Hunt over in southwestern Virginia, where Morgan had
at last got a new command only a few months before. Harry made no word
of comment, but Chad's heart got bitter as gall as he listened. And
this had happened to the Deans while he was gone to serve them. But the
bloody Commandant of the State would be removed from power--that much
good had been done--as Chad learned when he presented himself, with a
black face, to his general.

"I could not help it," said the General, quickly. "He seems to have
hated the Deans." And again read the despatches slowly. "You have done
good work. There will be less trouble now." Then he paused. "I have had
a letter from General Grant. He wants you on his staff." Again he
paused, and it took the three past years of discipline to help Chad
keep his self-control. "That is, if I have nothing particular for you
to do. He seems to know what you have done and to suspect that there
may be something more here for you to do. He's right. I want you to
destroy Daws Dillon and his band. There will be no peace until he is
out of the way. You know the mountains better than anybody. You are the
man for the work. You will take one company from Wolford's regiment--he
has been reinstated, you know--and go at once. When you have finished
that--you can go to General Grant." The General smiled. "You are rather
young to be so near a major--perhaps."

A major! The quick joy of the thought left him when he went down the
stairs to the portico and saw Harry Dean's thin, sad face, and thought
of the new grave in the Deans' garden and those two lonely women in
exile. There was one small grain of consolation. It was his old enemy,
Daws Dillon, who had slain Joel Turner; Daws who had almost ruined
Major Buford and had sent him to prison--Daws had played no small part
in the sorrows of the Deans, and on the heels of Daws Dillon he soon
would be.

"I suppose I am to go with you," said Harry.

"Why, yes," said Chad, startled; "how did you know?"

"I didn't know. How far is Dillon's hiding-place from where Morgan is?"

"Across the mountains." Chad understood suddenly. "You won't have to
go," he said, quickly.

"I'll go where I am ordered," said Harry Dean.

CHAPTER 26.

BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER AT LAST

It was the first warm day of spring and the sunshine was very soothing
to Melissa as she sat on the old porch early in the afternoon. Perhaps
it was a memory of childhood, perhaps she was thinking of the happy