From the PREFACE. It will be remembered by many that, during the year 1862, a number of soldiers belonging to the army of the North-west deserted, and, returning to 'their homes, were concealed by disaffected partisans. The hero of this story has been selected from a score of these, personally known to the author. The idea of the work was suggested by a friend, who conceived that such a production, showing, as it necessarily must, the influence, for evil, exerted upon susceptible young men in the army by certain political malcontents, might be productive of good. The statement that the majority of the characters who figure here are real, their names only being fictitious, is scarcely necessary, as many of them will be readily recognized. The principal scene has been laid in and about the Hoosier capital, for two reasons: first, because the author is Hoosier, and is partial to Hoosierdom; second, because it is mete that the most gallant of the North-western States should figure in the romance of the present period. She certainly has as much claim to such notoriety as those rebellious States, which have hung so conspicuously hitherto, in the gallery of fiction. If, in reading this story, any, who have heretofore been blinded by the opaque goggles of party devotion, should have their eyes opened to the great truth that Loyalty admits of no ifs or buts; if any should be convinced that it is the duty of every American to lay party, property, life - all upon the altar of Freedom, then shall my highest hopes be consummated. To the members' of the Metropolitan Literary Institute, who, for eight years, have been to me both schoolmates and teachers, are due my warmest thanks for many kind suggestions. -The Author