-if a deeper feeling had not already inspired him--had set out
from Bellevue for the purpose of warning her family of the danger to
which they were exposed, and, if he found it necessary, remaining to
assist in their defence. He had intended, immediately he could do so,
to ride on to Montego, to bring up such forces as he could collect, and
to disperse the rebels wherever they could be found; but from the
information his companions gained as they rode along, that large bands
of rebels were already in arms in the intermediate country, he feared
that he should be unable to force his way through them unless with a
stronger party than he now had with him. He was acting according to his
judgment for the best. He certainly could, not leave his friends at
Bellevue without as soon as possible sending them assistance, while most
of his present companions were bound to go on to Walton with young
Pemberton. As they pushed forward as fast as their horses could go,
they frequently caught sight of negroes, three and four together, who
invariably ran away from them. A few old men and women in a great state
of alarm were, however, found in the villages. They said that the
younger men had run off to hide themselves, asserting that they were
afraid of the rebels. But it seemed doubtful whether such was the case,
or whether they had gone to join them. Jack Pemberton, who acted as
guide, now told the major that they were approaching Walton Hall, and
pointed out a house situated on an eminence, the ground sloping round
it. On one side, up which the road led to the front door, the ascent
was more gradual than on the others.

"I am in great hopes, sir, that the rebel negroes, notwithstanding what
we heard, have not got here yet," said Jack Pemberton. "If they have we
must look out for them, for they cannot be far off, and we shall see
them as soon as we have passed this wood."

He led the way to the left round a grove of tall trees, when, in an open
space which intervened between the wood and the foot of the hill on
which the house stood, a large body of blacks were seen marshalling
their forces, evidently preparing to attack the place. The party of
horsemen were soon discovered, and the negroes, three or four hundred in
number at least, faced about, and seeing a few white men, with their
usual shrieks and shouts advanced to attack them.

"Now, my friends," exclaimed the major calmly, "we must cut our way
through these fellows.