be put on their
guard by these facts being made public. Gen. Silent only escaped, as it
seemed, by a miracle, as he had agreed to accompany the President that
night and was only prevented by his wife's trunks with her wardrobe
being carried by Washington to Baltimore that afternoon.

[Illustration: The shooting of President Lincoln by Wilkes 431]

"The intelligence of Mr. Lincoln's death, as it trembled along the wires
on the morning of the 15th to every portion of this Republic, coming
as it did in the midst of universal rejoicing, firing of cannon and
unfurling of banners, struck dumb those who a moment before were
shouting with joy. Language nor pen can adequately express the horror
and grief with which the people were stricken. A Nation's shouts of joy
and triumph at one moment, were the next turned into grief and sorrow.
The people were bowed down and bathed in tears. The shadows of gloom
were on every countenance. The flags that were floating in triumph one
moment were the next at half-mast. Almost instantaneously all houses
were draped in mourning. Women ran into the streets wringing their hands
and weeping aloud. Children ran to and fro to learn the cause of the
great change from joy to overwhelming grief. Each family wept as though
for the loss of their first-born. The soldiers in the field had lost
their idol; the colored people had lost their deliverer from the
wilderness of slavery.

"The people gathered in their places of worship and mingled their tears
with their prayers. A dark pall hung over the whole land. The people
seemed to lose heart. The very earth seemed to groan and cry out against
the horrible deed. The enemies of the Government were alarmed and
shocked at this terrible crime, growing out of their own course of
conduct. Foreign Governments were horrified at the atrocity of the
fiendish resentment shown. Many men became alarmed and hastened to leave
the country. Some left for Mexico, some for South America, and some for
Europe.

"The Vice-President had now taken the oath of office and had entered
upon the duties of President. Lincoln was dead; the last act in the
bloody drama on the program of the conspirators had been played."

CHAPTER XXI.

SCHEME FOR A NEW REBELLION.--ANDREW JOHNSON AND HIS CO-
CONSPIRATORS.--THE GENERAL OF THE ARMY AND SECRETARY OF WAR
SAVE THE COUNTRY.--"TOM" ANDERSON'S BRUTAL MURDER.--UNCLE
DANIEL DIES.

"Forgiveness to the injured do