into North Carolina. This was a long and difficult undertaking, and especially so to one who was entirely unacquainted with the country or its inhabitants. The difficulties and dangers, as they continually presented themselves to him, must be experienced in order to be appreciated: the gloomy mountains, the deep an(l narrow defiles into which the sun's rays seldom penetrated, the absolute stillness which reigned, the entire absence of human beings; to a single traveler this solitude was appalling. it seemed that the silent forest was a continual warning against further progress. But onward through these dreary regions he proceeded for many days, until the dreary mountains were cleared and a brighter prospect presented itself from the east. The way soon became clear and safe. He reached his c ompany, which was recruiting at Oxford. Georgia. one month from the time he escaped from the prison. His arrival was unexpected. but a warmer welcome was never accorded to any one than he received from his companions, who were as true and dear to him as brothers. He had been gone from them three months, but it seemed an age. He was just twenty-two years old, sparely built, and quite boyish in appearance. During these three months he had encountered enough hardships and dangerous adventure to try the mettle not only of him, but of more mature and hardened persons. It would be impossible to relate all the incidents of this escape as they occurred. The escape was from an tipper room in an old-style, two-story dwelling, which stood on a hill overlooking the Holston, by means of three "U. S." blankets tied together and securely fastened to the window-sill. Hearne had appeared to the soldiers who stood guard as too "bad off" from his wound to walk. No doubt they were chagrined, when they beheld the blankets and had called the roll, to find that one prisoner would not answer at their roll-call any more.

On his return home, 1865, he resumed teaching and studied law during his spare time, and, 1873, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice of law at Arkadelphia. 1878 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the Eighth Circuit, and held this office during three succeeding terms. 1886 he was elected to the judgeship of the circuit, and has since been re-elected to

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