Scoville paid no heed to them until every vestige of resistance had ceased and the Confederates were disarmed and collected as prisoners.  Then sitting on his horse in front of the piazza steps he rapidly gave his orders.  His first act was to send a vedette down the avenue toward the main road; then he selected five men, saying, “Take charge of the stables, barn, and out-buildings.  Keep them as they are and permit no one to approach without my written orders.”

At this moment the field-hands, who had been surging nearer and nearer, sent forward a sort of improvised deputation.  They approached bowing, with hats in hand and wistful looks in their eyes.  Were these in truth the messengers of freedom of whom they had heard so much?  Mr. Baron almost gnashed his teeth as he witnessed this action on the part of his property.

“Mars’r,” said the spokesman, “I reck’n you got good news for we uns.”

“Yes, good news.  You are all free.”  His words rang out so that they were heard by every one.  Shouts and cries of exultation followed like an echo, and ragged hats were tossed high in joy.

The young soldier raised his hand with a warning and repressive gesture.  In the silence that ensued he added, “My men here are both free and white, yet they must obey orders.  So must you.  Go back to your quarters and prove yourselves worthy of freedom by quiet behavior and honesty.  If I find any one, black or white, acting the part of a thief while I am in charge it will go hard with him.  The general will be here to-morrow and he will advise you further.”

His words found immediate acceptance, the negroes returning to the quarters, laughing and chatting joyously, not a few wiping tears of deep emotion from their eyes.  The long-expected day had come.  They little knew what the future had in store for them, but this was the beginning of a new era and the fulfilment of a great hope.

Scoville now dismounted and gave the reins to Chunk, who stood near with a droll assumption of soldier-like stiffness and oblivion to all the well-known faces.  Mounting the steps, cap in hand, the young officer approached Mr. Baron, who was becoming a little assured that the orders thus far heard had not included a general application of the torch.

“Mr. Baron, I presume?” said Scoville.

“Yes, sir,” was the stiff reply.

“The ladies of your household, I suppose?”

“They are.”

Scoville bowed ceremoniously to each, giving Miss Lou no other sign of recognition than a humorous twinkle in his eye.  “Ladies,” he began, “since it is the fortune of war that I must have command here for a brief time, I hasten to assure you that we shall give as little annoyance as possible.  A few men on both sides were wounded, and I fear that the officer commanding your men was killed.  At least I saw him fall.  The night is warm and still and I can make a hospital here on the piazza with a little aid from you.  Please dismiss all further fears.  Unless we are attacked, the night shall pass quietly.  Each and every one will be treated with respect and courtesy.  I must request of you, however, sir,” addressing Mr. Baron, “food for myself and men and forage for our horses.”