I have somewhere read of a Persian king who beheaded his subjects for the most trivial or imaginary offenses.  The officers of his cabinet, when awaking in the morning, were accustomed to place their hands to their necks, to ascertain if their heads still remained.  The individuals comprising our party had every reason to make a similar examination on the morning after our stay in this town, and to express many thanks at the gratifying result.

On reaching the only hotel at Lebanon, long after dark, we found the public room occupied by a miscellaneous assemblage.  It was easy to see that they were more happy than otherwise at the defeat which our arms had sustained.  While our supper was being prepared we made ready for it, all the time keeping our eyes on the company.  We were watched as we went to supper, and, on reaching the table, found two persons sitting so near our allotted places that we could not converse freely.

After supper several individuals wished to talk with us concerning the recent events.  We made the battle appear much better than it had really been, and assured them that a company of cavalry was following close behind us, and would speedily arrive.  This information was unwelcome, as the countenances of the listeners plainly indicated.

One of our party was called aside by a Union citizen, and informed of a plan to rob, and probably kill, us before morning.  This was not pleasing.  It did not add to the comfort of the situation to know that a collision between the Home Guards and a company of Secessionists was momentarily expected.  At either end of the town the opposing parties were reported preparing for a fight.  As the hotel was about half-way between the two points, our position became interesting.

Next came a report from an unreliable contraband that our horses had been stolen.  We went to the stable, as a man looks in a wallet he knows to be empty, and happily found our animals still there.  We found, however, that the stable had been invaded and robbed of two horses in stalls adjacent to those of our own.  The old story of the theft of a saw-mill, followed by that of the dam, was brought to our minds, with the exception, that the return of the thief was not likely to secure his capture.  The stable-keeper offered to lock the door and resign the key to our care.  His offer was probably well intended, but we could see little advantage in accepting it, as there were several irregular openings in the side of the building, each of them ample for the egress of a horse.

In assigning us quarters for the night, the landlord suggested that two should occupy a room at one end of the house, while the rest were located elsewhere.  We objected to this, and sustained our objection.  With a little delay, a room sufficient for all of us was obtained.  We made arrangements for the best possible defense in case of attack, and then lay down to sleep.  Our Union friend called upon us before