and Ohio by Morgan seems like
sheer madness. He had a force of only a little over three thousand, and
the states which he invaded had millions of population. But he had reasons
to believe that thousands of that population were friendly to him, would
welcome him with gladness. When he so nearly escaped though no hand was
raised to help him, what would he have accomplished if only a few thousand
had come to his relief? That there were thousands in the two states who
would have flocked gladly to his standard if they had dared, there is no
doubt. But the hand of the government was too strong for them to resist.
The fires of loyalty burned too fiercely to be quenched by them. With all
their boasted strength, the Knights of the Golden Circle were powerless
when the supreme moment came.

The order to cross the river was hailed with enthusiasm by every man in
Morgan's command. Where they were going they knew not, cared not; they
would go where their gallant leader led. He had never failed them, he
would not fail them now. They knew only that they were to invade the land
of their enemies; that was enough. The war was to be brought home to the
North as it had been to the South. Calhoun caught the fever which caused
the blood of every man to flow more swiftly through his veins. He had been
full of doubts; he trembled for the results if that river were once
passed. He had been through the North and noted her resources, how
terribly in earnest her people were that the Union should be saved. What
if there were thousands of traitors in their midst? There were enough
loyal men left to crush them. What if the state of Indiana was honeycombed
with camps of the Knights of the Golden Circle? The lodges of the Union
League were fully as numerous. He now forgot all these things. Did not the
Knights come to his relief in his hour of sore distress? Surely they would
not forget their oaths, when Morgan came. So he tossed his hat in the air,
and shouted, "Boys, over there is Yankee land! we will cross over and
possess it."

The order to cross once given, was obeyed with alacrity. In an incredibly
short time the three thousand men and horses were ferried across the
river.

"Burn the boats," was Morgan's order.

The torch was applied, and as the flames wrapped them in their fiery
embrace, lo! on the other side came the eager troopers of Hobson. Like
beasts baffled of their prey, they could only stand and gnash their teeth
in their rage. Betwe