spected, but a party like ours would be far less likely
to excite suspicion. Every foot we get south we shall find ourselves
more and more among people who are friendly to us, and although they
might be afraid to give shelter to men, they would not refuse to take
women in. I really think, Miss Kingston, that this plan is the best. In
the first place, it would be a dangerous journey for you through the
woods to Nashville, and if you fall into the hands of any of those
ruffians who have been here you may expect no mercy. At Nashville you
will have great difficulty in obtaining employment of any kind, and even
suppose you went further north your position as a friendless girl would
be a most painful one. As to your staying here, that is plainly out of
the question. I think that there is no time to lose in making a
decision. Those fellows may go to the camp at the bridge, give their
account of the affair, declare that they have been attacked by a party
of Confederate sympathizers, and return here with a troop of horse."

"What do you say, Chloe?" Lucy asked.

"I'se ready to go wid you whereber you like, Miss Lucy; but I do tink
dat, in times like dis, dat a young gal is best wid her own folk. It may
be hard work getting across, but as to danger dar can't be much more
danger than dar has been in stopping along here, so it seems to me best
to do as dis young officer says."

"Very well, then, I will, sir. We will go under your protection, and
will give you as little trouble as we can. We will be ready in five
minutes. Now, Chloe, let us put a few things together. The fewer the
better. Just a small bundle which we can carry in our hands."

In a few minutes they returned to the room, Chloe carrying a large
basket, and looking somewhat ruffled.

"Chloe is a little upset," the girl said, smiling, "because I won't put
my best clothes on; and the leaving her Sunday gown behind is a sore
trouble to her."

"No wonder, sah," Chloe said. "Why, dey say dat thar am no pretty
dresses in de 'Federacy, and dat blue gown wid red spots is just as good
as new, and it am downright awful to tink dat dose fellows will come
back and take it."

"Never mind, Chloe," Vincent said, smiling. "No doubt we are short of
pretty dresses in the South, but I dare say we shall be able to find you
something that will be almost as good. But we must not stand talking.
You are sure you have got everything of value, Miss Kingston?"

"I have got my purse," sh