“'Will you go to the war?' continued the General.
“'No, sir; I will stay here and take care of this farm for Mrs. Lyon and little Jennie. They shall not suffer while I am able to look after them.'
“Old Ham thought he had a point, and said: 'Dat's good; dat's jes' what I 'tend to do when Massa Tom git killed. Jes'so.'
“'Shut up, Ham. Your Massa Tom, as you call him, is not going to get killed. There have been enough of the Lyon family killed already,' said Peter.
“'Dat's so, Massa Peter. I not got dat in my kalkerlate, you see; but I tell you I is monstrous feered 'bout dese matters; deys is heaps of people gittin' killed, and most of dem is good peoples, so dey is. Can't tell who nex', massa; can't tell, sah!'
“'Well, Joseph, there will be no trouble about your staying. We want you here on the farm,' I said. 'We are all very much distressed, but, at the same time, we must look out for our country somewhat; and our family all being in the army, of course we must expect some misfortunes. Have you heard any more of the Golden Circle in this neighborhood?'
“'Yes, Uncle Daniel; they are at work, and since the defeat of our forces at the battle of Pageland, they are outspoken about what they intend to do; not only in aid of the rebellion, but they threaten the Union people here at home—threaten to destroy their property, and make war in Indiana if it becomes necessary, just as you have heretofore understood. I am keeping close watch, and they will not be able to do any very great harm here without my knowing it.'
“We cautioned Joseph, and told him to come in to our house frequently and let us know what was going on.
“On returning home we found Aunt Sarah and Jennie much improved, but Dr. James was suffering very great pain. The swelling was extending up his arm from his hand. I said to him perhaps we had better have a physician. 'You are suffering so much that I fear you are not in a condition to attend to your own case.' He consented, and one was called in. On examination he pronounced the trouble blood poisoning. James was greatly alarmed at this. The physician commenced at once with the most radical treatment. The next morning James seemed much easier, and looked as if he was coming out of it all right.
“The next day, while we were sitting on the porch, the postman brought me a letter, written in a delicate female hand. I read it and then called Gen. Anderson and Peter to listen: