Before turning back in the direction of the Potomac I gave our horses a short rest. They had made remarkable good time and though comparatively fresh, they would, after we got beyond the Rebel lines again, have to be pushed to the full extent of their endurance.
Besides, I did not care to start back too soon, for I wanted it to be dark when we would reach the vicinity of T——. I knew the moon would not rise that night until a little after eight, and between dusk and that time I had planned to get beyond T——, procure a vehicle of some kind and assume my disguise. That done, I was ready to encounter the enemy at any time, although I aimed to run against them later and further on. Ned made an excursion into a neighboring field and brought back some feed for the horses. As soon as they finished their meal we started.
Ned soon suggested that we might find a conveyance that would answer our purpose at Goodhue's, a place on our left a little ways off. We made our way there, taking a short cut and a rough road through a lane, which approached the place from the rear. The house, which faced a road beyond, looked deserted, but we did not go near enough to be certain.
The stables stood off by themselves and we were well enough satisfied not to find anyone around them and did not investigate further. The carriage and horses were gone, but we found a good set of harness and an old fashioned light buggy, which suited our purpose admirably and were all we needed. We had left our horses in the woods across the lane. I went on ahead to reconnoiter. Ned followed, pulling the buggy.
By the time I was arrayed in my disguise Ned had the horses harnessed to the buggy and my clothes and the saddles and bridles stowed compactly away under the buggy seat. It was an extra piece of luck finding a vehicle so near, for I could not assume my disguise until one had been procured, but now, instead of going around T——, I could pass directly through the village, which saved considerable time.
I had on starting from S—— forbade Ned to address me except as Miss Salome, for I was afraid if he did not have some practice he would in any sudden fright forget and let slip the "Mars," which would be sure to rouse suspicion. I impressed on him that he must, until we were through with the rather unpleasant affair before us, act as if I were in reality his young mistress, whom he was trying to get safely to her home, and protect to the best of his ability in a dangerous and unsettled country.
It was a decided change in our mode of progression for us to be speeding along over good roads in a comfortable buggy and not actually shunning observation, as I had been obliged to do until then. But while it was a rest, it was the kind of a rest one experiences when awaiting a surgical operation, which is to commence as soon as the surgeon comes, the exact moment of his arrival having been left mercilessly indefinite.