"Yes. Mark seems to prefer to go alone. I don't think we are in as much danger from Big Tom as he thinks, but there is no telling. Some of these guerrilla bands are nothing more or less than robbers, and they care little whom they rob. But I must go now. Don't worry. I won't be long." Mr. Chittenden was gone some two hours, and when he returned he did not seem in the best of spirits. Grace had been anxiously waiting his return. "How is it, father?" she cried. "I thought I saw smoke." "Yes, they have burned a great deal of the train," answered Mr. Chittenden, gloomily. "The worst part of it is, it is only a small scouting party that has done the mischief--not over fifty men--and they have captured four hundred prisoners without firing a gun." "That doesn't look as if one Southern man could whip ten Yankees," replied Grace, with a twinkle in her eyes. "Grace, I believe you are glad that train was captured," said her father, with more feeling than he had ever manifested toward her. "I surely am," replied Grace, undaunted. "You well know I am for the Union." "Grace, beware! Don't trespass on my love for you too much. Perhaps you will rejoice when I am arrested and dragged off to prison." "You arrested! You dragged off to prison! Father, what do you mean?" gasped Grace, now thoroughly alarmed. "It means that your dear friends, the Yankees, have found out that I have been gathering supplies for this train. The officer in command has ordered me to turn over everything I have gathered, and threatened to arrest me for being an agent of the South." "What will be done with all the food and forage you have gathered? Will it be destroyed?" asked Grace. "No; not all of it, anyway. The captured men are without food and nearly starving. They have been, or will be, paroled and turned back north. They will be given the food for their return journey to Rolla, where they have been ordered to report." "Why, father, that is grand. The very ones will get the food that you have gathered it for. The officer in command must be a gentleman. What is he like?" "He is young--not much more than a boy. He seems to know his business; has perfect control over his men. Moreover, he has the appearance of a gentleman. But you can see for yourself, Grace, for I have invited him and his Lieutenant to take supper with us tonight. And--and, Grace, I will not object to your making known your true sentiments. It may save me from a Federal prison." "Father, if they arrest you, they will have to arrest me, too. I will be the worst rebel in the State. But, father, they won't arrest you. What have you done?"