were as yet no signs of the town for
which we were bound. Every moment, of course, increased the probability
of our being attacked, for, notwithstanding all our precautions, we
scarcely hoped to have prevented some of the people getting off, who
might give notice of our advance. I began to suspect that Mr Ruggles
was playing us false. I told him so. He assured me that we were close
upon Hampton. I cocked my pistol to his ear, to remind him what would
be the consequence should he be playing us false. He stood firm, and my
confidence in him was restored. In five minutes he asked me to halt my
people, and assured me we were close upon the town. Just then the
advanced guard fell back, and reported that they had suddenly found
themselves at the entrance of a town. We accordingly formed our force
into three divisions. One party went round to the other side, one
remained where we then were, and a third, which I led, entered the town.
Having made a rapid survey of the place, Captain Hawthorne and I placed
a strong body of men at each end of the principal streets, and the
outskirts of the town being at the same time strictly watched, we felt
now that no one could escape or enter the place without our knowledge.
These arrangements being made, we commenced a series of visits to the
abodes of all the principal inhabitants. So silently had we proceeded
that many of them were not aware that the town was in our hands, and
their dismay may be more easily conceived than described when they found
armed men knocking at their doors, and in some instances breaking them
open. One of the first houses we visited was that of an oldish
gentleman--the richest merchant, we were told, in the town. We knocked
at first gently, and then louder and louder, till we heard some one
coming along the passage, and a negro voice inquired who was there and
what was wanted. The usual answer, "Your master--business of
importance--quick--quick!" made the poor black without further
consideration open the door, when in we rushed, and he, stepping back,
tumbled head over heels, and upset two or three of the first men who got
in. Amid shouts of laughter from us, and shrieks and cries from a whole
posse of negroes who ran out from their own dormitories, we hurried up
to the principal staircase. The hubbub, as well it might, roused the
master of the house and his better half from their drowsy slumbers--so
we concluded--for a gruff voice in tones irate beg