Raiding with Morgan Part 28

"What do you think?" asked Bowman of Calhoun, after they had returned to Indianapolis. "I have forty thousand of those fellows."

"Will they fight?" asked Calhoun.

"Fight? Of course they will fight," was the answer. "Let Morgan get into the state, and you will see."

At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy farmer named Jones, who lived near Corydon. He had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and boasted of the number of Knights in his part of the state.

"We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists from the earth," he exclaimed, boastingly, "and hang Old Abe, and Morton too."

"What would you do if Morgan came?" asked Calhoun.

"Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell until I was hoa.r.s.e," was the answer.

"What if Morgan should want some of your horses?" asked Calhoun.

Mr. Jones's countenance fell. At length he mumbled, "Of course he would pay me for them?"

"Of course," replied Calhoun, in a tone which the old gentleman did not quite understand.

Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis Bowman told him Morton was to hold a reception, and asked him if he would not like to attend and see the great War Governor.

Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a desire to see the man of whom he had heard so much-a man who had the majority of his legislature against him, yet held the state as in the hollow of his hand-a man who borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers of his state might be thoroughly equipped. He had overcome every difficulty, and held his state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands of the citizens of the state secretly plotting against him, he moved serenely along the path he had marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe measures, he knew when, and when not, to make an arrest. He avoided angering his enemies except when the public safety demanded it. His very name caused every member of the Knights of the Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhoun think that when he promised to attend the governor's reception that Morton's detectives were already looking for him. The renewed activity of the Knights had aroused the Governor's suspicions, and he was not long in finding out the cause. To locate and arrest the Southern officer who was causing the ferment, was his order to his detectives.

A large crowd attended the reception, and in such a gathering Calhoun felt in no danger. He saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a ma.s.sive head and brain. He looked every inch the intellectual giant that he was.

"The grandest figure," thought Calhoun, "that I have seen in the North. He is a man to beware of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him."

When Calhoun, pa.s.sing along in the throng, took the Governor's hand, Morton bent his piercing look upon him, and the question came as if shot out of his mouth, "Where from, young man?"

The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun off his guard, and almost involuntarily he answered, "From Kentucky."

"From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down there?"

Calhoun was himself again. "Of course," he answered, "we are greatly divided in that state, but all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear it from the Union."

"Good, pa.s.s on," and the Governor turned to the next in line.

But a feeling as of impending danger took possession of Calhoun. Why that question to him? He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he was suspected? Forcing his way through the throng, he got out of the building as soon as possible.

It was well that he did so, for hardly had the Governor let go Calhoun's hand, when he motioned to General Carrington, and whispered to him: "Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly as possible, but see he does not get away. He is the Southern officer we have been looking for, I am sure.

I have a full description of him."

General Carrington in turn whispered to a couple of quiet-looking men, dressed in citizen's clothes who stood near the Governor. They nodded, and started after Calhoun, who was now nearly lost to view in the crowd.

Once out of the building Calhoun found that hundreds of spectators had gathered out of curiosity. They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton, and shouting for the Union, and some were singing, "We'll hang Jeff Davis on a sour-apple tree."

Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he reached the outer edge of the circle. Here groups of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.

Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it was plain they were not enjoying the proceedings. Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice said: "You are our prisoner; better come quietly and make no disturbance." And in a trice Calhoun felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He was powerless in the iron grip by which he was held; if help there was, it must come from the outside.

"Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!"

The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife. It fell on the astonished ears of hundreds who did not understand it. But to those groups of silent, sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet, summoning them to duty.

"Oho ne! Oho ne!" they answered, and before the surprised officers could draw a weapon, could raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beaten down, and their prisoner s.n.a.t.c.hed from them.

The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers came on the run, with fixed bayonets, scattering the crowd right and left. But when they reached the spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and bleeding officers.

They could only say they had been set upon, knocked down, and their prisoner taken from them. By whom they did not know, for it was dark, and the crowd had dispersed.

When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voice whispered, "Follow me, quick!"

Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow of buildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running, both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.

[Ill.u.s.tration: INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]

"We are safe now," said the guide, "but it was a close shave for you. What did they arrest you for?"

"To hang me," answered Calhoun, with a shudder. "I am a Confederate officer."

"I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn't have tried to arrest you in that crowd; but don't worry, you are all right now."

His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which he said was his home, "and," he exclaimed, "none of Abe Lincoln's minions will ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escaped Confederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton.

It should be called Camp Hades."

Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. "Sleep soundly, and without fear," said Mr. Randall.

Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget to return thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respect for the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The next morning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling of his escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with the announcement that so important did the government consider his person that a reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhoun now knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remained for him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.

Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the city concealed in a farmer's wagon. He was pa.s.sed on from the hands of one true Knight to another, and at the end of three days he found himself on the banks of the Ohio, a few miles above Madison. In the darkness of the night he was rowed over, and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native state. In his ecstasy he felt like kissing the ground, for was it not the soil of Kentucky?

At the house of a true Southerner he found refuge. His measure was taken into Carrolton, where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing a horse of the gentleman with whom he stayed, he bade him good-bye, and sprang into the saddle. The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed with the beauty which we ascribe to the Golden City. In the midst of the gold hung the new moon like a silver bow.

"See! see!" cried Calhoun, "the new moon, I saw it over my right shoulder.

It means good luck."

And while the happy omen still gleamed in the west, he galloped away.

CHAPTER XVI.

CALHOUN MAKES HIS REPORT.

By keeping off the main roads and avoiding the towns, Calhoun had no trouble in making his way back into Tennessee. He had been gone nearly a month, and was glad to see his old command, who gave him a royal welcome.

He was showered with questions as to where he had been, but to each and every one he would laugh and say, "Be glad to tell you, boys, but can't."