“Pomp tells me that the news that South Carolina has seceded has travelled everywhere during the night, and in consequence, the country folks are growing suspicious of all strangers. You had better go straight on through Maryland without stopping.” “I wonder if Maryland will join us if it comes to war?” said Andy. “Of course she will join,” answered Mr. Arlington. But in this the veteran was mistaken. Although a slave State and with strong Southern tendencies, Maryland, when the all-important test came, remained in the Union. And, as a matter of fact, even a portion of Mr. Arlington’s home State also remained, forming what has since been known as West Virginia. The breakfast over, Louis felt that he must be on his way. It was a raw winter’s day and the distance to be covered was nearer forty miles than thirty. There was a winding turnpike leading to the Potomac River, and, this crossed, there remained a choice of two roads, one almost direct, but very hilly and stony, and the other a serpentine way several miles longer but much more easily travelled. “Well, good-bye and good luck to you!” were Andy’s parting words, and the two shook hands, and Louis expressed the wish that when they met again all inter-State difficulties would be settled once and forever. Louis found the parting from Grace harder than ever. There were tears in the eyes of the little Virginian, and the boy could scarcely speak to her because of the lump which arose in his throat. But at last it was all over, and he had mounted his horse, which one of the slaves had brought up to the door. He was just about to tip his hat in a parting adieu when, on glancing towards a side road skirting the plantation on the left, his eyes caught sight of half a dozen men galloping swiftly towards him. A closer inspection revealed the fact that the men were mountaineers and at their head rode Sam Jacks! “They are after me!” he thought. He was about to turn to his friends, when he as quickly changed his mind. There was a good chance to escape those approaching, and why should he cause the Arlingtons further trouble on his behalf? He tipped his hat, urged forward his horse, and in five seconds was galloping towards the main road at high speed. “He certainly means to get home before nightfall,” cried Andy, as he watched Louis disappear in a cloud of dust. “I wish he believed as we do and could stay here.” He had scarcely spoken when Mr. Arlington discovered Sam Jacks and his followers. The men rode straight for the house, cutting into a lane leading up from the dairy. “Well, Jacks, what brings you this morning?” demanded the veteran, as the mountaineer came to a halt. “We came to have a talk with that boy,” was the gruff answer. The mountaineers had talked matters over and had decided to put on a bold front. “So you came here to insult our guest, did you?” “We came here to find out what he’s up to in these parts, Colonel,” put in a second of the newcomers.