Chapter 24

           ThebrightglareofmorningsunlightstreamingthroughthetreesoverheadawakenedScarlett.Foramoment,stiffenedbythecrampedpositioninwhichshehadslept,shecouldnotrememberwhereshewas.Thesunblindedher,thehardboardsofthewagonunderherwereharshagainstherbody,andaheavyweightlayacrossherlegs.ShetriedtositupanddiscoveredthattheweightwasWadewholaysleepingwithhisheadpillowedonherknees.Melanie’sbarefeetwerealmostinherfaceand,underthewagonseat,PrissywascurleduplikeablackcatwiththesmallbabywedgedinbetweenherandWade.

           Thensherememberedeverything.Shepoppeduptoasittingpositionandlookedhastilyallaround.ThankGod,noYankeesinsight!Theirhidingplacehadnotbeendiscoveredinthenight.Itallcamebacktohernow,thenightmarejourneyafterRhett’sfootstepsdiedaway,theendlessnight,theblackroadfullofrutsandbouldersalongwhichtheyjolted,thedeepgulliesoneithersideintowhichthewagonslipped,thefear-crazedstrengthwithwhichsheandPrissyhadpushedthewheelsoutofthegullies.Sherecalledwithashudderhowoftenshehaddriventheunwillinghorseintofieldsandwoodswhensheheardsoldiersapproaching,notknowingiftheywerefriendsorfoes—recalled,too,heranguishlestacough,asneezeorWade’shiccoughingmightbetraythemtothemarchingmen.