The trees with their leafless branches and skeleton shadows could be dimly seen, but were poor companions for a maimed and wearied traveler in an enemy's land. It was a touching, but a necessary or unavoidable incident of our journey to leave Taylor behind in the Winter, and in the wilderness, as a lonely and solitary sentinel in the silent watches of the night. But we could do no better, as our supply of provisions was nearly exhausted, and we could not recruit it, or seek assistance for him without jeopardizing his safety as well as our own. So we left him to whatever fate might fall to him in the merciful dispensation of Providence. I have never heard from or of Taylor to this date, December, 1869. Whether he got able to travel, and succeeded in making his escape from the Confederacy, or whether he was recaptured and returned to prison, is not known to me. He may have perished from starvation where we left him, on account of inability to get away from there. CHAPTER III. PROVISIONS GONE--CROSS THE BLUE RIDGE--SECURING FOOD--GOING THROUGH BIG LICK--RAIN AND DARKNESS--WE ARE COMPELLED TO SEEK SHELTER--LYING OVER--THE TOBACCO--ITS OWNER--MORE FOOD LAID IN--UP THE VALLEY--STRIKE FOR THE ALLEGHANIES--DIFFICULT TRAVELING--ROUGH COUNTRY--WE REACH A STREAM--TOO WEARY TO FORD--FALL BACK TO HIDE--MAKING OUR BED--FALL ASLEEP. Having parted with Taylor, our travels were resumed through the later hours of the night. Once or twice in traveling the distance of four, or four and a half miles, we almost concluded to return to him, but feared disaster might come upon us if we turned back. It soon became evident that daybreak was at hand, but we proceeded a mile farther before turning into the woods. The sun was just rising when we began making our bed, for the 27th of February, in a place surrounded by woods and brush. On lying down we fell asleep. We awoke about the middle of the afternoon. Shortly after arousing from our slumbers, we eat the last of our mush. A little salt was all we had left of the supplies we had received from our negro friends in Henry county. When, where, and how our next supply of food should be secured we did not know. We judged we should cross the mountain during the approaching night, and determined to give ourselves no concern on the score of rations until the valley on the other side was reached. The sad event of the previous night formed the subject of our conversation for the evening. "It wouldn't surprise me a bit," said Wood, "if Taylor should beat us to the lines yet." "He may," said Trippe, "if he lives through the first night or two, does well, and is lucky enough to secure the services of a good guide to take him through by the short cuts." "Our lines will be down this way some of these days," said Smith. "The only difficulty with Taylor," remarked Trippe, "will be in avoiding Rebel citizens and finding a true Union friend to care for him a few days."