The contents of the basket had been gratefully
received and devoured by those who deserved the best
in the land, because they were the land's defenders.
To-morrow Toby and I, and the basket, were at
the Empire hospital in due time, but the poor suffer-
ing youth was not there. The emancipated spirit had
taken its flight to Heaven, and all that was mortal of
that brave young soldier had been consigned by the
ceremonies of the church he loved so well, to the
protecting care of Mother earth.
68 LIFE IN DIXIE



CHAPTER VII.
Concealing Confederate clothing — Valuables carried to At-
lanta—Toby taken ill.
On the way to the post-oiBce early one morning in
the sultry month of July, 1864, to mail a number of
letters which I deemed too important to be intrusted •
to other hands, I was accosted as follows by Uncle
Mack, the good negro blacksmith, whose shop was
situated immediately upon the route:

"Did you know, Miss Mary, that the Yankees have
crossed the river, and are now this side of the Chai-.
