Raiding with Morgan Part 25

"Whew! you must have had your hand in Lincoln's strong-box," said Calhoun, as he took the money.

Morgan smiled as he answered: "A Yankee paymaster don't come amiss once in a while."

Calhoun was next given an official envelope, which he was to hand to General Forrest, who was then operating in Northern Mississippi and Western Tennessee.

"You will receive full instructions from Forrest," continued Morgan, "what to do, and how to get through the Yankee lines. We have concluded to send you by the way of Western Tennessee, as you will not be so apt to meet with any Federal officer who might know you. Now go, and may success attend you."

Calhoun took his chief's hand. His heart was too full to say a word. A strong grasp, and he was gone. He had no trouble in finding General Forrest, who carefully read the papers that Calhoun handed him. He then scanned Calhoun closely from head to feet. "I reckon you understand the purport of these papers," he said, in rather a harsh voice.

"I suppose they relate to sending me through the lines," answered Calhoun.

"Well, I can send you through, young man, but you are going on a fool's errand. I have had a good deal to do with those Knights of the Golden Circle, as they call themselves. They are all right in giving away everything they know; but when it comes to fighting, bah! one of my companies would lick ten thousand."

"Then you haven't much faith in the fighting qualities of the Knights?"

said Calhoun, with a smile.

"Faith? Not I. They are Yankees, mere money-grabbers. Ask one of them for ten dollars and he will shut up as tight as a clam. But they worry the Lincoln government, and keep up a fire in the rear; therefore they should be encouraged. You will find them a scurvy lot to deal with, though."

"How soon can I start North?" asked Calhoun.

"To-night," answered Forrest. "I am the president of an underground railroad, took my cue from the Abolitionists when they were engaged in running our n.i.g.g.e.rs through to Canada. I have a regular mail North. I will send you through with one of the carriers. I reckon I had better send your credentials by a second carrier. It might be awkward if you were captured with them. You must leave here dressed as a citizen, and bear in mind that your name is W. B. Harrison."

"Where shall I find my credentials?" asked Calhoun.

"At Mount Vernon, Illinois, which is the terminus of my railroad at present. Inquire for Judge Worley. Once in his hands, you will be all right. If all the Knights were like him there would be something doing; but he is a Kentuckian, no whining Yankee."

Calhoun had heard much of General Forrest, and during his interview with him studied him carefully. He put him down as a man of indomitable energy, of great courage, and possessing military genius of a high order. On the other hand, he was illiterate, rough in his language, and lacked the polish of a cultured gentleman, which Morgan possessed. But there was a magnetism about him which drew men to him.

"If I were not riding with Morgan, I should surely want to be with Forrest," thought Calhoun.

Night came, and Calhoun was introduced to the mail-carrier who was to be his guide. He was a thin, wiry man, named Givens. In age, Calhoun put him down at about forty. The few days during which Calhoun was with Givens gave him a very high opinion of the guide's bravery and sagacity. Givens related many of his hairbreadth escapes during their journey, and seemed to treat them as great jokes. During the entire journey through Tennessee and Kentucky, Givens kept to unfrequented roads, and in the darkest night rode as one entirely familiar with the way.

At every place they stopped, they seemed to be expected. A man would take their horses, and in the evening when they started, they would find fresh horses provided. Givens informed Calhoun that these stations were a night ride apart, and that at each a relay of horses was kept concealed in the woods.

"I now understand," said Calhoun, "what an underground railroad means. If the Abolitionists had as complete a one as you, no wonder they were so successful in getting away with our slaves."

Givens chuckled as he answered: "They did, I know all about it; was in the business myself."

"You?" asked Calhoun, in surprise, and he instinctively recoiled from the man.

"A man has to do something for a living," growled Givens; "I got so much for each n.i.g.g.e.r I ran off." He then refused to discuss the subject further.

One night as they were travelling at a rapid gait, a low, tremulous whistle came from the side of the road. Givens reined in his horse so quickly that he fell back on his haunches. He answered the whistle in the same low, tremulous note. A man stepped from the bushes into the road, and spoke a few words to Givens in a low tone.

Givens turned to Calhoun and said: "Yanks ahead. We will have to go round them."

Under the guidance of the man they turned into a path through the woods.

The way was rough, and Givens swore roundly because they were losing time.

A good-sized stream was reached, which they had to swim. They emerged from it wet and out of humor, Givens cursing the Yankees to his heart's content. He explained that it eased his mind. When the road was reached their guide bade them good-bye, and disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared.

Givens and Calhoun now urged their horses to their utmost speed, in order to reach their next stopping-place by daylight. But do the best they could, the sun was an hour high before they reached their haven of rest.

Luckily they met with no one, and they felt safe.

"One more night and we shall reach the Ohio," said Givens, when they dismounted after a long, wearisome night ride. But it was destined that they should not reach the Ohio the next night, for they had not ridden more than five miles after they had started before they were brought up with the sharp command: "Halt! Who comes there?"

"Citizens without the countersign," answered Givens without a moment's hesitation, and then to Calhoun, "Wheel and run for your life."

They both turned and clapped spurs to their horses, but not before the sentinel had fired. Calhoun heard a sharp exclamation of pain, and turning his head saw Givens tumble from his horse. He had carried his last mail.

There was no time to halt, for Calhoun heard the rapid hoof-beats of horses in pursuit. Coming to a cross-road, he sprang from his horse and struck him a vicious blow which sent him galloping wildly down the road.

In a moment a squad of Federal cavalry pa.s.sed in swift pursuit. Calhoun breathed freer after the trampling of their horses died away in the distance. But he was alone, without a horse, and in a strange country. He was now thankful that Forrest had not sent his credentials with Givens.

Calhoun made his way slowly on foot, turning into a road which led in the direction which he wished to go. All through the night he plodded, and when morning came he found he was close to a large plantation. He determined to make himself known. Placing his revolver in his bosom, where he could get it in a moment, he boldly went up to the house. Fortunately he met the owner of the plantation, who saluted him with, "Heah, git off of my place, or I will set the dogs on you. I want no tramps around heah."

Calhoun glanced at himself, and did not wonder he had been mistaken for a disreputable character. His night's walk had made sad havoc with the looks of his clothes. The road was muddy, and he had fallen down several times.

Rather in desperation than thinking it would do any good, he made the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle. To his surprise it was answered.

"Who are you? and why do you come in such a plight?" asked the gentleman.

Calhoun's story was soon told. "And you are one of Morgan's men," said the gentleman, whose name was Cressey. "I have a son with Morgan," and he gave his name.

"One of my scouts," replied Calhoun, delighted. Calhoun had indeed found a friend, and a place of refuge. The next night, with a good horse and guide, Calhoun was taken to a house but a short distance from the river.

The farmer who owned the house was to take a load of produce into Mount Vernon that day. Calhoun could easily go with him without exciting suspicion. This was done, and before noon Calhoun, free and unsuspected, was walking the streets of Mount Vernon.

Shortly after dinner he inquired for the office of Judge Worley, and was shown the most pretentious law office in the little city. Entering, he inquired for the Judge, and was told that he was in his private office.

"Tell him that a gentleman wishes to see him on very important business,"

said Calhoun.

A clerk bade him be seated, and disappeared. He returned in a moment and said the Judge would see him at once.

When Calhoun entered the private office he saw seated at a desk a dignified-looking gentleman about sixty years of age, who eyed him sharply, and Calhoun was sure a look of disappointment came over his face.

This, then, was the gentleman who wished to see him on very important business-hardly more than a boy.

He did not even ask Calhoun to be seated, but said, in a cold voice: "Well, what do you want? Be in a hurry, for I am very busy."

This was not the kind of reception Calhoun was looking for. Gulping down his indignation, he said: "I am just from the South, I was directed to come to you, who would prove a friend."

"Ah! some one must have taken an unwarranted liberty with my name."

While he was saying this, Calhoun was aware a pair of steel-gray eyes were trying to read his very soul.

"Is that all?" at length continued the Judge. "I have no time to give you; as I told you, I am very busy," and he dismissed his visitor with a wave of the hand.

As a last resort Calhoun gave the sign of recognition of the Knights of the Golden Circle. There was no recognition; instead a testy, "Why don't you go?"

Calhoun's face flamed with anger, but controlling himself, he replied: "When you receive some mail from the South, you may find some dispatches from General Forrest which will cause you to treat me differently. If such dispatches come, be here in your office at nine o'clock to-night."

When Calhoun mentioned "mail from the South," and "General Forrest," the Judge turned pale, and Calhoun fancied he made a motion as if to stop him; but the young man paid no attention to the signal, and strode indignantly from the office.