240 The University of California Magazi?ie. 



you know the Yankees are crossing Broad River not more 

 than a mile from here? My father is expecting them at our 

 house every minute!' 'Impossible,' said I. 'We met Wheel- 

 ei's men not more than a mile back and they assured us there 

 were no Yankees ahead. They ought to know, for they were 

 sent here to watch them.' 'Wheeler's men!' she retorted, 

 'don't you see that smoke yonder, and there and there and 

 yonder!' She pointed rapidly in different directions. I looked, 

 and to my dismay I saw the rising columns of the smoke of 

 burning houses on every side, not more than half a mile dis- 

 tant. We were in the midst of the enemy whom we thought 

 so far away. Soon the popping of guns, with which I had 

 become so familiar, commenced. While I was talking with 

 the woman, John and Captain Green had gotten one-fourth of 

 a mile ahead." 



Professor Le Conte finally succeeded in warning them and 

 they concealed themselves and their wagons. 



"From our hiding place we saw several parties of Federals 

 approach the same house during the day. About 11 A. m. 

 a dense column of smoke, then the squealing of Confederate 

 pigs and the cackling of Rebel hens and the sound of human 

 voices in loud and angry tones, proclaimed in unmistakable 

 language that the hen house nearest us and only 100 yards 

 from where we were standing, was being raided." 



They remained in hiding all the day. When evening ap- 

 proached the suspense became great. 



"In the meantime the negro children were becoming clamo- 

 rous for food. They had had nothing since morning. It was 

 absolutely necessary to make a fire and cook. With many 

 misgivings and many directions for making it as small as 

 possible we consented. Alas! Alas! Those crying children, 

 low whimpering of the hungry mules as fodder was brought 

 to them and more than all that fire — that dreadful fire — would 

 surely betray us. As soon as possible it was extinguished 

 and we went to bed. Anxiety of mind kept us all from sleep 

 until late. Gradually the hum of the Yankee camp ceased 



