remark, coupled with the certainty in the minds of the survivors, was
almost amusing. The relative pointed out the temporary residence of the
mother, and thither the survivors wended their way.

A knock at the door startled the mother, and, with agony in her eyes,
she appeared at the open door, exclaiming, "My poor boys!"--"Are safe,
and coming home," said the survivors. "Thank God!" said the mother, and
the tears flowed down her cheeks.

A rapid walk through ruined and smoking streets, some narrow escapes
from negro soldiers on police duty, the satisfaction of seeing two of
the "boys in blue" hung up by their thumbs for pillaging, a few
handshakings, and the survivors found their way to the house of a
relative where they did eat bread with thanks.

A friend informed the survivors that farm hands were needed all around
the city. They made a note of the name of one farmer. Saturday night the
old blankets were spread on the parlor floor. Sunday morning, the 16th
of April, they bid farewell to the household, and started for the
farmer's house.

As they were about to start away, the head of the family took from his
pocket a handful of odd silver pieces, and extending it to his guests,
told them it was all he had, but they were _welcome to half of it_!
Remembering that he had a wife and three or four children to feed, the
soldiers smiled through _their_ tears at his, bade him keep it all, and
"weep for himself rather than for them." So saying, they departed, and
at sundown were at the farmer's house, fourteen miles away. Monday
morning, the 17th, they "beat their swords" (muskets, in this case) into
plow-shares, and did the first day's work of the _sixty_ which the
simple farmer secured at a cost to himself of about _half rations_ for
two men. Behold the gratitude of a people!

CHAPTER X.

SOLDIERS TRANSFORMED.

Sunday night, April 16th, the two survivors sat down to a cozy supper at
the farmer's house. Plentiful it was, and, to hungry travelers, sweet
and satisfying. The presence of the farmer's wife and children, two lady
refugees, and an old gentleman, who was also a refugee, added greatly to
the novelty and pleasure of the meal.

After supper the soldiers were plied with questions till they were
almost overcome by fatigue and about to fall asleep in their chairs.

At last the farmer, with many apologies, led them kindly to the best
room in the house, the parlor, where they spread their blankets on the