old butter dish. The other
spoons were never found, although long after it was learned that the
thief had thrown them into the creek.

Immediately after learning what was to be ascertained concerning
Totterly, Levi had gone off with General and Clinker to run the men
down, were such a thing possible. The overseer was gone two days and a
night, and came back looking worn and haggard.

"I couldn't catch him, try my best," he said. "He has escaped into
Tennessee, and I doubt very much if any of us ever lay eyes on him
again."

From one of the prisoners they had received a very good description of
the guerilla, who was said to be tall, with a marked stoop to his left
shoulder, and with a long nose which did not point directly ahead, but
somewhat to the right. He was said to be a well-educated man, inclined
to drink, and was put down as using "school English."

"We shall never see or hear of him again," sighed Mrs. Lyon. "The money
and that precious paper are gone forever."

"I don't see why he took the paper," said Artie. "I don't believe it is
of any value excepting to father."

"We ought to write to father at once," said Hope, who, though younger
than any present, took a deep interest in what had occurred. "If the
paper concerned the slaves, what will he do if it is not found?"

"That's the conundrum, Hope," answered her big brother. "I'll write
to-night, and father will get the letter inside of forty-eight hours, I
think."

The major and the captain had expected to have a right royal time at
home while on their furlough; but the attack on Riverlawn had upset all
of their calculations. Nevertheless, they were warmly welcomed by those
at the plantation, and Kate Belthorpe made Deck especially happy by
coming over with her sister to spend a whole day at the mansion.

The furlough of the major and the captain was for ten days, and before
the time was up a letter came from Colonel Lyon, stating that he had
received the news of the attack on Riverlawn even before Deck's
communication was handed to him. The loss of the private document
intrusted to him by his dead brother worried him greatly, but he
presumed everything possible was being done to recover it, so he would
not risk leaving his command to take a hand personally.

"General Rosecrans is almost certain the enemy is up to some movement,"
he added. "I was talking to Colonel Minty only yesterday, and he thinks
we shall have work cut out for us inside of a week