antics of this otherwise kindly animal caused a great scattering
among the gallant defenders of Fort Stevens. Indeed, I have good
authority for saying that they evacuated that stronghold more
suddenly than had ever been done before, scampering down the
Fourteenth-street road at a rapid pace.

In short, my son, they mistook this wayward animal for Early's
advance guard, and came to the very wise conclusion that a fort was
not a pleasant place to stay in when an enemy outside was throwing
shells into it.

The good people of Brightwood betook themselves to packing up their
traps, and pondering over the question as to whether they had been
disloyal enough during the war to claim Mr. Early as a friend when
he arrived. It was a trying time with the good people of Brightwood.

When, however, the gallant defenders of the defenses found that it
was only a cow that had so disturbed them, they went boldly back to
their guns, and were as full of courage as could be for the rest of
the day.

As the morning wore on, the evidences of trouble outside increased.
Scattering contrabands, some with bundles on their backs, some with
chairs, buckets and wash-tubs on their heads, others with the family
table on their heads. There was an interesting group of three--two
male and one female member of the African family. One of the former
had brought his banjo, the other his fiddle. The female had a tub
well down on her head. These poor frightened people came trotting
into the city over the Tenallytown and Brightwood roads, seeking a
place of safety inside of the forts.