s fell for an instant. "Well, I'll see
what I can do anyway--if you will let me off," he returned soberly. "It
would be too bad to have him die for the want of care. Mother would
never forgive us--or Dorcas and Hope."

"That is true, Dexter." The colonel's voice sounded strangely husky. "Do
your best,--and spare no money, if money is of avail," and he turned to
consult with Surgeon Farnwright once more.

The major had noticed, during the ride along the timber road, a little
farmhouse, set in a grove of walnuts, standing about a quarter of a mile
back from the scene of the battle described in the last chapter. He now
set off for this farmhouse post-haste, to see what accommodations it
might offer.

It was past noon, and from a distance came a heavy firing. Although he
did not know it, the Confederate cavalry had crossed the creek in force,
and were now charging straight for Crawfish Springs and the hospital
located there. The brigade under Colonel Long was sustaining the main
attack, although other of General Mitchell's cavalry was in the
vicinity.

As Deck rode toward the farmhouse, he noticed that all of the lower
windows were boarded up, as if to resist an invasion. Some of the upper
windows were also served in the same way, but two or three of them were
partly unprotected.

Riding to the door, he dismounted, and used the iron knocker lustily.
The clank-clank brought forth no reply, and he used the knocker again,
with additional force.

"Please don't hammer that door down!" came in a shrill female voice, and
now the head of an elderly lady appeared at one of the upper windows.
The lady carried a pistol of ancient pattern in her hand, and her
wrinkled face was full of determination.

"I should like to talk to you," said Deck, and he felt half like smiling
when he saw the old-time weapon.

"I don't want to talk to you," was the short reply. "I have nothing to
do with this war."

"I am sorry to disturb you, madam, but one of our captains has been
badly wounded and he is in need of some quiet spot where he can rest."

"My place is no hospital, sir. Take him to the regular army hospital."

"Unfortunately, that is just what we cannot do--for the present. He
needs absolute quiet, or he may die."

"I don't want him here--don't want anybody here," was the slow but
positive reply. "As I said before, I have nothing to do with this war."

"Perhaps you are a Southern sympathizer?" went on Deck, hardly knowing
how