the red acorn-第35章

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〃You're　quite　sure？〃

〃Yes'm。〃

〃Then　I　won't　have　any　further　use　for　thisthing？〃　indicating　the　pass；　which　she　received　back　with　fine　loathing；　as　if　it　were　something　infectious。

〃No'm。〃

〃Quite　sure？〃

〃Yes'm；　quite　sure。〃

She　rode　over　to　the　fire　around　which　part　of　the　guard　were　sitting；　held　the　pass　over　it　by　the　extremest　tips　of　her　dainty　thumb　and　forefinger；　and　then　dropped　it　upon　the　coals；　as　if　it　were　a　rag　from　a　small…pox　hospital。　　Glancing　at　her　finger…tips　an　instant；　as　if　they　had　been　permanently　contaminated　by　the　scrawl　of　the　Yankee　General；　she　touched　her　nag；　and　was　off　like　an　arrow　without　so　much　as　good　day　to　the　guards。

〃She…ceshclean　to　her　blessed　little　toe…nails；〃　said　the　Sergeant；　gazing　after　her　meditatively；　as　he　fished　around　in　his　pouch　for　a　handful　of　Kinnikinnick；　to　replenish　his　pipe；　〃and　she's　purtier'n　a　picture；　too。〃

〃Them's　the　kind　that's　always　the　wust　Rebels；〃　said　the　oracle　of　the　squad；　from　his　seat　by　the　fire。　　〃I'll　bet　she's　just　loaded　down　with　information　or　ouinine。　　Mebbe　both。〃

She　was　now　fairly　in　the　enemy's　country；　and　her　heart　beat　faster　in　momentary　expectation　of　encountering　some　form　of　the　perils　abounding　there。　　But　she　became　calm；　almost　joyous；　as　she　passed　through　mile　after　mile　of　tranquil　landscape。　　The　war　might　as　well　have　been　on　the　other　side　of　the　Atlantic　for　any　hint　she　now　saw　of　it　in　the　peaceful；　sun…lit　fields　and　woods；　and　streams　of　crystal　spring…water。　　She　saw　women　busily　engaged　in　their　morning　work　about　all　the　cabins　and　houses。　　With　bare　and　sinewy　arms　they　beat　up　and　down　in　tiresomely　monotonous　stroke　the　long…handled　dashers　of　cedar　churns　standing　in　the　wide；　open　〃entries〃　of　the　〃double…houses；〃　they　arrayed　their　well…scalded　milk　crocks　and　jars　where　the　sun's　rays　would　still　further　sweeten　them；　they　plied　swift　shuttles　in　the　weaving　sheds；　they　toiled　over　great；　hemispherical　kettles　of　dye…stuffs　or　soap；　swinging　from　poles　over　open　fires　in　the　yard；　they　spread　out　long　webs　of　jeans　and　linen　on　the　grass　to　dry　or　bleach；　and　all　the　while　they　sangsang　the　measured　rhythm　of　familiar　hymns　in　the　high　soprano　of　white　womensang　wild；　plaintive　lyrics　in　the　liquid　contralto　of　negresses。　　Men　were　repairing　fences；　and　doing　other　Winter　work　in　the　fields；　and　from　the　woods　came　the　ringing　staccato　of　choppers。　　She　met　on　the　road　leisurely…traveling　negro　women；　who　louted　low　to　her；　and　then　as　she　passed；　turn　to　gaze　after　her　with　feminine　analysis　and　admiration　for　every　detail　of　her　attire。　　Then　came　〃Uncle　Tom〃　looking　men；　driving　wagons　loaded　with　newly…riven　rails；　breathing　the　virile　pungency　of　freshly…cut　oak。　　Occasionally　an　old　white　man　or　woman　rode　by；　greeting　her　with　a　courteous　〃Howdy？〃

The　serenity　everywhere　intoxicated　her　with　a　half…belief　that　the　terrible　Rebel　army　at　Murfreesboro　was　only　a　nightmare　of　fear…oppressed　brains；　and　in　her　relief　she　was　ready　to　burst　out　in　echo　of　a　triumphant　hymn　ringing　from　a　weaving…shed　at　her　right。

Her　impulse　was　checked　by　seeing　approach　a　figure　harshly　dissonant　to　Arcadian　surroundings。

It　was　a　young　man　riding　a　powerful　roan　horse　at　an　easy　gallop；　and　carrying　in　his　hand；　ready　for　instant　use；　a　16…shooting　Henry　rifle。　　He　was　evidently　a　scout；　but；　as　was　usual　with　that　class；　his　uniform　was　so　equally　made　up　of　blue　and　gray　that　it　was　impossible　to　tell　to　which　side　he　belonged。　　He　reined　up　as　he　saw　Rachel；　and　looked　at　her　for　a　moment　in　a　way　that　chilled　her。　　They　were　now　on　a　lonely　bit　of　road；　out　of　sight　and　hearing　of　any　person　or　house。　　All　a　woman's　fears　rose　up　in　her　heart；　but　she　shut　her　lips　firmly；　and　rode　directly　toward　the　scout。　　Another　thought　seemed　to　enter　his　mind；　he　touched　his　horse　up　with　his　heel；　and　rode　by　her；　saying　courteously：

〃Good　morning；　Miss；〃　but　eyeing　her　intently　as　they　passed。　　She　returned　the　salutation　with　a　firm　voice；　and　rode　onward；　but　at　a　little　distance　could　not　resist　the　temptation　to　turn　and　look　backward。　　To　her　horror　the　scout　had　stopped；　half…turned　his　horse；　and　was　watching　her　as　if　debating　whether　or　not　to　come　back　after　her。　　She　yielded　to　the　impulse　of　fear；　struck　her　mare　a　stinging　blow；　and　the　animal　flew　away。

Her　fright　subsided　as　she　heard　no　hoof…beats　following　her；　and　when　she　raised　her　eyes；　she　saw　that　she　was　approaching　the　village　of　Lavergne；　half…way　to　Murfreesboro；　and　that　a　party　of　Rebel　cavalry　were　moving　toward　her。　　She　felt　less　tremor　at　this　first　sight　of　the　armed　enemy　than　she　had　expected；　after　her　panic　over　the　scout；　and　rode　toward　the　horsemen　with　perfect　outward；　and　no　little　inward　composure。

The　Lieutenant　in　command　raised　his　hat　with　the　greatest　gallantry。

〃Good　morning；　Miss。　　From　the　city；　I　suppose？〃　he　inquired。

〃Yes；〃　she　answered　in　tones　as　even　as　if　speaking　in　a　parlor；　〃fortunately；　I　am　at　last　from　the　city。　　I　have　been　trying　to　get　away　ever　since　it　seemed　hopeless　that　our　people　would　not　redeem　it　soon。〃

The　conversation　thus　opened　was　carried　on　by　Rachel　giving　copious　and　disparaging　information　concerning　the　〃Yankees；〃　and　the　Lieutenant　listening　in　admiration　to　the　musical　accents；　interrupting　but　rarely　to　interject　a　question　or　a　favorable　comment。　　He　was　as　little　critical　as　ardent　young　men　are　apt　to　be　of　the　statements　of　captivating　young　women；　and　Rachel's　spirits　rose　as　she　saw　that　the　worst　she　had　to　fear　from　this　enemy　was　an　excess　of　devotioni。　　The　story　of　her　aunt　at　Murfreesboro　received　unhesitating　acceptance；　and　nothing　but　imperative　scouting　orders　prevented　his　escorting　her　to　the　town。　　He　would；　however；　send　a　non…commissioned　officer　with　her；　who　would　see　that　she　was　not　molested　by　any　one。　　He　requested　permission　to　call　upon　her　at　her　aunt's；　which　Rachel　was　compelled　to　grant；　for　lack　of　any　ready　excuse　for　such　a　contingency。　　With　this；　and　many　smiles　and　bows；　they　parted。

All　the　afternoon　she　rode　through　camps　of　men　in　gray　and　butternut；　as　she　had　ridden　through　those　of　men　in　blue　in　the　morning。　　In　these；　as　in　the　others；　she　heard　gay　songs；　dance　music　and　laughter；　and　saw　thousands　of　merry　boys　rollicking　in　the　sunshine　at　games　of　ball　and　other　sports；　with　the　joyous　earnestness　of　a　school…house　playground。　　She　tried；　but　in　vain；　to　realize　that　in　a　few　days　these　thoughtless　youths　would　be　the　demons　of　the　battle…field。

Just　before　dusk　she　came　to　the　top　of　a　low　limestone　ridge；　and　saw；　three　miles　away；　the　lights　of　Murfreesboro。　　At　that　moment　Fortner　appeared；　jogging　leisurely　toward　her；　mounted　on　a　splendid　horse。

〃O　there's　my　Cousin　Jim！〃　she　exclaimed　gleefully；　〃coming　to　meet　me。　　Sergeant；　I　am　deeply　obliged　to　you　and　to　your　Lieutenant；　for　your　company；　and　I　will　try　to　show　my　appreciation　of　it　in　the　future　in　some　way　more　substantial　than　words。　　You　need　not　go　any　farther　with　me。　　I　know　that　you　and　your　horse　are　very　tired。　　Good　by。〃

The　Sergeant　was　only　too　gald　of　this　release；　which　gave　him　an　opportunity　to　get　back　to　camp；　to　enjoy　some　good　cheer　that　he　knew　was　there；　and　bidding　a　hasty　good…night；　he　left　at　a　trot。

Fortner　and　Rachel　rode　on　slowly　up　the　pike；　traversing　the　ground　that　was　soon　to　run　red　with　the　blood　of　thousands。

They　talked　of　the　fearful　probabilities　of　the　next　few　days；　and　halted　for　some　minutes　on　the　bridge　across　Stone　River；　to　study　the　wonderfully　picturesque　scene　spread　out　before　them。　　The　dusk　was　just　closing　down。　　The　scowling　darkness　seemed　to　catch　around　woods　and　trees　and　houses；　and　grow　into　monsters　of　vast　and　somber　bulk；　swelling　and　spreding　like　the　〃gin〃　which　escaped　from　the　copper　can；　in　the　〃Arabian　Nights；〃　until　they　touched　each　other；　coalesced　and　covered　the　whole　land。　　Far　away；　at　the　edge　of　the　valley；　the　tops　of　the　hills　rose；　distinctly　lighted　by　the　last　rays　of　the　dying　day；　as　if　some　strip　of　country　resisting　to　the　last　the　invasion　of　the　dark　monsters。

A　half…mile　in　front　of　the　bridge　was　the　town　of　Murfreesboro。　Bright　lights　streamed　from　thousands　of　windows　and　from　bonfires　in　the　streets。　　Church　bells　rang　out　the　glad　acclaim　of　Christmas　from　a　score　of　steeples。　　The　happy　voices　of　childhood　singing　Christmas　carols；　the　laughter　of　youths　and　maidens　strolling　arm　in　arm　through　the　streets；　the　cheery　songs　of　merry…making　negroes；　silver…throated　bands；　with　throbbing　drums　and　gently…complaining　flutes；　playing　martial　airs；　long　lines　of　gleaming　camp…fires；　stretching　over　the　undulating　valley　and　rising　hills　like　necklaces　of　burning　jewels　on　the　breast　of　night；this　was　what　held　them　silent　and　motionless。

Rachel　at　last　spoke：

〃It　is　like　a　scene　of　enchantment。　　It　is　more　wonderful　than　anything　I　ever　read　of。〃

〃Yes'm；　hit's　mouty　strikin'　now；　an'　when　ye　think　how　hit'll　all　be　changed　in　a　little　while　ter　more　misery　then　thar　is　this　side　o'　hell；　hit　becomes　all　the　more　strikin'。　　Hit　seems　ter　me　somethin'　like　what　I've　heered　'em　read　'bout　in　the　Bible；　whar　they　went　on　feastin'　an'　singin'；　an'　dancin'　an'　frolickin'；　an'　the　like；　an'　at　midnight　the　inimy　broke　through　the　walls　of　ther　city；　an'　put　'em　all　ter　the　sword；　even　while　they　wuz　settin'　round　thar　tables；　with　ther　drinkin'　cups　in　ther　hands。〃

〃To　think　what　a　storm　is　about　to　break　upon　this　scene　of　happiness　and　mirth…making！〃　said　Rachel；　with　a　shudder。

〃Yes；　an'　they　seem　ter　want　ter　do　the　very　things　thet'll　show　ther　contempt　o'　righteousness；　an'　provoke　the　wrath　o'　the　Lord。　Thar；　where　ye　see　thet　house；　all　lit　up　from　the　basement　ter　the　look…out　on　the　ruf；　is　whar　one　o'　the　most　'ristocratic　families　in　all　Tennessee　lives。　　There　datter　is　bein'　married　to…night；　an'　Major…Gineral　Polk；　the　biggest　gun　in　all　these　'ere　parts；　next　ter　ole　Bragg；　an'　who　is　also　'Piscopalian　Bishop　o'　Tennessee；　does　the　splicin'。　　They've　got　ther　parlors；　whar　they'll　dance；　carpeted　with　'Merican　flags；　so　thet　the　young　bucks　an'　gals　kin　show　ther　despisery　of　the　banner　thet　wuz　good　enough　for　ther　fathers；　by　trampin'　over　hit　all　night。　　But　we'll　show　hit　ter　'em　in　a　day　or　two　whar　they　won't　feel　like　cuttin'　pigeon…wings　over　hit。　　Ye　jes　stand　still　an'　see　the　salvation　o'　the　Lord。〃

〃I　hope　we　will；〃　said　Rachel；　her　horror　of　the　storm　that　was　about　to　break　giving　away　to　indignation　at　the　treatment　of　her　country's　flag。　　〃Shan't　we　go　on？　　My　long　ride　has　made　me　very　tired　and　very　hungry；　and　I　know　my　horse　is　the　same。〃

Shortly　after　crossing　the　river　they　passed　a　large　tent；　with　a　number　of　others　clustered　around　it。　　All　were　festooned　with　Rebel　flags；　and　brilliantly　lighted。　　A　band　came　up　in　front　of　the　principal　one　and　played　the　〃Bonnie　Blue　Flag。〃

〃Thet's　ole　Gineral　Bragg's　headquarters；〃　explained　Fortner。　　〃He's　the　king　bee　of　all　the　Rebels　in　these　heah　parts；　an'　they　think　he　kin　'bout　make　the　sun　stand　still　ef　he　wants　ter。〃

They　cantered　on　into　the　town；　and　going　more　slowly　through　the　great　public　square