A glance down the chimney was not reassuring, no gleam of light being visible, yet I was desperate enough to take the chance of discovering some opening below.  There remained but this one means of attaining the lower floor, and no time for hesitation.  I tore both sheets from the bed, binding them securely together, and twisting them into a rope strong enough to sustain my weight.  The bed-post served to secure one end; the other I dropped down the interior of the chimney.  A glance from the window exhibited a double line of canvas-covered wagons creaking past, mules toiling wearily in the traces, under close guard of a squad of infantry.  The judge and the girl were still outside.  I was back instantly, and clambered recklessly into the hole.

I went down slowly, clinging desperately to the twisted sheets, unable to gain the slightest purchase on the smoothly plastered side walls.  My fingers slipped, but I managed to hang on until I reached the very end of my improvised rope, my feet dangling, my arms aching from the weight.  To hold on longer was seemingly impossible, yet I could neither see nor feel bottom.  I let go, confident the distance could not be great, and came down without much shock a half-dozen feet below.  I was in a large fire-place, apparently never utilized, the opening entirely covered by a screen of cast-iron.  This fitted closely, but was unfastened, and, after feeling about cautiously in the darkness, I pushed it slightly to one side, and peered forth.

A large, rather handsomely furnished room was revealed, evidently a back-parlor, closed folding doors being conspicuous in the front wall.  Three windows faced the north, their curtains partially drawn, and I could perceive through them the lattice work of a porch, covered with the green and red of a rambler rose.  I recognized instantly the situation; this room was opposite, directly across the hall from where we had eaten breakfast, its windows also commanding a view of the road.  Impelled by a desire to see what was continuing to take place without, I stole silently across the soft carpet, and peered forth.  The last of the wagon train was lumbering past, and back of these, just wheeling around the corner, approached another column of horsemen.  It would be madness for me to emerge from concealment yet, for even if I remained unnoticed by those marching troops, still there would surely be some stragglers about the premises seeking water.  I sat down, staring out, endeavoring to decide about how large this Confederate force was—­surely it composed all of Beauregard’s corps, and, once united with Johnston, would render the Federal position extremely dangerous, perhaps untenable.  Yet even now my warning of the sudden movement would be of comparatively small value, as the gap was too nearly closed for any swift advance to separate the two armies.  All I could hope to accomplish was to prevent a surprise attack on our own exposed lines.  And this could never be attempted before the next morning, even if Johnston swung his columns to the left in anticipation of Beauregard’s approach.  The troops were too thoroughly exhausted by the forced march to be hurled immediately into battle—­they must be fed and rested first.  Convinced as to this I remained quiet, glancing idly about the room, until sounds outside attracted attention.