th?"
We are of the opinion that during his enforced imprisonment, Calhoun would
have lost his heart to Annette if he had not learned she was engaged to a
gallant officer in Bragg's army.
What troubled Calhoun the most was the thought that his scouts would
return to Morgan with the news that he was captured, but there was no help
for it.
After the guards had been withdrawn, he at once began to make plans for
his escape from the city. The original plan had to be given up, for the
vigilance of the Federals had been redoubled, and it was impossible for
any one to leave the city without his identity being fully established.
At last Inez clapped her hands. "I have it," she cried. "Get him out to
Dr. Caldwell. The doctor lives clear on the outskirts of the city, and on
the bank of the river. Lieutenant Pennington can take to the river going
as he did coming."
"But he can't float up stream," said Annette, "and as for a boat, that
will be impossible."
"He can swim," said Inez, "swim across the river. He will be above the
pickets around Edgefield."
"But how can he get to Dr. Caldwell? It is not safe for him to appear on
the street. Not a guard but has a description of him," said the careful
Annette.
"Dr. Caldwell is attending Mrs. Robinson (the Robinsons lived next door);
it will be easy for the doctor to take him in his buggy; no guard will
think of disturbing the doctor, he is too well known."
Calhoun eagerly caught at the idea. When Dr. Caldwell visited Mrs.
Robinson during the day, he was seen, and consented to the scheme. "Muffle
him up," he said, "he will be taken for one of my patients." Before
Calhoun left he wrote a letter, and directed it to Captain Haines -- Regt.
This Inez promised to mail when Calhoun was well out of the city.
Dr. Caldwell had no trouble in taking Calhoun to his home. Here he stayed
until dark, then bidding the hospitable physician good-bye, he plunged
into the river and was soon across, and began to make his way slowly up
the northern bank. But the night was dark, and after many falls and
bruises, he concluded to wait for daylight. Having made himself a bed of
leaves beside a log, he was soon sleeping as peacefully as if no dangers
were lurking near.
As for Captain Haines, he was bitterly disappointed when Calhoun was not
caught. But his leave of absence was out, and he had to return to his
regiment near Murfreesboro. A day or two after his return the following
letter came w
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