilv. mo knobby in a b.ii'jlur proof safe, with corns nnd bunions, nil of them more tender than a maiden's heart, nnd painful ns n mistake In n iniker hand. Thoyr'o tho Hki fniit of the thousands of miles of sido hills, 1'vo had to tramp over lpoonusu ot Mr, Hragg's retiring disposition. Now, if ho's got the spirit ot n mail he'll coiuoout from under tho lied and light mo." "O, he'll coino out ho'll tomo out never you fear," slid Alio, sardonic ns usual, "lie's got ii day or two's leisure now to attend to his business, A hundred thousand of him will coiii'i out. They'll swarm out o' them 1 cedar thickets there like grasshoppers out of a timothy Held. ' "Hoys," said Harry, returning nfter n few minutes' nbseiice, "the colonel says wo'll go into camp right hero, justnswostand. Kent, I'll take the canteens nnd hunt up wnter, if you mid Alio will break some cedar boughs for tho lied, and get tho vvotxl to cook supper with." "All right," responded Kent. "I'll go after tho lioughs." "That put mo In for tho wood," grumbled Alio. "Audi don't supioso tjiere's a tenco inside of n mile, nnd if tliero is there's not n jxjplar rail in it." "And doctor," continued Harry, Hinging tho canteens over his shoulders, "you'll stay and take a nip of coilee and sleep with us to-night, won't you? Tho trains nro all far behind, and tho hospital wagon must bo miles away." "Sis'ius to mo that I've heard something of tho impropriety of visiting Jour friends just about meal time," said the doctor quizzically, "but a cup of coffee jint now has more charms for mo thnn rigid etiquette, so I'll thankfully accept your kind invitation. Some day I'll reciprocate with liberality in doses of qui nine." In less time than that taken by well ap pointed kitchens to furnish "Hot Menfs to Order" tho four were hitting on their blankets around a eonifortablo tiro of rails and cedar logs eating hard bread and broiled fat jiork ami drinking strong black coffee, which tho mngic of the open nir had transmuted into delightfully delicate and rclishable viands. "You Hie indebted to me," said Dr. Dens low, ns he finished the last crumb nnd drop of his iortiim of hi food, "for tho accession to your company nt this needful time of a tower of strength in tho ierson of Lieut. Joseph Pancake." Abo gronmd, tho doctor looked nt him with well feigned nstonishnient nnd continued: "Thnt gore hungry patriot, as you know, has lioen home several mouths on recruiting duty, by virtuo of a certificate which ho wheedled out of old Jloxon. At Inst, when he couldn't keep away any longer, ho started Imck, but ho carefully restrained his natural impetuosity in rushing to the tented field, and his journey from Sardis to Nashville was a fine specimen of easy deliberation. There was not a sign of ungeiitleinnnly hurry in any part of it. Ho camo into my ward at Nashville with violent symptoms of a half dozen sjiccdily fatal diseases. I was cruel enough to sco a coincidence in this nftack nnd tho general marching orders, nnd I prescribed for Ids ailments a thorough courso of ojicn nir exercise. To lo sure thnt my prescription would lie taken I had tho provost marshal in terest himself in my atient's case, and the result was that Pancake joined the regiment, nnd so far has found it dilllcult to get away from it It's tlio uncollected that happens, tho French say, and tliero is n bare visibility thnt ho may do tho country some sei vico by tho occidental dischnrgo of his duty." "Tho Kssibility is too remote to wnstc timo considering," said Harry. They lay down together ujion a lied mndo by spreading their overcoats and blankets ujion tho springy cnlar boughs, and all but Harry wt re soon fast asleep. Thoic'li fully as weary a.s they ho could not. -l-ep for hours. He was dominated by a feeling that a crisis in his fa to was at hand, and in he lay and looked at tho stars every po.-sible shapo that that fate could take drifted (uross his mind, oven as tlio endlessly varying cloud shaH's swept now languidly, now hurriedly across tho domed sky above him. And ns the moon and the still's shone through or around each of tho clouds, making the light er ones masses of translucent glory, nnd gild ing tho edges of oven tho blackest with sil very promise, so tho thoughts of ltachel Bond suffused with some brightness every possible happening to him. If ho achieved anything tlio achievement would havo for its chief value that, it won her commendation; if ho fell, tho blackness of death would lie gilded by her knowlodgo thnt ho died a bravo man's death for her sweet sake. Ho listened nwhilo to the mournful whinny of tho mules; to tlio sound of nrtillery rolling up the resonant pike; to the crushing of now ly arrived regiments through tho cedars ns they mado their camps in lino of battle; to littlo spurts of firing lietweon the nervous pickets, and nt last fell asleep to dream that ho was returning to Sardis, maimed but hon or crowned, to claim ltachel as his exultant bride. Tho Christinas forenoon was quite, well ad vanced lieforo tho fatigue of Kachel llond's long rido was sulllciently abated to allow her to awaken. Then a solt hum of voices im pressed itself upon her drowsy senses, and sho oiK'iicd her eyes with tho idea that tliero were several persons in tho room engaged in conversation. Hut sho saw that theiowas only aunt Debby, seated in a low rocking chiiir by the lazily burning Hie, nnd rending aloud from u largo Hiblo that lay ojien upon her knws. ltachel stirred a littlo, nnd Aunt Debby looked up nnd closed tho book. "I'm a feared 1'vo roused ye up loo soon," sho said, coming toward tho lied withnlook of real concern iijkiii her sad, sweet face. "I rnylly didn't intend ter. I jest oiencd tho book ter road tho promise 'bout our Father bet-din' even a spurrer's fall, an' forgot, tin' read on; an' when I read, I must road out loud, ter git tho good of hit. Somo folks pretend they kin understand jest ez well when they read ter themselves. Mobbo they kin." "Oh no," replied Kachel cheerfully, "you didn't distui b mo in tho least. It was time that I got up, and I was glad to hear you read. I'm only troubled with the fear that I've overslept myself, nnd missel the duty that I wns intended tor." "Mnko youi-self easy on thet 'ere score. Yo'll not lio needed to-dny, nor likely to-morrow. Bomo things hov como up ter chango Jim's plans. "I oib very sorry," said liachel, setting up in tho bed and tossing back her long, silken mnno with a single quick, masterful motion. "I wished to go inimodiatelynbout whnt I am -expected to do. I enn do anything lict tcr'ihnn'wait." Aunt'Debby cnine impulsively to the lied tide, thiow an arm nrouinl Itnchel's neck, and kissed her on tho forehead, "I love yo, honey," sho said with admiring tenderness, "Ye 'ro sieh ez all women oi ter lie, Yo'll make heroes ot yer husband and sons. Ye'vo yit to rain, though, thet the most of a woman's lile, uu' tho hardest part of hit. is ter wait." In her fervid state of mind ltachel re sponded electrically to this loving advance, mndo nt the moment of till others when she felt most in need ol sympathy and love. Sho put her sln.iig arm around Aunt Debby, and held her for a moment close to her heart From that inniiieiit the two women liecamo of oil' nii-oi l. oinanlik'', they sought re liifi h' ii huh tension in jighl, urele viinttall. ,iiid - mo for tho trifling details of tlioir surroundings. Aunt Debby brought water mid towels for Itachel's tollot, and fluttered around her, solicitous, helpful and motheily, and ltachel, weary of long com panionship with men, delighted in tho rest fulness of association onco moro with n gen tle, sweet-minded woman, Tho heavy riding hnbit wns entirely too cumlicrsonic for Indoor wear, and ltachel put on instead one of Aunt Dcbby's "llnsoy" gowns, that hung from n jicg, and laughed nt tho prim, demure mountain girl she saw in thoglnss. Altera good breakfast had still farfiier raised her spiiitssho ventured upon n littlo pleasantry nliout tho dramatic possi bilities of a young lady w ho could assiimo different characters with such facility. The day passed quietly, with Hachel study ing such of tho Christmas festivities as wcro visiblo from tho window, and from tlinoto timo exchanging personal history vv ith Aunt Debby. Sho learned that tho latter had left her homo in tho Hockcastlo mountains with tho Union army in tho previous spring, nnd gone on to Chnttnnoogn, to nssjst her nephew, Fortner, in obtaining tho lequired informa tion when Mitchell's army ndviineod against that place In the summer. When tho army retreated to tho Ohio, in Soptonilior, sho had como ns far back as Murfreesboro, nnd tliero stopH-d to await tho iirniy's return, which she was confident would not lie long delayed. "How bravo and devoted you have been," said llnchel warmly, as Aunt Debby con eluded her modestly told story. "No man could have done liotter. "No, honey," replied tiie elder woman, with her w nn fnco coloring faintly, "I've done noth in' but my plain duty, cz I seed hit. I'vodono iiothiu' ter what they would've done hadn't they been taken from mo nforo they hnd n chance. Like one w ho speaks ter us in the lsxik, I'voIk-oii in journeyin's often, in jK-rilsof rob bers, in perils of mine own countrymen, In perils in thecity, in jicrils in tho wilderness, in weariness an' painfulness, in wntchings often, in hunger an' thirst, in fastings often, in cold nn' nnkedncss, but he warns us not ter glory in theso things, but in those which consnrn our infirmities." "How great should bo your reward!" "Don't speak of reward. I only want my freedom when 1'vo 'arned hit tho freedom ter leave nn 'nrth on which I've been left be hind, an' go whiir my husband nn' son nro wnitin' fur me." Sho rose and paced tho floor, with her faco and eyes shining. "Have you no fear of death whatever!" asked llnchel in amazement. "Fear of death I Child, why should 1 rear death I Why should I fear death, more than tho unborn child fears birth! Both nro tho same. Hit can't bo fur tcr thet other world whar they wait fur me. Hit is not ovon cz n journey ter tho next town hit's only ono littlo step through the curtain o' green gross nn' violets on n sunny hillside only one littlo step." She turned nbruptly, and going bnck to her chair by the fireside, seated herself in it, and clasping her knees with her hands, rocked back nnd forth, and sang in a low, sweet croon: Oh. the rapturous, transporting scene, That rises U-r my sight ; Pneet fields at rayed in llvin' green, An' rivers of delight. All o'er those wide, extended plains 1 Shines one eternal day; Thnr Rod, tho Son, forever reigns, ' An' scatters night anny. No ehillin' v inds or poisonous breath Kin reach (hot healthful shore; Sickness nn' sorrow, pain nn' death, Arc felt nn' feared no more. After dark Fortner came in. Doth women studied his face eagerly as ho walked up to the fire. "Nnthin' yet, honey," he said to Aunt Deb by, nnd "Nothin' yet, Miss," to Rachel, and alter a little stay went out. When ltachel awoke the next morning the iky wns lowering darklv. On going to the window sho found n most depressing chango troin the sceiiH of bright merriment she had studied the night liefore. A chill winter rain was falling with dreary persistence, pattering on tlio dead leaves that covered tho ground and soaking into tho sodden earth. Every thing nnd everybody ill sight ndded something to increase tho disinnlness of tho view, and as llnchel continued to gnzo upon it tho "hor rors" took session of her. Sho legnn to brood wretchedly over her position ns n Epy inside me enemy s lines, nnd upon all tho con sequences of that position. It was late that night wiien Fortner camo in. As ho entered tho two exectant women saw, by the ruddy light of tho fire, that his fnco wns set nnd his eyes flashing. Ho hung ms dripping ii.it on a peg m tho chimney and kicked the blazing logs with his wet boots un til n flood of meteor sparks flew up tho throat of tho llreplace. Turning, ho .said, without waiting to lie questi'ined: " ell, tho hunt s liegun at last. Our folks come out'n Nashville this morning in three big armies, marchin' on different roads, an' they liegun slashin' nt tho Confederates wherever they could find 'em. Thar's been fouton at Triune an' Lavergne, nn' all along ine line, i noy msted tlio I'onredorntos out'n ther holes everywhar, nn' druv 'em back on the jump. agon load arter wagon load o' wounded's comin' bnck. I com-1 in ahead of a long train aguino ter the horpitul. Hark! yo kin heah em now." "Well, the hunt's begun at faif." The women listened. They heard the ceaseless patter and swish of tho gloomp rain tho gusty sighs of the wind through tho shade trees' naked branches louder still tho rolling of heavy wheels over the rough streets; and all these were torn and rent by the shrieks of men in ngony. "Poor fellows," said Hnehel, "how they nro sulTeringr' "Think rutlier," said Aunt Debby calmlv. I "of how they've mado othera suffer. Hit's God's judgment on 'em." Hachel turned to Fortner. "Whnt will . como next' Will this end HI WilltlmCon- federates fall bnck and leave this plncol" j "Hardlv This 's on'y like tho fust slap in tho tin o in a fight atween two big savage I men. who've locked horns ter sco which is the liest man. Hit 's on'y a sorter limlierin' ! tho jinn fin' the death rassel." i "Yi s. ami what next -'' 1 "We1! Hi. v'.s stinted fur (hls'ero place, uu' ii Imiiinl b r come heah Hit.'-'s bound ho shn'n t . nine henh, nn" is gittm' his men dock to defend tno town." "Whnt am I what nro wo to do In tho meanwhile?" "Yu'ro terilonothln', on'y stay In the hotiso ez don) ez yo kin, tin' wait tell tho chanco comes ter use ye. Hit may bo tor-niorrcr, nn' hit mayn't lie fur somo days. Theso nrmy moves are mouty imsai tin. Aunt Dcbby '11 take keor on ye, nn' yo'll not bo in a inlto 'o danger. '' "Hut we'll s- you frequently!" "Kz oireii ez I kin arrange hit. I'm net In' ez orderly an' messenger "bout headquarters, but I'll come tcr yo whenever I kin git a chance, tin' keep je posted." This was Friday night. All dny Saturday, an long as the light lasted, Hachel stood at tho window and watched with sinking heart the steady Inflow of the Confedciates from tho mirth. That night she and Aunt Debby waited till midnight for Fortner, but he did not come. All day Sunday she stood at her post, and watched the unabated pouring in on the Nashville pike. Fortner did not como that night. She was dow cast, but no shade distui lied the serenity of Aunt Dcbby's sweet hymning. So it was again on Monday and Tuesday. The continually summing multi tudes weighed down her spit its like a miR stonc. She seemed to lie encompassed by millions of tinned enemies. They npponred inure plentiful than tho trees, or the rocks, or the leaves even. They Idled thestrocts of the littlo town until it seemed impossible for nnother one to find standing room. Their cavalry blackout d the laces of tho long ranges of hills. Their artillery and wagons stiimiied along the ronds in n never ending train. 'I heir camp flnu lighted up tho coun try nt night for miles in all directions. Just at dusk Tuesday night Fortner came in and win wnimly welcomed. "There me such countless hosts of the Con Icdenites," llnchel said to him after the first greeting's were over, "that I tpiito despair of our men ln-ing able to do nnything with them. It wins iiniiossiblo that theio can lio gathered together anywhere else in the world us many men as they have." "I do.i't wonder je think so, but ef yo'd been whar I w uz to-day yo'd think thet nil the world nuz marchin' round in blue uni forms. Over henh hit seems oz ef all tho ce dars on the hills had suddlntlv tin lied into Confederate soldiers. Three miles from heah tho bluecoat.s are swarmin' thicker'n Ws in a field o' buckwheat.'' 'Time miles fmm here! Is our nrmy within llilee miles of here!" "Hit sartinly is, an' tlio Iiord-nwfullcst crowd o' nicti an' guns an' bosses thnt over tmmjiod down the grass o' this ere nirth. Whv, hit jest dazed in' eyes ter look at "em. Como ter this other winder. D'ye sco thet ftn therest line o' camp Hies, 'way on ynnder hill! Well, them's I'nion. Kf yo could see fur enuf ye'd see they re 'bout five miles long, an' they look purtier'n the stars in heaven." "Hut if they are so close the battle will lie. gin immediately, will it not!'' "Hit ain't likely tor be put oil' very long, but thar's no t"llin" what'll happen in war, or when." "When is my time to cornel" "Thet's what I'vo como fur ter tell ye. I'f we'ie agwinoter bo of sarvice ter the guv' inent, wo must do hit to-night, tur most like ly the bnttle'll begin in the morniif. Hit's not jest tho way I intended ter make mo of ye, but hit can't bo heled now. I hev in formation thet must reach Ctlnornl Hoseu ciansafoie daybreak. Tho vict'ry may de Iiend on hit. Ter make sure all on us mint start with hit, fur gittin' thiough the lines is now- mouty dnngi-i-soine, an' somebody inebbo several is hound to git cotcht, nieblio vvuss. The men I exK-cted ter he'p me lire ull gone. 1 hain't nobody now but e an" Aunt Debby. I) ye dar anil try an' make yer way through the lines to-night.'' Hachel thought a minute upon the dread fill possibilities- ol the venture, nnd then replied firmly: "Yes 1 dale. 1 will try anything thnt the rcsl of j on will attempt." "liood. I knowed yo'd talk .het-n-w-iy. Now we must waste no time in pit t in" started, fur (iod on'y knows what dillikiltiis we'll meet on the way, an' Him-ncrain can't hev the information enny too soon. Kv'ry minute hit's kep' away lroiii)iim'll cost many vnllerablo lives mebbo help dufeat the armv." "Toll me quickly, then, what I mint do, that 1 niav liw no timo in undertaking it." "Well, heah's a plan of the position at sun down of the Confederates. Hit's drawed out inoughty loughly, but hit'll show jet whar they all are, an' ubout tho number there is at each place. Hit begins on the right which i south ot Stone river, with Hrei kinmlgo s men; then ocuns tho river is Withers, an' Cheat bain, nn' Cleburne, with McCown's div nion on the left, an' Wharton's cavalry on the Hank. Hut the thing o' most import ance is thet all day long they've been inovin' men round ter ther left, ter fall on our right an' crinh hil. They're hid in the cedar thickets over thnr, an' they'll come out to morrow moi-niii' like u million yelhn' devils, an' try lo sweep our right wing olTen tho faco o' tho arth. D'ye understand whnt 1'vo tolo yef "Yes. Hieckenriilge's division n on their right nnd south of Stone river. Withers, Cheatham mid Cleburne come next, on tho north of the river, with .McCown's division and Whai ton's cavalry on tho left, as shown in the sketch, and they are moving heavy forces around to their lett, with the evident intent mu of fulling overwhelmingly on our rigid earlv in the morning." 'Thet's hit. Thet's hit. Hut lay all the Ft rest, ye kin on the inovin' around ter ther left Thai's mo' mischief in thet thnn all the rest Say thot thar's SO,(XKImcii gwine round thai- this art'rnoon an' evenin'. Say tliet thar's tho biggest thundercloud o' danger that enny one ever sent. Say hit over an' over, tell evervlHuly understands bit an' gits ready tor meet Int. Tell hit till ye've made ev'ry ono on 'em understand thet thar can't bo no mistake about hil, an' they must look out tur lies jis o' trouble on ther right. Tell hit ez yo never tolo any thing nforo. in yer life. Tell hit iv. yo'd pray (Jod Almighty fur tho life o' tho Olio tliet ye love better than all the woild be side An' ijit tlmr ter tell hit git thru the Confederate lines ef ye lovo jer (Iod nil' yer country, an' ye want ter seo the brnro men who in o U-r dio ter-morrer make flu ir death count somothin' to'urd savin' tins I'nion. Hit may lie tliet yoio informal iou'll save the ariuytroiudefe.it. Hit may Im--hit's most likely- thet hit'll save the lives o' thousands o' brave men who lovo ther lives oven vt yo an' mo loves oiirn." "Trust mo to do all that a devoted woman can. 1 will gel through lieforo daybrt-uk or dio in tlio atlempt. Hut how am I to go I" "Hide tins piqu-r somen bar. Aunt Debby'll fix yo up ez n country gal, while I'm gittin' yer mar saddled an' bridled with soino com mon harness, instid n' tho fancy llxin's yo hod when i o rode out heah. ICf yo'i o stopt, ez yo HKely will lie, say thet yo'vo Us-n ter town fur I ho doctor an' some medicine fur yer sick Humility nil' mo tryin' ter git back ter yer lu liu on the south toik o' Overall's citsvk. Now, go an' git icndy cz quick ez the I.ord'11 let ye." As sho hejud the iiiuro'n hoofs in trout of tho door, Rachel camo out with a "slat siiu bouiiet" on her head, and a long, black calico riding skirt over her liiisey divs. Fortner gave h'i ail -re an approving nod. Aunt Dclibj t-'ll-n. d her with n hot He Tins n the niedi' uu y ve Inn tcr i. lrom )r Thackcr henh In t -vv ii. ' she said li.-unliiur n, vinl. "Itemeiiilx-r tho name, flii-fcuryolnout moot soino ono who knows the town. Dr, Thackcr, who lives a littlo pieco offen tho square, an' gives big doses of epecao fur everything, liom bnikcbono fever ter tho itch." "Dr. Thackcr, who lives justoIT tho square," said Ilaehel. "I'll lie certain to remember," "Take this, too," said Portlier, handing her a finely finished revolver, of rather largo caliber. "Don't pull hit onless yo tnii't git along without hit, an' then make sho o' yer mini. Salt him." "Uood-by Cod bless ye," bald Aunt Debby, taking llnchel to her heart ill ft pnssionnto embrace, nnd kissing her rejK-atedly. "Uod bless yo ngln. No one ever lied more need o' His blcssln' then wo'ims will fur the next few hours, Kf Ho does bless us nn' our work wo'll all Ih) safe an' sound in (lineral Ilosen crnns' tent aforo noon. Hut ef His will's different we'll 1m- by thet timo whnr tho Con federates ceino from troublin,' nnd the weary nro at rest. I'm sure thet ef 1 thot tho Con federates war gwino ter whip our men I'd novel' want ter see the sun rise ter-morrer. Good-by; wo'ro all in the hands o' Ilim who teeth even the spurrer's fall." Fortner led the mnio a littlo vvnys, to vhcro ho could get a good viovv, nnd then said: "Thet second IHieo' fires which ye n-e over thnr is our lines them fires I mean which run up inter tlio woods. The lust lino is the Confederates. Yo'll go right out this road heah tell ye git outside the town, an' then turn tor yer right an' make fur the Stono river, lord hit or swim your mar' ncros , an' make jer way thru or round the 'onfeilerato line. Kf ye find a goful road, an everything favorable yo moid try ter make yer way strait thru ef ye think ye kin fool the gynrds with jer story, lit Je're fearful je can't then rido beyond the lines, nn' come inter ours thct-a way. Aunt Debby'll go tcr tho other Hank, nn' try ter git n-past llieckin ridgo's pickets, an' I'll 'tempt tor make my wuy thru the renter. Wo may nil or none o' us git thru. I can't gin ye much advice, ez ye II hev ter trust mainly ter ycrself. Hut remember nil the time whnt linngs upon yer gittin' tho news ter Itosy nforo daybreak. Think nil the time thet meblo yo kin save the hull nrmy, mobbo win the vict'ry, saitinly savo hcoiis o' I'nion lives an' fool tho pizen Confederates. This is the greatest chanco yo'll ever hev ter do good in all yer life, or a hundred more, ef ye could livo em. lood by. Ef Uod Almighty smiles on us we'll tnt fr-in?)rrcr ??u von s-i-J0 "' s;t ,4vup Kf Ho frow ns we'll meet on yon side o' the Bhinin' Hiver Oood-hy." Ho reli-as",! her baud nnd her horse, and Bhe rode forward into the darkness. Her course took her first up a main street, which was crowded with wagons, ambulances and nrtillery. Orouiisof men mingl'-d with these, nnd crowded iqion the ridewnlks. When sho pussed tho light of a window the men stared nt her, and some few presumed upon her I homely garb so far as to venture upon fnco- uous unit complimentary remai Ks, nuneti at securing a lietter ncqunintance. Sho mndo no reply, but hurried her maro onward, as fust as she could pick her way, Sho soon passed out of the limits of the town and was in the country, though she was yet in tho midst of camiis-, and still had to thread her way through inasse3 of men, horses and wagons moving along the road. Tho flrt flutter of perturbation at going out into the darkness nnd the midst of nrmed men had given way to a moro compocd feel ing. No one had stopiied her, or ollered to, no onu had shown any symptom of surprise at her pre. -nee thero at that hour. Sho began to hope thnt this immunity would con tinuo until he had made her way to tho I'nion lines. She h.nl lett tho thick of tho crowd behind sum" distance nnd wns going along nt n fair meo over a clear rood, studying all tho while the line of fires far to her right, in nn attempt lo discover a promising dni k gnp m their extent. She was Mart led by a hand Inid upon her bridle and a voice saying! "Say, Sis, who moil t ye be an' whnr moiit yo be a ino-vin' ter this time o' nighti" Vihe suw a squad of brigandish looking stragglers nt her mare's head. "My name's Polly Itiiggs. I live on the south fork o' Overall's crock I've done lieen ter Dr Thneker's in Murfreesboro, fur somo medicine fur my sick mammy, an' I'm on my way back home, an' I'd bo much oblf'ged ter ye gentlemen ef ye'd 'low mo ter go on, kino mammy's powerful sick an' she's in great hurry lur her medicine." She said thn with a coolness nnd a iit-rfect imitation of the speech and manner of tho section thnt surprised h'-r-elf. As she ended she looki-d directly nt thesqund, and insx-ctcd them She saw she had niison lo l-e nlnrmed. They were those prowling wolvis found about all armies, to vv limn war meant only wider opoi tunities for all manner of villainy and outrage. An unprotected gill was a welcome pri to them. It wns not death as a sj y sho had to fear, but worse. Now, it ever, she must act decisively. The leader took his hand from her bridle, as if to placo it on her. "Yer a powerful i-oait sort of a gnl, nn'cz puity ez n tawn. Yer mummy can pit 'long without the medicine a littlo while, an' " Ho did not tlimh tlio sentence, for liefoie his hand could touch her Ilncliel's whip t ut n divp wa'.e ncioss his face, and then it till so savagelv upon tho mare's flank that the hish-spintl .niinuil sprung forward as if shot from a nlapult, and was a hundred yards wuy In-fore the nncnls teally com prehended what had happcni-il. Onward sped l.i mottled brute, so mad dened by the first cruel blow sho had ever received that she refused to obey the rein, but made her own way by and through such object ils she oiicounteiid. When she at last calmed down the road wis clear and lonely, and ltachel licgau searching for indications of a favorable point of approach to tho river that hinted a a bridge or a ford. While en gaged in this .sho heard voices nppioaching. A moment's listening to tho mingling of tones convinced her thnt it wns another crowd of tragglors:, nnd she obeyed her tint impulse, whi'-Ji wis to leip her horso over a low stono wall to l.er I iglit. Ti.king her bend again, tho maro did not stop until sho gal loped down to tho water's edge. "I'll accept thn in lucky." said Hachel to herself Tho ancients trusttsl more to their horses' instincts thun their own iK-rceptions in ttnifn ot danger, and I'll do tho some, I'll cross here," Blw urged tho mare into the water. Tlve beast pick oil her way among the Iniulders on the bottom uis.'es.sfully for a few minutes. The water ro to ItacheI'M feet, but that seemed iu grouttt depth, and in n few more yards she would gain theoppiwitobank, when suddenly the maro stepped upon a slipjiery steep, har feet went from under her instantly, and steed and rider rolled in tho sweeping flood of ice cold wider, ilacliel's first thought was that sho should surely drown, but hopo came back us sho caught a limb swinging from a tree on tht bunk. With this she held her head alsive water until sho could collect herselt ii Utile nml then with gieat dilllculty pulled heiself up tho ni'iddy, sllpK-ry bank. Tho weight of her soaked clothes added greatly to the dilllculty und futiguo, ami sho I lay for some time prone upon her fnco across the fuiTowo nt a ' ottoii Ik-Id, Ik-Ioiv she could stand eivt V List slu vviwublo to stand up, and she r '.i ' ' -i herselt somewhat by tukuig olTherci.i 1 1 iai -Lift nud wrm ni, tho water from it H'-r mare hnd aUo trained tho liaiik near the same olnt sho hud, and stood luoki.ig ut her with u world of wonder at tho whole night's exierienco in her great brown roor mmg," sum luienei, syuipatueiicany. "This is only tho beginning. Heaven knows what wo won't hn vo to go through with be fore tho sun rises," Sho tried to mount, but her watery gnr- incuts were too lunch for her agility, and with the wet skirts fettering her IIiiiIk sho liegan toiling painfully over the sp ,m;y, plowed ground, in search of n stump - i n rock. Slio thought slio saw ninny iiroiin i .. -r, but on appionchiug ono after another found they were only largo cotton plants, with o lioll or two of ungathered cotton on thorn, which aided the darkness In giving tuo.ii tht r deceptive npH-a: auce. Sho prut tailed hor-,olf from traveling in a circlo by remi-moiring this aptitude of benighted travelers, and ket'is ing her oyc steadily Axed on a distant cotnp flro. When she nt lust camo to tho edc of tho Held sho had to lean against tho fence for some minute1 lieforo sho could recover from her fatigue sulllciently to climb tioii it. While she sat for n minute tliero she heard somo cocks, at n neighboring farmhouse, crow tho turn of night. "It is midnight," she said feverishly, "and I havo only W-guii the journey. Now let every nerve and musclo do its utmost." Sho rode nlong the fence until she camo to nn opening, which led into whnt npicared in the darkness to be nnother cotton Hold, hut proved to 1 n worn-out one, long ago aban doned to tho rank growing briars, wlmh clung to and tore her skirt, and senmed tho mare's di'llctito skin with bleeding furrows. The flinching brute pressed onward, m io itponso to her mistress' encouragement, but tho pi ogress was grievously slow. Presently ltnohol begnn to see moving figures a little way ahead of her, and hear voices in command. She realized thut she was approaching the forces moving to the at tack on tho Union right. Tliero wits some thing grotesque, weinl, even frightful in tho sounds nnd tho asict of tho moving masses nnd figures, but sho at -lost made out thnt they were batteries, regiments nnd mounted men. Sho decided thnt her best courso was to mingle with and move nlong with them, until sho could get n chnnce to ride awny in advance. For hours, that seemed weeks, she remained entangled iu tho slow moving moss, whoso bf" ildering vugnries of motion wero ns trying tu tho endurance of her steed as they weie rxnspcrnting to her own iniptv tienco. Occasionally sho caught glimpses of tho Union tamp fires in tho distance, that, low and smoldering, told of tho vvuning night, and she would look anxiously over her left shoulder for n hint of tho coming of tho drcadtd dawn. Her mare terrified her with symptoms of giving out. At lu't 'ho saw on unmistakable silvery break in tho eastern clouds. Half frantic sho bruko suddenly out of tho throng by an abrupt turn to tho right, and lashing her mare savagely gnlloped where a graying in the dense dm km ss showed an owning be tween two cedar thickets that led to tho picket tires, half n milo away. The mare's hoofs lent sonorously on the level limestone floor, which there frequently uses through the shallow soil and starves out tho cedar. "Halt! Co Kick," commanded a honrso voico in front of lu r, which was acconiiiiiii 1 with the cliiking ot a gunlock. "Yo can t pass heah." "Ixmime pass, mister," sho pleaded. "I'm on'y n gal, with medicine fur my mnmmy, nn' I'm j-owcrful anxious to git home." "No, yo can't git out henh. Orders nro strict; bos-ides, if ye did tho Ynnkces'd cotch ye. They'll j"-t out thnr." Sho became aware that tliero were heavy lines of men lying near, and furi:.0 'o ,y another word sho turned and rode away to the left. Sl.o Nicaine entangl 'd with a 'iv alry company moving toward the extreme Union right, and riding with it sei- il '..m died ymtJs turiKtl nil' into a couveuit :.t gr vo just ns the light began to be sullii-ie.it t- . tingtish her from a trooper. Sho was t"W, she win stnr, outside of the Confederate linos, but she had gono far to the south, whn- 'ho two lines weio wide apait. Tlio Union tilts anil drums, now sounding what seemr- l un unsuspicious and chiei tul reveille, were ap parently at h ast, a milo away. It was grow ing lighter rapidly, and every passing mo ment was fraught with tho weightiest ui gency She concentrated all her energies fi r a supreme i fl'oit, and lashed her uiarefn ward over the muddy cotton field. The beast's hoofs sank in tho looso red loam as if it were quicksand, and her pace was madden ingly slow. At last Ilaehel came iu sight of a I'nion cr.mp at the edge of a cedar thicket Tho amis weio stacked, the men were cooking breakfast, nnd a battery of cannon sta'tr l.g near had no l-or.-es attaclud. ltucliel lieal the oor mare's flanks furious ly, mid shouted: "Turnout! The icIk-Is nro coming! The li-U'ls are coming!" H'-r warning came too late. Too late, also, camo that of fin- pu kels.who were tiring their guns and rushm Isn k to camp before an aw ful wave of men that had roll, 1 out of tl.o cedars on the other tide of the cotton Held A bundled I nisterous drtiius weionow nir. . ing the thickets ring with the "long roil." ltachel safi the men m front of her leave their colfee muking, rush to tho lninkct stacks, seize then guns and take their places in line. Iu another minute they wero ordered forwn- d to tho fence in 1 1 out ot them, uK)n which they rested their muskets. Kncjicl rode through their lint- and turned around to look. Tl.o broad cotton field was eovoied with snl.il masses of Confederates, lmbing forward w.'h their iH-eiiliai- fierce yell. "Fire!" slioubil the colonel in front of her. The six field pieces to her right split her ears with their crush. A thousand muskets blozul out n the thnt withered tho first line of ti.o advancing foe Another crash, and the Con federates had answered with musketry ard nrtilleiy, that lore the cedars around her, sent the fence mils Hying into the nir and -i ve ered tho ground with blue coats. Her faith ful mare shied, caught her hoof in a crack m the limestone, ami fill with a broken leg So began that teirihk' Wednesday, IX ' 1, 18C2. Hrngg's plan of Kittle was very simple. Iloseiicrnns had si i etched out a long thin wing through the redan, to the right of the pike. At the pike it was very strong, but two m:ns aw ay it degt iterated into scattered regiuu ' s, uuskillfully disposed, llragg threw against these three or four to one, with all the fury of the southern soldier iu the onset. The line was crumbled, and liefore noon crushed back to the pike. (To he cMiiclKdctl next leech.) "Golden Medical Discovery" the p-KRt blood-purl tier. The News of the WreU, Why, it is that they were all made stronf by taking Ceijihy CoMrou.Ni), What else should the news of tho uvM be ? Ilneklen'a Arnica Halve. Tub Best Balvk in tho world fci'"jtr Onuses, So roe. Ulcers. Salt Hheuni, Fever fc r e Totter, Chapped Ilnnds, Chilblains Corne, and allSklu Eruptions, and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It U KUnrnntceo' to gl-s perfect satlsfactlor, or money refunded. Price 25 cents per hex. F sul v r.cr.upre A bowtev You hnr-ilv riim7 Hint it is medli me, w'cr taking titi-lcr's bi'i Live Pills they nrc ! very small tiolunlftt Ms !. troubles O ir I torpid liver are icin vol by thurus- .