"That Captain Stinger wanted to be sent to Congress before the war; but the people wouldn't do it. He is a politician, and a mischievous cur," said the colonel, when he saw the major at his side. "Put him in irons, or tie his arms behind him, Styles," said the commander, addressing the sergeant of the guard, "if he don't behave himself. I have a message from the camp, Colonel Coffee," continued he, turning to the magnate of Greeltop. "Where is Plain Hill, sir?" "Five miles to the south of us, Major; a village about the size of Greeltop. Any news from there?" inquired the colonel with decided interest. "Captain Truman, of our second company, whom I left at the camp, has had a message from the place, to the effect that a band of guerillas were approaching the place; and he marched at once with all his company but a camp-guard." "Good!" exclaimed the magnate. "Heaven be praised!" added the reverend gentleman with a gun in his hand. "It is a mercy that your company was at hand." "Good! I say," almost shouted Captain Stinger. "Heaven be praised that Vinegold is getting there! Our prayers will all go the same way!" The fire-eater was near enough to hear what the major said. "I only hope he will burn every house in the place," added the captain. "There is not such another nest of traitors in Kentucky, unless Greeltop is the other." "Who is Vinegold, Captain Stinger?" asked the commander. "Major Vinegold is a man after my own heart," answered the prisoner. "If he is your friend, you will be likely to see him before morning," added the major, as he turned away. The prisoners were placed in the centre of the united company, and marched to the camp just as the darkness was beginning to gather on the landscape. All the people in Greeltop were in the roads, and greeted the soldiers with applause and cheers as they marched by them. The officers and most of the privates were loaded with bouquets on the way. Several times the magnate, who returned to the camp with the troopers, began to tell the commander something about Plain Hill; but the cheers he was obliged to acknowledge prevented him from giving attention, and the subject was delayed to another time. CHAPTER XXXIV THE RE-ENFORCEMENT FOR PLAIN HILL It was not strange that the loyal people of Greeltop were grateful to their deliverers. Reports of similar occurrences within twenty or thirty miles of them had fully informed them of the nature of such raids, doubtless with many exaggerations; but they had every reason to expect more severe treatment than most other places, for the residents were Unionists to a greater extent than in other villages in that section. The magnate was an intensely loyal citizen, and he had largely built up the place.