Our journey was resumed, and we trudged on slowly at first, but soon increased our speed. There were but few houses near the road, and these we passed with cautious steps. A second attempt to get rations was not made that night, as we were fearful of making a second failure, and losing time besides. We resolved to wait until the morrow, and trust to luck or Providence to feed us. The road improved as we advanced, and we made good progress. It bore a little north of west. On crossing a branch we halted and took up some water in our half-moon tin-bucket and drank freely. We then filled our canteen and bucket with water and carried it with us. We were exceedingly tired, and did not wish to take the time and trouble to look out for a hiding-place convenient to water. The gray light of morning was faintly appearing in the east, and we knew our journeying must cease for a time. Our sense of hunger had subsided, or been overcome by weariness. We left the road and went some distance south of it into a heavy forest. When nearly a mile from the road we halted, and quickly spread our bed upon the ground. We then sank wearily to rest, and were sleeping soundly before sunrise. It was on the morning of February 22d that we had thus sought repose in the wintery forest of Virginia. We had got out of Carolina soon after crossing Dan River, and had traveled almost due northward until we passed Martinsville, Henry county, Virginia. We passed about two miles to the right of Martinsville, and then bore a little west of north. On February 22d we were hid not many miles--probably not more than a night's march--from the southern boundary of Franklin county, Virginia. It was the anniversary of Washington's birth. We remembered the fact, and revered the memory of Washington, although his native State had tendered us a very poor and meager hospitality, and was treating us shabbily. The forest of Virginia, however, protected us from her own and our country's enemies. CHAPTER II. SLEEP DISTURBED--NOISE IN THE WOODS--ITS CAUSE--NEGROES FURNISH FOOD--WE HIDE NEAR THE TRAIL--HOUNDS AND HORSEMEN--EXCITEMENT OF THE CHASE--WE BUY A QUANTITY OF PROVISIONS--OUR OBLIGATIONS--ON THE HIGHWAY IN DAYLIGHT--UNDER DIFFICULTIES--WOOD CHOPPER--WOMAN AND DOGS--WE PASS ROCKY MOUNT C. H.--INSECURE HIDING-PLACE--CHANGE OF BASE--WE COME ACROSS A CITIZEN--HE TAKES STEPS TO CATCH US, BUT IS TOO SLOW--OUR FLIGHT--OUR ESCAPE--RUN INTO A WAGON TRAIN--HID AWAY--MAKING MUSH--SNOW--SORE FEET AND LAMENESS--TAYLOR FALLS BEHIND--TAYLOR LEFT ALONE--HIS CONDITION.