he lights he had seen on the
clouds the night before, and knowing how deadly was the enmity that
existed between Union men and Confederates in his State, could hope for
nothing but the worst, and Rodney thought from the expression on his
face and his wife's, that they were endeavoring to nerve themselves for
a most trying ordeal. Would he have to stand by and see their buildings
go up in smoke? He hoped not, and when the officer commanding the squad
came up and shook hands with him and Tom, Rodney was ready to say
something in Mr. Truman's favor.

"You have been insulted, boys," said the officer, in a tone which
implied that now was the time for them to take any revenge they wanted.
"When I was surrounding the house I heard one of these Yankee
sympathizers using rather strong language, and denouncing you as
Secessionists trying to impose upon Union men."

"I don't hold that against him, for to tell you the truth, that's just
the way the thing stands," answered Rodney. "I have been playing Union
man ever since I left Mr. Westall and his squad of Emergency men near
Cedar Bluff landing. I had to, for somehow I didn't fall in with any but
people of that stamp."

"That was all right," answered the officer. "You couldn't have got
through any other way."

"So you see that Merrick's darkey told you nothing more than the plain
truth," he added, addressing the citizen who had shaken a fist under his
nose.

"I was sure of it, and I am not sorry for what I did or said," replied
the Union man, boldly. "I am sorry that the thing happened in Truman's
house, and I wish to assure you that he is in no way to blame for our
being here. You've got the power on your side now, and I suppose you
will use it; but whatever you do to us, I hope you will not harm
Truman."

"I say that a man who can talk like that when he is in danger himself,
has pluck," Rodney remarked, turning his back to the citizen and
speaking so that no one but the officer and Tom could catch his words.

"Oh, they've all got pluck," replied the officer. "And they hang
together like a lot of brothers."

"And I say further, that brave men ought not to be harmed when they are
perfectly helpless, as these men are now," continued Rodney. "You
haven't anything against them, have you, colonel?"

"Captain," corrected the latter, pointing to the insignia on his collar.
"You'll soon learn how to tell one rank from another. N-o; I don't know
that I have anything against the