The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-19

breakfast in small kitchen near by, the old
man stood in the yard, in front of the door,
going through an exercise with h0e-handle,
to show us how he was taught the manual OF
arms when young man, many long years ago,
on the shores of Lake Erie. After breakfast he
told us we could camp in his woods for the day,
and promised, in case he should hear or see
anything that might endanger our safety, that
he would have 'Sallie give three toots on the
dinner horn, repeated three times at short in
teryals." At this signal we were to be on our
guard At leaving, he filed our pockets with
eorn-dodgers and dried beef, and told us where
to go. We followed his instructions and found
nice retreat behind large log, about four feet
In diameter, in a dense copse. We gathered
some leaves for bed, and, after talking over
the incidents of our journey, divided ourselves
into three watches as usual, and two of us went
to sleep while the other kept guard. The day
passed quietly, and we were not disturbed by
Sallie's horn "a blast from which was as
much dreaded by US as if it had come from Ca
briefs. At dark we were off again, over fields
and woods, till we came to a road bearing nearly
west. This we followed at a rapid gait. In the
early evening we met three or four persons on
the road, but as soon as we saw or heard them
approach We hid in the bush. We were like
desperate criminals fleeing from justice, and
we felt as if every mans hand was against us.
OVER THE MoUNTAINs
Towards midnight we struck a mora broken
country, and at last came to what is called
Turkey Mountain. 1t was not very formid-
able and we crossed it by following the mean
derings of small creek, the road crossing it
every few rods, and compelling US to wade the
stream each time. 1t was about knee deep and
as cold as ice, and we must have crossed it
thirty or more times in going three miles.
About three o'clock in the morning we came out
into a valley west of the mountain. We were
very much chilled by this time, and began to
look about for some place to build a fire. We
finally came across cabin, in which a small
light was seen. We raped, and a small lad
got up and opened the door. We told him
we wanted to warm ourselves, as we were
very cold, and had been travelling all
night, and that we were Confederate officers
out on some secret duty for the government.
We warned him not to tell anybody that he
had seen Us, i'll case any one should come along
inquiring for such persons as We were, and he
promised US he would not. He informed us, also.
that his parents were away from home and
that there was no one there but himself and
his two big sisters. After he had built up
good warm fire we told him he might go to
bed again, as we would not do him or any one
else any harm. He did as we told him, and
he actually thought we were marshals. We
sat around the fire till nearly day, warmed
ourselves thoroughly and rested our weary
limbs. Just as we were starting the lad got up
again, and we asked him TO give US something
to eat. He said he could not do this, as there
was none cooked, and, as we did not feel like
waiting, heshowed us across field TO where his
Aunt Reynolds lived, and said we would be
certain to get something there to eat. We
reached the house just at the time that Mrs.
Reynolds was building her fires. We entered
her cabin, told her who we were. and
asked for breakfast. Indeed, we put ourselves
entirely in her power by telling over again our
sad story of prison life. She listened with much
patience, and when we got through she ex-
claimed: " Is it possible that you are some of
those brave men who escaped from Danville
There were people all through here yesterday
hunting for your men. But" using consider
able emphasis, you need not be afraid of me.
/ am Union, and so are all my people. Sam
and never agreed upon this question. He is
my husband. and is now in the rebel army, but
| to tell you the truth he and / could never see
alike anyhow" We hardly knew what to
make of her, but she pressed us so cordially to
sit down and make ourselves easy, assuring US
! that she would have our breakfast ready in a
| few minutes, that we did so. While she at
| tended to the cooking in another room we sat
about the devotion and loyalty of the poorer
| class of women in Virginia.
| We did not dream of any danger, when who
| should come boldly stalking into the room but
man dressed IN grey rebel uniform and carry
| ing an Enfield rifle. He sat down near the door
! and appeared as if at home. He held his rifle
| between knees aud began TO chat quite freely
| For moment thought it was all over with
us, and that we had walked deliberately into
| trap.
To be continued.l