A band came up in front of the principal one and played the "Bonnie Blue Flag." "Thet's ole Gineral Bragg's headquarters," explained Fortner.

"He's the king bee of all the Rebels in these heah parts, an' they think he kin 'bout make the sun stand still ef he wants ter." They cantered on into the town, and going more slowly through the great public square and the more crowded streets, came at last to a modest house, standing on a corner, and nearly hidden by vines and shrubbery.
A peculiar knock caused the door to open quickly, and before Rachel was hardly aware of it, she was standing inside a comfortable room, so well lighted that her eyes took some little time to get used to such a change.
When they did so she saw that she was in the presence of a slender, elderly woman, whose face charmed her.
"This is yer Aunt Debby Brill," said Fortner, dryly, "who ye came so fur ter see, an' who's bin 'spectin' ye quite anxiously." "Ye're very welcome, my dear," said Aunt Debby, after a moment's inspection which seemed to be entirely satisfactory.

"Jest lay off yer things thar on the bed, an' come out ter supper.

I know ye're sharp-set.
A ride from Nashville sech a day ez this is mouty good for the appetite, an' we've hed supper waitin' ye." Hastily throwing off her hat and gloves, she sat down with the rest, to a homely but excellent supper, which they all ate in silence.

During the meal a muscular, well knit man of thirty entered.
"All clar, outside, Bill ?" asked Fortner.
"All clar," replied the man.