Raiding with Morgan Part 39

"Oh! they will keep him safe enough," said the major, complacently stroking his chin. The major better understood the Delphic answer of the General the next morning.

All went well until Dayton was reached, where by some accident the train was held over an hour. It was an anxious hour to Morgan and Calhoun. It meant that the train would be late in Cincinnati, that before they arrived there the Federal authorities of the city might be informed of the escape.

It would never do for them to ride clear into the city. As the train slowed up as it entered the suburbs, the General and Calhoun both dropped off without being noticed.

Morgan being well acquainted with the city, they quickly made their way to a ferry, and by the time the escape had been discovered at the penitentiary, Morgan's feet were pressing the soil of Kentucky. Calhoun's heart thrilled as he once more breathed the air of his native state. He felt like a new being, yet he knew that it was hundreds of miles to safety. They must steal through the states of Kentucky and Tennessee like hunted beasts, for the enemy was everywhere. But friends there were, too-friends as true as steel. And hardly had they set foot in Kentucky before they found such a friend, one who took them in, fed them, and protected them. He gave them horses, and sent them on their way. Slowly they made their way through the state, travelling all night, sent from the house of one friend to that of another. At last they reached the c.u.mberland River near Burkesville, where they had crossed it at the beginning of their raid. To Calhoun it seemed that years had pa.s.sed since then, so much had happened.

On entering Tennessee, their dangers thickened. They did not know friend from foe. On entering a house they did not know whether they would be protected or betrayed. The country was swarming with Federal cavalry. It was rumored that Morgan was in the country making his way south, and every officer was eager to add to his laurels by capturing him. In the mountains Morgan and Calhoun met a party of forty or fifty Confederates who were making their way to the Confederate lines. In the party were a number of Morgan's old men, who hailed their chief with the wildest delight. Morgan a.s.sumed command of them. But few of the party were mounted, consequently their progress was slow and their dangers were augmented.

All went well until the Tennessee River was reached, a few miles below Kingston. The river was high and there was no means of crossing. A rude raft was constructed, and with the horses swimming, they commenced crossing. When about half were across a company of Federal cavalry appeared and attacked those who were still on the northern bank. On the frail raft, Morgan started to push across to their aid.

"Are you crazy, General," cried Calhoun; "you can do no good, and will only be killed or captured. See, the men have scattered already, and are taking to the woods and mountains."

It was true, and Morgan reluctantly rode away. He had the satisfaction afterwards of learning that most of the men escaped.

The next day was the last day that Calhoun ever rode with Morgan, but little did he realize it at the time. Along in the afternoon they became aware of the close proximity of a squadron of Federal cavalry. Morgan and those with him took shelter behind a thick growth of cedars, while Calhoun rode ahead to investigate. He discovered no enemy and was coming back when he ran squarely into the Federals. The foremost of them were not ten feet from Morgan, he still being screened from view by the cedars. Without hesitation, Calhoun cried, "This way, Major. Hurry up, they have gone this way," pointing the way he had come.

The major took Calhoun for a guide, and giving the command, "Forward,"

rode rapidly after Calhoun, and Morgan was saved. For half a mile they rode, when a stream was reached, and it was seen no horseman had crossed it. The major drew rein and turned to Calhoun in fury.

"You have deceived me, you dog!" he cried.

"Yes, I am one of Morgan's men," calmly replied Calhoun.

The anger of the major was terrible. He grew purple in the face. "Yes, and you have led me away from Morgan," he hissed. "You will pay for this."

Calhoun still remained calm. "That was not Morgan," he said; "I ought to know Morgan, I have ridden with him for two years."

"I know better," roared the Major, thoroughly beside himself; "you are a lying scoundrel; I will fix you."

"What are you going to do?" asked Calhoun, with apparent calmness, but a great fear coming over him.

"Hang you, you lying devil, as sure as there is a G.o.d in heaven! I would not have had Morgan slip through my fingers for ten thousand dollars. It would mean a brigadier generals.h.i.+p for me if I had caught him. String him up, men."

One of the soldiers coolly took the halter off his horse, fastened it around Calhoun's neck, threw the other end over the projecting limb of a tree, and stood awaiting orders.

Once more an ignominious death stared Calhoun in the face, and there was no Captain Huffman near to rescue him. It looked as if nothing could save him, but his self-possession did not forsake him.

"Major, before you commit this great outrage-an outrage against all rules of civilized warfare-let me say one word." Calhoun's voice did not even tremble as he asked this favor.

"Be quick about it, then, but don't think you can say anything that will save your cursed neck!"

"Major, if that was General Morgan, as you say, and I have been one of Morgan's men, as I have confessed, ought I not to be hanged if I had betrayed him into your hands?"

The fire of anger died out of the major's eyes. He hesitated, and then said: "You are right. If that was General Morgan, and you are one of his men, you should be hanged for betraying him, not for saving him." Then to his men he said: "Boys, take off that halter; he is too brave and true a man to be hanged."

Calhoun drew a long breath. He had appealed to the major's sense of honor, and the appeal had not been made in vain.

The major kept Calhoun for three days, and during that time treated him more like a brother than a prisoner. Calhoun never forgot his kindness. At the end of the three days Calhoun was placed under a strong guard with orders to be taken to Knoxville. He resolved to escape before Knoxville was reached, or die in the attempt. Never would he live to be taken North in irons, as he would be when it became known that he was one of Morgan's officers.

At the end of the first day's journey the prisoners, of whom there were several, were placed in the tower room of a deserted house. Three guards with loaded muskets stood in the room, another was just outside the door.

Calhoun watched his chance, and when the guards inside the room were not looking, he dashed through the door, closing it after him. The guard outside raised his musket and fired. So close was he that the fire from the muzzle of the gun burned Calhoun's face, yet he was not touched.

Another guard but a few feet away saw him running, and fired. The ball tore its way through the side of his coat. But he was not yet out of danger. He had to pa.s.s close to two picket posts, and as he neared them he was saluted with a shower of b.a.l.l.s. But he ran on unharmed. One of the pickets with fixed bayonet took after him. He came so close that Calhoun could hear his heavy breathing. Calhoun ran as he had never run before. A turn in the road took him out of sight of his pursuers, and he sprang to one side and began to climb the mountain. A squad of cavalry dashed by in pursuit; they had missed him. With a thankful heart Calhoun saw them disappear.

But darkness came on and he had to feel his way up the mountain on his hands and knees. His progress was so slow that when morning came he had only reached the top of the mountain. He could hear the shouts of the soldiers searching for him. Near him was a growth of high gra.s.s. Going into this he lay down; and here he remained all day. At one time the soldiers in search of him came within twenty feet of where he lay.

It was the longest and dreariest day that Calhoun ever spent. Hunger gnawed him, and he was consumed with a fierce thirst. It was midwinter, and the cold crept into his very bones. The warmth of his body thawed the frozen ground until he sank into it. When night came it froze again, and when he tried to rise he found he was frozen fast. It was with difficulty that he released himself without sacrificing his clothing. For the next seven days he hardly remembers how he existed. Travelling by night and hiding by day, begging a morsel of food here and there, he at last reached the Confederate lines near Dalton.

CHAPTER XXIV.

CHIEF OF THE SECRET SERVICE.

"Is this General Shackelford?" asked Calhoun of a distinguished-looking Confederate officer.

"It is; what can I do for you, my boy? You look as if you had been seeing hard times."

"I have," answered Calhoun; "I have just escaped from the North. I am one of Morgan's men."

"Are you one of the officers who escaped with Morgan?" asked the General, with much interest.

"Yes and no. I was not in prison with Morgan, but I escaped South with him."

"I had a nephew with Morgan," continued the General. "We have not heard from him since Morgan was captured. The report is that he was killed in the last fight that Morgan had before he was captured. Poor Cal!" and the General sighed.

"Uncle d.i.c.k, do you not know me?" asked Calhoun, in a broken voice.

General Shackelford stared at Calhoun in astonishment. "It cannot be, yes, it is Cal!" he exclaimed, and the next moment he had Calhoun by the hand, and was nearly shaking it off.

"And you have been in a Northern prison, have you?" asked the General.

"No, but I was wounded near unto death. Fortunately I fell into kind hands."

"But your looks, Cal; you are nothing but skin and bones."

"No wonder. I have not had enough to eat in the last seven days to keep a bird alive. Then I was none too strong when I started on my journey south."

"Tell me about it some other time," said the General. "What you want now is rest and something to eat."

And rest and food Calhoun got.

When he came to tell his story it was listened to with wonder. He was taken to General Joseph E. Johnston, then in command of the Confederate forces around Dalton, and the story was repeated.

"You know, I presume," said Johnston, "that Morgan escaped, and is now in Richmond."