They had at once recovered their courage in
the presence of their mother. She seemed to
them, as she braved the intruders, the grandest
person they had ever seen. Her face was white,

71



TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES

but her eyes were like coals of fire. They were
very glad she had never looked or talked so to
them.
When they got outdoors the yard was full of
soldiers. They were upon the porches, in the
entry, and in the house. The smoke-house was
open and so were the doors of all the other out-
houses, and now and then a man passed, car-
rying some article which the boys recognized.
Li a little while the soldiers had taken every-
thing they could carry conveniently, and even
things which must have caused them some in-
convenience. They had secured all the bacon
that had been left in the smoke-house, as well as
all other eatables they could find. It was a queer
sight, to see the fellows sitting on their horses
with a ham or a pair of fowls tied to one side of
the saddle and an engraving, or a package of
books, or some ornament, to the other.
A new party of men had by this time come up
from the direction of the stables.
"Old man, come here!" called some of them
to Balla, who was standing near expostulating
with the men who were about the fire.
' ' Who ? -me ?" asked Balla.
