id he
attempt to burn it; time was too precious. Instead, he rode straight west,
and on the 9th was in Brandenburg. Before him rolled the Ohio River,
beyond lay the green hills of Indiana. It was the first time he had led
his men clear to the Ohio River. The sight of Yankee land aroused them to
the utmost enthusiasm. They would have attempted to cross if ten thousand
foes had opposed them.

Calhoun had had the advance into Brandenburg with instructions to sweep
through the place, stopping for nothing, and to capture any steamboats
which might be at the landing. This he did. Far in advance of the main
body, he galloped into the town, to the astonishment and dismay of its
citizens.

Two small steamboats were lying at the landing, and before the terrorized
crews could cut the hawsers and drift out into the stream, Calhoun and his
men were on board and the boats were theirs.

The means of crossing the river were now in Morgan's hands. But a fresh
danger arose. A gunboat came steaming down the river from Louisville and
opened fire. Morgan brought every piece of his artillery into action, and
for two hours the battle raged. Then the gunboat, discomfited, withdrew
and went back to Louisville, leaving the way open. There was now nothing
to prevent Morgan from crossing the river.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE PASSING OF THE RUBICON.

Who can tell the thoughts of John H. Morgan, as he sat on his horse that
July day, and with fixed gaze looked out upon the river. Beyond lay the
fair fields of Indiana, the Canaan of his hopes. Should he go in and
possess? The waters needed not to be rolled back. He had the means of
crossing. Before him all was calm, peaceful. No foe stood on the opposite
bank to oppose him; no cannon frowned from the hilltops. Behind him were
thousands of angry Federals in swift pursuit. Would it be safer to go
ahead than to turn back?

As Caesar stood on the bank of the Rubicon debating what to do, so did
Morgan stand on the bank of the Ohio. Like Caesar, if he once took the
step, he must abide the consequences. But if there was any hesitation in
the mind of Morgan, he did not hesitate long. "Cross over," was the order
which he gave. "We shall soon know," he said to Calhoun, "whether they are
friends or foes over there; whether the forty thousand Knights who were so
anxious for me to come will appear or not."

Now, to look upon the invasion of Indiana