Two days after the conversation recorded in the last chapter the folks living at the Ruthven plantation were disturbed at daybreak by the distant firing of cannon, which continued for over two hours, gradually drawing closer and closer. "What can this mean?" asked Mrs. Ruthven, in alarm, as she moved to the window. "Can the Yankees be pressing our army back again?" "I will take the spyglass and go to the roof," said Jack. "Perhaps I'll be able to see something." Armed with the glass he made his way to the garret of the plantation home, and then up a ladder leading to a scuttle of the roof. Marion, as anxious as anybody, came after him. Standing on the roof, Jack adjusted the spyglass and gave a long look in the direction from whence the sounds were proceeding. "What do you see, Jack?" "I can see nothing but smoke," he answered. "Some is over at Bannock's woods and the other near Townley church." "Don't you see any of our soldiers?" "No. The trees are in the way, and all I can see is a stretch of the bay road. Hark! the cannon are at it again!" "But the sounds are closer," persisted Marion. "That is true. They must be--hullo! there come our men, along the bottom of the woods--they are retreating!" "Do you mean to say they are coming this way, Jack?" "Yes, Marion. See for yourself!" And he handed the girl the spyglass. Marion took a long look, and gave a sigh. "You are right, our brave soldiers are suffering another defeat. Perhaps they will come to our plantation!" "If they do, we ought to do all we can for the wounded," answered Jack quickly. "To be sure. Oh, see! they are running this way as fast as they can--fully two regiments of them!" Again Jack took the glass. "Yes, and now I can see the Yankees. My, what a lot of them! At least twice as many men as there are on our side. I really believe they are going to push on to here, Marion!" At this the girl turned pale. "And if they do?" "We must defend ourselves as best we can," answered Jack. "Do you know what I am going to do? Call out the Home Guard!" "But, Jack, you may be shot down?" "If I am, it will be only at my post of duty, Marion." So speaking, Jack leaped down the ladder into the garret and ran downstairs. He met Old Ben just coming into the house, accompanied by Darcy Gilbert. "Darcy! just the fellow I want to see! And Old Ben, too!" "The Yankees are coming!" answered Darcy. "I know it, Darcy. I was going to call out the Home Guard." "Exactly my idea." "Old Ben can help you get the boys together." "'Deed I will, Massah Jack, if yo' wants me to," responded the colored man. Darcy and Ben were soon off and Jack re-entered the house, to be confronted by Mrs. Ruthven. "What are you up to, Jack?" "I have called out our Home Guard, mother. The Yankees shall not destroy this plantation or molest you and Marion." "You must do nothing rash, Jack."