throwing it can, by a certain gauge, give himself plenty of time to be
entirely out of the sight of any one who might chance to be near. In
that way he would not even be suspected. When the explosion takes place
the flames will instantly cover an entire block of buildings. It has
been so thoroughly tested that there is now no longer any doubt of the
destructive power of the material.'

"Capt. Redingson here interposed a question, desiring to know if this
would come within the range of civilized warfare?

"'Civilized warfare!' said Dr. Blackman; 'what do I care for the rules
of civilized warfare? Have not these Yankees destroyed our property?
Are they not setting our slaves free? Is not that destruction of our
property rights?'

"'Yes,' said Capt. Redingson; 'but this is retaliation on property and
persons that are not doing any injury. You must remember that we
have many good friends North, and this mode of warfare would be the
destruction of women and children.'

"'Very well,' said Dr. Blackman; 'let that be so. If those people are,
as you say, our friends, let them join in and help us. They can stop
this war if they want to do so. No, sir! they are only pretended
friends. They are after the dollar, and play between the lines!'

"Jacob Thomlinson here spoke up, saying: 'You are quite right, Doctor;
we cannot look for help from any of those people, and the sooner we
light up their cities with a grand and bright light the better!'

"'Very well, gentlemen; I was merely wishing to understand the matter,'
said Capt. Redingson.

"Dr. Blackman by this time was walking to and fro across the room
somewhat excitedly. Halting in front of Capt. Redingson, he said: 'I
presume that your Christian sentiments would revolt at my proposition,
and to which the authorities have already assented.'

"'What is that?' quickly inquired Capt. Redingson.

"'It is to spread disease in the Northern cities and through the
Northern army.'

"The Captain promptly replied: 'Well, sir, this would be a novel way of
fighting battles. I had supposed that physicians were educated in the
line of preventing and curing diseases, and not in the practice of how
to spread them.'

"'Yes, sir! as a principle, that is so; but in a case like this, where
is the difference between shooting a man to death and poisoning him to
death?' said the Doctor.

"'Doctor, I can see a very great difference. In the one case you fight
him, giving him an equal chance w