The retreat was up Wolf Creek toward the mountains, through a rough, wild region. The advance of the Confederates came to where Uncle Dan's cabin stood. It so happened that Joe, who had so often been Uncle Dan's companion, was at the cabin, which he kept always ready for the old man's return. He stood in the door way and watched the advancing throng, his mild blue eyes wide with wonder. "Do you come from the land of Canaan, and is the famine over where my father dwells?" he asked of the rough soldiers, who paused at the spring to drink. "Come from Canaan? No; we come from h--l," replied one, with a laugh at his own wit. "Have you seen my father?" asked Joe, in astonishment. "No; but we have seen the devil," replied another, "and he is close at our heels." The poor idiot looked alarmed. He vaguely comprehended that some danger was advancing, and his eyes filled with tears. "Oh, what shall I do?" he cried, in tones so plaintive, so pitiful, that they might have touched a heart of stone. "Do? Run," said one of the soldiers, "run for your life, and hide among the rocks. There are plenty about here." "No," said a third, "fight them. Here is a gun," handing him a musket. "Take this and shoot the first one you see." Joe took the gun, but no dangerous light shone in his blue eyes. "I will fight no one but the Philistines," he said, thoughtfully. He was stunned and confused, and stood by the spring with the old musket in his hands, as group after group of armed soldiers hurried by. "Hilloa, Joe, what are you doing?" said a familiar voice, and Howard Jones came towards him. "I am here to assist Samson slay the Philistines," replied the poor lunatic. "Put that down," said Howard, taking the gun from him and laying it on the rocks by the spring. "Now run. Go that way," pointing to the west, "and don't you take any guns in your hands. If any one says 'halt!' stop at once." Howard Jones hurried on, hoping rather than believing, that Joe would follow his advice. "Helloa, where are you going?" cried another soldier, as Joe started away. "Fleeing from Sodom," replied Joe. "Well, sir, don't you flee. Pick up that gun and fight the d----d Yankees. Shoot 'em as fast as they come out of the woods." Joe, always obedient, took up the gun again and remained automaton-like, to obey the last speaker. "For shame, Bryant!" exclaimed Seth Williams, who came up at that moment. "He is crazy. Would you have him expose his life that way, when he doesn't know what he is doing? Put the gun down, Joe, and go that way," said Seth, pointing to the west. "Go to Mr. Tompkins; he wants you." Joe hastened to obey, and Seth hurried on.