These words stared them in the face. The news had come by telegram from Turkeyville; but soon after the line had ceased to work, and no particulars could be obtained. It was late that night when the boys went to bed. The morrow was to be an eventful one for Middleton, and there was a feeling of uneasiness in the air.
The next day was the 3d of July.
Will Tevis was awakened by a tremendous clangor of bells.
"Fire!" shouted Will, making one dive from the bed to the window.
He opened the shutters with a crash; but not a sign of smoke was there to be seen. What could it mean?
"Sounds like the Fourth," he said, leaning over the sill and craning his neck to right and left.
The Tevis house was far up the slope, on which the village stood, and Will could look down one of the long streets. He saw people running from the houses and heading for the Court-house square.
He hurried on his clothes, jumped down the back stairs, and rushed to the street, joining his grandfather on the way. At the gate as they turned into the dusty road they met Ambrose Skinner.
"Heard the news?" he yelled, as he approached.
"What is it? Has any one surrendered?" asked old Mr. Tevis, breathlessly.