This information was unwelcome, as the countenances of the listeners plainly indicated.
One of our party was called aside by a Union citizen, and informed of a plan to rob, and probably kill, us before morning.

This was not pleasing.

It did not add to the comfort of the situation to know that a collision between the Home Guards and a company of Secessionists was momentarily expected.

At either end of the town the opposing parties were reported preparing for a fight.

As the hotel was about half-way between the two points, our position became interesting.
Next came a report from an unreliable contraband that our horses had been stolen.