Chapter 46

           FewfamiliesinthenorthendoftownsleptthatnightforthenewsofthedisastertotheKlan,andRhett’sstratagemspreadswiftlyonsilentfeetastheshadowyformofIndiaWilkesslippedthroughbackyards,whisperedurgentlythroughkitchendoorsandslippedawayintothewindydarkness.Andinherpath,sheleftfearanddesperatehope.

           Fromwithout,houseslookedblackandsilentandwrappedinsleepbut,within,voiceswhisperedvehementlyintothedawn.Notonlythoseinvolvedinthenight’sraidbuteverymemberoftheKlanwasreadyforflightandinalmosteverystablealongPeachtreeStreet,horsesstoodsaddledinthedarkness,pistolsinholstersandfoodinsaddlebags.AllthatpreventedawholesaleexoduswasIndia’swhisperedmessage:"CaptainButlersaysnottorun.Theroadswillbewatched.HehasarrangedwiththatWatlingcreature—"Indarkroomsmenwhispered:"ButwhyshouldItrustthatdamnedScallawagButler?Itmaybeatrap!"Andwomen’svoicesimplored:"Don’tgo!IfhesavedAshleyandHugh,hemaysaveeverybody.IfIndiaandMelanietrusthim—"Andtheyhalftrustedandstayedbecausetherewasnoothercourseopentothem.

           Earlierinthenight,thesoldiershadknockedatadozendoorsandthosewhocouldnotorwouldnottellwheretheyhadbeenthatnightweremarchedoffunderarrest.RenePicardandoneofMrs.Merriwether’snephewsandtheSimmonsboysandAndyBonnellwereamongthosewhospentthenightinjail.