The corporal knew, that in the widow, he would find a warm and sympathizing friend, and he consequently made his way toward the house. It was certainly with no martial bearing that he presented himself at the door of the widow's mansion. He asked to see Mrs. Juniper, but was told by her maid, that it was too early for her mistress to be out of bed. She brought him to the kitchen fire to dry his stained and dew-soaked clothes. The corporal dried his clothes, washed and bound up his wounds with such linen as the cook would furnish, and tried to make himself presentable. Seeing Mrs. Juniper's maid he desired her to inform her mistress that Corporal Diggs wished to see her as early as possible. Mrs. Juniper, supposing that some important message had been sent by Colonel Scrabble, allowed herself to be hastily dressed, and sent to tell the corporal she would receive him. Diggs lost no time in obeying the summons. At sight of the lacerated and bandaged being who entered, Mrs. Juniper, who had risen to receive her guest, utter a scream, and sank back into her chair. "Corporal Diggs," she cried, "what has happened?" "We have met the foe," said Diggs, with a tragic tone and manner. "Hem, hem, hem!--yes, Mrs. Juniper, we have met the foe--" He paused, overcome with emotion. "With what result?" "I alone am left to tell the tale." "Oh, heavens! Corporal Diggs, it can not, it can not be true!" "Alas! lady, it is but too true. Our brave army is now no more. I, wounded and hunted like a hare, have come to you for a few hours of peace and shelter." Diggs endeavored to look the character of a wounded knight from Flodden Field. "Pray, Corporal Diggs, tell me all; our cause is not, must not be lost. The South--but, pardon me, you are wounded, weak, and faint--" Diggs had put one of his arms in a sling and had bound a bandage on his head. "Sarah, bring wine here at once. Ah! you must have been very closely engaged with the enemy from the number of your wounds." The wine was brought, and Diggs, now refreshed, gave eager Mrs. Juniper a glowing account of the battle at Carrick's Ford. As the account given by history does not, in all respects, agree with that of Corporal Diggs, we will give his version of the conflict.