It was getting late in the afternoon, but he rode on by unfrequented roads, stopping occasionally to inquire if any of the Federal cavalry had been seen in the neighborhood, and at last stopped for the night at a little village inn.As soon as it was daybreak he resumed his journey.He had purchased at Burksville some colored calico and articles of female clothing, and fastened the parcel to the back of his saddle.As he rode forward now he heard constant tales of the passing of parties of the enemy's cavalry, but he was fortunate enough to get well round to the rear of the Federal lines before he encountered any of them.Then he came suddenly upon a troop.
"Where are you going to, and where have you come from?""Our farm is a mile away from Union Grove," he said, "and I have been over to Sussex Courthouse to buy some things for my mother.""Let me see what you have got there," the officer said."You are rebels to a man here, and there's no trusting any of you."Vincent unfastened the parcel and opened it.The officer laughed.
"Well, we won't confiscate them as contraband of war."So saying he set spurs to his horse and galloped on with his troop.
Vincent rode on to Union Grove, and then taking a road at random kept on till he reached a small farmhouse.He knocked at the door, and a woman came out.
"Mother," he said, "can you put me up for a couple of days? I am a stranger here, and all the villages are full of soldiers."The woman looked at him doubtfully.
"What are you doing here?" she asked at last."This ain't a time for strangers; besides a young fellow like you ought to be ashamed to show yourself when you ought to be over there with Lee.My boys are both there and my husband.You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a strong-looking young fellow like you, to be riding about instead of fighting the Yankees.Go along! you will get no shelter here.I would scorn to have such as you inside my doors.""Perhaps I have been fighting there," Vincent said significantly.
"But one can't be always fighting, and there are other things to do sometimes.For instance, to find out what the Yankees are doing and what are their plans.""Is that so?" the woman asked doubtfully.
"That is so," he answered earnestly."I am an officer in Wade Hampton's cavalry, and, now Sheridan's troopers have cut off all communication, I have come out to find for General Lee where the Yankees are building their batteries before Petersburg.""In that case you are welcome," the woman said."Come straight in.I will lead your horse out and fasten him up in the bush, and give him a feed there.It will never do to put him in the stable; the Yankees come in and out and they'd take him off sharp enough if their eyes fell on him.I think you will be safe enough even if they do come.They will take you for a son of mine, and if they ask any questions I will answer them sharp enough.""I wonder they have left you a feed of corn," Vincent said, when the woman returned after taking away his horse.
"It's no thanks to them," she answered; "they have cleared out everything that they could lay their hands on.But I have been expecting it for months, and, as I have had nothing to do since my man and boys went away, I have been digging a great pit in the wood over there, and have buried most all my corn, and have salted my pigs down and buried them in barrels; so they didn't find much.They took the old horse and two cows; but I hope the old horse will fall down the first time they uses him, and the cow meat will choke them as eats it.Now, is there anything as I can do to help you?""I want a basket with some eggs and chickens or vegetables to take into their camp to sell, but I am afraid I have not much chance of getting them.""I can help you there too," the woman said."I turned all my chickens into the wood the day I heard the Yankees had landed.
They have got rather wild like; but I go out and give them some corn every evening.I expect if we look about we shall find some nests; indeed I know there are one or two of them sitting.So if you will come out with me we can soon knock down five or six of the creatures, and maybe get a score or two of eggs.As for vegetables, a horde of locusts couldn't have stripped the country cleaner than they have done."They went out into the wood.Six hens were soon killed, and hunting about they discovered several nests and gathered about three dozen eggs.Vincent aided in plucking the chickens and they then returned to the house.
"You had best take a bite before you go," she said.
It's noon now, and you said you started at daybreak.Always get a meal when you can, say I."She produced a loaf and some bacon from a little cupboard hidden by her bed, and Vincent, who, now he thought of it, was feeling hungry, made a hearty meal.
"I will pay you for these chickens and eggs at once," he said.
"There is no saying whether I shall come back again.""I will not say no to your paying for the chickens and eggs," she said, "because money is scarce enough, and I may have long to wait before my man and the boys come back; but as to lodging and food I would not touch a cent.You are welcome to all I have when it's for the good cause." Vincent started with the basket on his arm, and after walking three miles came upon the Federal camps.
Some of the regiments were already under canvas, others were still bivouacked in the open air, as the store-ships carrying the heavy baggage had not yet arrived.The generals and their staffs had taken up their quarters in the villages.Vincent had received accurate instructions from his hostess as to the position of the various villages, and avoided them carefully, for he did not want to sell out his stock immediately.He had indeed stowed two of the fowls away in his pocket so that in case any one insisted upon buying up all his stock he could place these in his basket and still push on.
