I followed him with eager eyes and beating heart, till he disappeared over the hill ; but my anxiety was so great that it seemed he would never reach it. I expected every instant to hear the report of their heavy pistols. It could not have been more than a moment after I had seen him disappear, when the door shook beneath the heavy blows of sabres, accompanied by the coarse voices of brutal soldiers demanding admittance. My excitement had made me so weak that I could hardly stand, yet I dared not refuse them entrance. I tottered rather than walked toward the door, and began to unbar it ; but before I could remove the fastenings and open it, such heavy blows were dealt that I feared it would be broken down ; and such foul oaths were uttered as almost chilled my blood. My children clung to me almost helpless with fright, for 1 was alone with them, and though I was trembling with fear, for their sake, I assumed a courage I did not feel. I had hardly removed the last bar, when the door was thrown violently open, and six rough, powerful, and evil-looking men stood before me. 'Where is your rebel husband?' demanded the leader in a voice of thunder.

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HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

- ■ Striving to be calm, I answered, 'He is not in the hou 'He is in the house,' was the gruff reply, 'one of my men sav. him enter more than two hours ago ; if you do not show me where v< ■ have hidden him, 1 will burn your house over your head.'