Thomas with a strong Northern force, coming all the way from the central part of the state, was already deep in the mountains, preparing to meet him.
"Remember," said Jarvis, "that I ain't takin' no sides in this war myself.

If people come along an' ask me to tell what I know I tell it to 'em, be they Yank or Reb.

Now, I wish good luck to you, Mr.Mason, an' I wish the same to your cousin, Mr.Kenton." Dick, Warner and the sergeant finished the refreshments and rose for the return journey.

They thanked Jarvis, and when they saw that he would take no pay, they did not insist, knowing that it would offend him.
Dick said good-bye to the ancient woman and once again she rose, put her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"Paul Cotter was a good man," she said, "and you who have his blood in your veins are good, too.

I can see it in something that lies back in your eyes." She said not another word, but sat down in the chair and stared once more into the coals, dreaming of the far day when the great borderers saved her and others like her from the savages, and thinking little of the mighty war that raged at the base of her hills.
The boys and the sergeant rode fast on the return trail.