d to hardship now that they paid no attention to it.

But this rough riding soon showed so much effect upon the horses that
Colonel Winchester led aside into the woods and fields, keeping parallel
with the road. Now and then they stopped to pull down fences, but they
still made good speed. Twice they saw at some distance cabins with the
smoke yet rising from the chimneys, but the colonel did not stop to ask
any questions. Those he thought could be asked better further on.

Twice they crossed creeks. One the horses could wade, but the other was
so deep that they were compelled to swim. On the further bank of the
second they stopped a while to rest the horses and to count the men to
see that no straggler had dropped away in the darkness. Then they sprang
into the saddle again and rode on as before through a country that
seemed to be abandoned.

There was a certain thrill and exhilaration in their daring ride. The
smoke and odors of the battle about Donelson were blown away. The dead
and the wounded, the grewsome price even of victory, no longer lay
before their eyes, and the cold air rushing past freshened their blood
and gave it a new sparkle. Every one in the little column knew that
danger was plentiful about them, but there was pleasure in action in the
open.

Their general direction was Nashville, and now they came into a country,
richer, better cultivated, and peopled more thickly. Toward night they
saw on a gentle hill in a great lawn and surrounded by fine trees a
large red brick house, with green shutters and portico supported by
white pillars. Smoke rose from two chimneys. Colonel Winchester halted
his troop and examined the house from a distance for a little while.

"This is the home of wealthy people," he said at last to Dick, "and we
may obtain some information here. At least we should try it."

Dick had his doubts, but he said nothing.

"You, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Warner and Sergeant Whitley, dismount with
me," continued the colonel, "and we'll try the house."

He bade his troop remain in the road under the command of the officer
next in rank, and he, with those whom he had chosen, opened the lawn
gate. A brick walk led to the portico and they strolled along it, their
spurs jingling. Although the smoke still rose from the chimneys no door
opened to them as they stepped into the portico. All the green shutters
were closed tightly.

"I think they saw us in the road," said Dick, "and this is a house of
s