It did not take me long to conclude that they must be the very fellows who had been in such hot haste after me, to infer that they had given over pursuit and that their horses must be somewhere near. I retreated into the shadow of the trees and thus sheltered made my way around to the front of the house. To my exceeding joy, I found there three slick Confederate steeds tied to the fence. I hastily untied the halters, for while I did not intend to perform another circus act by riding all three at once, I did not care to leave any behind to aid in my pursuit. I led them as gently as possible down into the road and mounted one, a powerful black. The other two at first made some resistance, but an energetic pull or two decided them to follow. The noise of my departure brought out the pleasure-loving cavalrymen in hot haste, but they were not quick enough to do any effectual work. I followed the obscure, little-used road, on which the house stood, for a short distance, then turning from it I made a cut between two hills and came out on a road running parallel with the one I had started from J---- on. After going several miles I turned the extra horses loose and they soon stopped to graze. My late acquisition was possessed of prodigious activity and I soon made up the time I had lost. I had no further detention and as the gray dawn again appeared I reached my destination. Turning from the road I walked my horse slowly up the wide, tree-lined avenue toward the mansion. Tired as I was and interested in but one object, the deserted, desolate appearance of the place impressed me deeply, and I drew rein for a moment to look around. I knew the family had been away but a comparatively short time, yet the house and surroundings had already that uncared for, lonely look that soon hangs over a closed house. It was the first time I had ever seen that wide, hospitable mansion when it was not filled with life and mirth. It was the first time I had ever come to it without receiving a warm welcome. Leaving the lawn in front, I made my way to the quarters of the family servants beyond the house. To my surprise I found them empty and deserted. I knew that when the family went to G---- all except two of the servants had been left behind and I expected to find them there. I knew my aunt would not leave without making ample provision for their comfort and I felt certain they were too strongly attached to the family to run away, so I could not understand the vacant cabins. I could not believe but what some of them were still around the place. I searched and called without unearthing a soul, and had just returned from another tour around the house, and was pondering how best to effect an entrance into it when I caught sight of a gray head peeping out of an opening in the top of the kitchen, which stood a few rods from the house. It was instantly withdrawn, but not until I had seen it belonged to Ned, an old negro owned by my mother, but who made his home at S----.