She began to brood wretchedly over her position as a spy inside the enemy's lines, and upon all the consequences of that position.
It was late that night when Fortner came in.

As he entered the two expectant women saw, by the ruddy light of the fire, that his face was set and his eyes flashing.

He hung his dripping hat on a peg in the chimney, and kicked the blazing logs with his wet boots until a flood of meteor sparks flew up the throat of the fireplace.

Turning, he said, without waiting to be questioned: "Well, the hunt's begun at last.

Our folks came out'n Nashville this morning in three big armies, marchin' on different roads, an they begun slashin' at the Rebels wherever they could find 'em.