ses, and prove it, sir." A thorough search was now instituted around and beneath each particular article of furniture in the room, but all in vain; and, in anger, I was called upon to solve the question, "Where's our niggar?" Well, sir, were I put upon oath, I could truly say that I am utterly ignorant of where she is; but why not search for her-up the chimney, for instance. Do you not hear how disturbed the swallows are ?" "That's so; Tom, why the deuce didn't we think of that before?" And up the chimney they now all scampered. Such a feast of song and harmony as followed! Swallows cackled and screamed; dogs yelped and howled; men swore and groaned, and the room being once more vacant, I had a good hearty laugh at their expense, for I had an indistinct idea of Mattie's red turban flashing through the street like a comet, over an hour before. But my face was soon straightened by the return of the company plump upon the floor, and one man, who went up redheaded, coming down as black as the Styx. "My heavens! what an outrageous place to go for a gal," said he, as he raised his soot-colored eyes with a heavy wink, as though the light of the room affected him, as the light of heaven might be, and was, too much for him. The birds closed their little throats and wings again, in rest; and a thorough search under the house finished the day. Next morning a soldier boy came and told me that poor, hunted Mattie had, in Federal uniform, rowed herself across the river the evening before, to Illinois' free soil. My promise was kept. The poor, hunted blacks would come into

our camps like flocks of blackbirds; and for years after the war opened, their owners had the power of recovering them, and impressing the Federal soldiers to help in the search.

CHAPTER VIII.

CLOSING LABORS OF CENTRAL HOSPITAL.

One afternoon in Slave-Hunting-Wounded in the Back Arm & "little bit Smashed"- No Good till We came Here-Sister, will you Pray for Me? - Death-bed Confession of a Guerrilla - Benediction to his Sweet-heart- A Scare-The Amputated Arm- “God and My Country"-" Grant and Victory"- Mammoth Roses, with Compliments of Illinois Cavalry - Mrs. General Wallace - Chicago sends Coatsworth a Corps of Nurses - Captain Ralph Fields - Dr. T. R. Austin - Mrs. Dr. Hammilton - Rebecca Woodward - Mrs. Colonel Noble Mrs. Dr. Wardner.

In giving this inside view of hospital life, I have hesitated somewhat, lest it might be thought irksome in times of peace to recur to these sufferings; but when we consider what these men achieved for us— how they drove slavery from our midst by the liberation of four millions of souls-how they forever set-· tled the long-agitated question of State Independence, and, from a position of doubtful perpetuity, raised our Republic to be the model of governments, respected of all the potentates and powers-is it too much to ask, that we look back and see at what cost our country was redeemed? History is said to be a tree that grows only when its roots are moistened with blood; and the record of arts and sciences, very secondary in importance to these contests of bloodshed. "A Thermopyla has far more historic value than a thousand prairie farms, and a Waterloo excites more emotion in the human breast than all the

gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains. America will no longer have to cross the water to worship at the shrine of heroes. Hitherto this broad Continent, washed by two great oceans, with a population of 30,000,000 of people, was almost without incident or record; but in this war between the States, 500,000 victims fell. Every battle-field witnessed a contest such as only found an equal in the Peloponnesian war, and the victims-whether of the art of wounding or of healing-sleep their last sleep far away; some on the New England hills, where snow-wreaths shroud their obscure graves; others beneath a warm Southern sky, where nature decorates their obscure tombs. Every square mile of the Republic is thus covered, and the blossoms bloom above each, regardless whether, when living, her children wore the blue or the grey.

But the tomb can speak to us only through eloquent silence; the cripples, who now fill our land, by their presence daily bring back those old scenes, and silently ask us to forget them not. And the sad hearts of those who went out, like myself, and lived with their fallen friends those terrible years, will, if no others, thank me for this "tribute to the dead."

One whole afternoon's absence from the patients was about the greatest loss sustained by our slavehunting. Mattie was secure in the land of freedom, and her pursuers, after performing the functions of a chimney-sweep, dispersed homeward. The case was by myself laid before the government authorities, and, a few weeks later, Southern citizens were pro

hibited invading loyal homes in search of colored refugees.

On entering the hospital next morning, I learned that a load of wounded Confederates had been brought. Many of them had been shot in the back, and some fatally. This wound was always significant, and indicated a coward, or a convert to our cause; but the healer of the sick knew no distinction, and devoted his care alike to the man who had fought for or against the government. These were the orders from General Grant, and most rigidly did he see them carried out. In passing through the ward on my usual mission, and at the usual time, after wardmasters and nurses had made all as neat and proper as a lady's breakfast parlor, one poor fellow, who lay upon his face, excited my greatest sympathy.

"Sister, do you think I can live?" said he, as laid my hand upon his throbbing brow.

"I hope so; we will try to save you. You seem to suffer much."

"Yes, some; but not so much from my wounds as from my head and heart; they are a flaming fire, and will consume me," he replied, with a deep moan. "I do not want to die; I am not ready to die. Can't you save me?" he exclaimed, clasping my hand tightly, after sobbing aloud.

"I have but little confidence in myself, but my husband is said to pretty nearly bring the dead to life. I will seek him." And I hastened to his side.

"Doctor, here's another man you must save, and