CHAPTER XX
CAPTURING A TRAIN
It took Lawrence some little time to reorganize his troop, and to fillthe places of those who fell in the fight with Red Jerry.
At last all was ready and the start was made. To reach General Blunt bythe circuitous route he intended to take would mean a journey of nearlyfour hundred miles, much of the way through a country not occupied byFederal troops. The guerrilla bands infesting this country were small,however, and he considered that with his fifty men he would be able tocope with any force he might meet.
For subsistence he would have to depend on the country through which hepassed. He knew it was sparsely settled, but as his force was small, andthe corn crop had ripened, he believed neither his men nor horses wouldsuffer for food.
To Lawrence the mountain scenery was a continual source of delight. Itwas November, and the leaves of the forest covering the mountain sidesand crowning their summits had been touched by the frost, and painted inall colors of the rainbow. It was a magnificent panorama and on sotremendous a scale that all the works of man seemed as nothing incomparison.
Occasionally a small band of guerrillas was seen, but at sight of theFederals they scurried into the hills and were soon lost to view. Onlyone band attempted to show fight and they were quickly routed with onekilled and two wounded, left on the field. One of these stated that theband was commanded by a man called Big Tom, who was wounded early in theaction, how badly he did not know.[16]
[Footnote 16: This wound prevented Big Tom for some months from carryingout his contemplated revenge against the Chittendens.]
One day Lawrence stood on a hill overlooking the valley of La Belle. Hethought he had never gazed on so lovely a scene, and he wondered who itwas who had made his home in that peaceful valley. That it was a home ofrefinement and luxury was apparent.
As he was looking, to his astonishment, what seemed to be an army camepouring into the valley from the north. It was a motley army, withoutuniforms, without banners and many without arms. Accompanying the armywas a long train composed of every kind of vehicle, from carriages tofarm wagons. There was no order in the march, everyone seemed to betraveling as pleased him best.
For a moment Lawrence wondered what it could mean, and then he knew. Hehad stumbled on the secret route through the Ozarks through whichrecruits for the South passed. Before Lawrence started on his raid ithad been known for some time that numerous small bodies of guerrillashad been gathering, and were making their way to some secret rendezvous,from which they were to start to join Porter in Arkansas.
"How many do you suppose there are?" asked Lawrence of Dan.
"About four or five hundred, I should say."
"Do you think we can handle them?"
"Don't see any reason why we can't," drawled Dan. "Reckon half of themwill die of fright when they see us."
Arrangements were quickly made. They were to make a sudden dash and ridethe full length of the line, ordering those who had arms to give themup.
Riding into the valley the troop, whooping and yelling like mad men,suddenly dashed upon the unsuspecting recruits. If an army had fallenfrom the sky they could not have been more astonished. Consternationseized them, and many, leaving everything, fled for the hills, but thegreater part of them surrendered, begging for mercy. Not a shot wasfired. It was a bloodless victory.
The prisoners were gathered together; they numbered nearly four hundred.Being deprived of all arms, they were powerless. What to do with themwas the question.
"The only thing we can do," said Lawrence, "is to parole them."
"And they will keep their parole just as long as we are in sight and nolonger," growled Dan.
"Can't help it. It's the only thing we can do."
The train was now thoroughly searched and many of the wagons were foundto contain cloth, boots and shoes, and a goodly quantity of powder andshot. All such articles were destroyed and the wagons burnt. Theprisoners looked on sullenly.
Lawrence noticed there was a scarcity of provisions, and inquired whatit meant. One of the prisoners told him they were suffering from hunger,but had been told they would find plenty of food here in the valley ofthe La Belle. "We 'uns be jes' starvin'," said the prisoner.
"I will see what I can do," said Lawrence. "If there is food here youwill surely get it."
About this time Mr. Chittenden appeared. There had been great excitementat the house when it was known that the Yankees were in the valley andhad succeeded in capturing the train. Mr. Chittenden feared that if itbecame known that he had gathered supplies for the South, not only wouldhe be arrested, but his home and buildings burned.
"I reckon," he said to Grace, "that I will ride down and see what forceit is, and who is in command."
"Don't go, father," begged Grace. "You know what you have been doing."
"It is best, Grace. They may not find it out, and if they do, it won'tmend matters for me to stay here."
"But, father, you can take to the hills until they are gone."
"What! Leave you here unprotected? Never!"
"Where is Mark?" asked Grace. "I have not seen him for three or fourdays."
"Gone off on some secret expedition. Said he might be gone several days.Grace, I believe he is trailing Big Tom. He has an idea he will returnand wreak his vengeance on us."
Grace turned pale. "What! Mark gone, all alone?" she asked.
"Yes. Mark seems to prefer to go alone. I don't think we are in as muchdanger from Big Tom as he thinks, but there is no telling. Some of theseguerrilla bands are nothing more or less than robbers, and they carelittle whom they rob. But I must go now. Don't worry. I won't be long."
Mr. Chittenden was gone some two hours, and when he returned he did notseem in the best of spirits. Grace had been anxiously waiting hisreturn.
"How is it, father?" she cried. "I thought I saw smoke."
"Yes, they have burned a great deal of the train," answered Mr.Chittenden, gloomily. "The worst part of it is, it is only a smallscouting party that has done the mischief--not over fifty men--and theyhave captured four hundred prisoners without firing a gun."
"That doesn't look as if one Southern man could whip ten Yankees,"replied Grace, with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Grace, I believe you are glad that train was captured," said herfather, with more feeling than he had ever manifested toward her.
"I surely am," replied Grace, undaunted. "You well know I am for theUnion."
"Grace, beware! Don't trespass on my love for you too much. Perhaps youwill rejoice when I am arrested and dragged off to prison."
"You arrested! You dragged off to prison! Father, what do you mean?"gasped Grace, now thoroughly alarmed.
"It means that your dear friends, the Yankees, have found out that Ihave been gathering supplies for this train. The officer in command hasordered me to turn over everything I have gathered, and threatened toarrest me for being an agent of the South."
"What will be done with all the food and forage you have gathered? Willit be destroyed?" asked Grace.
"No; not all of it, anyway. The captured men are without food and nearlystarving. They have been, or will be, paroled and turned back north.They will be given the food for their return journey to Rolla, wherethey have been ordered to report."
"Why, father, that is grand. The very ones will get the food that youhave gathered it for. The officer in command must be a gentleman. Whatis he like?"
"He is young--not much more than a boy. He seems to know his business;has perfect control over his men. Moreover, he has the appearance of agentleman. But you can see for yourself, Grace, for I have invited himand his Lieutenant to take supper with us tonight. And--and, Grace, Iwill not object to your making known your true sentiments. It may saveme from a Federal prison."
"Father, if they arrest you, they will have to arrest me, too. I will bethe worst rebel in the State. But, father, they won't arrest you. Whathave you done?"
"What have I done, child? Has not this house been a r
endezvous for thosepassing to and fro between this State and Arkansas? Has not many a plotbeen hatched right here? Grace, if everything were known, I should notonly be arrested, but this house would be burned and the valley rendereddesolate. I am afraid this young Captain knows more than he lets on. Butthere he comes now, with a lot of wagons for the provisions."
The next two hours were busy ones. A detail of prisoners, under guard,was made to load the wagons, and a herd of beef cattle was driven down.The prisoners feasted that night as they had not in many a day. In fact,many of them were not sorry that they had been made prisoners.
When Lawrence and Dan went to keep their engagement to dine with Mr.Chittenden, they met with as cordial a reception as could be expectedunder the circumstances. Mr. Chittenden was deeply chagrined over theloss of the supplies he had gathered, but he concealed hisdisappointment as much as possible.
The meal was all that could be desired. Tilly had surpassed herself. Tocook for Yankees was to her a new experience. They were the men who wereto free her race, and she looked upon them as almost divine beings.
Grace presided at the head of the table, and more than one glance didLawrence cast at the lovely girl.
"You have a beautiful home here, Mr. Chittenden," said Lawrence. "Ialmost envy you. In the spring and summer it must be as near Arcadia asone gets in this world. The scenery is magnificent. I never saw a morebeautiful sight than the mountains, covered with their flaming foliage."
"Yes, I like it," replied Mr. Chittenden. "I chanced on the valley manyyears ago, while hunting, and resolved to make it my home. So wild andunsettled was the country then, that for some years I had to get all mysupplies from St. Louis."
"What a mercy it is that the ravages of war so far have left it almostuntouched," answered Lawrence.
"You are the first Yankees who have favored us with a visit," repliedMr. Chittenden, "and pardon me, but I trust you will be the last. But ifwe are to be visited again, I hope it will be by your troop, Captain,for, under the circumstances, you have been very kind. I hear fearfulstories of ravages committed in other parts of the State."
"Missouri certainly has had her share of the war," replied Lawrence,"but it is the guerrilla warfare that has caused it. I trust you haveseen little of it here. Are there many Union men residing among thesehills?"
Mr. Chittenden hesitated, then replied: "We did have a few Union men inthese parts, but the sentiment was so strong against them that many ofthem were forced to leave. I do not believe in guerrilla warfare, but ampowerless to prevent it."
"From the train I captured," said Lawrence, "I would say you were not astranger to Confederate troops; in fact, I have learned that this valleyis a gateway between Missouri and Arkansas, and that many of theguerrillas we drive out of the northern and central part of the Statepass through here, and no doubt many pass back the same way."
Mr. Chittenden winced. "I cannot prevent Confederate troops passingthrough here," he said, "any more than I can prevent you passingthrough. I admit my heart is with the South, and I do what little I canto help her; but I am sorry to say I have a traitor in my ownhousehold--my daughter here."
"What! Your daughter?" cried Lawrence, in surprise, and he looked atGrace with renewed interest.
"Yes, my daughter; she is heart and soul with you Yankees."
Grace was covered with confusion, and started to rise and leave thetable.
"Please don't go, Miss Chittenden," begged Lawrence. "Let me hear fromyour lips that you love the flag of our common country."
"I hate to differ with father," said Grace, "but I do love the flag.Born and living here as free as the birds of the air, I learned to lovefreedom. I think this is a wicked, wicked war, waged to perpetuateslavery and to destroy the Union. Father and I don't quarrel. He says Iam a girl, and it does not matter much what I believe. That may be; butthere is one Union flag still cherished in the Ozarks," and as she saidit she put her hand in her bosom and drew forth the little flag she hadmade in St. Louis. "There is not a day," she continued, "that I don't goout and hold it aloft, that it may be kissed by the winds of heaven, andI pray the day will soon come when it will wave over a reunitedcountry."
Lawrence and Dan could hardly refrain from shouting aloud; even Mr.Chittenden was surprised at the feeling Grace showed.
"There, Grace, that will do," he said, crossly. "Don't make----"
Lawrence stopped him. "Mr. Chittenden," he exclaimed, "I congratulateyou on having such a daughter, and you can be thankful that you have."
"I do not see why," answered Mr. Chittenden; "but I am thankful thatGrace has until now kept her opinions to herself. It would be ratherawkward for me to have it generally known."
Grace was excused, and the men, over their cigars, entered into ageneral discussion of the war, and how it would terminate, Mr.Chittenden holding that the independence of the South was already asgood as secured.
As they were about to go, Lawrence said: "Mr. Chittenden, you may thinkit a poor return for your hospitality, but I came here tonight with thefull intention of arresting you."
Mr. Chittenden could only gasp, "What for?"
"Because you are a dangerous man to the cause I serve. I have learnedmuch while I have been here. Not only are you an agent of theConfederate Government to gather supplies, but your house has been ahaven for some of the worst guerrillas which infest the State. Even theinfamous Porter found rest and shelter here when he fled South."
Mr. Chittenden stood pale and trembling, for he knew Lawrence wasspeaking the truth; but he was thinking more of Grace than of himself.
"My God! what will become of my daughter, if I am dragged away to aFederal prison?" he cried.
"Mr. Chittenden, do not fear," answered Lawrence. "I can never arrestthe father of such a girl as your daughter, and leave her unprotected.She has saved you, and for her sake be more careful in the future."
"For her sake, I thank you; for myself, I have no apologies to make forwhat I have done," Mr. Chittenden replied, somewhat haughtily. But inhis heart he was not sorry Grace had displayed that little flag.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Lawrence, when he and Dan were alone. "What a girl!She is grand, and such a lady. Who would dream of finding such a girl inthe Ozarks? And she is as lovely as a picture--more beautiful than manywho reign as belles in St. Louis."
"Look here, Captain," said Dan, solemnly, "don't be falling in love withevery pretty face you see. What about that St. Louis girl you are alwaysgetting letters from--Lola--confounded childish name--I think you callher. And I've heard you rave about a certain Dorothy, with golden hair.Let the girls alone; they are no good. I never knew a fellow in love whowas any good. They go around sighing and writing poetry and makingconfounded idiots of themselves. I agree that Miss Chittenden is amighty good-looking girl; but how do you know she isn't foolingus--shook that little flag in our faces to save her father?"
"Oh, Dan, Dan!" laughed Lawrence, "when it comes to girls, you areincorrigible. Dan, tell the truth--were you ever in love?"
"If I ever was, thank God! I am over it," snapped Dan, as he took a chewof tobacco.
Lawrence spent two days in the valley of the La Belle, paroling hisprisoners, and loading up their wagons with provisions and forage enoughto last to Rolla.
Lawrence started the train back to Rolla, and then bade farewell to thelovely valley, which he left scathless; but for many days there remainedbefore his mental vision the image of the beautiful girl who was loyalto the Union under such adverse circumstances.
All unknown to Lawrence, he had been gone from the valley but a fewhours when there came riding up from the South a Confederate cavalryforce of one hundred and fifty men, under the command of a Major Powell.They had come to meet the recruits, and had with them a train of emptywagons to take back what was left of the provisions and forage after therecruits were supplied.
When Major Powell learned what had happened, and that all the provisionsand forage not given to the recruits had been destroyed, his rage knewno bounds. He fir
st ordered fifty of his men to pursue the train andbring every man back. "Their paroles are not worth the paper they arewritten on," he roared.
"I will not wait for you," he said to the Captain in command of thefifty, "but shall pursue this audacious Captain Middleton. I will seethat not a man of his command gets out of the Ozarks alive."
"That will leave you only one hundred men for the pursuit, Major," saidthe Captain.
"That is so; but you know we brought arms for one hundred. Call forvolunteers from the recruits. Tell them to take the best horses from thetrain, and report as soon as possible."
The Captain in pursuit of the train had an easier task than he thought,for he had not gone more than five miles when he met nearly two hundredof the men returning, under the leadership of three or four men known asdesperate guerrillas. Hardly had the Federals left the train, when aplot was formed to seize it. Nearly half the paroled men entered theplot; those who refused were stripped of everything and sent on theirway, destitute.
This reinforcement, so much sooner than expected, greatly elated MajorPowell. A mountaineer explained he knew a shorter route than the one theFederals were taking, and although they had several hours' start, hecould easily lead a force that could gain their front, and thus theywould be hemmed in between the two forces.
Major Powell quickly made his plans. A hundred men, under the command ofone of his most trusted officers, were sent to try and get ahead of theFederals, while he, with a hundred more, would follow in quick pursuit.
About this time Mark Grafton appeared on the scene. He, too, broughtimportant news. Believing that Big Tom was contemplating a raid on Mr.Chittenden, and that his sudden departure was only a blind to disarmsuspicion, Mark had disguised himself and followed the gang.
"I unearthed the most hellish plot," said Mark. "Big Tom and his gangwere to disguise themselves as Federals, raid the plantation of LaBelle, kill Mr. Chittenden and me, and carry off Grace, and force herinto a marriage with Big Tom. The plot was about to be carried out, whenthe gang unexpectedly met the force under Captain Middleton, and wasrouted. And we needn't fear anything from Big Tom for some time, as heis badly wounded."
Mark, on his part, was greatly surprised to hear what had happened inthe valley while he was gone. "I would go with you," he said to MajorPowell, "but I have an important engagement I must keep. I hope you willovertake and chastise those Yankees as they deserve."
"If I can overtake them, you may depend on it they will get thechastisement," responded the Major, as he rode away.
Mark then related to Mr. Chittenden more fully what he had found out asto Big Tom's plans, and added: "If I were you, Mr. Chittenden, I wouldsay nothing about this to Grace, for it might unnecessarily alarm her.She is safe, at least, until Big Tom gets well. If I did not think so, Iwould not rest until I had hunted the dog down. As it is, I must beabsent for a week or two, but not longer."
Mark waited until nightfall, and then he, too, rode away.
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