The Blue Birds' Winter Nest Part 17

"'Well, I'm glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,' commended Mr. Crudup.

"We climbed into the back seat after the baggage had been stowed away, and the horses started off.

"'Father, why didn't you drive Jerry and Jim?' asked Rebecca, wonderingly.

"'Becky, your brothers, I trust, are astride them, showin' the Yankees how to fight!'

"'Daddy!' cried Rebecca in dismay.

"Mr. Crudup looked dreadfully sorry, but said nothing.

"'Daddy, have Newell and Ed left home?'

"'Yes, child. And I'm mighty sorry to say that most of your friends and cousins are with them. Some will nevah return--but we are prayin'

constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South--and come home to enjoy them.'

"Becky and I sat as stiff as sticks as we realized what this meant.

"'Still, I don't see why _some_ of our carriage horses couldn't have come for us!' insisted Rebecca.

"'The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and the spring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. This happened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would not mind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,' explained Mr. Crudup.

"I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem to be, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and tried to amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.

"As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca's beautiful old home could be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of the surrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through a dense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached the porte-cochere. The house itself, large, solid and in perfect condition, was a landmark from every point of view round-about.

"Mrs. Crudup and her two older daughters welcomed me to their home and made me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of the family, was petted and made much of, and I came in for my share of it for being her best friend.

"After our baggage was placed in our rooms, we were escorted upstairs and left to prepare for dinner, which was generally at noon, but had been delayed for Rebecca's arrival.

"My, but that was a delicious dinner! I can almost taste the tender chicken with corn waffles, hot and crisp, this minute!

"Not a word had been said about the reason of calling Rebecca home a week earlier than usual. Toward evening, however, vehicles of all descriptions drove to the side yard and were left to the care of the negro servants. As the neighbors came to the house they went directly to a large room which had been closed and locked since our arrival, until now. Rebecca and I were invited to join the sewing meeting, but neither of us liked sewing, and we had planned to visit the horses before it grew too dark. However, I saw heaps of flannel garments, half-finished socks on knitting needles, warm caps, and clothes of all kinds being made up for the Confederate soldiers.

"Becky and I strolled down toward the stables, but it was too dark to inspect the thoroughbreds I had heard so much about, so we returned to the house.

"As we pa.s.sed the great barn we saw men busily engaged in packing all kinds of produce and supplies in long hemp sacks to be carted to Nashville the following day. In the sewing room the ladies were still plying needles that flashed in and out as if speed would save a life.

"At eight o'clock a hot supper was served, and at nine the neighbors left for their homes.

"That night, after we retired to our rooms, Rebecca came into my room for a cozy chat. She looked very pretty as she sat on the corner of the bed hugging her knees up in her arms.

"'Selina, it's a shame you are dragged into such a vacation! I declare, had I known that all of the boys were away, nothing would have tempted me to bring you. Even the girls are too busy sewing for their sweethearts to bother with parties or sociables,' pouted Rebecca.

"'I came to visit you--not to see the boys or go to parties, and I want you to believe that I don't mind a bit having you all to myself,' I said.

"'You're a good little mouse to say that, but, all the same, I will trot you all over the country on our saddle horses. You will have plenty of fresh air, and that is what Miss Wyland said you needed for your paleness,' replied Becky.

"Rebecca kissed me good-night, but I felt ill at ease in that Southern home for being one of the 'detested Yankees.' Never, by word or sign, was such a thought given out, but I felt that everyone would have been more at ease had I never come.

"Every other afternoon Mr. Crudup went to Nashville with a load of bags for the commissary department. One afternoon, about a week after our arrival, he came back from the city earlier than usual and we noticed a troubled look on his face.

"'How now, father?' asked sweet Mrs. Crudup.

"'Reports in Nashville say that the fighting is turned toward this part of the country,' he said.

"'Someone has to bear the burden--perhaps the Lord has selected us to carry a share,' returned Mrs. Crudup, reverently.

"'The one thing that worries me is that our place is well known in this part of the country, and our fertile acres are known to produce the finest edibles. Then, too, the fact that we raise some of the best-bred horses in Tennessee may cause the Yanks to come down on us at any time and raid the stables. In that case, they will carry off everything--not even a plow-horse will be left.'

"'Father, our boys have had all they could use for this conflict, and wouldn't it be bettah to s.h.i.+p our horses to Nashville fo' the army to use?' asked Mrs. Crudup.

"'I would rather see every head of cattle dead than in the hands of a Yankee!' cried Sally Crudup, bitterly, for her sweetheart had been killed in a battle a few weeks previous.

"'Sally, Sally! let no bittehness feed your sorrow!' reproved the gentle mother, patting me upon the back as if in apology for her daughter's breach of etiquette.

"Mr. and Mrs. Crudup walked away in private converse, and Becky and I started for the paddocks which I had not yet visited.

"'Selina, I'm plannin' a desperate deed!' said Becky, in a whisper, as we pa.s.sed down the shady lane that led to the stables and pastures.

"I looked at her in surprise, for her tone was shaky.

"'I have not introduced you to Imp. Imp is the most valuable horse on the place and would bring a high price in Nashville. My only relief is that no one can ride him, manage, or harness him but Tim and me. When Imp was born Tim was there, and when Imp's mother died soon after his birth, she turned her eyes on Tim and seemed to ask him to look after her baby. I got there just as she turned back her head and saw me. I took her head upon my lap and promised that I would adopt her boy, and I always felt that she knew what I said and died happier for it. From that minute, I took charge of Imp and fed him on a bottle until he could eat alone. Tim and I have had sole charge of his training, but he is surely an Imp when anyone else tries to come near him.' Becky almost wept as she told me the story of the poor mother-mare.

"'Imp understands everything one says to him, but he can't talk; however, his eyes tell you what he wishes to say! Now, if any stranger should raid the stables and spy Imp, they would certainly try to steal him first, for he is the finest thoroughbred that ever stepped over Tennessee soil! But, he will bite, and kick, and bolt with anyone who dares to trifle with him. Then do you know what will happen? They'll either put a bullet through his heart, or hitch him to an army ambulance, which will break his heart just the same.'

"Rebecca walked along in silence after that, until we reached a stile that divided the house lands from the pastures.

"'Selina, there's only one thing to do--take him away and hide him until this war is over. From what I gather from the servants about the place, this plantation is in a straight line for Nashville, the point the Yankees are making for. So, the sooner Imp is hidden the better!'

"'Becky,' asked I, in alarm, 'will these slaves desert or sell you out to the Yankees?'

"'Mercy, no, Selina! They are like children to us. It may be that one or two would like the novelty of going North, but they would soon be squelched if it was found out. Why, father and mother treat their old slaves like their family--asking advice of Tim, or Martha the housekeeper, as the case might be. As for our old mammy--and the cook--gracious, Selina! I'd die for either one of them, and so would any one of us, and they know it. They'd stick to us even if we lost this war--which we won't!' cried Rebecca.

"I felt somewhat piqued, but said nothing, for I was a guest of Rebecca's. She sensed that she had said something difficult to forget, and hugged me laughingly.

"'You wouldn't give a fig for a friend that could hope anything but success for her country, would you?' she asked.

"I made no reply, and she continued in a low voice.

"'Selina, I'm going to take you into a secret that no one but Tim and father knows about. Father hasn't an idea that I know about it, and Tim won't tell him that I know. I found it myself years ago, and I always go there when I want to be all alone. I have driven Imp right through and he knows the cave and has no fear of the water, now.'

"I listened in surprise to the words but knew nothing of what she meant.

"After we had walked about a mile down the lane, Becky turned off across the field. We came to a lovely little patch of woods where I could hear the roar of a rus.h.i.+ng stream. Rebecca led me by crooked paths until we came to the brink of this torrent where it tumbled over a ledge of rock about twenty feet high, and made a most beautiful waterfall. The current was so swift above the falls that the water shot over making an arch as it fell. The steep banks at either side were mossy and tall ferns almost covered them.

"Rebecca led me straight to the falls. I hesitated as I saw her take a step toward the back-rock under the falls and suddenly disappear in the spray, calling upon me to follow.

"I was sure she knew what she was doing, so I too went headlong into the spray to find myself behind the arched falls on a huge flat rock which lay before a deep crevice opening straight into the cliff. Not a drop of water penetrated here, but the spray made a thick curtain between the cave and the outer world.