sery he saw, and the shocking destruction of
God's good works. He said that he could not bring himself to fight (even
if he were young enough) against his own dear countrymen, one of whom
was his own grandson; at the same time he felt that they must be put
down for trying to have things too much their own way. About slavery, he
had seen too much of niggers to take them at all for his equals, and no
white man with any self-respect would desire to be their brother. The
children of Ham were put down at the bottom, as their noses and their
lips pronounced, according to Divine revelation; and for sons of Japheth
to break up the noblest nation in the world, on their account, was
like rushing in to inherit their curse. As sure as his name was Sampson
Gundry, those who had done it would get the worst, though as yet they
were doing wonders. And there could be no doubt about one thing--which
party it was that began it. But come what would of it, here he was; and
never would Saw-mills see him again unless he brought Firm Gundry. But
he wanted news of poor Miss 'Rema; and if any came to the house, they
must please to send it to the care of Colonel Baker, headquarters of the
Army of the Potomac.

This was the very thing I wished to know, and I saw now how stupid I
must have been not to have thought of it long ago. For Colonel Baker
was, to my knowledge, an ancient friend of Uncle Sam, and had joined the
national army at the very outbreak of the war. Well known not only in
California, but throughout the States, for gallantry and conduct, this
officer had been a great accession to the Federal cause, when so many
wavered, and so he was appointed to a good command. But, alas! when I
told Colonel Cheriton my news, I learned from him (who had carefully
watched all the incidents of the struggle) that Uncle Sam's noble friend
had fallen in the battle of Ball's Bluff, while charging at the head of
his regiment.

Still, there was hope that some of the officers might know where to find
Uncle Sam, who was not at all a man to be mislaid; and being allowed
to accompany my English friends, I went on to Washington. We found
that city in a highly nervous state, and from time to time ready to be
captured. General Jackson was almost at the gates, and the President
every day was calling out for men. The Army of Virginia had been beaten
back to intrenchments before the capital, and General Lee was invading
Maryland. Battle followed battle, thick as blo