Blue Birds' Winter Nest
CHAPTER VIII
AUNT SELINA'S CIVIL WAR STORY
The children thoroughly enjoyed their refreshments. Aunt Selina did notcare for any, so she sat smiling as she watched them.
"As long as Flutey isn't busy, wouldn't it be nice to have her tell us ateeny-weeny bit of that war story?" ventured Dot Starr.
"Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!" came from various directions.
"Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will," added Mrs.Talmage.
Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.
"Let me see," she began. "I must have been about eighteen when mydearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays ather Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at MissWyland's Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time Ijust mentioned, Rebecca had visited my home at Happy Hills. Motherliked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South mightcreate trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however,and an unwilling consent was written from home.
"A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her tostart home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in thefamily had to be looked after.
"As this would give us an extra week's holiday we hailed the letter withjoy. The girls stood about enviously watching us pack our carpetbags andRebecca's trunk. I packed many of my things in her trunk to save thetrouble of transporting two to Tennessee. We left the next morning'midst shouts reminding us to be sure to be on hand when schoolre-opened.
"We enjoyed the journey during the first part of the way, but, as thetrain sped on, the country showed signs of the desolation wrought bywar, and we sobered from our happy laughter to serious contemplation.
"The nearer to Nashville that we came, the deeper the evidence that warwas an awful thing. We saw burned homes, devastated land andforlorn-looking families as we passed by.
"Rebecca's father met us at the station in Nashville and welcomed mewith a surprised manner. Turning to his daughter, he spoke in a serioustone.
"'We will endeavor to give your friend an enjoyable visit, daughter, butit doesn't seem promisin'. Evidently you did not receive our telegram?'
"'Only this letter, father,' replied Becky, showing him the last letterreceived by her.
"'Hum! well, we will live up to our reputation, Miss Selina, and be thetrue Southern hosts.'
"As we came out of the station and walked toward the carriage-posts,Rebecca looked about for the family equipage.
"Mr. Crudup led us toward a great spring wagon which was drawn by tworaw-boned farm horses. An old darky sat on the front seat.
"'Why, father! Surely we are not going home in _this_!' cried Rebeccawith deep chagrin.
"'Sorry, daughter, but it must be so,' returned her father in a grievedvoice. 'You will find many changes here since the fightin' began.'
"'Selina, I'm awful sorry you have to ride this way, and I can'tunderstand why it is. Father seems to know,' said Becky, in anapologetic tone.
"'I don't mind, Becky. Really and truly, I don't. I love the country so,that I would just as soon ride a plow if we had to, to get to yourhome.'
"'Well, I'm glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,' commendedMr. 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 Yankeeshow 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 andcousins are with them. Some will nevah return--but we are prayin'constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South--and come home toenjoy 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 havecome for us!' insisted Rebecca.
"'The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and thespring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. Thishappened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would notmind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,' explainedMr. Crudup.
"I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem tobe, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and triedto amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.
"As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca's beautiful old homecould be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of thesurrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through adense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached theporte-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 andmade me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of thefamily, was petted and made much of, and I came in for my share of itfor being her best friend.
"After our baggage was placed in our rooms, we were escorted upstairsand left to prepare for dinner, which was generally at noon, but hadbeen delayed for Rebecca's arrival.
"My, but that was a delicious dinner! I can almost taste the tenderchicken with corn waffles, hot and crisp, this minute!
"Not a word had been said about the reason of calling Rebecca home aweek earlier than usual. Toward evening, however, vehicles of alldescriptions drove to the side yard and were left to the care of thenegro servants. As the neighbors came to the house they went directly toa large room which had been closed and locked since our arrival, untilnow. Rebecca and I were invited to join the sewing meeting, but neitherof us liked sewing, and we had planned to visit the horses before itgrew too dark. However, I saw heaps of flannel garments, half-finishedsocks on knitting needles, warm caps, and clothes of all kinds beingmade up for the Confederate soldiers.
"Becky and I strolled down toward the stables, but it was too dark toinspect the thoroughbreds I had heard so much about, so we returned tothe house.
"As we passed the great barn we saw men busily engaged in packing allkinds of produce and supplies in long hemp sacks to be carted toNashville the following day. In the sewing room the ladies were stillplying 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 neighborsleft for their homes.
"That night, after we retired to our rooms, Rebecca came into my roomfor a cozy chat. She looked very pretty as she sat on the corner of thebed 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 temptedme to bring you. Even the girls are too busy sewing for theirsweethearts to bother with parties or sociables,' pouted Rebecca.
"'I came to visit you--not to see the boys or go to parties, and I wantyou to believe that I don't mind a bit having you all to myself,' Isaid.
"'You're a good little mouse to say that, but, all the same, I will trotyou all over the country on our saddle horses. You will have plenty offresh air, and that is what Miss Wyland said you needed for yourpaleness,' replied Becky.
"Rebecca kissed me good-night, but I felt ill at ease in that Southernhome 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 beenmore at ease had I never come.
"Every other afternoon Mr. Crudup went to Nashville with a load of bagsfor the commissary department. One afternoon, about a week after ourarrival, he came back from the city earlier than usual and we noticed atroubled look on his face.
"'How now, father?' asked sweet Mrs. Crudup.
"'Reports in Nashville say that the fighting is turned toward this partof the country,' he said.
"'
Someone has to bear the burden--perhaps the Lord has selected us tocarry a share,' returned Mrs. Crudup, reverently.
"'The one thing that worries me is that our place is well known in thispart of the country, and our fertile acres are known to produce thefinest edibles. Then, too, the fact that we raise some of the best-bredhorses in Tennessee may cause the Yanks to come down on us at any timeand raid the stables. In that case, they will carry off everything--noteven a plow-horse will be left.'
"'Father, our boys have had all they could use for this conflict, andwouldn't it be bettah to ship our horses to Nashville fo' the army touse?' asked Mrs. Crudup.
"'I would rather see every head of cattle dead than in the hands of aYankee!' cried Sally Crudup, bitterly, for her sweetheart had beenkilled in a battle a few weeks previous.
"'Sally, Sally! let no bittehness feed your sorrow!' reproved the gentlemother, patting me upon the back as if in apology for her daughter'sbreach of etiquette.
"Mr. and Mrs. Crudup walked away in private converse, and Becky and Istarted for the paddocks which I had not yet visited.
"'Selina, I'm plannin' a desperate deed!' said Becky, in a whisper, aswe passed 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 onthe place and would bring a high price in Nashville. My only relief isthat no one can ride him, manage, or harness him but Tim and me. WhenImp was born Tim was there, and when Imp's mother died soon after hisbirth, she turned her eyes on Tim and seemed to ask him to look afterher baby. I got there just as she turned back her head and saw me. Itook her head upon my lap and promised that I would adopt her boy, and Ialways felt that she knew what I said and died happier for it. From thatminute, I took charge of Imp and fed him on a bottle until he could eatalone. Tim and I have had sole charge of his training, but he is surelyan Imp when anyone else tries to come near him.' Becky almost wept asshe 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 strangershould raid the stables and spy Imp, they would certainly try to stealhim first, for he is the finest thoroughbred that ever stepped overTennessee soil! But, he will bite, and kick, and bolt with anyone whodares to trifle with him. Then do you know what will happen? They'lleither put a bullet through his heart, or hitch him to an armyambulance, which will break his heart just the same.'
"Rebecca walked along in silence after that, until we reached a stilethat divided the house lands from the pastures.
"'Selina, there's only one thing to do--take him away and hide him untilthis war is over. From what I gather from the servants about the place,this plantation is in a straight line for Nashville, the point theYankees are making for. So, the sooner Imp is hidden the better!'
"'Becky,' asked I, in alarm, 'will these slaves desert or sell you outto the Yankees?'
"'Mercy, no, Selina! They are like children to us. It may be that oneor two would like the novelty of going North, but they would soon besquelched if it was found out. Why, father and mother treat their oldslaves like their family--asking advice of Tim, or Martha thehousekeeper, as the case might be. As for our old mammy--and thecook--gracious, Selina! I'd die for either one of them, and so would anyone of us, and they know it. They'd stick to us even if we lost thiswar--which we won't!' cried Rebecca.
"I felt somewhat piqued, but said nothing, for I was a guest ofRebecca'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 butsuccess 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 andfather knows about. Father hasn't an idea that I know about it, and Timwon't tell him that I know. I found it myself years ago, and I always gothere when I want to be all alone. I have driven Imp right through andhe 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 acrossthe field. We came to a lovely little patch of woods where I could hearthe roar of a rushing stream. Rebecca led me by crooked paths until wecame to the brink of this torrent where it tumbled over a ledge of rockabout twenty feet high, and made a most beautiful waterfall. Thecurrent was so swift above the falls that the water shot over making anarch as it fell. The steep banks at either side were mossy and tallferns almost covered them.
"Rebecca led me straight to the falls. I hesitated as I saw her take astep toward the back-rock under the falls and suddenly disappear in thespray, calling upon me to follow.
"I was sure she knew what she was doing, so I too went headlong into thespray to find myself behind the arched falls on a huge flat rock whichlay before a deep crevice opening straight into the cliff. Not a drop ofwater penetrated here, but the spray made a thick curtain between thecave and the outer world.
"Rebecca led me by the hand along a tunnel, and, after we had gone abouttwenty feet, it opened into a high-vaulted cavern. Soon Rebecca foundthe lantern and lighted it. I looked about in surprise; the place wasquite comfortably furnished with a chair, a rough table and a mattresswith bedding upon it.
"'I made Tim carry these things over here from the store-room and madehim swear never to tell father. Tim is almost seventy years old and hebelieves in an oath as firmly as he does in Heaven. As far as I know,Tim and Daddy are the only ones beside myself who know of this cave. Thereason I am bringing you here--a Yankee, too--is because I feel in mybones that you will have to help me in some danger or need. Here iswhere Imp is going to be hidden and I shall have to see if I can get himto make friends with you, for you may have to claim him some day andtake him North with you.'
"'Oh, Becky, don't talk like this! You frighten me! I wish you were allat Happy Hills with me where you would be safe.'
"'Do you think that one of us would seek another safer home while weare needed here?' asked Rebecca, sternly.
"I made no reply and Rebecca carried the lantern ahead, bidding mefollow her out. We reached the extreme end of the cave, when Rebeccahanded me the lantern to hold down close to some lichen. I did so andfound that the mass of roots and moss that hung there swayed slowly backand forth in a current of air. This, then, was the cause of the cavebeing so well ventilated. Becky stooped, pushed aside the mossy curtainand crawled into a small tunnel, taking the lantern from me after shehad entered.
"I followed close behind, upon hands and knees, through an opening thesize of a bushel basket. Finally, we reached a wider opening where wecould stand upon our feet again. We crept through this queer tunnel fora long time and then I felt that we were ascending gradually and thatthe air was growing purer. In a few moments more, we emerged fromanother narrow crevice hidden under the gnarled roots of a live-oak.Moss, lichen and fern covered this opening so completely that no onewould have dreamed there was an entrance there to a secret cave.
"We were in a grassy dell hemmed in by a thin ribbon of woods whichended in a grove of tall pines upon a knoll.
"Rebecca extinguished the light and led me toward this grove. Sheselected an old veteran pine and climbed up into its wide branches untila comfortable notch was reached. I did likewise. As we sat thereadmiring the wonderful view of distant mountains, Rebecca clutched myarm, and pointed with one hand toward the low range of mountains aboutfifty miles away.
"I looked and saw a heavy cloud of smoke hanging low over the crests. Atintervals we heard the echo of a 'boom.'
"'Oh, Selina, there's no time to lose, now! The fighting is so near thatwe can hear the cannon over the mountain!'
"'What shall we do?' I cried helplessly.
"'Do!' almost screamed Rebecca, as she tore her clothes on the pineboughs in her rapid descent. 'Why, I'
ll run Imp down to the cave, whileyou race to the house and tell Timothy the news. Order him to bringoats, bedding, blankets, and whatever Imp might need for a long siege.Tell him you know the secret and will help me take care of Imp. Then, onto the house, warning the negroes as you go, and tell the folks at thehouse. If they ask how we know, answer that we were on the ridge and sawit. Don't tell them that we were in the pine tree!'
"Calling these hurried directions as she went, Becky ran back throughthe glade until we reached the woods near the lane. She pointed towardthe house, which could be seen in the distant haze, then ran for theshed where Imp was kept.
"I did as I was ordered, wondering all the way why I was placed in suchan undesirable position--a Northerner plotting, as it were, against myown people. I cared little about the war at that time, for I knewnothing of war or its toll.
"However, I reached the outer buildings where the slaves lived and mynews acted like an electric current upon the inmates. Immediately theyran in different directions, seemingly bent upon doing a part of a workthat had been carefully planned and arranged. I found out later, thatsuch was the case. The older slaves, who were trusted implicitly, setto work burying (as I supposed) whatever fruit, vegetables, smokedmeats, and other edibles they could find--in fact, everything stored incellars or store-rooms.
"I was curious to see how they could prevent the articles from coming incontact with the soil, and found that a chain of bricked cellars hadbeen built a short time before, and the bushes and weeds carefullyreplaced on the dirt that covered the roofs. A door, opening into thefirst of the chain of cellars, was made in a steep bank of earth. It wasmerely a large hole in the ground covered with a flat stone that turnedupon a pivot. About this spot the soil and grass had been very cleverlyarranged to conceal any sign of what lay beneath.
"By afternoon not a piece of extra linen, bedding, or silver could befound about the house. The jewelry, valuable bits of art and pictures,heirlooms and a valuable library, had disappeared as if by magic. I knewit had all been placed in some safe place and felt relieved at theknowledge.
"I wandered about feeling lonesome for Rebecca and wishing I mightassist Tim who seemed busy in some undertaking. I watched him tie downa canvas covering over a loaded cart and caught his glance, which seemedto beckon me. I walked over to the mule's side and patted its head whileTim spoke.
"'Miss Becky, she say you'se come wif me. I'se got'ter take dis loaddown to der paddock!' Tim looked about as he spoke and winked at meknowingly.
"I walked beside him as he drove the mule along the lane. The cartseemed laden and the mule walked slowly, but we reached the wall thatdivided the gardens from the farm, and then Tim made the beast go asfast as possible, all the while looking covertly about for a run-awaynegro or a Yankee scout.
"I suspected where we were going, and, sure enough! As we reached thewoods by the lane, Rebecca called softly, 'No further, Tim!' and cameout with several huge market baskets.
"Tim tied the mule to a tree by the roadside and removed the canvascovering. There was everything one would need for light housekeeping forseveral weeks. Besides the food and clothing, there were bandages,medicine, bedding, lanterns, an oil-stove, dishes, and numerous othernecessities. These were piled in the baskets and carried to the cavewhere they were placed in crannies for some future emergency.
"'Imp, I want you to be introduced to my best friend,' said Rebecca,after we had brought in our first basket.
"I heard a whinny and looked about in the gloom.
"Rebecca went over to a corner near the spot whence fresh air enteredthe cavern, and held the lantern up for me to see her pet.
"I stood making friendly advances to the beauty and, to Becky'samazement, he never moved an inch, but wrinkled his nose for sugar.
"'Witch! that is what you are!' laughed Becky, as Imp poked his noseunder my arm. 'I have never known him to do such a thing.'
"Imp stood listening to his mistress as if he thoroughly understood thesituation.
"I turned to tell Rebecca what a beauty he was, and he deliberatelypoked his nose out against my face.
"After all the supplies were stacked away, Rebecca slipped the halterover Imp's head and led him to a ring cemented in the solid rock.
"'Now, Imp, you will have to be good and not whinny or make a sound. Iknow what is good for you, and you must do just as I tell you, or a badYankee soldier will catch you and then you will see!' warned Rebecca,shaking her finger at him.
"The horse stood looking at her as if striving to understand what thatstrange word 'Yankee' meant; then he threw up his head and shook itdefiantly.
"We said good-by to Imp and returned to the cart where Tim waited. Wesent Tim to the barns with the mule and we went back to the house.
"That was such a busy day that everyone felt weary and glad when the sunshowed its slanting rays over the trees. It must have been about fouro'clock when sounds of approaching cavalry reached the house. It was thecompany Newell and his brother had formed a few months before. They hadbeen driven over the mountainside and decided to spend the night inhiding at home.
"The sewing room was filled with neighbors whose boys were members ofthe company, so you can imagine the joy of seeing them again.
"The boys were covered with mire halfway to the waist, and their horseslooked as if they must drop where they stood. Many of the soldiers werehatless, powder smirched, and, oh, so tired!
"Rebecca took me to her room and locked the door.
"'Selina, did you see that tall dark officer--the one that kept smilingat us? Well, he is my best friend, and I want you to fall in love withhim. He knows all about you and I showed him your picture a long timeago, so he knows you quite well, you see.'
"I laughed merrily at Becky's match-making.
"'Oh,' she sighed, as her thought rushed to something else. 'Wasn't itjust like Providence that we got Imp and all of those supplies hiddenaway in time?'
"'Yes, but it is not necessary with the rebels in command of the place,'I said, using the term 'rebel' quite unconsciously, for the first time.
"Rebecca noticed it, too, but said nothing at the time.
"'Well, I showed you just how to get in and out of that cave in case youare the only one who can take care of Imp. One never knows what mayhappen, but you, being my guest, are safe with our friends, and, being aYankee, will be taken care of in case the enemy take the place. But,remember, if Imp is to be taken from me, I would rather you had him thananyone on earth--and you must assert your ownership if necessary to takehim home with you.'
"That was a great reunion, that dinner! Besides all of the youngsoldiers, their families were there, listening to their account of thestruggle.
"The happy families had finished dinner and were about to have coffeewhen a colored boy raced up the steps of the piazza. His face was graywith fear as he gasped, 'De Yanks am comin'--oh, dey am comin' pell mellfoh dis house! oh, Lud, Lud!'
"'Tell all the folks, Jeremiah, quick!' shouted Becky, as she sprangforward to warn her friends.
"'The horses--quick, Tim! The horses--rush them to the house!' yelledNewell, as he grabbed his gun and threw on his cap.
"'Mother, good-by,' cried Ed, as he caught a kiss from her lips, andNewell hurriedly did the same.
"The next minute all was confusion as the soldier boys jumped into thesaddle, while still buckling on knapsacks and ammunition belts.
"Five minutes after Jeremiah had given the alarm, the boys were lost ina cloud of dust galloping on the way to Nashville. But not soon enough!"
Here, Aunt Selina leaned back in her chair and looked away over thelawns as if she saw again the scurrying horses racing for dear life inone direction, while from the opposite direction she saw another pictureshe had not yet mentioned.
"If you are wearied, Aunt Selina, we will postpone the story for anotherday," suggested Mrs. Talmage.
"Oh, no! please don't!" begged the excited children.
"Oh, Flutey, I simply couldn't wait until to-morrow to find out
whathappened," cried Ruth, beseechingly.
Aunt Selina smiled at the children, and Uncle Ben added: "They areright! I don't want to wait either!"
"Really! is it as good as that?"
"Good! I should say it is! It's a big 'seller' if it was only in abook!" returned Uncle Ben.
"Well, then, after the magazine is done with it suppose we sell it to apublisher for the benefit of the children," ventured Aunt Selina,eagerly.
"Fine idea! We will try it!" said Uncle Ben.
Aunt Selina moved her chair to keep the rays of the setting sun from hereyes, and then continued with her story.