colored woman, called 'Aunt Martha,' had sent him down to
see if any soldiers were at Dolinsburg; and if so, to tell them that
there was a Union officer at her house, sick.

"'Do you know his name?' I asked.

"'No, sir; but Aunt Martha calls him Massa Tom.'

"I trembled all over. My blood was hot and cold by turns.

"'When and how did he come there?" asked.

"He said that the rebels had left him. My brain was now dizzy, and I
told him to turn back and take me to the place. We rode past the rest
of the company while they were resting for a short time. I told them I
would ride on to the place where the river was crossed, and wait there
for them. Mary was hearing all she could from Capt. Day about the
battle, and so she raised no objections. I inquired of the boy as to
the appearance of the sick officer. He described him as very pale, black
hair, eyes and beard. I could understand his being pale, and felt sure
it was Col. Anderson. I asked the boy if he ever spoke to him. He said
he had not, but Aunt Martha talked to him about his wife and little girl
and Uncle Daniel. I now was positive it was Tom. I reeled in my saddle
and nearly fell from my horse. What should I do? I could not tell Mary,
for if it proved not to be him she would not be able to bear it. So I
rode on. After a long time we came to the house. It was some hundred
paces from the road, a square log cabin or hut, occupied by an old
colored woman ('Aunt Martha ') and her husband('Ham'), both over sixty
years, I should judge.

[Illustration: Uncle Daniel meets Aunt Martha 064]

"The old aunty was in the yard, a smooth, hard, flat piece of ground,
fenced off by a low fence, about four rails high, which a man could
easily step over. I saluted her with:

"'How do you do, aunty, do you live here?'

"'Yes, sa, I lives heah--me and Ham, my ole man. What is you, massa? Is
you Union or is you "Sesh?"'

"'Oh! I am a Union man,' I replied.

"'Den I is glad to see you. I'll jes' call Ham. He runned away when he
seed you. He's feared; yes, he's dat. He isn't gwine wid de "Sesh" any
mo'.'

"'Well, aunty, have you a Union officer in your cabin, sick?'

"'Well, now, massa, I'se jes' got to know who you is afore I 'fess on
dat case.'

"'Well, aunty, I am Daniel Lyon, sometimes called "Uncle Daniel."'

"'Afore God, is dat you, Massa Lyon? Jes' get off yo' hoss an' wait rite
heah; I be back in a bit.'

"She hobbled in, evidently to speak to the Colonel. I wait