they would listen until convinced that their four-footed friends had given a false alarm.  Those of the women-servants who had no husbands begged every night to sleep “in de house.”  They were terrified.  Their mattresses strewed the floors, and it really seemed as if they were a kind of protection, although they always fell asleep and snored so loudly as to drive the ladies, who wanted to listen for outside sounds, to the verge of distraction.  Some one would occasionally interrupt the noise by administering to each in turn a good shake or insisting upon a change of position, but at best the lull was temporary.  Soon one of the sleepers would give a suppressed snort, to be immediately joined by one after another, until the unearthly chorus once more swelled to rack the quivering nerves of the listeners.

Sometimes a peculiar tapping announced the presence outside of the master of the house.  Creeping softly to the window of an empty room, the wife would receive assurances of present safety.  She would then hand out valuable packages of silver or jewelry to be hidden far in the woods in places unknown to any but the owner, who marked the way to the buried treasure by “blazing” certain trees.  Many valuables were hidden in this way and recovered after the war.  The feeble condition of Colonel ——­ added tenfold to the anxiety of his family, for, although he persisted in doing his duty, it was certain that continual exposure and fatigue might at any time prove fatal.  Insidious disease was even then gnawing at his vitals; but, Spartan-like, he folded above the dreadful agony the robe of manly courage and dignity, which hid it from even those who knew him best.  Amid all the darkness and sorrow his pleasant smile cheered, his commanding presence inspired respect and confidence.  From the windows of his soul shone the steady light of the patriotism that hopeth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things.  It was not God’s will that he should go forth to battle, but with a kindly heart and generous hand he helped the soldiers to do their duty by caring for their “loved ones at home.”

Meanwhile the noble wife proved a helpmate indeed.  A true type of Southern women.  Not a duty was neglected.  She looked well to the ways of her household and the well-being of the negroes committed to her care.  The spinning and weaving of cloth for the almost naked soldiers in the field went on; the quarters were visited, the sick were cared for.  The calm, steady voice read to the old, precious promises, or instructed the young negroes as to the way of truth.  So day after day passed, the same anxious dread chilling all hearts, added fear always recurring as the darkness came with its terrible possibilities.