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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/39473-h.zip b/39473-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..437b863 --- /dev/null +++ b/39473-h.zip diff --git a/39473-h/39473-h.htm b/39473-h/39473-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..85bef88 --- /dev/null +++ b/39473-h/39473-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8770 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam, by Everett T. Tomlinson</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.linenum { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + left: 4%; +} /* poetry number */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.sidenote { + width: 20%; + padding-bottom: .5em; + padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 1em; + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; + color: black; + background: #eeeeee; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i1 { + display: block; + margin-left: 1em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam, by +Everett T. Tomlinson</h1> +<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a +href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></p> +<p>Title: The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam</p> +<p>Author: Everett T. Tomlinson</p> +<p>Release Date: April 18, 2012 [eBook #39473]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by<br /> + Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h1>THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM</h1> + +<h2>BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON</h2> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/logo.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<p class="center">BOSTON AND NEW YORK<br /> +HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY<br /> +The Riverside Press Cambridge<br /> +1914</p> + +<p class="center">COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON</p> + +<p class="center">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Published September 1914</i></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>THEY WERE FALLING BY SCORES</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>This story has been written with no desire to revive or even to keep +alive the spirit of the struggle between the States.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless the facts which have made our history and the forces which +have entered into the making of the life of our country ought not to be +ignored or forgotten. The effect of the conflict was too great for that. +The Civil War is now far enough away to enable us to see the heroic, +dramatic, and even romantic elements that composed it; and all these, +too, free from the bitterness which naturally was characteristic of the +times.</p> + +<p>To-day each side understands the other better, and with a more complete +knowledge is able to see more clearly the sterling qualities of both +contestants.</p> + +<p>The appreciation of the importance of Lee's first attempt to invade the +North is necessary if one is to understand the struggle which followed. +The dash, spirit, and skill of the great Southern leader, as well as the +energy and the daring of his lieutenants, are seen to-day more clearly +than in the times when his effort was made. What the consequence would +have been if General Lee had succeeded, all can appreciate. The battle +of Antietam was almost a pivot of the great Civil War.</p> + +<p>That my young readers may gain a more complete knowledge of the daring +advance of the great Southern general and the result which followed when +his army was turned back into Virginia, I have written this story. My +hope is that it will lead to a careful study of the conflict, and that +boys, North and South alike, may be led into an increased knowledge of +and interest in our common country.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Everett T. Tomlinson.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth, New Jersey.</span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="contents"> +<tr><td align="right">I. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">The Irishman and his Pig</span> </a></td><td align="right">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">The Sutler's Goods</span> </a></td><td align="right">13</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">Intercepted</span> </a></td><td align="right">27</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">The V in the Fence</span> </a></td><td align="right">38</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">The Plan of General Lee</span> </a></td><td align="right">47</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Long John</span> </a></td><td align="right">54</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Caught</span> </a></td><td align="right">63</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">Under Guard</span> </a></td><td align="right">72</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">The Plot</span> </a></td><td align="right">83</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">Into the Storm</span> </a></td><td align="right">93</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">Nick</span> </a></td><td align="right">102</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">The Giant</span> </a></td><td align="right">113</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">Friends of the Union</span> </a></td><td align="right">124</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">The Sutler as a Guide</span> </a></td><td align="right">135</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">Warlike Bees</span> </a></td><td align="right">146</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">A Helper</span> </a></td><td align="right">154</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">The Guest Room</span> </a></td><td align="right">166</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">The Fire</span> </a></td><td align="right">177</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">At the Fork</span> </a></td><td align="right">188</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">The Stack of Straw</span> </a></td><td align="right">198</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">The Carpet-Bag</span> </a></td><td align="right">207</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">A Mystery</span> </a></td><td align="right">217</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">The Guard-House</span> </a></td><td align="right">227</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">A Fruitless Interview</span> </a></td><td align="right">236</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXV. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">The Execution</span> </a></td><td align="right">248</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">The Test</span> </a></td><td align="right">260</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">The Sharpshooters</span> </a></td><td align="right">270</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXVIII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">The President's Action</span> </a></td><td align="right">280</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXIX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">The Battle</span> </a></td><td align="right">290</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXX. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><span class="smcap">The Following Day</span> </a></td><td align="right">302</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXI. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><span class="smcap">Antietam</span> </a></td><td align="right">311</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XXXII. </td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII"><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span> </a></td><td align="right">323</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<table summary="illustrations"> +<tr><td><a href="#illus1"><span class="smcap">They were falling by Scores</span> (page 303) </a></td><td align="right"><i>Frontispiece</i></td></tr> + +<tr><td><a href="#illus2">"<span class="smcap">Dey say yo' hab Hawns</span>" </a></td><td align="right">58</td></tr> + +<tr><td><a href="#illus3"><span class="smcap">Noel heard the Bullet as it whistled past</span> </a></td><td align="right">152</td></tr> + +<tr><td><a href="#illus4">"<span class="smcap">Who's in there</span>?" </a></td><td align="right">200</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="center"><i>From drawings by George Avison</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE IRISHMAN AND HIS PIG</h3> + + +<p>"You're too noisy, Dennis."</p> + +<p>"What's the harm?" replied Dennis O'Hara as he stopped a moment and +looked all about him. "There are no Johnnies around here."</p> + +<p>"You don't know whether there are or not," retorted Noel Curtis sharply, +as he too glanced in either direction along the dusty road over which +the two young soldiers were tramping that September day in 1862. Both +were clad in the uniform of the Union army, and the manner in which they +carried their rifles gave evidence of the fact that both young soldiers +were well known in the army of General McClellan for their skill as +sharpshooters.</p> + +<p>"'Tis nothing I'm afraid of now," said Dennis gleefully, as he shifted +from one shoulder to the other the body of a small pig which he had +secured in his foraging expedition with his companions.</p> + +<p>The day was one to stir the souls of both young men, who were thoroughly +wearied by the routine of the camp life at Harper's Ferry, where they +had been stationed with about eight thousand other Union soldiers. There +was a haze in the distance that covered the summits of the hills and +even the waters of the near-by stream seemed to be subdued as they +rushed on their way to join the Potomac.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a fine day," exclaimed Dennis; and at once he began to sing,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My rations are S.B.,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Taken from porkers three<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thousand years old;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hard-tack cut and dried<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Long before Noah died,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From what wars left aside<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ne'er can be told."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What do you mean by 'S.B.'?" laughed Noel.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes 'tis said to mean 'salt bacon,' and then again maybe 'tis +'salt beef,' and sometimes we call it 'soaked beans.' Whatever it is I +have had my fill of it. Shure, Noel, me boy, it's you and I that will be +feasting ourselves on some roast pork before to-morrow mornin'."</p> + +<p>"Look at those pickaninnies!" exclaimed Noel, as he pointed to a little +hut from which a stream of black-faced urchins appeared, who were +rushing to join their companions in the road and watch the two +approaching Union soldiers.</p> + +<p>"Wait 'til I sing them a song, too," exclaimed Dennis; and once more he +began to sing,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ole massa run, ha! ha!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De darkies stay, ho! ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It must be now dat de kingdom's comin'<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And de year of Jubilo."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In addition to the crowd of dusky-faced children several older negroes +now joined the group to watch the passing Union soldiers. The boys in +blue were still such a novelty to many of the slaves that their +appearance usually served to summon speedily a band of the admiring +dusky spectators.</p> + +<p>Dennis, unfamiliar with the colored people and their ways, had never +ceased to express his dislike of them. Many a time in the camp when the +soldier boys had wanted to have a little sport they would call upon +Dennis to "cuss the niggers," by which term they described Dennis's +oratorical efforts. Standing upon the head of a barrel, or mounting some +box near the quarters of the sutler, with his ready tongue Dennis +promptly poured forth a steady stream of almost meaningless words that +were supposed to be descriptive of his feeling of antipathy toward the +people for whose liberty he was fighting.</p> + +<p>In the company of negroes at this time assembled to watch the passing of +the two young soldiers there was one woman, manifestly an old +field-hand, whose size was so immense as to be impressive. The +admiration with which the woman gazed upon Dennis was returned in the +expression of astonishment with which the young Irish soldier stared at +this huge negress.</p> + +<p>"Shure, Noel," he exclaimed to his friend in a loud whisper, "'tis not +an ounce liss than four hundred pounds she weighs."</p> + +<p>Noel laughed and did not reply as he looked again at the strange woman. +Her cheeks hung down almost to her shoulders, and her immense lower lip, +which appeared to be nearly an inch in thickness, and her hair, which in +appearance was not unlike the tail of a horse after the animal has been +feeding in some field where cockles abound, increased the weird +expression with which she beamed upon the approaching boys.</p> + +<p>All of the negroes by this time were becoming more and more excited. +Their eyes seemed almost to protrude from their faces. They soon began +to sing and dance, and mingled with the strange noises were the wild and +weird shouts they occasionally uttered. The huge negress was the wildest +of all.</p> + +<p>Neither of the approaching soldiers looked at the spectacle with any +other thought than that of curiosity. To both of them up to the time of +their enlistment a negro had been a rare sight. Since they had entered +the army, of course they naturally had come frequently in contact with +the dusky slaves. And the contrabands also on many occasions had flocked +into the camps, confidently expecting to be sent North by their soldier +friends.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the huge negress abruptly started toward the young soldiers. +Swinging her arms as she ran, she swiftly approached the boys, who had +stopped abruptly when they first discovered her action.</p> + +<p>"Bress de Lor'! Bress de Lor'! Yo's de ones we's been prayin' fo' dese +fo' yeahs! Lor' bress ye, honey! I lub ye! I lub ye!" she added in her +excitement, as she lunged toward Dennis, who was the particular object +of her attack.</p> + +<p>For a moment the startled young Irishman gazed in mingled disgust and +fear at the huge negress, who was rapidly approaching. Then without a +word of explanation Dennis O'Hara, who on the battle-field had been +brave almost beyond the power of description, abruptly turned and fled +from the excited negress. A wild shout from the assemblage followed his +unexpected departure, and even Noel was compelled to laugh when he saw +the huge woman start in swift and awkward pursuit of the fleeing +soldier.</p> + +<p>Unwilling to let go his hold upon the pig, which he had secured in his +foraging, Dennis was greatly hampered in his flight. With long strides +the black woman gained rapidly upon him. Once Dennis emitted a loud +whoop of terror or warning, Noel was unable to decide which.</p> + +<p>The excitement of the negroes became more marked as it was seen that the +efforts of Dennis to escape were unavailing. Nearer and nearer came the +excited black woman, and in a brief time she flung her great arms about +Dennis, who was helpless to protect himself, as he still was unwilling +to let go his hold upon his prize.</p> + +<p>"Lor' bress ye, honey!" shouted the woman as she clasped the unwilling +soldier in her arm. "Bress de Lor'! Bress de Lor'! We hab bin prayin' +fo' yo' dese fo' yeahs! M—m—m—"</p> + +<p>Her grasp evidently became more vigorous and her enthusiasm more marked +as the plight of the helpless soldier became more manifest. The watching +negroes, almost hilarious by this time, started toward the place where +the exciting scene was being enacted.</p> + +<p>What the outcome might be now began to trouble even Noel, who rapidly +advanced to the side of his friend, and shouted to the approaching +blacks, "Keep back! Keep back!"</p> + +<p>The negroes, however, either were too excited or were unwilling at first +to heed the request, and in a screaming, laughing, shouting mob they +still pressed forward.</p> + +<p>The negress, as has been said, apparently a field-hand, was possessed of +great physical strength, and it was plain that Dennis was unable to +protect or even release himself as long as he held to the body of the +pig.</p> + +<p>As Noel approached, Dennis shouted excitedly to him, "Take the porker, +Noel, me boy! Take me gun, too! Help me out o' this!"</p> + +<p>"Bress ye, honey! We hab bin waitin' fo' yeahs fo' yo' to come! We's +been prayin' all de time and when I hear yo' singin' about 'Ole massa +run, ha! ha!' and 'De darkies stay, ho! ho!' den I des know de kingdom +was come shore 'nuff and de yeah of Jubilo was right yere!"</p> + +<p>Too angry to respond, Dennis waited until Noel had relieved him of his +gun and the pig, and then with one violent effort freed himself from the +grasp of the excited black woman.</p> + +<p>When she made as if she was about to approach him once more and renew +her expression of delight over the coming of the boys in blue, Dennis +suddenly seized the little pig that Noel was holding and swinging it +with all his strength struck the woman with it upon the side of her +face.</p> + +<p>The effect of his effort, however, was plainly not more than to cause +the huge mass of flesh to stop a moment, but not to abandon the efforts +in which the negress was engaged. Again Dennis drew back the little pig +and again struck at his tormentor. His second effort, however, like his +first, was unable to check the fervor of the powerful woman. The +remaining negroes now were almost upon the struggling pair. The fear in +Noel's heart that some harm might come to Dennis or to himself became +real.</p> + +<p>"Stand back there!" he shouted. "Don't come any nearer!"</p> + +<p>At his word the crowd halted and, quickly taking advantage of the +interval, Noel said, "This woman says you have been praying for four +years for us to come."</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh! We shore has! Dis yere is de Jubilo, shore 'nuff! +Shore 'nuff! Ole massa goin' to run, and de darkies goin' to stay!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know that song?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"We shore does! Yas, suh! Yas, suh! We knows it!"</p> + +<p>"Then I want you to stand up by the side of the road and sing it while +we march back to camp."</p> + +<p>Laughingly the dusky crowd arranged themselves in lines along the +roadside according to Noel's bidding. Even the huge negress, after some +persuasion, reluctantly took her stand at the head of the line on the +right.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, everybody sing!" called Noel, after he had whispered to +Dennis, "Take your gun and pig and start out of this, but don't try to +be in too much of a hurry."</p> + +<p>"All right," he called loudly, as he passed the negress. There was a +laughing response and instantly Noel and Dennis, as they quickly +advanced began to sing,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ole massa run, ha! ha!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De darkies stay, ho! ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It must be now dat de kingdom's comin'<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And de year ob Jubilo."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Glancing neither to the right nor left the two soldiers steadily moved +forward and in a brief time passed beyond the strange assembly on the +roadside.</p> + +<p>"Is she after me, lad?" whispered Dennis loudly, glancing anxiously +behind him.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Noel, "but I shan't look back just yet. I +don't hear anybody coming and they are singing like mad back there yet."</p> + +<p>"Just listen to them, will you!" he added as there came from the crowd +an increased volume of sound, which was somewhat indicative of the +excitement that possessed the assembly.</p> + +<p>"I guess we 're all right now," Noel said a few minutes later when they +had turned a bend in the road and their admirers no longer were to be +seen.</p> + +<p>"Now, Noel, me boy," said Dennis, "I want ye to promise me something."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" inquired Noel quizzically, although he was confident that +he understood what the request of his companion was to be.</p> + +<p>"I want ye to promise me that ye'll kape what happened here a sacret. +'Tis just between you and me, me boy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but, Dennis," suggested Noel, "think what fun the boys in the camp +will miss if we don't tell them what the black woman did."</p> + +<p>"Shure, you won't tell on me!" Dennis pleaded as he stopped a moment and +gazed anxiously at his companion.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to think about that," replied Noel mockingly.</p> + +<p>The expression of consternation that appeared for a moment on the face +of his companion caused the young soldier to laugh heartily.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you tell them about it yourself, Dennis?" he asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Niver!" replied the young Irish soldier. "'Tis one of the sacrets I +shall niver tell, not aven to me mither. But I want to feel that you +will help me to kape the sacret."</p> + +<p>"I'll agree not to tell it to-night," said Noel at last.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I'll have to be contint wid that, thin," responded +Dennis. "But let me tell ye wan thing, Noel Curtis. If I find the story +ever does lake out, I shall know where it came from and the fellow that +tells on me will want to go to the surgeon to be put together. Indade +an' he will that!"</p> + +<p>"He won't if he gets that black woman here to help him," laughed Noel. +"Now, how are you going to get that pig into the camp? You know what the +colonel said about foraging, and what he told us would happen to the boy +who tried it, after such strict orders had been given against it."</p> + +<p>"Shure, and I'll give the colonel a piece o' the rib o' me pig. When he +once swallows that he'll forget all about his orders."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure about that," said Noel good-naturedly. "But here we are +almost back to camp, and you'll have a chance to try it out in a little +while."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE SUTLER'S GOODS</h3> + + +<p>The appearance of the two soldiers in the camp at once attracted the +attention of their comrades. It had been long since any of them had +tasted fresh meat and the sight of the pig which Dennis still was +carrying upon his shoulders aroused the desire of every beholder to +share in the repast which was to follow. There were many laughing calls +to be invited to the feast, to all of which Dennis responded +good-naturedly, but without in any way committing himself unduly to the +increase of the numbers of those with whom he intended to share the +change in the camp diet.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Levi," called Dennis, as he and Noel passed the sutler's tent.</p> + +<p>Levi Kadoff, one of the sutlers, who, by some strange methods, had +obtained the privilege of selling the soldiers from his stock which was +displayed in a tent not far from the center of the camp, looked hastily +up as he was greeted. His love for pork was not strong, but apparently +was the only limit to his desires. At exorbitant prices he had been +selling his wares, and he had interfered in so many ways with the camp +life and had been so disagreeable to most of the soldiers that at the +time he was the most detested man in Harper's Ferry. He had used every +artifice in inducing the boys in blue to buy from him, and many of the +sales which he made were called robbery by those who had been persuaded +to buy.</p> + +<p>"Vere you haf been?" demanded the sutler, as Dennis and Noel halted in +front of him.</p> + +<p>"Been out foraging," answered Dennis loudly. "We have a pig here. If you +will come up to my tent after dark, I'll give you a slice o' spare rib."</p> + +<p>The expression of disgust which appeared instantly upon the face of Levi +caused Noel to laugh heartily, but the countenance of Dennis was +unchanged, as he stared at the angry sutler.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Levi?" he said. "Don't you like pork?"</p> + +<p>Again an expression of disgust appeared upon the face of the sutler, but +he made no direct reply to the question.</p> + +<p>"How much are you charging for milk this mornin'?" inquired Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-five cents a glass."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" demanded Dennis. "Shure, it was twinty cints when I left +camp, and you have not put it up over five cints since the mornin'! I +thought you would have it up to fifty cints shure by this time. Levi, +have you a bit of a conscience at all left yet?"</p> + +<p>"I vas all consciences," replied Levi, spreading out his hands as he +spoke. "I don't think how I shall be able to do business here much +longer. Dese things gets me—"</p> + +<p>"Of course you won't do business here much longer," broke in Dennis. +"You won't have to. Before you go, some of the boys will have to come +down and give you a good send-off."</p> + +<p>"No! No!" protested Levi excitedly. "They must not do dat. I haf been +der very goot friend. I have made leedle, very leedle money."</p> + +<p>"Don't be scared, Levi. We know just how much money you have made. Some +of the boys have been kapin' tabs on you. If we should take whativer you +have here, you would still be rich enough, and the boys would feel that +they were only gittin' even with you for the way you have treated them."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the angry sutler snapped, as he turned sharply upon the +young soldier. "If I choose I can reports to der colonel vat you have +been doing."</p> + +<p>"What have I been doin'?" demanded Dennis innocently.</p> + +<p>"You know dere vas strict orders against foraging. I think now I shall +report to the colonel."</p> + +<p>The young soldiers remained no longer at the sutler's tent.</p> + +<p>"I believe that fellow will report you to the colonel," Noel said to his +companion.</p> + +<p>"To be shure he will. He's likely to do that, and if he does he's likely +to get somethin' more."</p> + +<p>The reports were current in the camp that orders had been reissued +against any foraging on the part of any of the men.</p> + +<p>Whether or not it was due to the feast which Dennis and Noel prepared +that night when their pig was roasted, or to the monotony of the camp +fare to which the soldiers still irreverently referred as "S. B.," is +not known, but at all events the temptation to find fresh food, and +especially fresh meat, outside the boundaries of the camp proved to be +too strong for many of the boys in blue.</p> + +<p>It was not long afterward when Dennis with others was tempted beyond +his power of resistance and again was found among those who were +foraging in the regions adjacent to the camp.</p> + +<p>A dozen or more were in the company and, as the soldiers believed, +through the reports of Levi Kadoff, the colonel had been informed of the +escapade. Consequently when the men returned to the camp the angry +colonel, taking a position near the guard, ordered the entrance of the +men singly or in pairs, and then demanded of every one that he should +disclose what he had obtained in this foraging, against the strict +command which had been issued.</p> + +<p>Shamefacedly and with many threats against the little sutler, the +returning soldiers showed what they had secured, oftentimes through hard +labor.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the pile upon which the colonel had commanded every soldier to +cast whatever he had obtained grew steadily. Chickens, an occasional +ham, various vegetables, and other articles composed the greater part of +the rapidly increasing heap.</p> + +<p>Most of those who had been engaged in the forbidden occupation had +already returned to camp, when Dennis O'Hara at last appeared. This +time, however, Noel Curtis was not with his friend.</p> + +<p>As Dennis drew near the guard he discovered the presence of the colonel, +but if he was alarmed by his discovery, his feeling was not betrayed by +any change in the expression of his face. And yet apparently Dennis was +the most guilty of all the men. Inside his coat was something which +caused the garment to protrude in such a manner as to reveal, and yet at +the same time to conceal, whatever Dennis had secured.</p> + +<p>Demurely the young Irish soldier approached the waiting colonel and, as +the officer sharply ordered him to halt, Dennis and a few watching +soldiers were aware that the colonel's patience was entirely exhausted. +He was not only angry that his commands had been disobeyed, but +manifestly the indifference of the young soldier increased his feeling +of irritation.</p> + +<p>"What have you inside your coat?" demanded the irate colonel.</p> + +<p>"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" retorted Dennis, saluting as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"What have you inside your coat?" repeated the angry officer.</p> + +<p>"Nothin' of any value, sor."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe what you say! A man who will disobey orders will lie +about his disobedience! Unbutton your coat, sir, and show me what you +have!"</p> + +<p>"Indade, sor," protested Dennis, "'tis nothin' I have which will +interest the likes of you, Colonel Rathbun. 'Tis nothin' of any value +at all I have."</p> + +<p>"Unbutton your coat, sir, and throw what you have stolen on to this +pile, where the rest of your thievish comrades have placed what they +stole!"</p> + +<p>"Indade, sor," protested Dennis once more, "'tis nothin' of any value. I +didn't rob anybody, sor! I—"</p> + +<p>"Do as I tell you!" demanded the angry colonel, "or I will order you to +be taken to the guard-house!"</p> + +<p>"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" responded Dennis promptly, as he began to fumble +at the buttons of his jacket.</p> + +<p>The garment, however, had been drawn so tightly about him to cover the +object he was trying to conceal that it was with great apparent +difficulty he obeyed.</p> + +<p>Watching the awkward attempts of the young Irish soldier to comply with +the demand of the colonel, many of the men of the regiment were +crowding about the place. Curiosity as to the prize which Dennis had +secured and suspicion that his sober face belied the feeling in his +heart, and the general knowledge that Dennis O'Hara was one of the worst +practical jokers in the camp, combined with other motives that steadily +increased the number of the spectators.</p> + +<p>After several attempts Dennis succeeded in unbuttoning the upper buttons +of his jacket, and then again he paused and facing the colonel said, +"'Tis nothin' that will interest you, Colonel. I haven't taken anything +of value—"</p> + +<p>"Not another word from you, sir!" shouted the angry officer. "Do as I +tell you! Unbutton your coat and show what you have stolen and throw it +on the heap where the other things are piled!"</p> + +<p>"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" said Dennis, speaking almost sadly, as he resumed +his occupation and in a brief time succeeded in unbuttoning his jacket.</p> + +<p>As he did so a small block of wood fell to the ground. For a moment the +men stared blankly at Dennis's "prize" and then broke into loud and +prolonged laughter.</p> + +<p>The colonel's face flushed slowly when he discovered the true +possession of the young Irishman, and then in a good-natured way he +struck the block of wood with his sword and turning to his men said, +"Sold! I have been sold, and shall have to own up to it. You young +rascal," he said, once more addressing Dennis, "I have half a mind to +send you to the guard-house on general principles. You had no business +to play such pranks as that."</p> + +<p>"But, Colonel," protested Dennis demurely, "I didn't want to play it. I +did my best not to, but you ordered me to, so you see I had to. I was +just bringing in a present."</p> + +<p>"A present?" demanded the colonel, as the men laughed again. "A present? +To whom were you going to give that block of wood?"</p> + +<p>"Shure I was going to give it to the sutler," replied Dennis. "I had an +idea that it would match his head."</p> + +<p>The boys dispersed, pleased that the colonel had been so lenient with +them and that their only punishment had been the loss of the articles +which they had secured in their expedition.</p> + +<p>When the two young soldiers were again in their tent, Dennis said to +Noel, "That little sutler, Levi, is to blame for all this trouble. He +thought the boys would be after buyin' not so much of him. He's the +first of all the men who put us on hard tack that was 'cut and dried +long before Noah died.'" And Dennis began to sing noisily,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My rations are S.B.,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Taken from porkers three<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Thousand years old;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hard-tack cut and dried<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Long before Noah died,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From what wars left aside<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ne'er can be told."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"I'm afraid the colonel won't be so easy next time," suggested Noel.</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry about that," said Dennis. "The next time there won't be +any Levi to carry tales to him. I have got it all fixed up in me mind. +We're going to make Levi a good soldier."</p> + +<p>"You can't do that," laughed Noel, "unless you begin at his feet."</p> + +<p>"That's where we propose to begin."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"Noel, me boy," whispered Dennis, "I can't tell you all the details, but +we're goin' to have a sham fight here between the Forty-sixth and the +Fifty-first, and I shouldn't be one bit surprised if Levi Kadoff's +supplies were somewhere near the middle of the battle-ground."</p> + +<p>Noel laughed and thought no more concerning the statement of his comrade +until the following day when to his surprise he discovered that there +was, indeed, to be a sham battle between some of the men of the two +regiments to which Dennis had referred.</p> + +<p>An interested spectator he watched the two regiments when they formed in +line near the tent of the sutler, Levi Kadoff. Nor was he the only +spectator, for near by were assembled many of the men, all apparently +aware that something of unusual interest was about to occur.</p> + +<p>At last, when everything was in readiness, the Forty-sixth charged their +opponents and with little effort drove them back. The Fifty-first, +however, rallied, and then began to press their foes back to their +former position. In the midst of all the efforts there was wild +excitement and loud cheers among the spectators, whose numbers increased +with every passing moment.</p> + +<p>When the Fifty-first re-formed, it was directly in front of Levi's tent +of supplies. A few minutes later, the bugle sounded and the Forty-sixth +charged again.</p> + +<p>Down came the laughing boys like a whirlwind, every one yelling as +loudly as his lungs enabled him.</p> + +<p>Apparently the sight of the charge of the noisy soldiers brought dismay +to the hearts of the re-formed regiment, and before a word had been +spoken they began to fall back. The applause and laughter among the +spectators increased as the howling, laughing mass of soldiers ran +swiftly forward driving their "enemies" before them.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for the sutler, his tent and supplies were directly in the +way of the retreating Fifty-first. No one afterward could explain how it +had been done, but the ropes of Levi's tent somehow were cut, and in a +trice the stock of the little sutler was scattered over what seemed to +be a half-acre of ground. There were few of the soldiers who did not +have some articles in their hands. The battle itself seemed to have been +forgotten, and in a brief time all the goods had disappeared, either +into haversacks or into secret pockets of the thoughtless soldiers.</p> + +<p>Levi, almost like a madman, was fighting to save his property. At one +time he seized a cheese-knife and with it strove desperately to strike +some of the boys. He was quickly disarmed, however, and as he was pushed +from one to another he not only found no place upon which his feet could +secure a resting-place, but no other weapon came within his grasp. At +last, when he was released by the howling mass of soldiers, he was at +least five hundred yards from the place where his ruined store had been +located.</p> + +<p>It was manifest now that every soldier understood the purpose of the +sham battle. The very location had been selected with the thought to +bring dire troubles upon the unpopular sutler, who so often had taken +advantage of the boys in their purchases of his supplies.</p> + +<p>By this time, however, orders had come from headquarters which speedily +dispersed the disorderly mob, and in a brief time the camp resumed its +former appearance, save for the loss of the sutler's stores and tent.</p> + +<p>It was at this time that Noel unexpectedly came upon the little sutler. +The man was almost beside himself with anger and grief.</p> + +<p>"I vill haf the law on them!" he shouted. "They shall be shot, efery +one! I vill haf mine goots vonce more!"</p> + +<p>Not untouched by the suffering of the man, Noel said to him, "I don't +think the boys meant anything very bad. They thought you had been +charging them too much for what they have been buying."</p> + +<p>"I haf not! It vas cheap! It vas all cheap! But I vill tell you. Dat +fellow Dennis O'Hara, he it is who has made all dese troubles. I vill +gif him no rest. He shall pay me back efery cent vat I haf lost. I shall +gif him no rest."</p> + +<p>Noel laughed lightly as he turned away, not for a moment taking the +threats of the angry man seriously, and if he had been told at the time +that the very lives of himself and his companions would depend upon a +word of the little trader, he would not have believed the prophecy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>INTERCEPTED</h3> + + +<p>In spite of the strict orders which had been issued for preventing +foraging, either the memory of the feast for which the pig that Dennis +had secured had provided the main course, or the restlessness due to the +monotony of camp life, caused the practice to be renewed by some of the +more restless spirits. Among these was Dennis O'Hara.</p> + +<p>A few days afterward Dennis said to Noel, "Come on, lad, we'll take a +walk over these hills."</p> + +<p>"What for?" inquired Noel suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Shure, and 'tis to see the scenery."</p> + +<p>"I want the walk," said Noel promptly, "and if you'll promise to behave +yourself and not get either of us into trouble with any of your pranks, +I'll go with you."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, early in the afternoon leave was obtained and the two young +soldiers departed from the camp at Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>As yet they had no fear of an immediate approach of the Confederates. It +was well known that General Lee, after his success in preventing +General McClellan and his great army from advancing up the Peninsula to +take Richmond, and his success in the second battle of Bull Run, or +Manassas, had decided to cross the Potomac into Maryland. General Pope +had been relieved of his command and General McClellan had been +reinstated as the leader of the Northern armies.</p> + +<p>The action of General Lee in deciding to invade the North produced a +consternation that was followed almost by a panic. There were +expectations that if he was successful he might not only take +Washington, the capital of the nation, but also that he might move +against Philadelphia and other Northern cities.</p> + +<p>The soldiers of the Southern army were following Lee with a devotion and +enthusiasm that at the time were without a parallel in the armies of the +North. General McClellan doubtless was a more able engineer than General +Lee, but his lack of prompt decision and quick action was known to his +opponent, for both were graduates of West Point. Either his knowledge of +the lack of decision on the part of General McClellan, or his desire for +the armies of the North to withdraw from the vicinity of Richmond, +because its defenders might not be able to withstand a well-directed and +concerted attack, or both reasons, may have influenced him in his +daring, not to say dangerous, attempt.</p> + +<p>It was not until later in the war that a man was developed who commanded +the confidence of the North and the enthusiastic loyalty of the Northern +troops.</p> + +<p>At this time, in 1862, there were divisions and jealousies among the men +and almost a total lack of preparation among the bodies of troops.</p> + +<p>With McClellan in command again there was a prompter action on his part +than had been manifest throughout his Peninsula campaign. It was a +critical time for his army and himself, and a time of peril for the +cities of the North not far from the border.</p> + +<p>Early in the preceding spring Noel and Frank Curtis, twin brothers, +whose home had been on the shores of the far-away St. Lawrence, had +enlisted, and had been assigned to the army of McClellan. Since they had +been little fellows they had been familiar with the use of the rifle and +had acquired such skill that both, soon after they had joined the army, +were assigned to the sharpshooters.</p> + +<p>In the battle of Malvern Hill, Noel had been wounded and sent home for a +time. His brother Frank also had been home on a furlough. At the +beginning of the fall campaign, Noel, now having recovered from his +wound, and Frank were both ordered to rejoin the army.</p> + +<p>For some reason, which Noel did not fully understand, his brother had +been assigned to a different corps, while he, together with eight +thousand of his comrades, had been assigned to the holding of Harper's +Ferry. Another small division had been stationed at Martinsburg and at +Winchester.</p> + +<p>It was not known among these garrisons that General Lee had expected, +upon his advance into Maryland, that these troops would quickly be +withdrawn. It is now understood that General McClellan had written +General Halleck to recall these men and attach them to the Army of the +Potomac; but Halleck had decided to retain the garrisons in the Valley, +and his decision has been sharply criticized on the ground that he +violated every principle of sound strategy.</p> + +<p>Among the friends that Frank and Noel had made there was young Dennis +O'Hara, a bright, happy young Irishman, about twenty years of age, just +two years older than the twin brothers.</p> + +<p>The friendship had been strengthened and the intimacy increased after +the brothers had been separated. Dennis and Noel now were not only +tent-mates, but almost inseparable companions.</p> + +<p>As yet there had been slight call for their labors at Harper's Ferry. It +was not known that the Confederate army was near, and in their sense of +security most of the men were becoming somewhat careless in the +observance of their duties.</p> + +<p>"There's one place," said Dennis, when the two young soldiers had gone a +mile or more from their quarters, "where I don't want to go to-day."</p> + +<p>"Where's that?"</p> + +<p>"'T is where that fat nager woman lives."</p> + +<p>"But she said she was one of the best friends you had."</p> + +<p>"'Friends'!" snapped Dennis. "'Friends'! I think she's the first cousin, +and maybe she's the sister, of ould Satan himself. You don't catch me +goin' anywhere near that place again. If she thinks I came down here to +set such nagers as she free, she's very much mistaken. No, sor! Niver +again! If she should run after me any more, she'll only reach me +through me dead body."</p> + +<p>"But suppose, Dennis," laughed Noel, "that you found another pig +somewhere. Which would you do, drop the pig or keep off the fat darky?"</p> + +<p>"I'd keep off the darky, anyway, though I don't think I should let go me +pig. 'T was good of you, Noel, to give me your word that you would niver +tell anybody in the camp about it."</p> + +<p>"About what?" inquired Noel innocently.</p> + +<p>"About what took place the other day when that nager woman chased me."</p> + +<p>"When did I promise?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, you promised right there where we were whin I got away from +her," said Dennis, as he stopped abruptly and looked into the face of +his companion.</p> + +<p>"But I don't remember making any such promise," said Noel slowly.</p> + +<p>"Indade, an' you did," declared Dennis. "You gave me your word, and your +word is better nor your bond. You haven't breathed a word of it to a +livin' soul."</p> + +<p>"How do you know I haven't?"</p> + +<p>"Because if you had whispered it even to the sutler 't would have been +all over the camp in no time. I knew I could rely on you, me boy."</p> + +<p>"But I tell you," protested Noel, "I don't remember making any such +promise."</p> + +<p>"You shure did, and if you didn't you'll give it to me now."</p> + +<p>"How do you know I will?" protested Noel, whose opportunities of teasing +his joke-loving tent-mate were not numerous.</p> + +<p>If there was any mischief in the camp every one by common consent +declared that Dennis O'Hara had a share in it, if he was not the prime +mover. But like all practical jokers, Dennis, so fond of playing pranks +upon others, was usually easily angered when he himself was made the +victim of the pranks.</p> + +<p>"Shure, Noel," he begged, "you'll give me your promise now? Just think +what it would mane for me. Ugh!" he added, as he closed his eyes and +shuddered at the recollection of the "attack" of the huge field-hand.</p> + +<p>"But, Dennis," protested Noel, "she was simply trying to show her love +for you. She said she had been waiting years for you to come down here. +Indeed, she declared that with you here the year of Jubilee had nothing +to offer."</p> + +<p>"She didn't!" spoke up Dennis promptly. "Indade, an' she said nothin' +of the kind! If you won't mind, Noel," he added, "I think I'll make a +deetour about that cabin yonder," as a little log cabin in the distance +was seen.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now, Dennis?" laughed Noel. "You aren't afraid there +will be more field-hands there?"</p> + +<p>"I don't feel like takin' great chances. I tell you, Noel, one such +chase is enough to last a man a lifetime."</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Dennis, whether or not we had better go much farther," +said Noel, hesitating as he stood on the hillside and looked anxiously +about him. "We must be five or six miles from camp now and we ought to +get back long before sunset."</p> + +<p>"What's scarin' ye, Noel?" demanded Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Nothing is scaring me," answered Noel; "but I don't want to get a +reprimand for being late in the camp. We wouldn't get leave to be away +again very soon if we did."</p> + +<p>"There are no Johnnies around here, anyway."</p> + +<p>"You don't know that," said Noel positively.</p> + +<p>"We haven't seen any."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't mean that General Lee has not sent some division over +this way. He has a trick of doing that, you know, and making his men +show up where they aren't always expected."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind the Johnnies," said Dennis boldly, "if we can only keep +away from the nagers. Did you mind, lad, the cockle-burrs that were in +the wool of that ould field-hand that tried—"</p> + +<p>Dennis stopped abruptly, and turning sharply listened to the sounds +which had apparently come from the valley below them.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"That sounded like a rifle shot," said Noel seriously. "I tell you, +Dennis, we must get back to camp. I don't want to take any chances of +being cut off, and it would be mighty easy for some Johnnie to get +between us and the picket. I don't like the sound of that shot."</p> + +<p>"No more do I," agreed Dennis. "I'm with you, lad, we'll start for the +camp."</p> + +<p>More anxious than either of the young soldiers was willing to admit to +his companion, Noel and Dennis started hastily down the hillside, on +their way back to the garrison at Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>Even thoughts of foraging apparently were ignored or forgotten by +Dennis. Success had not crowned their efforts that day. Not a pig had +been seen, and if there were any chickens in the region they had been +successfully hidden by their owners. A few withered beets and a bunch of +onions comprised the entire stock which Dennis had secured with all his +efforts.</p> + +<p>"Look yonder, will ye!" exclaimed the excited young Irishman in a loud +whisper, pointing as he spoke to a small body of men in gray who could +be seen not far away in the road before them.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to hide," whispered Noel. "It may be that they have seen us +already, but if they haven't we might stand a chance of getting past +them. Come on!" he added as he seized his companion by the arm and drew +him to the roadside.</p> + +<p>The discovery which the two young soldiers had made was doubly +threatening because the road now was not near any woods.</p> + +<p>The partly cleared fields were inclosed by rude fences of rails. Hastily +leaping over the fence, Noel and Dennis crouched on the ground behind +the rails.</p> + +<p>Before they had taken their position Dennis whispered hoarsely, "They +have seen us, lad. There must be twinty men in that band. If we try for +the woods yonder, they'll get us both."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to stay right where we are, Dennis, and do the best we can +to defend ourselves."</p> + +<p>"The odds are only tin to one," said Dennis, chuckling as if the fact +was more of a joke than a peril. "They're comin', too," he added as he +pointed toward a small body of men who could be seen advancing up the +side of the hill.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE V IN THE FENCE</h3> + + +<p>The prophecy of Dennis that a small body of men were approaching up the +winding road was in part fulfilled.</p> + +<p>The men advanced until both the crouching soldiers were able to see +distinctly that they were clad in the uniform of gray. This fact +confirmed their suspicions that somehow the small body of men had come +between them and the camp at Harper's Ferry. Just what this meant or how +much it implied, neither was able to conjecture.</p> + +<p>The afternoon sun was low in the western sky. As Noel glanced behind him +he became aware of this fact, and with it also came a hope that if the +advancing party might be kept off until the sun had set, the darkness +would provide a shelter under which he and his companion might be able +to retrace their way to camp.</p> + +<p>"They're stoppin', lad!" whispered Dennis excitedly.</p> + +<p>"So they are," replied Noel "If they will only stay there we may be +able to get away from here after all."</p> + +<p>"But they have seen us," protested Dennis.</p> + +<p>"I know it," answered Noel. "But they may not be able to see us now."</p> + +<p>"There's one thing," said Dennis; "they don't know how many there are +here. If they have seen only two, it may be they think we're part of a +big company. We'll do all we can to lave them believe that. We don't +want any closer acquaintance with any of thim Johnnies."</p> + +<p>It was manifest that the party had halted in the road, and whether or +not there was any prospect of an advance was something which the boys +could not determine.</p> + +<p>Behind him Noel saw that the field sloped towards some woods that were +not more than one hundred yards away.</p> + +<p>Once within the shelter of the trees, safety for a time at least might +be secured, but in passing across the open field, even on the slightly +sloping ground, they would be exposed to the fire of the men in the +road.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Dennis exclaimed, "Look yonder, me boy! Is that a spade, or do +me eyes deceive me?"</p> + +<p>Glancing quickly at the corner in the fence Noel saw a spade resting +upon the ground, where it plainly had been abandoned by some one who had +been repairing the fence.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Dennis. You'll be seen if you try to get that."</p> + +<p>"Niver fear, me lad. That spade is worth its weight in gold, and I'm the +boy that is goin' to try for it."</p> + +<p>Instantly acting upon his own suggestion Dennis crawled slowly through +the grass and stubble and carefully attempted to gain the implement.</p> + +<p>Noel meanwhile anxiously watched his friend, fearful every moment that +the report of guns in the distance would be heard. His fears, however, +were relieved when in a few minutes Dennis returned with the spade.</p> + +<p>"There, now!" he exclaimed. "We'll be ready for the Johnnies in a jiffy. +Just watch me!"</p> + +<p>It was marvelous to see what he was able to accomplish with his spade +and still without exposing himself to the possible fire of the enemy, +who were not moving from the position where they had halted some +distance up the road.</p> + +<p>As soon as a slight excavation had been made, both Noel and Dennis +leaped into it. A few fence rails were also secured and piled upon the +fence in front of them.</p> + +<p>"You see now," said Dennis, "we're ready for almost any kind of an +attack."</p> + +<p>Noel smiled, though he made no reply. The full seriousness of the peril +in which he and his companion now found themselves was plain. They were +confronted by a band which had seen them scurrying across the road, and +though the gray-clad soldiers had halted some distance down the road the +young soldier was aware that they knew of the presence of the two boys +in blue. Why they had not advanced he did not understand.</p> + +<p>He was afraid to make the attempt to gain the woods in his rear, as he +believed his enemies were still watchful and that any effort to escape +would meet with a quick fire.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Dennis had succeeded in digging a ditch along the two sides of +the V-shaped rail fence.</p> + +<p>"There," he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. "That will keep out the +Johnnies, I'm thinkin'."</p> + +<p>"Not very long," said Noel quickly.</p> + +<p>"But they don't know how many there are of us," declared Dennis. "If +they try to attack us there will be a couple of thim what shurely will +nade the sarvices of the surgeon."</p> + +<p>"We may need the services of the undertaker."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, sor!" said Dennis with a laugh.</p> + +<p>It was apparently impossible for the young Irish soldier to realize the +seriousness of the position in which he and his comrade now found +themselves.</p> + +<p>"We'll wait a while, anyway," said Noel, "before we do anything. If they +don't attack us, we'll not make any trouble for them."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so shure o' that," said Dennis.</p> + +<p>"We won't yet, anyway," said Noel quietly, fearful that his impulsive +friend, if the attack should be delayed, would become impatient and with +difficulty would be held back from firing at the men who were so near.</p> + +<p>Glancing again at the band of Confederates, Noel was still more puzzled +by their inactivity. Apparently they had broken ranks and were sitting +or lying about on the ground near the road, though guards had been +stationed in front and rear.</p> + +<p>The moments dragged slowly on, and the confidence of Noel that an attack +was not to be made upon them gradually became stronger.</p> + +<p>The afternoon sun now was not more than a half-hour above the horizon. +If they should be left free for another hour, he was hopeful that they +might make their way to the near-by woods and by a wide detour be able +to return to the camp at Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>"Shure!" said Dennis, after a few more minutes had elapsed, "we can't +lave the Johnnies like this."</p> + +<p>"You had better let sleeping dogs alone," warned Noel.</p> + +<p>"Shure, an' I will that," said Dennis. "I'm not goin' to harm any one of +thim. They seem to me to be aslape and I want to give thim somethin' to +wake 'em up."</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" demanded Noel, as his companion drew an empty +cartridge from his box and filled it with powder from his flask.</p> + +<p>"I'm riggin' up somethin' to wake up thim boys," replied Dennis soberly.</p> + +<p>Noel said no more and continued to watch his companion, who, after the +shell had been filled with powder, adjusted the percussion cap in such a +manner that it was placed upon the powder and within the covering.</p> + +<p>"There's one of thim," exclaimed Dennis, looking with pride at his +workmanship. "Now I'll make another one."</p> + +<p>A second "shot" like the first was soon made, and then, handing one to +Noel, Dennis proceeded very carefully to place his own in the muzzle of +his gun.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" demanded Noel. "That isn't much more than a +blank cartridge you have got there."</p> + +<p>"Niver you mind that," said Dennis confidently. "We'll start these +fellows on the run."</p> + +<p>"It depends upon which way they run," again said Noel. "We don't want +them coming in our direction."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so shure about that," said Dennis, whose respect for the enemy +had fallen because of the long silence which had prevailed after their +arrival, "I'm not so shure of that," he repeated. "'Most anything is +better than nothing. Now, then, Noel," he explained, "you see that big +oak tree just beyond the place where the Johnnies are lyin'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Noel, as he glanced at the huge tree in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could hit it?"</p> + +<p>"A blind man could do that," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll fire and then you fire."</p> + +<p>"At the tree?" demanded Noel in surprise.</p> + +<p>"That's it. That's it, exactly."</p> + +<p>"What good will that do? It will only expose us and our shots won't do +any damage."</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that in a minute or two," laughed Dennis. "When these +strange bullets of ours strike the tree they are goin' to make that +percussion cap explode and then the powder will go off and there will be +a big noise right behind the Johnnies. They'll think somebody's firin' +at thim from the other side."</p> + +<p>"That's no joke, Dennis," said Noel positively. "If we do what you say, +they will think they are being attacked on the other side, and if they +retreat they will come straight toward this place where we are now."</p> + +<p>"Shure, but they won't retreat," said Dennis. "It's positive I am that +they will be puttin' straight for the place where they think these guns +are bein' fired."</p> + +<p>"Then that will give us a chance to get away."</p> + +<p>"Which may be right, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am right," said Noel hesitatingly. "Although I confess I don't +like your scheme very much."</p> + +<p>"We'll not fire together," said Dennis. "I'll fire first, then you fire +directly after me. Be sure you don't miss that tree."</p> + +<p>Dennis raised his gun to his shoulder, took careful aim and fired. After +a brief interval Noel followed his example, though his better judgment +still protested against the action as perilous.</p> + +<p>True to the aim of the young soldiers the strange shots struck the tree +just as Dennis had believed they would. An explosion followed each shot +that was so loud that even the report of the guns from the V along the +line of the rail fence sounded feeble.</p> + +<p>In a moment the little Confederate band was thrown into confusion, as +the men hastily arose and glanced in consternation first up the road and +then in the opposite direction. They had heard the report of the guns of +the two young soldiers, but, as Dennis had prophesied, the louder +reports had come after the caps had been exploded when the great oak +tree had been struck by the strange missiles.</p> + +<p>Eagerly Noel peered between the rails to discover in which direction the +little band would start.</p> + +<p>The consternation and confusion apparently lasted only a moment. In a +brief time the men formed and at the word of their leader started +hastily up the road in the direction of the hiding-place of Noel and +Dennis.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE PLAN OF GENERAL LEE</h3> + + +<p>In order to understand more clearly the predicament in which the two +young soldiers found themselves at the close of the preceding chapter, +it is necessary for us to review briefly the events which led up to that +time after the second battle of Bull Run when the Union forces again +were defeated. The failure of General Jackson to strike the troops of +General Pope on their line of retreat had enabled the latter with his +men to regain the shelter of the fortifications at Washington.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Confederate commander, Lee, gave his troops rest only for +a day. As has been said, he was aware that it was impossible for him at +this time either to invest or to attack the lines of Washington. In +spite of his success he was convinced that only two courses of action +were open to him. One of these was to remain in Virginia and try to +defend the capital of the Confederate States from possible attacks by +his enemies, and the other plan was to cross the Potomac and enter +Maryland. There he might strike, or at least threaten to strike, some of +the Northern cities that were not far from the border, and prevent +General McClellan from carrying out his cherished desire to attack +Richmond.</p> + +<p>Besides, General Lee was aware that, if he merely tried to defend the +capital of the rebellion, it would leave his enemy with full power to +assume the offensive and make attacks wherever it was decided, after the +spirits of his army had been restored and the ranks once more had been +filled.</p> + +<p>There were many who believed that General Lee displayed great keenness +of vision when he decided to enter Maryland with his army. Such an act +on his part would enable the distressed farmers of the South to gather +their crops and harvests. Especially was this true in the beautiful and +fertile Valley of the Shenandoah.</p> + +<p>In addition to these advantages, the presence of the Confederate army in +Maryland would bring many recruits, it was believed, and at the same +time would confuse the Northern army by the possibility of the trouble +that might be created there. And every day of delay was of especial +advantage to the Confederates, who were working zealously to erect and +complete the fortifications of their capital.</p> + +<p>Another thought that is said to have been in the mind of Lee was that +the people of the North, if the war should be transferred to their +territory, would thus obtain a more intimate knowledge of its horrors, +and this personal experience would arouse a desire to bring the contest +to a close. Indeed, it is said that General Lee was confident at this +time that he could accomplish the end of the struggle, which now had +been fiercely fought for nearly a year and a half.</p> + +<p>General Lee's first plan was to move rapidly into southern Pennsylvania, +and by compelling his enemies to follow him, as he was confident they +would do, he would draw them so far away from any defenses such as Pope +had recently secured in Washington after the second battle of Bull Run, +that if he should then plan for a battle it would be impossible for +McClellan's troops to escape surrender as well as defeat. So confident +were the Southern leaders now that they were filled with the thought +that if the desire for peace could be strengthened in the North by a +battle fought on Northern soil, and at the same time if the powers of +Europe should agree to secure their cotton from the Southland, the +results at the same time would put added pressure upon the Government at +Washington and terminate the bloody struggle.</p> + +<p>Keen as was the plan of General Lee, he was aware that his army was in +no condition for an enlarged or energetic campaign. No small part of his +men, as they marched over the sandy soil, were leaving bloody marks of +their bare feet. It had been impossible to provide many of his soldiers +with shoes. The provisions, too, were not sufficient, and in the days +that had followed the battle many had been suffering from disease. As a +consequence it is said, by those who are competent to judge, that not +more than fifty-five thousand men were in the army of the brilliant +Southern general when he crossed the Potomac River.</p> + +<p>Much as the men were suffering, the animals of the camp were in no +better condition. The horses were weakened by lack of food and by the +hardships of the recent days. As if these facts were not sufficient to +make the general hesitate, it is said that his supplies of ammunition +also were deficient, and that he was as seriously troubled by this last +fact as by both of the others combined.</p> + +<p>But, like every successful man, General Lee decided not to think so +much of what he did not have as of what he did have. Whatever might +befall his attempt, he was confident that he would be able to make the +Northern armies remain so long and so far from the protection of their +defenses that he could draw out the campaign and there would be no fresh +attempt to take Richmond before the following spring. This opportunity, +as we know, would be seized by the defenders of Richmond to strengthen +their defenses.</p> + +<p>At this time Lee was not expecting to receive any reinforcements, as the +campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky demanded all the men that could be +spared.</p> + +<p>Between the 4th and 7th of September (1862) the Confederate troops were +crossing the Potomac. On the last-named day General Jackson occupied +Frederick city and speedily was followed by another division. Then the +dashing cavalry of Stuart spread out in the State in such a manner that +most of the attempts of the Union generals to gain information +concerning the plans of their enemies were frustrated.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, as we know, the Federal soldiers were holding three fortified +places in or near the Shenandoah Valley which was the chief reliance of +General Lee for his supplies. About eight thousand men had been +stationed at Harper's Ferry, and there also were small garrisons at +Martinsburg and at Winchester.</p> + +<p>As has been said, General McClellan urged General Halleck to recall +these men and attach them to the Army of the Potomac. This is exactly +what General Lee believed would be done, because it was what he himself +would have decided upon if he had been in his opponent's position.</p> + +<p>When General Halleck decided to leave these garrisons in the Valley, Lee +instantly decided that they must be taken, and he believed also that +they could be captured easily.</p> + +<p>It was essential for the plans he had formed that his own communications +with his base of supplies should not be threatened by such a large +garrison as had been placed in Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>Acting promptly, as he usually did, General Lee now decided to divide +his army and reunite the divisions west of the mountains before a +decisive battle could be fought.</p> + +<p>With this purpose in his mind the commander of the Confederate troops +issued his orders on the 9th of September, and on the following day +General Jackson, in command of three divisions, after he had crossed +the mountains, was to ford the Potomac at some place west of Harper's +Ferry and then move upon the little garrison at Martinsburg.</p> + +<p>His companion, General McLaws, with two divisions was to take possession +of the heights which overlooked Harper's Ferry and the Potomac, while +another division under General Walker was to cross the Potomac east of +Harper's Ferry, and secure the Loudon Heights. This last-named position +would enable the Confederate soldiers to command Harper's Ferry from the +east bank of the Shenandoah. By this plan the little body of troops in +Harper's Ferry would be surrounded and absolutely cut off from every +hope of escape because General Jackson, just as soon as he had obtained +possession of Martinsburg, was to march swiftly toward Harper's Ferry +and block every road that led westward.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>LONG JOHN</h3> + + +<p>Startled by the change in the attitude of the band of Confederates, Noel +in a loud whisper said to Dennis, "Come, we must get out of this right +away!"</p> + +<p>"Not yit, sor," said Dennis.</p> + +<p>"But we must!"</p> + +<p>"Not before I drop one of the Johnnies."</p> + +<p>"Don't do that!" cried Noel, as he grasped the barrel of his companion's +gun. "Don't do it! We must n't let them know any more about us than they +do now. We've got to take our chances and run down the hill to the +woods! I don't believe they will follow us if we once can get inside the +border. It's going to be a hard chase for us, though, to cover those +yards ahead of us. I would give every dollar I own if I was only there."</p> + +<p>"Niver you fear me, lad. 'Fortune favors the brave.' Have you niver +heard that?"</p> + +<p>"I have," answered Noel, as he glanced again at the men who were seen in +the distance. "The sooner we start the better. Come on, Dennis!"</p> + +<p>Acting upon his own suggestion, the young soldier led the way, and +crouching low ran swiftly toward the shelter of the woods. His heart +seemed to be beating so loudly and rapidly as almost to interfere with +his efforts. He was afraid, but his fear only served to increase his +speed.</p> + +<p>Part of the distance had been covered before the flight of the two young +soldiers was discovered by their enemies. At the sight there was a loud +cry which served to increase the speed of both fugitives.</p> + +<p>"Spread out!" whispered Dennis hoarsely. "Spread out!"</p> + +<p>Instantly acting upon the suggestion, as far as it was possible for two +to "spread out," Noel ran swiftly toward a low oak tree, which stood on +the border of the woods, while his companion with equal speed was +striving to gain the shelter of another tree, the name of which Noel did +not know, which stood conspicuously about twenty yards distant from the +one that he was seeking.</p> + +<p>Before the boys could gain the shelter, the report of guns was heard, +but fortunately neither of the young soldiers was hurt.</p> + +<p>To Noel it seemed as if the few intervening yards were almost endless. +His feet seemed to be held back, as if heavy weights were attached to +them. His feeling was not unlike that which he had experienced when he +had suffered from an attack of nightmare.</p> + +<p>In spite of these things, however, both young soldiers were making +excellent time, and in a brief interval successfully gained the refuge +they were so eagerly seeking.</p> + +<p>Instantly dodging behind the protecting tree, Noel peered out at the +approaching men. The dusk was rapidly deepening, and the outlines of the +approaching band could be only indistinctly seen.</p> + +<p>He was tempted to act upon the suggestion which Dennis had made and fire +at his enemies, but his fears for his own safety were so strong that he +hesitated. In a brief time he decided to abandon the attempt, in order +not to reveal his exact hiding-place.</p> + +<p>Strong in the hope that the men would not venture to follow within the +woods, Dennis crept speedily toward the tree which his comrade had +gained, and for a moment was startled when he beheld a man also +approaching him. It proved, however, to be Noel, and then, acting upon a +common impulse, both turned and ran farther within the sheltering +woods.</p> + +<p>As they advanced, their progress became more difficult. The ground +beneath their feet was soft and yielding. It was manifest that they were +approaching a swamp.</p> + +<p>Noel wondered if his enemies were aware of the character of the land. If +they were the pursuit might be continued, as they would be certain to +catch the fugitives between the swampy ground and the border where they +had entered.</p> + +<p>"Here!" suddenly called Dennis; "here's a road." As he spoke the young +Irishman ran swiftly toward what seemed to be a road, as he had said, +and as Noel followed him he soon discovered that Dennis was correct. A +rough and partly decayed corduroy road had been made years before, but +now it provided no very secure footing. Though they were unaware where +the road might lead, both entered upon it and even increased the speed +at which they were running.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken until several minutes had elapsed, and then to the +consternation of both, a man was seen not far before them, who plainly +was approaching.</p> + +<p>Abruptly leaping from the road into the swampy ground at its side both +boys strove to hide themselves behind the protecting vines and trees. +Only a few moments had passed, however, before they were aware that the +approaching stranger was a negro. He was of unusual height and his long +strides were indicative of his haste. As the black man came still +nearer, Noel thought he never had seen a taller man. In the dusk his +long figure appeared to rise almost to the lower branches of the +overhanging trees.</p> + +<p>Lost as they were, or at least ignorant of the region, Noel suddenly +decided to hail the approaching negro.</p> + +<p>"Sambo, is that you?" he said as the negro came opposite the place where +he was hiding.</p> + +<p>Instantly the negro halted, and even in the dim light his terror was +manifest to the young soldier.</p> + +<p>"No, suh! No, suh! I isn't Sambo. I'se Long John."</p> + +<p>"Is there anybody with you?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh! No, suh! I'se all alone."</p> + +<p>Confident that he might rely upon the statement, Noel instantly returned +to the corduroy road and approached the waiting black man. To Noel the +eyes of the startled negro seemed almost to protrude like saucers. For +an instant it was plain that he was tempted to flee from the spot, +but as he glanced behind him, Noel suspected that he was in greater fear +of what threatened from that direction than he was at the discovery of +the strangers who had hailed him.</p> + +<p>"Who's yo'? Who is yo' all?" he asked, unable to prevent his teeth from +chattering as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"We are a couple of Union soldiers, Long John, and we want your help."</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh! Bress de Lor'! I'se heerd a heap 'bout yo' all. Dey +say yo' hab hawns. Ole mass' done say dat yo' be'rd com' clar down to +heer." As he spoke the negro placed one of his big hands upon his right +hip. "Dey shorely is so feared o' yo' dat if dey heer yo' name er +hundred miles away, dey's scared des' de same."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> +<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"DEY SAY YO' HAB HAWNS"</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In his dilemma Noel turned once more to the colored man and hastily +said, "Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Noware. Noware, suh."</p> + +<p>"But the rebel soldiers are ahead of you."</p> + +<p>"Dey's mo' o' 'em behind me," declared Long John promptly.</p> + +<p>"Do you know the way out of this swamp?"</p> + +<p>For a moment the tall negro gazed intently down at Noel. In spite of his +indifference, Long John was possessed of more intelligence than a first +impression warranted. Noel was made somewhat uneasy by the intentness of +the negro's inspection.</p> + +<p>Apparently satisfied by what he had discovered in his own way, Long John +said, "Yas, suh! I reckon I knows dis yeah swamp."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where this corduroy road leads?" Noel inquired, as he +pointed in the direction from which the negro had come.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh!"</p> + +<p>"How long is it? How far shall we have to go before we can be out on the +firm road again?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon it's a right sma't way," replied Long John slowly. "And if +dere's some ob the rebel sojers up ahead, dere's certainly mo' ob dem +back yonder," he added, nodding his head to emphasize the strength of +his conviction as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen any?" inquired Noel, as he once more glanced behind him +to discover whether or not there were any signs of continued pursuit.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! I'se done seen some."</p> + +<p>"How many are there?"</p> + +<p>"I recken dere's a right sma't lot ob dem."</p> + +<p>"Are they infantry or cavalry?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh."</p> + +<p>"Which are they?" demanded Noel.</p> + +<p>"Dere's some sojers on horseback. I see Massa Little Ben Fowler—"</p> + +<p>"Are there twenty of them?" broke in Noel impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh."</p> + +<p>"Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Dey's right by de end on de cord'roy road. I recken dey was goin' toe +follow me, but dey all des' shouted and laughed. Dey say I can beat de +Yanks at runnin'."</p> + +<p>"Dennis," said Noel, turning to his companion, "don't you believe that +these men have been stationed there to cut off anybody who might come +through here on this road?"</p> + +<p>"That's it, me lad! Yis, sor! That's it," replied Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Then we can't go ahead and we can't turn back. We're caught right here +between these two bodies. What can we do, Dennis?"</p> + +<p>"I recken I know what yo' all 'll have to do," spoke up Long John in a +whisper, as he spoke peering intently in the direction from which the +two young soldiers had recently come.</p> + +<p>Noel glanced in the direction indicated by the negro and in a brief +time he, too, was convinced that some men were approaching. Even Long +John was alarmed, and for a moment appeared to be on the point of +darting into the swamp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT</h3> + + +<p>Sharply bidding the black man remain where he was Noel again peered into +the road behind him and listened intently. There was no disguising the +fact that men were approaching. Doubtless a part of the force which had +been stationed in the road were aware of the corduroy way and had +ventured to follow the fugitives, confident that they could find no +escape from the place.</p> + +<p>The venture on the part of the Confederate soldiers was one that tested +their courage. The darkness had deepened, and it was well-nigh +impossible to distinguish the body of a motionless man from the trunk of +one of the near-by trees. There were strange noises in the swamp, too. +There was the flapping of unseen wings and the scurrying and calls of +unseen birds, but in spite of all these things there was no doubt now in +the mind of Noel Curtis that some men were approaching from the rear.</p> + +<p>"Dat's de only way," whispered Long John excitedly. "Dere's no oder way +outen de swamp. We des' got toe go back. Maybe Massa Little Ben Fowler +isn't dere any mo' now."</p> + +<p>Influenced by the positive manner of the grotesque negro, without a +protest both Noel and Dennis followed him as he led the way in the +direction from which he himself recently had come.</p> + +<p>Striving to move noiselessly, at the same time the young soldiers did +their utmost to advance rapidly. Occasionally some decayed log broke +under their feet, but there was no other sound to reveal their presence.</p> + +<p>Repeatedly the three fugitives glanced behind them, and then fearful of +what might be before them glanced frequently in that direction. Long +John was the only member of the band who apparently was unmoved by the +excitement, a fact which was difficult for Noel to understand, inasmuch +as when first he had seen the tall, awkward slave, it was the terror of +the black man at his unexpected presence that had most impressed him. +The flight had continued not more than ten minutes before the young +soldiers arrived at the end of the road.</p> + +<p>"There's somebody here," whispered Noel, as he grasped Dennis by the +arm and all three fugitives halted.</p> + +<p>"Yis, sor, that's true for shure," replied Dennis in a whisper so loud +that Noel warningly again grasped his arm.</p> + +<p>It was too dark to enable the boys to determine just how many were in +the waiting band. It was believed, however, that there were at least +twenty. Perhaps there was another little force also approaching. The two +boys in blue were caught between the two bands, and their only way of +escape was through the swamp. A hasty inspection, however, convinced +both boys that escape in that way was impossible. Even in the dim light +they were able to see the water which covered the soft ground, and it +was plain that if either of them should step upon the perilous footing +he might be in greater danger than he would be compelled to face if he +should be caught between the two little bands of their enemies.</p> + +<p>Abruptly the lanky negro broke in upon the silence by calling loudly, +"Is dat yo', Massa Little Ben Fowler?"</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment, and then the reply came from some one +whom the boys could not distinguish from the body of the men. "Is that +yo' all, Long John?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yas, suh."</p> + +<p>"Are yo' alone?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh. No, suh. Dere's two gen'lmen with me."</p> + +<p>"Bring them out."</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yas, suh," repeated Long John, though he made his way so +speedily to the more solid road that under other circumstances Noel +might have laughed.</p> + +<p>As it was, however, both boys were aware, or at least they now +suspected, that the negro had been sent out by the rebels either to gain +information or to serve as a decoy for any of the straggling soldiers.</p> + +<p>There was, however, apparently no way of escape. In front of them was +the band of which Little Ben Fowler undoubtedly was a member; while from +behind was approaching part of the force which had followed them into +the swamp after the two young soldiers had gained the corduroy road.</p> + +<p>Noel heard a smothered exclamation of anger from Dennis and he knew that +the feeling of his companion was not unlike his own. However, it was +impossible now, after the loud warning which Long John had given, for +them to expect to escape.</p> + +<p>Suddenly some one called to them from the border of the swamp, "Come +out of there, Yanks! There isn't any use in trying to get away. The +corduroy is the only safe spot you'll find on either side of the road; +so come out and give yourselves up."</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Noel, although, as he spoke, Dennis grasped him +roughly by the shoulder as if he was protesting against the surrender.</p> + +<p>"You keep still, Dennis," whispered Noel to his companion. "You leave +this to me and I'll see what can be done. We can't get away, and we +might as well make the best of a bad bargain. We're coming," he again +called aloud.</p> + +<p>"Don't try any of your Yankee tricks here," called the voice which had +spoken before.</p> + +<p>Noel made no response, and in silence the two young soldiers advanced +and in a brief time found themselves in the presence of a score of men. +They saw that every one was clad in uniform, but it was impossible at +first to determine to which side the men belonged. However, Noel was +convinced that the words of Long John had explained who the men were, +and in spite of the treachery of the negro he at once decided that he +and Dennis must give themselves up.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, Yanks?" demanded a man, speaking in a voice which the +boys recognized as the one by which they had been addressed before. +"Step up yere and give an account of yo'selves."</p> + +<p>Obediently, Noel and Dennis advanced, and even in the dim light they +were able to see that the man who addressed them wore the uniform of an +officer.</p> + +<p>"We are two boys who belong to one of the New York regiments."</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you," said the young officer laughingly. "I wish you were +back home where you belong, but as you're down here, I'm glad you met +us. We'll see that you go with the rest of the Yanks, and that you don't +do any more damage to our country. I'm surprised the Yankee soldiers +don't fight better."</p> + +<p>The tone in which the officer spoke was almost bantering. Noel's anger +was aroused, but by an effort he restrained himself and said in a low +voice, "You talk very bravely! You'll get over your surprise pretty +soon."</p> + +<p>"It will have to be 'pretty soon,' I reckon," said the officer +good-naturedly. "The Yanks have been running so fast and so far that +they haven't gotten their breath yet. About all we have to do nowadays +is to chase the Yankee soldiers. They didn't make a stand at Manassas +either time. They ran from General Lee on the Peninsula, and now, though +they have been running after him up here, they will dodge and run in the +other direction the minute he turns around."</p> + +<p>Noel Curtis was unable to reply to the bantering of his captor. It was +true that thus far in the struggle the Army of the Potomac had not +covered itself with glory. In Tennessee and Kentucky, too, at the time, +the Federal forces were meeting with disaster after disaster, and to +many of the faint-hearted supporters of the North it seemed almost as if +the end had come.</p> + +<p>"We sure are going to march straight to Philadelphia, and then you won't +be able to stop us before we get into New York and Boston. If we ever +get inside Boston, we'll show some of those fellows a trick or two that +will teach them some things they don't know now. If it hadn't been for +that city I don't believe there would have been any war."</p> + +<p>"You don't?" demanded Noel, and in spite of his predicament, he was +interested in what the young officer was saying.</p> + +<p>"No, sir! No, sir! There certainly would not have been any war. The +trouble was that Boston thought she not only could attend to her own +business, but that she could direct the business of all the rest of us. +It's a great thing, my son, for a man or for a city to be able to mind +its own business. That's what I say; the cocksureness of the Yanks is so +great that they think they can tell all the rest of the world how to +act."</p> + +<p>Noel was listening only in part to the words of the leader of the little +band, from which already wild thoughts of escaping had presented +themselves.</p> + +<p>As neither of the young soldiers had been asked to give up his gun, +there were thoughts in Noel's mind of suddenly darting to one side of +the road and trying to flee before the men were aware of his attempt. +But the folly of such an effort was so marked that Noel abandoned every +such suggestion.</p> + +<p>"You'll come with us," said the young officer at last, his voice still +not unfriendly.</p> + +<p>Under other circumstances Noel knew that he would have been strongly +attracted to the young officer, whom Long John had called "Massa Little +Ben Fowler."</p> + +<p>That officer now turned to three of his men, and in a voice so low that +Noel was unable to hear what was said gave them instructions as to what +was to be done with the prisoners. Then, turning once more to the young +soldiers, the leader said, "We'll have to have yo' guns, Yanks. Yo' all +are our prisoners, yo' know, and I cannot permit yo' to retain yo' +weapons. Yo' 'll follow these men," he added, indicating the three who +had been detailed for the duty, "and they'll take yo' where yo' all will +be safe for the night, anyway. The rest of us will stay right yere by +the corduroy road and see if we can't catch some more Yanks in our +trap."</p> + +<p>Without a word Noel and Dennis, obediently giving up their rifles, +turned and followed the men who had been detailed to conduct them to +what the young officer had described as a "place of safety."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>UNDER GUARD</h3> + + +<p>Directly back to the road over which the young soldiers had come their +conductors led the way. Both Noel and Dennis were silent, and the +disappointment which had seized upon the young Irishman was so manifest +that even in the dim light Noel was aware of the depression of his +comrade.</p> + +<p>Deprived of their weapons and conducted by three armed men, there was no +chance likely to be given for escape, although wild thoughts of trying +to break away were still in the mind of each of the prisoners.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken by their guard until about a quarter of a mile had +been covered, when one of the Confederates halting, said to the boys, +"We'll turn in here."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he pushed some bushes apart, and in a brief time Noel was +able to see that a corduroy path, or roadway, narrower than the one over +which they recently had come was before him. One of the guards now +advanced, while the other two took a position in the rear, and as soon +as the directions were given the entire band began to make its way over +the rough pathway.</p> + +<p>Once more silence returned, not to be broken until what Noel assumed +must have been a half-mile had been covered and again they were +approaching more solid ground.</p> + +<p>A rough stretch of land lay before them, which was without trees and +apparently without a roadway. Without hesitation their conductors at +once led the boys across the intervening sandy stretch and soon arrived +at a low house, whose walls gleamed almost ghostly in the moonlight. +Whitewash had been applied to the exterior of the rude building and also +had been used upon the farm buildings and the fences that inclosed them.</p> + +<p>Advancing to the low, covered piazza, which extended across the entire +front of the house, the approach of the band was speedily discovered by +the inmates, and in a moment a dozen or more soldiers came running out +of the building.</p> + +<p>Noel was able to see that every one was clad in the Confederate uniform +and also was armed. At first the house seemed too small to contain so +many men, but when several more emerged from the interior he suspected +that there might be accommodations in the little building which did not +appear upon the surface.</p> + +<p>"Here we are, Captain!" called one of the leaders. "We've got two."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. But we'll soon have more. We've got a trap down in the Hedge +Swamp road. It's the only way the men can get through the swamp, and we +have stationed a few of the cavalry at the farther end. Some of the boys +are on the watch on the other side of the swamp, and are doing their +best to drive what Yankees there may be hiding anywhere around here on +to the corduroy road and then they feel safe to leave them. The poor +fools keep right on the road and run directly into the trap Lieutenant +Fowler set fo' them. He is waiting there with about twenty men."</p> + +<p>"Is this the first batch you have taken?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. We have sent out Long John to help draw the Yankees into the +trap."</p> + +<p>The Confederate officer was unaware of the gleam which appeared for a +moment in the eyes of Dennis, and he said lightly, "We'll be ready for +all you can bring us, Tom. We'll put these two fellows in the pen until +we have enough to make it worth while to send them on to Libby."</p> + +<p>As he heard the name of the well-known prison in Richmond, Noel's heart +was heavy. Stories were current of the sufferings of the Union prisoners +who had been confined in the famous old warehouse, which had been +transformed early in the war into a prison for the Northern soldiers. +There had come many a tale of daring attempts to escape as well as of +the almost indescribable sufferings of its inmates. Perhaps it was all a +part of the struggle, and yet with the bitterness of the time so keen, +few were in a condition to look with calmness upon the sufferings of the +prisoners of either side in the struggle.</p> + +<p>To be sent to Libby Prison! For a moment Noel's thoughts ran back to his +home on the banks of the far-away St. Lawrence. He could see the little +house sheltered by the overhanging maples. There were the red barns just +beyond, and for an instant Noel seemed to catch a glimpse of the line of +cattle slowly moving up the lane toward the barnyard. In the distance +occasional glimpses of the waters of the St. Lawrence, gleaming in the +light of the afternoon sun, were had. His mother was moving quietly +about the kitchen preparing the evening meal. Frank was lying as he +was, when he had last seen him, on the couch in the room where his +mother was busy. His father, perhaps, was singing at his task as he +milked the cows. Even the thought of the stirring words and tunes which +his father best loved to sing failed now to find any response in the +mind of Noel. It was one thing to sing of the glory of war, but it was +another and far different thing to be held as a prisoner in southern +Maryland and to be threatened with confinement in the old prison-house +at Richmond.</p> + +<p>However, there was no possibility of evading, at least for the present, +the problem which must be confronted. Soon both Noel and Dennis were +searched and every loose possession was taken from them, to be held +until such a time as the war should cease or the prisoners should be +exchanged. There was another alternative in the thoughts of Noel, but he +did not refer to it. What that was became manifest after several days +had elapsed.</p> + +<p>As Noel now glanced about him he was able to discover that very few +negroes were in the house. He was eager to discover the presence of Long +John, but he soon concluded that the treacherous black man had retraced +his way over the corduroy road, and doubtless now was trying to lead +some others of the unfortunate Union soldiers into the same trap in +which he and Dennis had been caught.</p> + +<p>A half-hour after they had entered the house, Noel and Dennis were +conducted to a room on the first floor and thrust into it. The evening +was warm and the door was left open, but the guard was stationed +directly in front of it, so that any attempt on the part of the +prisoners to escape would be instantly known.</p> + +<p>Noel looked cautiously out of the window in the room, and was aware that +a full guard had been established to patrol the place. At least four of +the Confederate soldiers were assigned to this task, and each one was +responsible for only one side of the house.</p> + +<p>The guard that was inside and had charge of the door was good-natured +and looked at his Yankee prisoners with undisguised interest. It was +plain that he did not have any fear of the young prisoners attempting to +escape. Such an effort would be worse than useless, for at least twenty +men were in the band, and the prisoners themselves now were unarmed.</p> + +<p>"Whar yo' from?" inquired the guard.</p> + +<p>"From New York State," answered Noel quietly.</p> + +<p>"I always heard that was a right sma't State. How many Yanks might there +be in it?"</p> + +<p>"Enough to put an end to this war if they all would turn out," said +Noel.</p> + +<p>"That can't be so, sir," said the guard solemnly.</p> + +<p>Noel in the dim light looked more closely at the soldier. He was more +than usually stout and his good nature was apparent, not only in the +tones of his voice, but in the friendly way in which he regarded his +charges.</p> + +<p>"Daggone! I don't believe the Yanks can fight, and yet I saw one the +other day who was a great sight and had all gone to pieces."</p> + +<p>"Who was he? What about him?" inquired Noel, aware that he was expected +to follow up the implied question of the good-natured guard.</p> + +<p>"Why, he had lost one hand; one leg had been shot away; he had only one +eye; he had broken some bones, and a part of his liver had been cut out +of him, and yet he was ready to fight to the last."</p> + +<p>"I should n't think he would know who he was," said Dennis. "Faith! An' +ye say he had only one arm, one leg, one eye? An' how about his ears?"</p> + +<p>"They were both all right," replied the guard. "His nose looked, though, +as if he dragged it along the ground."</p> + +<p>"How did it all happen?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"Why, he had been in two battles, and the surgeons had been at work at +him. What our men did not do the surgeons thought they would finish. The +poor chap had to leave the army, but he was game all the way through. +What do you suppose will happen to him in the Resurrection?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't looked quite as far ahead as that," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"'Tis strange," broke in Dennis, "how much a man can lose of himself, +and still be the same man. Faith! I wouldn't know, if I lost me arm and +me leg and me head and me eyes, whether I was Dennis O'Hara or somebody +else."</p> + +<p>"The fellow was game all through, as I said," continued the guard. "I'm +a sharpshooter," he added abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Are you?" inquired Noel quickly, though he endeavored to conceal his +interest in the simple statement. Did the man know anything concerning +the skill of Dennis and himself with the rifle? His gun, of which Noel +had been exceedingly proud, had been taken from him. Whether or not the +guard had any suspicions concerning his skill, the fact remained that +without any kind of a weapon those suspicions mattered little.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued the guard. "I was in the pit firing at some Yanks over +there on the Peninsula one time last June. There was a fellow firing +away at me, and he was so good that he made me keep out of sight, too, +most of the time. I thought I had him at the same minute when he thought +he had me. We fired at the same time, and what do you think happened?"</p> + +<p>"You both missed?" suggested Dennis.</p> + +<p>"No, we didn't; at least both of us didn't miss. The strangest thing +happened."</p> + +<p>"What was it?" inquired Noel, apparently still more eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, would you believe it?" said the soldier, "the bullet of that +Yankee sharpshooter had gone right down the muzzle of my gun. It struck +perfectly square and went into the muzzle the whole length of it."</p> + +<p>"And did your bullet do the same thing with his rifle?" inquired Dennis +solemnly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I never have heard. I did not know but that you might +have heard something about the affair and could tell me what happened +to that Yank. Were you ever down on the Peninsula?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sor," said Dennis promptly.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you were down there helping McClellan get away as fast as his +legs could carry him. You made good time!" laughed the guard.</p> + +<p>"Faith, and we did," said Dennis, "but not as good as we might have made +if the Johnnies had followed us up. They were so afraid that we would +turn on them and take their little tin capital away from them that they +ran as fast as they could go back to Richmond."</p> + +<p>"We weren't running in that direction," said the soldier, unmoved by the +bantering of Dennis. "Don't forget about Manassas. And now we have all +yo' Yanks bottled up right here in Maryland."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" asked Noel.</p> + +<p>"Why, we'll soon have the garrisons of Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, and +every other body except McClellan's army, and we have thrown out +Stuart's cavalry so that there won't be a Yank able to get through +either way. It won't do him any good even to try."</p> + +<p>"Wait a little while before you say that," suggested Noel, aware that +Dennis was pulling him by his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Whist," whispered Dennis in one of his most penetrating tones. "Don't +talk anymore with the Johnnie. I have something to say to ye that is of +a good deal more importance."</p> + +<p>"I'm not interested," replied Noel. "I haven't had any supper, and I'm +hungry, and I want to sleep. Are we going to be fed here?" he asked, +turning to the guard.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you will be. When I am relieved I'll see what can be done."</p> + +<p>Conversation for a time ceased between the prisoners and their guard, +but the excitement of Dennis was not to be repressed.</p> + +<p>When at last he had induced his companion to withdraw from the door, he +drew him into one corner of the room and renewed his whispering. At his +companion's request his voice at last was lowered so that the guard was +unable to hear what was said, and then, in spite of his weariness, in a +moment Noel was eagerly listening to what the young soldier was telling +him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE PLOT</h3> + + +<p>"Whist!" said Dennis. "I'm tellin' ye, lad, we must get out o' this +place."</p> + +<p>"That's very easy to say."</p> + +<p>"Faith, and it's almost as aisy to do."</p> + +<p>"Don't talk so loud, Dennis."</p> + +<p>"'T is only whispering I am."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you're whispering like a steam-engine letting off steam."</p> + +<p>In the dim light the actions of the young soldiers were not clearly seen +by the good-natured guard. In spite of the easy-going manner of the +Confederate in charge of them, Noel was aware that the utmost care must +be used. The man himself had said that he was one of the sharpshooters, +and that he would quickly act if an attempt to break away was made, he +had no doubt.</p> + +<p>"'T is silent entirely I am," said Dennis, for a moment dropping his +voice lower. "But have you noticed what there is in the wall above us?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Noel. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke he looked quickly in the direction indicated by his +companion, but his action was abruptly ended when Dennis roughly seized +him by the shoulder and said almost savagely, "What are you doin', lad? +Don't look there, whatever else you do! Kape your eyes on the floor. +Now, listen to what I am sayin' to ye. In the ceilin' there's a small +slide, leastwise I think it's a slide, though I'm not sure. It may be a +trapdoor that will lift up or somethin' of that kind."</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes! Go on," said Noel eagerly, as his companion stopped a moment.</p> + +<p>"Me own thought," continued Dennis, after he was satisfied that the two +prisoners were not observed by their guard, "is that it won't be long +before we'll have a chance to go up into that loft. We'll push back the +door, or the slide, or whatever it is, and if we can do that without +makin' any disturbance, we'll drop it back into place and hold it so +that nobody can get up there. Probably they won't think we have gone up +above, anyway." Dennis laughed lightly as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Just where is that door, Dennis?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"Shure, and it's right above your head."</p> + +<p>"How are we going to get through it? I mean how will you open it?"</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen," answered Dennis, "but it's shure I am that it +will be aisy."</p> + +<p>"But how will you do it?" demanded Noel once more.</p> + +<p>"When the time comes," said Dennis, "I'll inform you, but for a spell +we'll have to be careful not to wake the suspicions of the guard."</p> + +<p>Walking abruptly from his companion, Dennis approached the soldier and +said lightly, "Aren't you goin' to feed your prisoners pretty soon? Why, +'t is night comin' on and we haven't had a bite of any kind since +mornin'."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what can be done when I'm relieved," said the soldier. "Now +don't talk to me any more and be on your good behavior, too. I don't +think it will be wise for you and the other Yank to do much whispering, +either. I'm always afraid of Yanks when they get off in a corner, +especially if it's in the dark."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Dennis. "I'll put the lad over in the other corner +of the room and I'll stay right here by you."</p> + +<p>"I don't care where you stay if you'll only keep still. You mustn't talk +to me, because if you do you are likely to get both of us into trouble. +When we get the room full of Yanks, then we'll enforce a little +different discipline."</p> + +<p>It was dark when the guard was relieved, but soon after his place had +been taken by one of his companions he returned with some corn-bread and +some "coffee" made of toast. Humble as the fare was, it was eagerly +received by the young prisoners, and when the scanty meal was ended +Dennis said to the guard, "Shure, and you 're goin' to give us a blanket +or somethin' to sleep on, aren't ye?"</p> + +<p>"Don't speak to me!" ordered the soldier.</p> + +<p>"All right for yez," said Dennis good-naturedly. "If we have to slape on +the floor, we might as well begin to learn how to do the trick now as +any time. Come on, Noel," he called to his companion.</p> + +<p>Convinced that their actions were keenly watched by the guard, Dennis +simply dropped upon the floor and bade his companion take his place +beside him. "'Tis hard slapin' here, Noel," he whispered, "but I'm +thinkin' that it won't be long that we'll have to tarry here. I'll tell +ye a bit more about me plans now."</p> + +<p>"Don't let the guard hear you whispering," warned Noel.</p> + +<p>"Niver a bit," said Dennis, his voice becoming so piercing that Noel +seized his companion's arm as a warning.</p> + +<p>"I'm that still," continued Dennis, "that I can hear the mice holdin' a +pow-wow down under the floor. Now listen to me, lad. We can't do +anything to-night, but if the Johnnies don't put too many men in here +with us, it may be that to-morrow night or the night after that we can +begin our escape."</p> + +<p>"How?" inquired Noel eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was tellin' ye about the trapdoor, or the slide. I'm a bit +fearful o' this fellow on guard now, so that we won't try that out +to-night, but lave it to some other time. And I'm hopin' that to-morrow +night will be the darkest ever known. I'll get you to hold me up on your +shoulders, and then if you brace yoursilf against the wall, I'll see if +the door cannot be pushed back. I fancy that will be all we'll be able +to do the first night, but if I find that the thing works, then within a +night or two we can try it over again, and I'll push the door back with +me hands and then I'll climb up and hide in the loft."</p> + +<p>"And leave me down in the room below, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, lad! Not a bit of it! I'll take hold of your hands and +lift you clear up where I am. Then we'll let down the door, and put it +back in its place and put a bar across it, or hold it with our hands, so +that no one can get up there, though I'm thinkin' no one will ever +suspect us of havin' gone up through the roof."</p> + +<p>"What good would it do you to be in that room instead of in this?" +inquired Noel. "You won't be able to get away."</p> + +<p>"Indade, an' I will, if the night is dark enough," said Dennis. "Did you +notice the magnolia tree growin' close to the side of the house?"</p> + +<p>"Which side?"</p> + +<p>"The one toward the barn."</p> + +<p>"No. What about it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's growin' close up, right under the eaves of the house. 'T is +big enough and strong enough to hold a man, and if the night is as dark +as we hope it will be, we'll slide out of the window, for there is a +window right by the tree, and if we are still enough we'll be able to +slip down it without disturbin' anybody."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid the loft will be the first place the men will search after +they find we are gone."</p> + +<p>"Don't you belave it!" whispered Dennis positively. "I've got a bit o' +string in me pocket, an' if I can find a small sthick I'll fix the +window in the room here so that the sthick will let down the window an' +in the racket they will think we have gone straight through the bars."</p> + +<p>Dubious as Noel was about the outcome of the proposed plan of escape, he +nevertheless was inclined to share in this project of his companion. +Whatever might be the peril, and that it would not be slight he was well +aware, it was to be preferred to being sent to Libby Prison.</p> + +<p>Outside the windows were heavy oak bars that could neither be broken nor +removed. If the window was raised, so confident were the soldiers in +charge that their prisoners would not be able to escape, it might be +lowered in such a manner as Dennis had described, and the clatter which +would surely follow might distract the attention of the guard if the +loft once could be gained by the two soldiers.</p> + +<p>The "sthick" to which Dennis had referred might be tied by a string that +he would attach to it and then drawn up to the loft before the door was +replaced, and before the guard was fully aware of what had occurred.</p> + +<p>The same night two more prisoners were received and were placed in the +room in which Dennis and Noel were confined. The men, however, were +strangers to the boys, and Dennis declared that they could not be +sharers in his project unless the attempt necessarily should be delayed +several days. By that time they might be able to learn more of the +character of their fellow prisoners.</p> + +<p>There were thoughts at times in Noel's mind that it might be well for +him or his companion to make the first attempt to escape alone. The +peril was so great and the chance of success so slight that to him it +seemed to be folly to divide the risk. If success should crown the +efforts of one, it would be a small matter for the other to follow. The +thought, however, that it would be impossible for any one without aid to +secure an entrance into the loft caused him to banish the suggestion +from his mind. By common consent the two new prisoners slept on the +opposite side of the room.</p> + +<p>Dennis and Noel had retained the place which they at first took for +their resting-place, directly beneath the slide in the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"To-night we must make a try of it," whispered Dennis on the evening +which followed the arrival of their companions. "I'll see what can be +done with that door, anyway."</p> + +<p>There was no light in the room, but the dull glow that came through the +door opening into the hallway enabled them to see that the guard was +sitting quietly in his chair in a position from which he could, if +necessary, see much that was occurring within the room.</p> + +<p>Cautiously withdrawing from the direct line of vision, Dennis and Noel +crawled nearer the wall. Dennis had removed his shoes before either of +the boys had stretched themselves on the floor for the night. Not a word +was spoken. Acting promptly Noel braced himself against the side wall +and assisted his companion to mount to his shoulders.</p> + +<p>Dennis, who was a powerful lad, at once scrambled to the position, and, +hesitating only an instant to discover whether or not his action had +been seen, cautiously lifted his hands and tried the slide in the +ceiling directly above him.</p> + +<p>In a moment the two young soldiers again took their position upon the +floor, each greatly excited and both relieved when after a few moments +had passed they were convinced that their actions had not been seen by +the guard.</p> + +<p>"'T is all right, Noel," whispered Dennis. "The door up there slides +back. I can slide it open without any trouble. Now if we can find a +piece of sthick, we'll rig our trick for to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>It was difficult for Noel, throughout the hours of the following day, to +repress the excitement under which he was laboring. His uncertainty at +times and his fears lest the guard should discover their attempts almost +caused him to decide to protest against the adventure. The thought, +however, of what freedom would mean was sufficiently strong to overcome +his fears and every time his decision became stronger.</p> + +<p>With Dennis, there was no hesitation. Indeed, it almost appeared as if +the perilous attempt had no danger at all for the young Irish soldier. +He watched the clouds and beamed upon his companion when the guard was +changed, and said, "It looks like we're goin' to have a big rain +to-night. It's too early for the equinox, but I reckon we all will have +to take it when it comes. I reckon, too," he added, "that we all shan't +stay here much longer. We'll be sending you Yanks on to Richmond to join +your friends."</p> + +<p>The prophecy of the guard in part was fulfilled as the day drew to its +close, and when the light disappeared the rain was falling heavily.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>When darkness fell over the land the violence of the storm increased. +The whistling of the wind and the swaying of the branches could be heard +within the building.</p> + +<p>"This is just what we want," whispered Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Noel, though his fears were not allayed by the confidence +of his comrade. "You must wait a while, Dennis," he added.</p> + +<p>"Indade, and I'll wait," replied the young Irishman. "We want to be +shure that every wan is aslape before we begin."</p> + +<p>As the hours passed and the fierceness of the storm increased, and the +sound of the pelting raindrops was heard as they struck the sides of the +building, the monotony of it all served as an inducement for sleep. It +was not long before the sounds which came from their fellow prisoners +convinced both the young soldiers that the men were sleeping soundly. +The guard in the hallway was plainly within sight seated in a chair +which was tipped back against the wall. A lighted candle was shining in +each end of the hall, and though the light was dim every movement of a +person near by could be plainly seen.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the light of the candles did not fall directly upon the +ceiling in the room where the prisoners were confined.</p> + +<p>"It must be eliven o'clock," whispered Dennis. "Don't you think so, +Noel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"It's time for us to begin."</p> + +<p>"Yes," again assented Noel.</p> + +<p>"Kape still now, while I take off me shoes again. You'd better take +yours off, too."</p> + +<p>"We'll want them if we ever get out of this place," suggested Noel.</p> + +<p>"That's right. Shure we will. You'll have to pass them up to me after I +have climbed into the loft."</p> + +<p>Noel made no further protests, and Dennis at once prepared to carry out +the plan which he had so carefully devised.</p> + +<p>Silently both young soldiers removed their shoes, and then, without +delaying a moment, as soon as Noel had braced himself against the side +of the wall, Dennis clambered to his shoulders and then waited a brief +instant to discover whether or not the guard was aware of any unusual +activities among his prisoners.</p> + +<p>The silence was unbroken, and Dennis, as soon as he was convinced that +the suspicions of their guard had not been aroused, slowly and +cautiously began to slide back the opening into the loft.</p> + +<p>More time was consumed in this endeavor than either of the boys had +expected. Several times the door seemed to stick in its place, and only +by the utmost care was the young Irishman able to push it past the +obstacle without making any noise. At last, however, his effort was +crowned with success and a narrow opening above him was cleared.</p> + +<p>To Noel, who was upholding his burden, the efforts of his friend +appeared to be unduly prolonged. It seemed to him that he could not +longer maintain his position and that he must let Dennis fall to the +floor.</p> + +<p>Aware, however, that such an action on his part would certainly arouse +the guard, he braced himself once more and did his utmost to stand +steadily in his place.</p> + +<p>His relief was great when Dennis, firmly grasping with a hand each side +of the floor above him, quickly raised himself and crawled into the +loft. Noel instantly stooped and taking the heavy shoes held them +toward the ceiling.</p> + +<p>In the darkness it was with difficulty that Dennis at last was able to +see and seize them, and then, as soon as he had placed them carefully on +the floor of the loft, he reached down to grasp the uplifted hands of +Noel.</p> + +<p>Securing a firm hold upon each of Noel's wrists, Dennis, bracing +himself, slowly and steadily lifted his companion. In a brief time Noel +was able to grasp the sides of the floor and thereby assist his +companion. The slightest noise might mean the death of either of the +escaping soldiers, and yet, dire as was the peril, Noel's heart seemed +somehow almost to be numb at the time. He did not even consider the +possibility that confronted him. His main endeavor was to clamber into +the loft noiselessly and thereby avoid arousing the Confederate guard.</p> + +<p>At last Noel was standing beside Dennis, and with the utmost caution the +latter at once pushed back the slide into its place.</p> + +<p>The falling of the raindrops on the roof, which was directly above them, +helped drown any noise that the guard might make below. The whistling of +the wind as it swayed the branches of the near-by tree was weird. Even +the beating of their hearts seemed to sound so loudly that each was able +to share in his companion's feelings.</p> + +<p>Both young soldiers were listening intently for any disturbances that +might be made in the room below them. A faint light entered the room +through the one window, which was near the tree. This, however, was +sufficient, after the lapse of a few minutes, to enable both boys dimly +to discern the outlines of the room in which they were standing.</p> + +<p>"Whist!" whispered Dennis. "They haven't heard us. 'T is a fine day for +us."</p> + +<p>"Wait," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not goin' to wait," retorted Dennis. "What we want to do is to +lave at once. The more we wait, the longer we'll have to stay. Every +minute here means a month in Libby Prison."</p> + +<p>The window was closed, but one of the small panes was broken, and +without much difficulty the boys succeeded in removing the sash.</p> + +<p>A heavy downpour of rain and a fresh shriek from the storm served to +cause both boys to pause once more and listen for further sounds of +discovery from the room below. Apparently, however, their escape had +not as yet been discovered, and eagerly both prepared to descend by the +way of the tree to the ground.</p> + +<p>In order to gain a more secure foothold and at the same time avoid +making any noise, each of the boys had tied his shoes together and hung +them about his neck.</p> + +<p>Dennis first peered out of the window, and when he withdrew his head he +whispered to Noel, "I cannot see the guard anywhere. I guess the +Johnnies don't like the rain and have gone in out of the wet."</p> + +<p>Noel was too excited to respond to the suggestion and eagerly said, "Go +on, Dennis! Go ahead! Don't wait a minute."</p> + +<p>"Here I go, then!" said Dennis, as, leaning from the window, he grasped +the extended branches of the tree which reached to within a few inches +of the side of the house.</p> + +<p>Noel breathlessly watched his companion, at the same time seeking to +discover whether the descent of Dennis was known to any one below. The +young soldier had no conception of the minutes that passed, but it +seemed to him a long time before the young Irishman at last disappeared +from sight, evidently having successfully gained the ground.</p> + +<p>Without hesitating longer, Noel instantly prepared to follow. As he +seized the extended branch his hands for a moment slipped, and it was +only with difficulty that he retained his hold and prevented himself +from falling to the ground. The branch creaked ominously and the alarm +of the young soldier was increased by his fear that it would fail to +sustain him. Noel was strong and nimble, however, and soon secured a +firmer grip, and convinced that his departure from the building as yet +had not been discovered, he rapidly made his way to the ground, and then +without delaying a moment ran swiftly in the direction of the barn.</p> + +<p>All the time he was fearful of a shot from the guard in or about the +house. Perhaps fear gave him additional speed. At all events, in a brief +time he gained the shelter he was seeking, and at once, keeping well +within the lee of the barn, peered anxiously at the place from which he +had fled.</p> + +<p>The noise of the storm was the only sound to be heard. The faint light +that was shining from the window of the hall where the guard had been +stationed was the only bright spot in the midst of the surrounding +darkness. There were no indications of pursuit and no sound which +indicated that his flight had become known.</p> + +<p>But where was Dennis? For the first time Noel became aware that he and +his friend had not made any plans as to their meeting in case both were +successful in escaping from the house.</p> + +<p>Eagerly the boy looked all about him, but there was no sign of his +friendly comrade. For a moment Noel was undecided. Should he remain +where he was and wait the possible coming of Dennis? Or should he at +once depart from the place, now that he had succeeded in gaining the +shelter of the barn, and strive to make his way as best he might to the +road which joined the one that led through the swamp?</p> + +<p>Noel Curtis was too highly wrought up to hesitate long. Safely making +his way toward the opposite side of the barn, he then started swiftly in +the direction in which the longed-for road was to be found. He had only +a faint recollection of the direction, however, and the night was too +dark to enable him to discover any familiar signs.</p> + +<p>Before he had fled twenty yards he was drenched with the downpour. That +fact, however, was of minor consequence, and in his eagerness, although +he frequently was slipping and sliding as his feet failed to gain a firm +foothold in the slippery mud, it was not long before Noel found himself +at the place he was seeking. He had believed that no guard would be +stationed there in such a night. Not only was the storm so violent as to +make it well-nigh impossible for a man and his horse to remain outside, +but the darkness would enable any Northern soldiers who might have +crossed the corduroy road to escape the vision of the waiting +Confederate.</p> + +<p>Noel's surprise and pleasure were great when he discovered that the road +over which he was running was a plank road. When he had fled about one +hundred yards, almost breathless he halted to discover whether or not +there were any signs of pursuit.</p> + +<p>Convinced that his escape as yet was unknown, the lad seated himself on +a plank in a small bridge and donned the shoes which he had been +carrying about his neck. Then he resumed his flight through the driving +storm.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>NICK</h3> + + +<p>The brief respite had so restored the strength of the young soldier that +he ran swiftly over the loose planks until he had gone several yards +from the place where he had stopped.</p> + +<p>Compelled then to slacken his pace, he glanced anxiously about him as he +moved on through the unfamiliar country. The storm was still severe, +though heavy, broken clouds now were to be seen in the darkened sky.</p> + +<p>Noel was fleeing through a country with which he not only was not +familiar, but which also provided many perils of its own. Fortunately, +as he believed, there were few people whom he was likely to meet at such +a time and in a pouring rain. The thought of Stuart's cavalry, however, +caused him to be doubly watchful, for he knew of the report that +horsemen had been thrown out to intercept any stragglers that might be +striving to make their way to the army of General McClellan.</p> + +<p>An hour or more elapsed, and as yet Noel had not discovered any one on +the old roadway. Once when he had passed a humble cabin the barking of +the dogs had caused him to hesitate. He was defenseless and was unaware +of the sympathies of the inmates of the little house. The uncertainty, +however, caused him to resume his flight, although he still was ignorant +of his destination.</p> + +<p>His chief thought was that, by placing the greatest possible distance +between him and the enemies whom he had left behind him, he might then +be able to obtain help or find a place in which he could hide throughout +the day and resume his flight when night again came. Even in his alarm +and perplexity, he smiled as he recalled the statement of Dennis, when +the young Irishman had outlined his plan for escape, "that he didn't +know where he was going, but he knew he wanted to go there mighty quick, +and he wanted to go mighty bad."</p> + +<p>The night now was almost gone. Noel was aware of this from the slight +change that appeared in the eastern sky. There was as yet no promise of +the passing of the storm, though its violence had markedly decreased.</p> + +<p>It was strange, the young soldier thought, that all through the hours of +his flight he had not discovered any of his enemies. At that moment, +however, Noel saw coming from a lane at the left of the road a man who +was carrying a burden in each hand. Around his neck hung a yoke the +cords of which were attached to bundles.</p> + +<p>It was too dark to enable Noel to determine whether or not the man was a +soldier. He halted abruptly, and, prepared to flee instantly if occasion +should demand, eagerly watched the approaching stranger. As yet he +apparently was unaware of the presence of Noel in the road. Suddenly, +however, he glanced in the direction of the young soldier.</p> + +<p>The man's alarm was so manifest at his discovery that under other +circumstances Noel would have laughed heartily. The light was +sufficiently strong to enable him to see now that the man was not a +soldier, and a moment later, when the stranger spoke, the young +soldier's fears were relieved when it became manifest that he was a +negro.</p> + +<p>"Who dat? Who dat?" asked the colored man as he stopped abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?" demanded Noel, striving to speak sternly.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "Is yo' all come from—" +Whatever the place from which the negro thought he came, he did not +complete his sentence, and consequently Noel was left in ignorance.</p> + +<p>"Who lives here?" demanded Noel.</p> + +<p>"Massa Hilton."</p> + +<p>"Is he home?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh. Yas, suh. I don' jest 'member whether he's home or not," +stammered the negro.</p> + +<p>Noel's experiences with Long John had made him somewhat suspicious of +the colored people of the region. He decided that he would be extremely +cautious, and at once said, "In which direction are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro.</p> + +<p>"Come on, then," said Noel. "I'm going in the same direction."</p> + +<p>The colored man hesitated a moment, and then as he moved nearer he was +convinced that he did not need to fear the young stranger and obediently +joined him.</p> + +<p>As soon as they had advanced beyond the point in the road which hid the +little house from their sight, Noel turned to his companion and said, +"What are you doing—leaving home at this time of night?"</p> + +<p>"I don' lib dar," replied the negro promptly. "I b'long to Massa Frost."</p> + +<p>"Where does he live?"</p> + +<p>"Fo' or five miles up yonder," replied the negro, pointing ahead of him +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing down here, and what are you leaving at this time in +the night for?"</p> + +<p>"Is yo' all a Union sojer?" asked the negro abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Do I look like it?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh; though yo' clothes is so covered with mud I dess can't tell +'xactly what you are."</p> + +<p>"What would you say if I was?"</p> + +<p>"I want to know whether yo' is or yo' isn't befo' I answers dat ar +question."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Noel, who was convinced now that in no event should +he have to fear his colored companion.</p> + +<p>The house had been safely passed and the negro apparently was +inoffensive and harmless. Noel was still watchful for the appearance of +any of Stuart's men, for whom he entertained a feeling of most wholesome +respect.</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" he asked again as he turned to his companion.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "My name's Nick."</p> + +<p>"Are you related to 'Nicodemus, a slave, of African birth,' and did you +call your friends to 'meet you down by the swamp and wake you up for +the great jubilee'?" The young soldier was speaking in apparent +seriousness and his companion stopped abruptly and stared at the man who +had asked him these strange questions.</p> + +<p>"No, suh," he said. "I never kno' nuthin' 'bout no swamp. Wha's dat yo' +all is tellin' 'bout anyway?"</p> + +<p>In a low voice Noel began to sing the song which was familiar even in +his far-away home on the St. Lawrence,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Nicodemus, the slave, was of African birth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And he died years ago very old.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wake me up was his plea—"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Yas, suh," said the negro, "but it's not dis yere Nick. Dat's some oder +Nick. I know milliums of darkies named Nick."</p> + +<p>"Nick," demanded Noel abruptly, "do you know any men around here who are +friends of the Union?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. I sho'ly does," replied the negro, so promptly that the young +soldier at once decided that he might rely upon his friendship.</p> + +<p>"Are any of the men at home now?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yas, suh. Massa Hilton, back yonder; I reckon he mought be er +Union man."</p> + +<p>"Is your master?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Massa Hilton's brother Sam, he's fo' de South. I reckon it +almost comes to blows when dey talks about de war."</p> + +<p>"Isn't either of them in the army?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh; Massa Sam Hilton, he's in de 'fed'ate a'my."</p> + +<p>"But this Mr. Hilton who lives back in the house we passed, he's not a +soldier, you say?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh. No, suh."</p> + +<p>"You're sure he's a good friend of the Union men?"</p> + +<p>"He sho'ly am."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going back there," said Noel, stopping as he spoke and turning +abruptly about.</p> + +<p>Nick in surprise also stopped and looked at his companion. "Is yo' all a +Union sojer?"</p> + +<p>"I am, and I want to go where I can find somebody who will be good to me +for a day or two. You say you're sure Mr. Hilton will be glad to see +me?"</p> + +<p>"I can't jes' say as how he will be glad to see yo'," replied the negro, +shaking his head slowly.</p> + +<p>"But you said he would," interrupted Noel.</p> + +<p>"No, suh; 'scuse me. What I done say was dat he would be good to yo'. I +don' know as Massa Hilton will be <i>glad</i> to see a Union sojer des' +now."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Dar's some special reasons what I don't recomember," replied Nick, +speaking in such a manner that Noel's suspicions again were aroused.</p> + +<p>"But you say he's a Union man?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yas, suh, he sure am."</p> + +<p>"Why won't he be glad to see me?"</p> + +<p>"I done tell yo', suh, des' now dat dere's all dis yere trouble what am +goin' on. I reckon dey isn't nobody what's glad to have a sojer come to +his house des' now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see," said Noel slowly; "but if I do come he will take care of me +for a day or two? Then I'm going back there. What have you got in your +bundle, Nick?"</p> + +<p>"Nothin' much. Des' some stuff what Massa Frost done tol' me fo' toe git +at Massa Hilton's."</p> + +<p>"Why do you call for it in the night? Why don't you go out in the +daytime?"</p> + +<p>"I'se feared some of the sojers mought see me if I start after sunup—"</p> + +<p>"You're more afraid they will take away from you what you have in those +bundles."</p> + +<p>"Dere ain't nuthin' in dis yere bundle. I mus' be goin' on," Nick added +excitedly. "I mus' git toe Massa Frost's befo' sunup."</p> + +<p>"Well, good luck to you," laughed Noel. "I hope you won't fall in with +any of Stuart's cavalry, and I hope a good deal more that I shan't, but +I'm going back to that house."</p> + +<p>The young soldier was aware that he was incurring great risk in his +venture, but he was wet and weary, and it had been long since he had +tasted food. He might be hidden about the place somewhere and fed for a +day or two, when matters might so shape themselves that he would be able +to join the main army of McClellan, which he knew could not be very far +away.</p> + +<p>Acting at once upon his decision, Noel rapidly retraced his steps and +soon arrived at a place from which he was able to see the house and the +few low outbuildings that were in the rear. He stopped a moment and +listened intently. The rain had almost stopped, though the air was heavy +with mist. Not a sound broke the silence.</p> + +<p>Cautiously approaching the house, Noel turned from the roadside and +started toward the building. He was watchful, for not only was there +peril from men who might be within, but also from the huge dogs which +he knew were common in the region.</p> + +<p>When at last he approached the grounds of the house he stopped once more +and again listened intently. Still the silence was unbroken and there +was no appearance of danger.</p> + +<p>He decided to go to the door, which he believed would be in the rear of +the house and that opened into the kitchen. Perhaps he might there find +a shelter or some place of refuge which would protect him in a measure +from the night. If such a place should be found, he planned to wait +there until daylight before making his presence known to the inmates of +the house.</p> + +<p>To his great delight Noel discovered a lean-to or shed in the rear of +the house. The floor was of brick, and though it was too dark to enable +him to see what was inside, the fact that no dogs had challenged his +coming encouraged him to enter. Stepping inside, he turned to look once +more out into the night and make certain that his movements had not been +seen.</p> + +<p>The young soldier was startled when, appearing around the corner of one +of the low buildings, he saw a man, who in the dim light seemed to loom +head and shoulders above the height of an ordinary human being. At first +Noel almost believed that it was the negro, Long John, by whom he had +been led into the trap set by the Confederate soldiers. Certainly the +man was as tall as the negro, but there was something in his movements +which convinced the watching boy after a brief interval that this man +was not colored.</p> + +<p>Suddenly it occurred to him that the proprietor of the place, the man of +whom Nick had spoken as "Massa Hilton," might be the one who was +approaching, though why he should be out of the house at such a time and +in such a night the lad could not understand. Boldly advancing from his +hiding-place, Noel approached the startled stranger, and in a low voice +hailed him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE GIANT</h3> + + +<p>"Who's that? Who's that?" demanded the man in a voice which did not +betray any alarm. Indeed, the huge form seemed to loom even larger +before Noel in the dim light. It was plain that the man was not in any +fear, and his deep, guttural voice produced a peculiar effect upon the +listening young soldier.</p> + +<p>Noel glanced hastily about him, somehow fearful now of others +approaching from the barns. He had heard numerous stories concerning the +bowie-knives with which it had been reported many of the Southern +soldiers were armed. To the imagination of the young soldier not only +did the size of the man who had halted before him seem to increase, but +now he was fearful of enemies approaching from the rear. With all his +heart he wished that he had never listened to the words of Nick. In his +alarm it seemed almost as if his cap was being lifted by his hair and +cold chills were passing up and down his spine.</p> + +<p>The strange man slowly advanced, and in a manner which still betrayed +more of curiosity than of fear came closer to the frightened young +soldier and looked intently into his face.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, sir?" he demanded coolly. "What are you doing out here at +this time of the night?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I was going to ask you," spoke up Noel, determined to +be as bold as circumstances permitted.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" the giant replied in unchanged tones. "I thought I heard some +disturbance among the cattle and I came out to see if anything was +wrong."</p> + +<p>When the man spoke, he advanced as if he was about to pass the young +soldier and enter the house. He was walking with a slow, calm, and +almost measured stride.</p> + +<p>He had, however, gone but a few yards before he halted once more, and +turning again toward the young soldier remarked in an indifferent way, +"'T is a pretty evening, sir."</p> + +<p>Noel was well aware that the evening was being far from "pretty." The +darkness still was intense and the dampness which had followed the storm +had produced a chill under which the lad was shivering.</p> + +<p>Taken aback by the cool assurance of the giant, when the man resumed +his walk, he had advanced halfway to the house before Noel again hailed +him. "Look here, my friend," he called; "I'm sorry to detain you, but +the captain might wish to see you."</p> + +<p>"Well?" inquired the giant in a drawling tone.</p> + +<p>"Who lives in this house?" demanded Noel.</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Is this house frame or brick?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know why it concerns you, but it's a frame house, not a brick."</p> + +<p>"Are you the owner of this house?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I am."</p> + +<p>"What are you doing out here this time of night?"</p> + +<p>"I told you, sir, that I went out to quiet a disturbance among the +cattle."</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me where Mr. Hilton lives?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Where does he live?"</p> + +<p>"He lives here."</p> + +<p>"Are you Mr. Hilton?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon that's what my neighbors sometimes call me."</p> + +<p>"Are you a Union man?"</p> + +<p>"How does that concern you?" demanded the man, still without betraying +any signs either of fear or interest.</p> + +<p>"Because I'm a Union soldier myself."</p> + +<p>Still the interest of the man apparently was not aroused. Calmly he +asked, "And what may you want of me if you're what you say you are?"</p> + +<p>"If you'll take me into the house I'll explain to you." Noel glanced +about as he spoke, for the fear of men stealing upon him through the +darkness was still strong upon him.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we can talk where we are," said the man at last.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Noel, determined, now that he had revealed his identity, +that he would venture to tell the rest of his story. "I came through the +valley from Harper's Ferry and was taken prisoner by some of the +Johnnies, but managed to get away. I have been traveling all night long +and am soaked through and tired and hungry, and if you're what I +understand you are, a friend of the Union cause, I hope you'll take me +into your house and let me dry my clothes and give me something to +eat—"</p> + +<p>"And bring a dozen bands of Confederates around me like hornets," broke +in the man, though still he was not excited and was speaking in the +calm, deliberate tones which he had before used. "I have had trouble +enough with my secesh neighbors. How do I know who you are or that you +are what you tell me you are?" he demanded once more.</p> + +<p>"You can see for yourself when we go where there is a light."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you can come in," said the man at last; and eagerly Noel +followed him as he led the way into the house.</p> + +<p>As soon as they entered, the stranger seated himself near the door and +bade Noel take a chair near him. A candle had been lighted and placed +upon a rude table, and its beams enabled the young soldier to see more +clearly the strange man before him. In spite of his apparent +indifference Noel was suspicious that he was more excited than he cared +to have his visitor know.</p> + +<p>"What's all this rumpus?"</p> + +<p>Noel looked up as he heard the words shrilly spoken and saw a woman +standing in the doorway of a room which adjoined the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Who's this yo' have brought home, Jim?" she asked of Noel's host. Her +words plainly were disturbing. She was a short, stout woman. Her hair +was hanging down her back, and around her shoulders was a shawl which +reached almost to her knees.</p> + +<p>Startled as Noel had been by the sound of her voice, he hastily +concluded, as soon as he was aware of the response which the tall man +made to her words, that if he was supposedly the head of the house, +evidently she controlled the head.</p> + +<p>"That's just like yo'," she said tartly. "I've got all the mouths I want +to feed now, and yo' keep bringing people in here—"</p> + +<p>"Sh-h-h, Sairy Ann. This yere man is a Union soldier—"</p> + +<p>"How do yo' know he is?"</p> + +<p>"He told me so."</p> + +<p>"Yo' can't believe everybody," said the woman. "Ever since all this +trouble with the secesh began, nobody can trust his best friend. If I +had my way about it, I would put somebody in command of the Union +soldiers that would do something. They wouldn't be runnin' at Bull Run +the way they did, and I reckon Pope led the way, too, and probably made +better time than any of them. Before McClellan gets his eyes open, I +reckon the whole o' Maryland and Harper's Ferry, too, will run to join +Lee's army. Pretty kind of men we have fighting for the Union! How do +yo' know he is a Union soldier?" she repeated.</p> + +<p>"If you'll hold the candle you can see for yourself, if there's any of +the cloth of my uniform that will show through the mud," said Noel +good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>In spite of her apparent harshness, the young soldier was convinced that +she was not so unfriendly as her words at first implied.</p> + +<p>Taking him at his word, the woman advanced, and holding the candle above +her head looked keenly at the intruder. "Yo' don't look so dreadful +deceitful," she admitted, "but a body never can tell. Fine feathers +sometimes make fine birds, and maybe yo' put on those clothes because +yo' want to get into our house. Jim has the name of being a friend of +the Union, but he's just about as lively as McClellan. I had to make him +go out to see what was the matter with the cattle. They are all right, +are they, Jim?" she demanded, turning once more to the man who plainly +was her husband.</p> + +<p>"Yas, Sairy Ann," he replied; "I reckon they got a bit restless endurin' +the storm."</p> + +<p>"Yo' didn't see any signs of men being around?"</p> + +<p>"This is the only man I saw."</p> + +<p>"Well, they will be here pretty quick, I reckon," she declared. "If the +secesh find out that there is a cow left on the place they will come for +it. I reckon they have been here already. Jim isn't much of a +protection, except to look at," she added, turning again to her visitor.</p> + +<p>Under other circumstances Noel would have laughed at her words, for the +huge Jim plainly was in full subjection to the little woman who was +talking so volubly.</p> + +<p>"What did yo' stop here for?" she abruptly demanded.</p> + +<p>"I have been running almost all night," explained Noel, "and I found a +negro out here. He said that Mr. Hilton was a friend of the Union. I +thought morning would be here pretty soon and I didn't know just where +to go. I'm a stranger in this part of the country."</p> + +<p>"Whare yo' from?" asked the woman.</p> + +<p>"New York State."</p> + +<p>"I reckon that's a right sma't way from here. Well, I won't turn yo' out +if yo' are the first cousin to Beelzebub such a night as this. Are you +hungry?"</p> + +<p>"I am. But I won't disturb you. If you'll let me lie down here on the +floor, I'll wait until you have your breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Yo'll do nothin' of the kind," said the woman brusquely.</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to leave now?"</p> + +<p>"Who said anything about your leavin'?" she demanded sharply.</p> + +<p>"I did," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm goin' to dry yo' out first. Yo' 're one mass of mud from head +to heels. Yo' all go into that room," she added, pointing as she spoke +to another little room that opened out of the kitchen, "and put your +clothes outside the door. I reckon I'll have to bake 'em, before I ever +can get 'em clean."</p> + +<p>The woman's friendliness was so manifest that in spite of his suspicions +Noel promptly decided to obey.</p> + +<p>"Don't yo' be afraid," continued the woman, when Noel at last had +carried out her directions, and had thrown his soaked and muddy uniform +outside the door, as she had suggested. "I'm goin' to look out for yo'. +Yo' aren't much more 'n a baby, anyway. I wonder that your mother should +ever let yo' come so far away from home. Much good yo' can do, fighting +these secesh! Now, yo' get into bed and when I have your breakfast +cooked I'll set it here by the door. Yo' can help yourself then, and +after yo' have had all yo' want, yo' get back into bed an' stay there +until I tell yo' to get up. I'm thinkin' the bed is about as safe a +place as yo' can find in these days. It's been nothin' but soldiers +marchin' up and down, back and forth, in and out, to and fro, for the +past week! They seem to be goin' about like old Satan and roarin' like a +lion seekin' whom they may devour."</p> + +<p>The tall host whom Noel had followed into the house had remained seated +near the door throughout the interview. In spite of his indifferent +manner, the young soldier was startled when several times he was +suspicious that the man was listening for the approach of some one. He +glanced frequently toward the door, and there was an air of anxiety or +expectation in every movement he made. However, Noel had been so tired +and now was so refreshed by the simple food which the woman soon +provided for him that he dismissed his fears from his mind and soon was +sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>He was awakened by the sound of voices in the adjoining room. It was +daylight now and his bedroom was flooded with sunshine. It was, however, +the conversation in the kitchen that chiefly interested the young +soldier, and in a brief time he was keenly excited by what he heard. He +looked about the room for his uniform, but it was nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile from the parts of the conversation which he overheard, he was +convinced that the visitor was a soldier in the Confederate army.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>FRIENDS OF THE UNION</h3> + + +<p>Noel's excitement gave place to alarm as he listened to the conversation +in which the two men were engaged.</p> + +<p>The lack of his uniform prevented him from trying to leave his room, and +as yet he was uncertain whether or not the visitor even was aware that a +young soldier of the Union was in the house.</p> + +<p>For a time Noel listened intently, striving to discover something which +would give him the information he desired; but the words of the visitor, +whose part in the conversation was much greater than that of his tall +host, did not imply that he was suspicious.</p> + +<p>There were moments when snatches of the conversation almost convinced +Noel that the man was a spy. It was plain that he was more or less +familiar with the conditions existing in the Union army, but how he had +obtained such detailed information was something the listening young +soldier was unable to explain.</p> + +<p>"Where is McClellan now?" inquired Jim.</p> + +<p>"Up near Frederick City."</p> + +<p>"What's he doin' there?"</p> + +<p>"What has he been doin' ever since he has been made commander?" laughed +the visitor. "He's waitin', that's what he is, and if he keeps it up a +little longer he won't have any more waitin' to do."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because our army will snap him up between its jaws. I reckon there +weren't many men in the whole army of General Lee who thought it was a +good thing to divide his forces as he did when he sent McLaws and Walker +after Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry. Why, man alive, Lee split his army +right in two, and then put a good bit of distance between the two parts! +If McClellan knew enough about it, and if he is very much of a general +he would know, he would throw his whole force against either of these +divisions and smash it to pieces, before the other could come to its +help. As it is, he's still tryin' to make up his mind, I reckon, and the +result is that he's goin' to be caught between these two divisions just +like a mouse is caught between the jaws of a cat. We have got him just +as shore as you are born."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it," said Jim slowly.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't make any difference whether you believe it or not, that's +what's going to happen," laughed the visitor.</p> + +<p>"Now you say that Stuart's cavalry has been thrown out in such a way +that little Mac can't get any information about what Lee's plans are?"</p> + +<p>"That's true enough, and yet, if McClellan had even a few men like those +that are gettin' information for General Lee, he ought to know about +it."</p> + +<p>Noel fancied he could detect an importance in the words just spoken +which confirmed him in his belief that the man in the other room was a +spy from Lee's army. His excitement increased as his conviction gained +in power, and he almost groaned as he realized how helpless he was. +Deprived of his uniform, without any weapon of defense, he was powerless +to interfere with the man or his plans.</p> + +<p>"I reckon Little Mac will give a good account of himself befo' long," +said Jim positively.</p> + +<p>"He'll have to make haste about it, then. He left Washin'ton with an +army of nearly eighty-five thousand men. He ought to do something with +such a body as that. Why, only last night, if he had made a night +march, he mought have got in possession of both Gaps—"</p> + +<p>"What Gaps?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Crampton's Gap and Turner's. He's lost his chance, though."</p> + +<p>"You know a right sma't lot, don't you?" inquired Jim.</p> + +<p>"That's my business."</p> + +<p>"Well, I haven't any curiosity about this thing," said Jim, shaking his +head slowly as he spoke. "I'm satisfied to stay right here and be true +to the old flag. There comes Sairy Ann," he added, as Noel heard the +sounds of the voices of women approaching from the stairway, which the +night before he had seen was on the opposite side of the room. It was +manifest now that Sairy Ann also had her visitor, and as the two women +entered the room both men became silent.</p> + +<p>"I done tole yo' how it is," Sairy Ann was saying. "I've said to yo' +many times, 'Liza, that I wouldn't stand for no sech foolishness. I don' +like the secesh. I never did and I never shall, and if yo' 're +determined to be secesh yourself, then yo' 'll have to take the +consequences! I don't mind tellin' yo' all as how I hev made my will."</p> + +<p>"Hev ye?" inquired the other woman, the tones of her voice implying +that she was at once deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hev, and instead of leaving yo' all the money I promised yo', +I've willed yo' a pair o' my shoestrings."</p> + +<p>"I don' believe yo' hev done any sech thing, Sairy Ann!" protested the +other woman.</p> + +<p>"I don't care whether yo' believe it or not. That's jest exactly what I +hev done. I hev set it down pertic'lar,—'To my oldest sister, 'Liza, I +give, bequeath and leave and likewise devise one pair of shoestrings.'"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd rather hev a pair of shoestrings and be loyal to my State +than I would to hev all your money and be a Yank."</p> + +<p>"Of course, <i>you</i> would, 'Liza," snapped Sairy Ann. "That's because yo' +don't know no mo'. If yo' knew mo', yo' wouldn't talk sech nonsense."</p> + +<p>Whether or not the woman's argument was deemed sufficient, at all events +the conversation abruptly ceased when the visiting man said, "Now, I hev +come fo' yo' yere, 'Liza, and I don't intend to stay very long. You hev +got to make up your mind right sma't whether yo' 're goin' to come with +me, or whether yo' 're going to stay here with your sister."</p> + +<p>"That's right," sobbed Eliza. "That's right. First Sairy Ann picks on me +and then my own husband he picks on me, too. I'm jest distracted. I +don't want to stay and I don't want to go."</p> + +<p>"Yo' 're as bad as McClellan," broke in her husband. "I've come ten +miles out o' my way just toe get yo' and take yo' home, if yo' don't +want toe stay yere. If yo' think yo' 'll be safer along with these +Yankee sympathizers, why jes' say so and stay yere. It doesn't matter +very much toe me either way. The only Yanks I can put up with are Jim +and Sairy Ann, and I wouldn't put up with them very long if we all +weren't members of the same family."</p> + +<p>"I expect to be shot by the secesh, anyway," broke in Sairy Ann, "and I +hope yo' 'll go because I don't want to get shot by any o' my folks."</p> + +<p>"We're goin' toe go," said the man.</p> + +<p>To Noel's great relief preparations for departure were at once made.</p> + +<p>It was not until the man and his wife had left, however, that the +mistress of the house brought the waiting young soldier his uniform. +Tossing it inside the room, she called out in a voice, which in spite of +its sharpness was not unfriendly, "There's yer soldier clothes. Yo' all +can put them on and come out and get your breakfast."</p> + +<p>Only a brief time had elapsed before the summons had been obeyed by +Noel, and refreshed by the rest of the night and the clothes which Sairy +Ann had made thoroughly presentable, he entered the kitchen.</p> + +<p>The tall form of the gaunt head of the house seemed to Noel to be even +taller than when he had first seen it in the dim light of the preceding +night. The expression of the man's face was so doleful that the young +soldier felt a fresh sympathy for the sharp-toned woman for whom her +husband's slow and undecided ways were a constant source of irritation. +As for Sairy Ann herself, Noel saw that her hair was of the tinge which +is sometimes associated with certain warlike propensities and also that +she was cross-eyed. Indeed, the young soldier decided that never before +had he seen any one whose eyes to all appearances might each serve the +duty and the place of the other. He was uncertain when she spoke to him +whether or not she was looking at him, and he was somehow aware that the +woman was keenly aware of the impression which she made upon him.</p> + +<p>However, his feeling of hunger was now supreme, and as soon as he was +bidden to take his place at the table, he began to do ample justice to +the simple fare which was provided. The manifest curiosity of the woman +was to have no occasion for gratification until the meal was more than +half done. Then, unable longer to restrain her feelings, she abruptly +inquired, "Now, then, what yo' all doin' here?"</p> + +<p>"Just now I'm doin' my best to get ready to leave."</p> + +<p>"Did yo' all hear any voices this mornin'?" inquired Jim slowly.</p> + +<p>Aware that the interest of the woman in his reply was keen, Noel said, +"Why, I heard some talk. Was there anything of special interest?"</p> + +<p>"Naw. I reckon nothin' what would be interestin' to yo' all," said Jim.</p> + +<p>"Hey!" exclaimed Sairy Ann suddenly. "Here comes the Jew peddler. He was +here day before yesterday. I told him then I didn't want anything, and I +don't see what for he comes around here pestering us again."</p> + +<p>Noel looked up quickly as she spoke, and saw the peddler standing in the +doorway of the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Instantly he recognized the trader as Levi Kadoff, the sutler whose +experiences in the camp had been of such a trying nature that he had +departed with many threats for the mischievous soldiers who had +tormented him.</p> + +<p>He was positive that the peddler also recognized him, although not a +word was spoken by either.</p> + +<p>Entering the room, Levi whiningly begged the woman to make some +purchases.</p> + +<p>"I don't want nothin'," declared Sairy Ann. "I told yo' so yesterday and +day befo' when yo' were here. Yo' ought to take better care of yo'self +than to be here where there's so many soldiers so near. Suppose yo' got +caught right in the middle of the fight?"</p> + +<p>"Dere vill be no fight," said Levi positively.</p> + +<p>"How do yo' know there won't?"</p> + +<p>"Because dere vill not be any."</p> + +<p>"But how do yo' know?" protested the woman.</p> + +<p>"Dot is vat der men says."</p> + +<p>"What men?"</p> + +<p>"All kinds of men. Now, please, mine goot voman, let me show you vat +fine spectacles that I have?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?" demanded Sairy Ann, abruptly rising from +her seat and facing the little peddler. "Yo' ain't gettin' personal, be +ye? What makes yo' think I need glasses?"</p> + +<p>"Spectacles is all der styles now. I sells more glasses to young vimmins +than I do to der old vimmins."</p> + +<p>Appeased by the explanation, the hostess resumed her seat, and a few +minutes later, when the little Jew displayed certain ribbons in his +wares, Sairy Ann hesitated and was lost, much to the disgust of the +elongated Jim. She invested some "real Yankee money" in several strips +of bright yellow ribbon, doubtless selecting this particular color +because she fancied it would match both her hair and her eyes, for now +Noel was aware that even her eyes shared in the tawny color of her hair +and skin.</p> + +<p>By the time the trading was completed, Noel had finished his breakfast +and was eager to be gone. He was desirous also of having some +conversation with Levi, when later the little peddler, after one +searching glance at the face of the young soldier, left the place and +Noel abruptly decided to go with him.</p> + +<p>Thanking his hostess for her kindness in receiving and caring for him, +he shook hands with her and her husband and taking his cap left the +house.</p> + +<p>Calling to Levi to wait for him to join him, he soon was in the road +where the sutler was standing. Advancing to his side, Noel prepared to +accompany the little peddler on his way, a decision which within a short +time he had cause deeply to regret.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE SUTLER AS A GUIDE</h3> + + +<p>"Vat you do here?" inquired Levi suspiciously as the two departed down +the road.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I was going to ask you."</p> + +<p>"You see. You see for yourself," repeated the sutler, pointing as he +spoke to the pack which he was carrying upon his back.</p> + +<p>"What have you in that pack?"</p> + +<p>"Somedings to sell."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Many dings."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think you would have anybody to sell these things to, now +that both armies are so near."</p> + +<p>"It is von beeg drouble," said Levi, shaking his head. "Dere vas no +chance. Eferybody cares not for mine laces—"</p> + +<p>"'Laces!' I should think this would be the last place in the world where +you could sell such things as that," broke in Noel. "What do people down +here want of laces, especially when they are likely to be caught between +the two armies any time?"</p> + +<p>"I lose money efery day," said Levi, disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"Why do you stay, then?" demanded Noel. "If you cannot make any money, +you certainly don't stay here for pleasure, do you?"</p> + +<p>"But," protested Levi, spreading both hands as he spoke, "a man has to +live, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"Levi, I believe you have lots of money," said Noel soberly.</p> + +<p>"Nein! No! Not von penny."</p> + +<p>"Then how can you live if you are losing money every day? You must have +something on which to draw."</p> + +<p>"But I must live," protested Levi. "I must get some money. Perhaps I +don't got it to-day, maybe I gets it to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Where have you been, Levi, since you left camp?"</p> + +<p>"I haf been just vere you sees me. I haf been to efery house, but nobody +buys mine laces. I dinks vot I haf to go North pretty soon. Nobody here +has any money."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen anything of Stuart's cavalry?"</p> + +<p>The quick side glance which Levi gave him, although the eyes of the +little Jew were instantly turned away again, was not lost upon Noel. +Always suspicious of the little sutler, he had now become sure that +there were more than suspicions upon which his fears rested.</p> + +<p>"Who vas Stuart's cavalry?"</p> + +<p>Noel laughed, but did not reply to the question.</p> + +<p>"Haf you seen somedings of dot Irishmans?" inquired the peddler.</p> + +<p>"What Irishman?"</p> + +<p>"Dot young Irishmans vot tormented me. He upsets mine tent. He makes der +poys turn over mine trunks. He steals vot is mine, vot is mine!"</p> + +<p>The fierce anger of the little Jew was almost pathetic, and despite his +declaration, Noel was aware that much justice, perhaps, was in his +complaint, in spite of the fact that he had charged the boys of the +regiment exorbitant prices for his poor and cheap supplies.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Dennis O'Hara?" asked Noel quickly.</p> + +<p>"Dat vas it. Dat vas his name,—Dennis. Haf you seen him maybe?"</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't. Have you?"</p> + +<p>"How should I see him?" inquired Levi. "I haf leave der camp. I haf +nodings more to do mit der soldiers. I goes now from house to house."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen him?" again asked Noel.</p> + +<p>"I'm telling you," protested the sutler. "I don't go vere de Yankee +soldiers be."</p> + +<p>"If you don't look out the Yankee soldiers will come where you are."</p> + +<p>Noel spoke indifferently, but he was keenly watching the face of his +companion. The quick, shifting glance which Levi instantly gave him +somehow served to strengthen the conviction in the heart of the young +soldier that the little peddler was playing a suspicious if not a double +part.</p> + +<p>"You didn't tell me," he said, "whether or not you have seen Dennis +O'Hara anywhere."</p> + +<p>"I vould like mooch to see him. I vould like to see him mit a rope +around his neck. I vould like to be der von to pull on der rope. I vill +do so to him," he added in his excitement, as he stretched forth both +hands and pulled vigorously upon an imaginary rope.</p> + +<p>"Here, where are you going?" demanded Noel abruptly, as his companion +turned from the road to enter a lane which led toward a house partly +concealed by magnolia trees far back from the road.</p> + +<p>"To der house," answered Levi. "To der beeg house."</p> + +<p>"Why are you going in there?"</p> + +<p>"I vill sell somedings."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look as if anybody is home," suggested Noel.</p> + +<p>The young soldier was striving to lead his companion on and draw from +him information which he suspected the little Jew possessed. As he spoke +he was keenly observant of the house and grounds, but as yet had not +seen any signs of life about the place.</p> + +<p>"Der vas only vimmins dere."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"Because I vas dere de oder day. Dey vas tolt me dey vill buy somedings +ven I comes back. So now I'm comes back and I shall sell somedings."</p> + +<p>"You say there are no men there?"</p> + +<p>"Der men vas all gone mid der army."</p> + +<p>"Which army?"</p> + +<p>"How should I know?" demanded the peddler irritably. "I sells to der +vimmin."</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to go with you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. You come. It vill interest der vimmins. You come mit me and I vill +go on mit you and show you der way to Frederick City."</p> + +<p>Noel was unarmed, but he saw no reason to doubt the words of his +companion. If the place was deserted by the men he would be in no +danger, and, on the other hand, he might be able to obtain some food, +even if the women were sympathizers with the Southern cause. He was +aware that from many such people the sight of a man clad in the uniform +of the Union army was not likely to bring a cordial response. On the +other hand, he was unknown, and it might be that he could obtain food +and supplies that would help him through the day. He was confident that +if he went much farther on his way, he might have experiences that would +compel him to remain in hiding part of the time.</p> + +<p>Slowly the two young men approached the great house. The house itself +was not so large, but the expression was one which was applied to many +homes, perhaps to distinguish the dwelling-place of the master from the +quarters of the negroes.</p> + +<p>As he drew near, Noel saw in the rear of the house the quarters of the +servants. There were little huts that had been whitewashed, and about +the place were several little pickaninnies, whose presence indicated +that some of the blacks at least were at home.</p> + +<p>The approach of the boys was apparently unobserved, and even when they +followed the winding pathway toward the rear of the house no one greeted +them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, however, Noel stopped, and looked in consternation at the +sight before him. Tied to the hitching-rail in the rear of the house he +saw a half-dozen horses.</p> + +<p>Every horse was saddled and bridled, and in an instant Noel was aware +that he had come upon a small band of cavalry.</p> + +<p>Startled as he was by his discovery he instantly stopped and, after +listening intently, turned back over the road which he and Levi had +come. As he did so, Levi suddenly dropped his pack and seizing the young +soldier by his coat began to shout in his loudest tones.</p> + +<p>Frightened by the unexpected attack, Noel struck desperately at his +tormentor, and did his utmost to free himself. The little Jew, however, +apparently unmindful of the blows, clung desperately to his coat, and +before Noel was able to escape he saw a half-dozen men run out of the +house and start swiftly toward him.</p> + +<p>One glance was sufficient to convince the desperate boy that he was in +the presence of some of the rebel cavalry. The men were armed, while he +himself was powerless to make any defense.</p> + +<p>"What's this, Levi?" demanded the leader.</p> + +<p>"Who is this man with you? Didn't I tell you not to let any one come +here?"</p> + +<p>"Dis man is von Union soldier. He helps tear mine tent. He vas von vat +steals mine goots. He vas bad. I dinks dat you vill be glad to haf a +Yankee soldier here, maybe?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take all the Yanks we can lay our hands upon," said the man with +a laugh.</p> + +<p>It was plain that he was relieved by the discovery that there was only +one soldier near and he only a boy. The impression, however, produced on +Noel's mind by the action of the man was that there were Union soldiers +not far away. And yet, he thought bitterly, what advantage would that be +to him now? He was here, helpless to defend himself and really a +prisoner in the hands of the rebel cavalry. There were momentary visions +of Libby Prison, which he knew was the destination of most of the Union +soldiers taken by the Confederates in their recent campaigns.</p> + +<p>The leader now turned to one of his men and good-naturedly said, "Tom, +we don't want to take this fellow into the house. I am afraid he would +scare the babies. I'll leave him out here with you. Don't let him get +away from you."</p> + +<p>It was useless to protest, and Noel obediently followed his guard as he +led the way to the rear of the house near the place where the horses +were tied. The young soldier looked hastily about him to discover what +had become of the little sutler, but could not see him anywhere. Levi +must have entered the house, he concluded.</p> + +<p>Noel's thoughts were bitter as he recalled how easily he had been +trapped. The sutler, without doubt, was in the employ of the +Confederates. Whether or not he had been, at the time when he held his +place in the Union camp at Harper's Ferry, Noel had no means of knowing; +but it was plain that he himself had been led by his guide into a place +from which apparently there was no escape.</p> + +<p>When the soldiers reentered the house Noel seated himself on the ground +with his back against the post that upheld the rail to which three of +the horses were tied. In spite of his fear he looked with interest at +the mounts of the men. Every horse manifestly was fleet-footed, and in +better condition than one naturally would expect such horses to be at +such a time.</p> + +<p>Little black faces began to appear, as the pickaninnies, led on by their +curiosity, slowly and cautiously advanced from their quarters to +discover for themselves what the meaning of the excitement was. At +another time Noel would have been interested, but now he gave slight +heed to his approaching visitors.</p> + +<p>About fifteen feet from the place where he was seated there was a row of +beehives. The warmth of the September day had caused the busy little +creatures to resume their labors of the summer.</p> + +<p>The sight of them recalled to the mind of the troubled boy the beehives +near his father's house and his thoughts naturally wandered from bees to +the people who were in the far-away home. He wondered if Frank had yet +returned to the army. He had been assigned to a different corps, and it +might be that he already was with McClellan. Would he see him at +Frederick City? The question received its own answer when Noel glanced +about him and saw the guard and the horses waiting for their riders. +There was slight prospect that he would see his brother very soon. Libby +Prison doubtless was to be his destination.</p> + +<p>A half-hour had elapsed since Noel's arrival, and in spite of his fear +the droning of the bees sounded so monotonously in his ears that it +would not have been difficult for him to close his eyes and fall asleep.</p> + +<p>Abruptly he sat erect and, facing his guard said, "How long are these +men going to be here?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon yo' 'll have to ask the lieutenant, sir."</p> + +<p>"How long have they been here?"</p> + +<p>"I can't just say, sir."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where they are going?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I don't."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what they will do with me?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I might suspect, sir. There have been a right sma't lot of +Yanks who have had free transpo'tation to Richmond. I reckon there will +be some mo', and it may be yo' will have a chance to ride along with +them, sir. It won't cost you a cent, sir. No, sir, not one cent."</p> + +<p>"Do you belong to Stuart's cavalry?" asked Noel.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what's the matter with the Yanks. They seem to be so full of +questions that the minute one of them opens his mouth they begin to pop +out the way corn pops in a popper."</p> + +<p>Noel abruptly ceased his questioning, but, as he glanced once more about +the quarters, suddenly a scheme suggested itself to him, by which he +might be able to escape from his captors. If the plan was to be tried, +he must act at once, he decided, and, striving not to arouse the +suspicions of the guard, he slowly arose.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>WARLIKE BEES</h3> + + +<p>Slowly, and striving to appear indifferent, although he was keenly +observant of every action of his guard, Noel began to pace back and +forth behind the row of horses. He was well aware that, in spite of the +apparent carelessness of his guard, he was watching his every action. +Any attempt on the part of the young prisoner to escape would at once +bring a shot from the soldier.</p> + +<p>However, the guard did not interfere with the actions of his prisoner, +and a half-dozen or more times Noel slowly paced back and forth as if he +was simply striving to relax his muscles and was ignoring his +surroundings.</p> + +<p>Not more than twenty feet away from the rail was the row of beehives to +which reference has been made. Several times the young prisoner stopped +and watched the busy little insects that were buzzing about the hives. +Glancing each time at the guard, he was convinced that any suspicions of +any plan his charge might have in mind as yet had not been aroused. +Apparently the soldier was so confident in his ability to meet any +sudden act that some of the time he was not even looking at the young +prisoner.</p> + +<p>Noel's excitement became keener. He glanced toward the house to see +whether or not any of the Confederates who had entered were now to be +seen. Slowly he turned his head and looked once more at his guard. The +man was seated on the grass, and still to all appearances was +indifferent to the actions of his charge.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Noel stumbled over the projecting root of a huge magnolia tree +and fell directly against the nearest hive in the row. With both hands +he struck and with such force that it was thrown against the hive next +to it.</p> + +<p>"Better look out there!" called the guard, when Noel arose. "Some of +those bugs 'll bite you, if you don't watch out!"</p> + +<p>Whether or not the "bugs would bite," the anger of the bees instantly +became manifest. In clouds they poured forth from the hives and the +sounds of their buzzing became louder.</p> + +<p>Darting in every direction they soon discovered the disturber of their +dwelling-places, and, aware of their intentions, Noel hastily ran +toward the guard and the rail to which the horses were hitched. To all +appearances he had done this simply to avoid the pursuit of the little +tormentors. That he was acting on design, the guard did not even +suspect. The cloud of bees, however, did not all abandon the pursuit, +and as Noel halted near the horses, the furious little insects, without +rhyme or reason, began an attack upon the innocent animals.</p> + +<p>Pandemonium instantly followed. The horses were rearing, plunging, +squealing, and kicking in every direction. The actions seemed to incite +the attacking insects to still greater anger. Nor was the guard himself +free from the onslaught. With muttered exclamations of anger and pain, +he was striving to ward off the little pests from his face or prevent +them from stinging him on his hands and wrists.</p> + +<p>Noel was doing his utmost to bear up under the suffering he himself was +compelled to undergo. One bee had stung him on the very tip of his nose. +Another had attacked him under his right eye, while still another had +inserted his sting near a corner of the young soldier's mouth.</p> + +<p>Noel could feel his face swelling, but he heroically strove to bear his +suffering, and, although he did his utmost to drive away his +tormentors, he nevertheless was relying upon the very attack that had +been made to assist him in the plan which he had formed.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the confusion one of the horses broke loose, and with +many snorts of fear and rage started swiftly toward the lane.</p> + +<p>The example was contagious and a moment later two more horses freed +themselves by breaking the straps by which they were tied and followed +in the direction in which the leader had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Catch them! Catch them! Help me! Catch them!" called the guard +excitedly. "Why don't somebody come out of the big house? I can't do +everything myself! Help me! Never mind the stings! Don't let those +horses get away! Rouse yourself, Yank!"</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best," called Noel loudly, as he seized the bridle of one of +the remaining horses and apparently strove to quiet the terrified +animal.</p> + +<p>The horse with which Noel was struggling was the one in the line which +he had noted as being undoubtedly the swiftest and best of them all.</p> + +<p>"Whoa, there! Keep quiet! Be still, can't you?" he called as he slapped +the plunging horse on its neck and then on its flank as if he was +protecting it from the angry bees. Meanwhile, however, Noel had untied +the horse and was holding the animal by its bridle.</p> + +<p>At that moment some of the Confederate soldiers, who had entered the +house, appeared at the door. Noel glanced anxiously at the men and then +looked at the guard, who was doing his utmost to prevent one of the +remaining horses from escaping.</p> + +<p>The moment for which he had been waiting had arrived, the young soldier +decided, and whatever he did he must do instantly. There was no time to +be lost.</p> + +<p>Looking once more toward the house, he saw the men call to those who +still were inside, and then turn as if they were about to run swiftly to +the place where the commotion was occurring. A single glance at the +guard showed him that the man's rifle had been laid upon the grass and +that he was still struggling with one of the frantic animals. Pulling +upon the bridle of his horse Noel quietly had worked the animal away +from its companions. His horse had been squealing and kicking more +frantically than any of the others. To all appearances Noel was having a +severe struggle to prevent him from breaking away and running in the +direction in which the other horses had disappeared.</p> + +<p>The shouts of the men, who now were advancing from the house, increased +the confusion. Doubtless they were unaware of the source of the trouble +and might visit their anger upon him, thought Noel.</p> + +<p>The time, however, did not permit of delay. He had now worked his horse +nearer the corner of the house. Suddenly the young soldier, placing one +foot in the stirrup, leaped lightly into the saddle, and shouting into +the ears of his horse, turned around the corner of the house before the +startled band were fully aware of what had taken place.</p> + +<p>The bees were no longer in pursuit. The terrified animal, however, was +still making many frantic leaps, and Noel was compelled to exert the +utmost of his strength to retain his seat. His disappearance was +followed by a shout from the man, and only a brief time elapsed before, +glancing behind him, he saw that two of the men were mounted and now +were in swift pursuit.</p> + +<p>His hopes now were dependent upon the speed of his horse and the +possible inability of his pursuers to shoot.</p> + +<p>"Stop, you Yank!" called one of them. "Stop where you are! Stop, or +we'll shoot!"</p> + +<p>Bending low upon the neck of his horse, Noel gave no heed to the demands +and continually urged the beast into greater efforts. With long and +powerful leaps the horse was bounding forward. The entrance from the +lane into the highway was now only a few yards distant. Out in the road, +Noel saw the horses which had already broken their halters and had fled +when the bees first had attacked them. He would have been glad to secure +either of them, but now his main purpose was to escape, and success +depended much upon the endurance of the horse he was riding.</p> + +<p>As yet the men behind him had not shot at the escaping young soldier. +Grimly Noel thought they were more fearful of injuring the horse than +they were of harming him. However, there was inspiration in the thought +that thus far he had succeeded, and almost with a feeling of rejoicing +he turned into the road and urged his terrified steed into still more +frantic efforts. The pursuit was not abandoned, and he was aware that +the mounted Confederates evidently were as determined as was the fleeing +young soldier.</p> + +<p>The speed of the running horse increased under the continued demands of +his rider. It was a powerful animal on which he was mounted, as Noel +was now aware, and if his endurance was equal to his strength there was +a possibility of escaping from the region.</p> + +<p>A glance behind him showed that he was gaining upon his two pursuers, a +fact which was as manifest to them as it was to him. Suddenly one of +them fired. Noel heard the bullet as it whistled above his head.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> +<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>NOEL HEARD THE BULLET AS IT WHISTLED PAST</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The pursuit, however, was not abandoned, and, leaning forward, Noel drew +himself closer to the neck of his panting steed, and then as he looked +hastily behind him he saw that both men were again about to fire.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A HELPER</h3> + + +<p>The moment was critical in the flight of the young soldier. It seemed to +him as if his heart for a moment almost ceased to beat. Resolutely he +leaned still farther forward on the neck of the running horse, and +shouting into the ear of the animal caused the frightened beast to bound +to the opposite side of the road just as both of his pursuers fired.</p> + +<p>Grateful as soon as he was aware that neither he nor his horse had been +hit, the young soldier gave his undivided attention for a moment to +controlling the terrified steed.</p> + +<p>Noel's long experience on his father's farm on the banks of the St. +Lawrence River, where he and his brother Frank many a time as little +lads had ridden the colts bareback, now came in good stead. The saddle +was uncomfortable, but he had no difficulty in retaining his seat.</p> + +<p>In a brief time the nervous animal once more was under control and was +speeding forward at a pace which the rider was confident would soon +leave his pursuers far behind him.</p> + +<p>In his flight Noel hastily glanced over his shoulder to discover whether +or not the Confederate soldiers had abandoned the chase, or were still +determined to overtake him.</p> + +<p>He plainly saw that they were not gaining upon him, although they still +held doggedly to the pursuit. Just why they should do this, now that +several miles had been covered, the young soldier was unable to +understand, nor was it until afterward that he came to know the reason +why the men, in spite of their failure to gain upon him, were unwilling +to turn back.</p> + +<p>Noel was unarmed. His rifle had been taken from him when he had first +been made prisoner. Although he had a place, as we know, among the +sharpshooters of McClellan's army, it had not been until after his +return from his furlough that he had found himself fully able to do the +required work.</p> + +<p>Now with all his heart he longed for a rifle. If it were only in his +hands he was convinced that the two men who were so doggedly hanging to +the pursuit would abandon their efforts.</p> + +<p>The mud in places in the road was thrown up in lumps by the hoofs of his +horse as he thundered on his way. As yet the animal was not displaying +any marked signs of distress, and in the hope of wearing out his +pursuers, Noel still kept him at his full speed.</p> + +<p>The splotches of mud and the heat of the warm September day soon made +the appearance of the young rider as distressing as that of the animal +upon which he was mounted. The great black flanks of the latter were now +reeking with sweat and discolored by the red-brown mud of the road. As +far as Noel himself was concerned, his most intimate friend might have +had difficulty in recognizing, in the perspiring, dirt-covered young +soldier the Noel Curtis whom they had known. Streams of perspiration had +poured down his face and left furrows in the coating of Maryland mud and +dirt. The exertion was telling upon the rider as well as upon the horse, +and he was well aware that such violent efforts could not long be +continued.</p> + +<p>Glancing once more anxiously behind him, Noel was unable to see his +pursuers. He was aware, however, that it was only the bend in the road +that hid them from his sight and that not yet was he freed from his +peril.</p> + +<p>Slackening the pace at which he was riding, the young soldier removed +his coat and folding it placed it in front of him on the pommel. The +relief was instant and again speaking encouragingly to his horse, which +now was breathing loudly, he continued his flight.</p> + +<p>It became manifest in a brief time that the pursuit was still +maintained, although the distance between the young soldier and the two +Confederates comparatively was unchanged. Why they should continue to +follow him became increasingly a perplexing problem. There were no +prospects of his being overtaken, and now that five or six miles must +have been covered in his flight Noel was unable to understand why the +men did not turn back and join their comrades. He himself was not of +sufficient value to warrant their severe labors. Of that fact he was +well assured. Why, then, did they still follow him?</p> + +<p>The mystery was unsolved, but there was no delay on the part of the +young soldier to meditate long upon possible explanations. The fact +remained that he was in a country with which he was unfamiliar, mounted +upon the back of a horse with whose ways he was unacquainted, although +he was aware of his many excellent points, and was being pursued +relentlessly by two men who doggedly held to their task.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Noel, as he emerged from a small body of woods, beheld a group +of men directly in the road before him and not distant more than fifty +yards. Glancing keenly at the bank he saw that the men were repairing a +bridge over a little stream. A second look convinced him that the men +were all clad in the uniform of the Confederate soldiers.</p> + +<p>For a brief moment Noel's courage seemed to depart. He could not turn +back without running directly into his enemies, while if he advanced it +was equally plain that there were many more still to be passed.</p> + +<p>Unaware of the perplexing thoughts of his rider, his horse did not relax +his speed and with long and steady lopes was still advancing. Whatever +the young soldier was to do must be done quickly.</p> + +<p>Almost before he was aware of what occurred Noel found himself close +upon the band. His coat, as has been said, was discolored and his +trousers were so covered with mud that their original color, in a +measure, at least, was concealed.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the young soldier decided to try to make his way through the +band. He recalled an incident which he had read in the life of Mad +Anthony Wayne, who, with his men, in the swamp near Yorktown, found +himself face to face with a division of red coats that far outnumbered +his followers. The consternation produced by the discovery was banished +as Mad Anthony resolutely called to his men and dashed forward. The +daring man was relying upon the fact of his bold advance to convince the +enemy that there must be more men behind him. No man in his senses would +ever think of attacking such a superior force. After the British lines +had broken and fled, Mad Anthony turned and said to one of his comrades, +"The best way to overcome any difficulty is to drive straight through +it." This incident came back to Noel's mind as the trees and fields +seemed to be racing past him.</p> + +<p>His confident approach, too, for he was waving his hand as he drew +nearer, seemed to confuse the band of Confederates. Instead of forming +across the road and stopping his flight, they divided and did not even +question him, although his appearance must have been such as to arouse +their curiosity at least.</p> + +<p>Only partly checking the speed of his horse, Noel leaned low on his neck +and as he drew near the men, he shouted, "Don't stop me, boys! How far +ahead is the captain?"</p> + +<p>Even as he asked the question Noel was aware that his own apparent +confidence had had its effect, for the men drew back from the roadside, +and one of them in reply to his query, shouted, "I reckon he's about +three miles up the road, sir."</p> + +<p>"Good! That's fine!" shouted Noel in response. "There's some men coming +behind me and they'll stop to give you their message. They have a word +for you."</p> + +<p>The ruse had succeeded, and the young soldier had accomplished more than +in his excitement he had dared to hope. He knew that his pursuers in a +very short time would be informed of his bold trick and perhaps would be +more determined than ever to secure him. But for a time, at least, he +had not been checked in his flight and he was not without hope also that +the two mounted men might be delayed long enough by the band, through +which he had successfully made his way, to enable him to gain still +more.</p> + +<p>Noel had not advanced far beyond the sight of the bridge before his +sudden feeling of exhilaration vanished. He had been astonished at the +very success of the trick he had played. It was his first lesson that if +a man is to succeed he must be bold.</p> + +<p>His rejoicing now abruptly departed, when, running and breathing +heavily, his horse suddenly stumbled and fell in the road. The young +soldier had been riding with too loose a rein and his moment of elation +had made him somewhat careless of the need of constant attention to his +steed.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Noel was able to free his feet from the stirrups and was not +caught by the body of the horse as he fell. He was thrown to one side of +the road, but although he was bruised and for a moment almost stunned by +the sudden fall, he quickly rose.</p> + +<p>Quick as his action was, however, that of his horse had been quicker. +After two efforts the fallen animal at last succeeded in leaping to his +feet, and, disregarding the frantic calls of its recent rider, started +forward, running even more swiftly than when he had been carrying the +young soldier.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the fresh trouble which had arisen, Noel was aware that +his pursuers in a brief time would be upon him. Instantly turning to one +side of the road where some large trees were growing he darted into +their midst and soon discovered one tree sufficiently large to enable +him to hide behind it.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Noel succeeded in gaining his hiding-place before he heard +the sound of the approaching horsemen. Instead of two horses now, +however, there were five. The ruse which he had used upon the men at +the bridge had been discovered, and doubtless chagrin was added to the +natural desire to retake the daring man who had escaped through their +midst.</p> + +<p>Would they pass the place or would they discover the mark in the road +left by his horse when it fell? Upon the decision of this question much +of his success depended. Breathlessly Noel watched the pursuing +soldiers, and a great sigh of relief escaped his lips when he saw that +they had not even glanced at the spot where the accident had befallen +him.</p> + +<p>He deemed it unwise now to resume his flight in the road. He decided +that he would make his way from tree to tree, and as he peered out at +the road, which he could see extended far in the distance, he was +rejoiced to discover that the woods also spread out far on either side. +His plan was not to reenter the road until he had gone a distance which +would be sufficient to insure his safety from discovery by the men who +had recently passed him in their wild chase.</p> + +<p>By this time the afternoon sun was low in the western sky. Not a +mouthful of food had passed the lips of the young soldier since his +early breakfast at the house of Jim and Sairy Ann. His strenuous efforts +also had wearied him, and thirst, as well as hunger, was now making its +demands felt.</p> + +<p>An hour had elapsed when Noel, from another hiding-place far up the +road, saw the band of five returning. He was positive that he recognized +them as his recent pursuers from the fact that one of the horses was +strangely marked, a fact which he had noticed when he had first +discovered the animals tied to the rail in the rear of the house to +which the treacherous Levi had conducted him.</p> + +<p>When at last the band had passed beyond his sight, and Noel, with fresh +courage, was about to reenter the road, he was startled when he saw a +young colored man approaching from the direction in which the riders had +disappeared.</p> + +<p>Loud and long sang the negro and repeated the same stanza of the song +until Noel, who was interested as the black man came nearer, almost felt +that in spite of his difficulties he would join in the tune,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then I sot right down and felt very blue—<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Glory hallelujah, bress de Lord!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says I, O Lord, what shall I do?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Glory hallelujah, bress de Lord!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When the young black man came opposite the place where Noel was hiding, +the latter suddenly decided to hail him.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" called the young soldier.</p> + +<p>The negro stopped abruptly and peered about him in a manner which +betrayed to Noel that in intelligence he seemed to be far above the most +of his race.</p> + +<p>"Who dat callin' me?" inquired the negro.</p> + +<p>"I am," said Noel, as he stepped forth from his hiding-place.</p> + +<p>The young soldier now was in his shirtsleeves, his coat having been lost +when he had been thrown from his horse. His uniform was so discolored by +mud that it was impossible for an observer to determine to which side he +belonged. However, convinced that his plight was so distressing that he +must trust some one, Noel had decided that he would cast in his lot with +the negro, and trust him to provide some way of escape.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen any Union soldiers around here?" he called as he came +nearer.</p> + +<p>Before he replied, the negro looked quickly into the face of Noel, and +then with a smile said, "No, suh. I wish I had. I would like toe be +inside the Union lines at dis bery minute. I reckon, too, yo' all would +like toe be in there, too."</p> + +<p>"That's what I would!" said Noel enthusiastically. "And you'll have to +show me how to get there."</p> + +<p>The black man hesitated a moment, and then said cordially, "The bes' +thing fo' yo' will be fo' me toe take yo' all toe Aunt Katie."</p> + +<p>"'Aunt Katie'?" inquired Noel, as he glanced once more apprehensively up +and down the road. "Aunt Katie? Who is she?"</p> + +<p>"Yo' come er long wif me and I'll done show yo'," replied the negro.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE GUEST ROOM</h3> + + +<p>The young negro at once led the way from the road, evidently fearing +more for the safety of his companion than for his own.</p> + +<p>Noel followed obediently and did not speak until his guide had led him +far within the sheltering woods that were growing on each side of the +road.</p> + +<p>The young soldier was not yet altogether convinced that his companion +was to be relied upon. His experience with Long John had made him +suspicious of the blacks. Throughout his boyhood he had never seen a +colored man, and it had not been long before the time of his enlistment +when he had beheld one for the first time.</p> + +<p>The action of the powerful young negro with whom he was journeying, +however, in a measure relieved his fears, and his plight was so +desperate that he was aware that he must trust somebody for help. Night +would soon be at hand and in the darkness his perils might be greatly +increased.</p> + +<p>At last, when a quarter of a mile or more had been covered by Noel and +his companion, the young soldier stopped, and said, "What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"Nigger Sam."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of Long John?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh!" replied Sam, glancing suspiciously at his companion as he +spoke. "What fo' yo' ask 'bout Long John?"</p> + +<p>"I saw him back yonder."</p> + +<p>"What fo' yo' see him?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he led me into a trap. I thought I could trust him, but he took me +along a corduroy road to the very place where a lot of the rebel +soldiers were stationed."</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" said Sam, manifestly relieved. "Dat's des' what +Long John is er doin'. He's playing tricks on the Yankee soldiers all de +time. Little Ben Fowler des' used him lak I use de decoy when I shoots +ducks."</p> + +<p>"How do I know you are not another one like Long John?"</p> + +<p>"Because I'se a Yankee."</p> + +<p>"You're a what?" demanded Noel.</p> + +<p>"I'se workin' wif de Yankees. I des' made up my mind dey was de bes' +friends what I got. When a lot ob men leave home and come 'way off down +yere jes' toe set de niggers free, I done make up my min' dat I'd des' +do all I could fo' 'em."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going now?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I'm goin' toe tote you toe Aunt Katie's."</p> + +<p>"You know I'm a Union soldier, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I does. Leastwise I suspected so when I first heerd yo' talk. +If yo' all will tell me how yo' says de word ob dat animal what gibes +milk, den I'll sho'ly know."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" inquired Noel sharply.</p> + +<p>"I mean dat animal what we spell c-o-w. How yo' all done say dat name?"</p> + +<p>Noel laughingly pronounced the word, and instantly his dusky companion +was satisfied with the claim which the young soldier had made.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yo' all sho'ly is er Yankee. What I cain't understan', suh, +is what yo' all is doin' yere. The nearest place war dey is any Union +sojers is Frederick."</p> + +<p>"How far is that from here?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very far, but I reckon hit's too far away fo' yo' all toe try +fo' toe git dere to-night. De sojers is scourin' de country an'—"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Stuart's cavalry?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh, and some mo' men besides dem. Hit's gittin' dreadfully hard +toe find yo' way in times like dese."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going now?" suddenly Noel inquired.</p> + +<p>"I'se goin' toe take yo' all toe Aunt Katie's an'—"</p> + +<p>The young negro hesitated and again searchingly looked at his companion.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" inquired Noel quickly. "Are you afraid of me?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh, I isn't 'fraid," grinned the negro. "Sho'ly not as long as I +hab a frind lak dis wif me," he added as he drew from a pocket inside +his coat a long narrow knife which was at least ten inches in length. +"Dis yere," grinned Sam, "is one ob de bes' friends what I got."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" inquired Noel, extending his hand as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"No, suh. I don' let dis friend of mine eber go out ob my hands. Not +eben fo' Gene'al Bu'nside."</p> + +<p>"Where is General Burnside?" asked Noel.</p> + +<p>"I reckon he isn't far 'way from Frederick City."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to see him?" demanded the young soldier, suddenly +inspired by a new thought.</p> + +<p>"Well, suh, I cain't jes' say 'bout dat," replied Sam as he thrust his +knife back into its receptacle. "I mought and then again I moughtn't."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're going there," said Noel sharply.</p> + +<p>"Dat's des' as may be," again responded Sam. "I mought and den I +moughtn't. Now, we hab been talkin' here long er 'nuff. If we all is +goin' toe get yo' toe Aunt Katie's we mus' be movin' along. I haven't +much time to stay yere any longer."</p> + +<p>"How far is Aunt Katie's from here?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very far," again responded the negro. "But I des' cain't lose de +time."</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?" abruptly inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"I des' came from down de road a spell."</p> + +<p>"And you say you're going to Frederick City to report to General +Burnside?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh. No, suh. I didn't say any such thing," replied Sam with a +grin. "I des' said that I mought see him."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're taking word to him from some one down in this part of +Maryland."</p> + +<p>Sam grinned, but made no reply.</p> + +<p>The practice of using the blacks as spies or as means of obtaining +information was more prevalent than the young soldier was aware. Some of +the black men were keenly intelligent, and their stealthiness enabled +them to avoid many dangers to which the white soldiers were often +exposed. It was plain, too, that Nigger Sam, as he called himself, was +thoroughly familiar with the region; and he had said and done enough to +cause his companion to suspect that the purpose of his journey was more +than had appeared upon the surface.</p> + +<p>Conversation ceased when the journey was resumed. Weary as Noel was by +the experiences of the day, it was with difficulty that he was able to +keep up with his companion, who swiftly led the way through the field +and across the occasional swamps.</p> + +<p>The sun had disappeared from sight and darkness was creeping over the +land when at last Noel and his black guide arrived on the border of a +long stretch of woods.</p> + +<p>"Yo' all stay right yere, suh," said Sam, "while I done go toe see if +Aunt Katie will take yo' in fo' de night."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to stop at Aunt Katie's," declared Noel. "I want to go +with you. I'm sure you're on your way to Frederick City—"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said Sam sternly. "Yo' all don't know who may be hidin' in dese +yere trees."</p> + +<p>The negro spoke in a whisper, but it was manifest to his companion that +his fears had been aroused and perhaps not without reason.</p> + +<p>"Yo' all do des' what I says toe yo'," continued Sam. "Set right yere +behin' dis yere tree while I go toe see if Aunt Katie kin take yo' in +fo' de night."</p> + +<p>There was nothing else to be done except to obey the directions of Sam. +Reluctantly Noel seated himself on the ground behind one of the large +trees, and the negro at once started across the field that intervened +between the woods and the little cabins, a faint outline of which could +be seen in the distance. Doubtless the little whitewashed structures +were the quarters of the negroes of the large plantation, Noel +concluded.</p> + +<p>The weary young soldier leaned forward and watched the departing Sam as +long as he could be seen. In a brief time the young negro passed beyond +the nearest of the cabins.</p> + +<p>A half-hour or more elapsed before Sam returned. Noel's anxiety +meanwhile had been increasing, and he was on the point of departing from +the vicinity, as he had become fearful that his guide might play him +false and report him to his enemies instead of to the colored woman to +whom he had referred as the friend of escaping whites and blacks alike.</p> + +<p>The dim outlines of the approaching guide soon became more clearly +defined, and it was with a feeling of relief that Noel heard Sam say, +"Hit's all right, suh. Aunt Katie done say as how she will take yo' in. +Dere's one white man dere now, but she done say she can always find room +fo' one mo'."</p> + +<p>When the two men approached the humble cabin, which Sam explained was +Aunt Katie's abode, there were no lights to be seen, and consequently, +when the black woman whispered to the guide, Noel was unable to +distinguish her face.</p> + +<p>The whispering between the two continued several minutes, and then Sam +once more turned to Noel, who had been bidden to enter the cabin and +seat himself on a rude bench near the rear door, and said, "Is yo' all +hongry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm hungry," whispered Noel. "But never mind that. What I want is +to find some place where I shall be safe; that is, if you 're not going +to take me with you to—"</p> + +<p>Noel abruptly ceased when he felt the grip of his companion on his arm +and was aware that he must not speak aloud concerning any of the men or +places he was seeking.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Katie will feed yo' all an' then show yo' whar yo' kin stay 'til +mo'nin'. Yo' do des' what she done tells yo' toe do."</p> + +<p>"I shall," whispered Noel; for his confidence in his dusky friends had +now been fully restored. He could not explain the change in his +feelings, but it had been manifest by the very tones of Aunt Katie's +voice that she was one upon whom he might depend.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh," continued Sam. "Maybe I'll done see yo' all some time soon."</p> + +<p>Unaware of the direction in which Sam had departed, Noel's attention and +efforts were soon devoted to the corn-bread and molasses which his sable +hostess speedily provided.</p> + +<p>Watchful as Noel was, his hunger nevertheless was so keen and he was so +busily engaged in the task of disposing of Aunt Katie's viands, that the +occasional chuckle of the black woman was wonderfully comforting. She +seldom spoke, but the young soldier was aware that his hostess was a +woman of ample proportions and capable of exerting herself physically if +occasion should require in a manner that would portend no good for her +enemies.</p> + +<p>"Yo' all come 'long wid me and I'll take yo' toe de gues' room," said +Aunt Katie calmly, when her visitor's hunger had been appeased.</p> + +<p>Puzzled by her words, Noel nevertheless followed the woman as she led +the way outside the little cabin. He was mystified by her actions and +was wondering where the "gues' room" might be. However, he wisely held +his peace, and cautiously following Aunt Katie soon was conducted to a +large stack of cornstalks standing near a corner of the barn.</p> + +<p>Here the black woman stopped and, keenly peering about her to make sure +that their actions were not observed, turned to Noel and whispered, +"Inside dat er stack is whar yo' all is toe go. Dere am plenty ob room +in dere. Yo' all will find another sojer in dere, too, I reckon. I'll +show yo' all how yo' git in. Come er 'long."</p> + +<p>Near the ground on the farther side of the stack Noel crawled into the +opening which Aunt Katie disclosed. In spite of the darkness he was +aware that the ground within was covered with cornstalks and that it was +possible for him to stand erect. Instantly he concluded that the stack +was more or less of a deception and was designed merely to cover and +conceal a small room.</p> + +<p>His thoughts, however, were speedily interrupted by the voice of the +other occupant. In amazement Noel listened, scarcely daring to credit +the evidence of his own ears, and then convinced that he was not +mistaken, he instantly crawled toward the place from which the voice had +come.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRE</h3> + + +<p>"Dennis! Dennis! Is that you?" whispered the young soldier, as he gained +the place where the other occupant of the hiding-place was seated.</p> + +<p>"Shure, and it's Noel! It's Noel, me lad!" exclaimed Dennis in high +glee.</p> + +<p>"Hush! Don't talk so loud, Dennis! Somebody will hear us. What are you +doing here? Where did you come from? Are you going to try to go on to +the army to-night? Who brought you here? How long have you been here?"</p> + +<p>"Listen to the lad!" exclaimed Dennis, delightedly, in one of his +loudest whispers.</p> + +<p>Noel was more afraid of Dennis when he whispered than he was when he +spoke in a low tone. Accordingly he grasped his comrade's arm and said, +"Don't make so much noise, Dennis."</p> + +<p>"Noel's the lad for me! He can ask more questions in a minute than any +man from the old sod could ask in five. Well, lad, I have been here +about two hours."</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?"</p> + +<p>"You'll have to ask the people what brought me. I can't tell you, I'm +shure. I niver was in such a country and I hope I'll niver be again. I +wasn't so troubled about mesilf as I was about you, Noel, me lad. Tell +me about yoursilf."</p> + +<p>"Hush!" repeated Noel. "Be still!" he whispered excitedly. "Do you hear +those voices?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, I hear them."</p> + +<p>"Well, keep still and see if we can find out what they are saying."</p> + +<p>It was plain to both the listening young soldiers that a man, who, from +his tones and speech was undoubtedly white, was talking to a negro lad +standing near the stack within which the two young soldiers were hiding.</p> + +<p>In a moment Noel recognized the voice of the little negro lad as that of +the son of Aunt Katie. The little urchin, not more than ten years of +age, had impressed the young soldier by the intensity with which he had +looked at him from the time of his arrival until he was conducted by +Aunt Katie to the place of his concealment.</p> + +<p>Noel grasped fiercely the arm of Dennis as he heard the man outside +ask, "Have you seen any Yanks around here?"</p> + +<p>"No, suh! No, suh!" said the small negro. "I ain't seen no Yankees +aroun' hyer."</p> + +<p>"You are sure, are you?" repeated the man, not ill-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Yas, suh."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you would know a Yank if you should see one?"</p> + +<p>"I shore would," replied the dusky child confidently. "Yo' all done tole +us dat de Yanks hab hawns. I ain't seen nary a man wif hawns 'round +yere."</p> + +<p>"Have you looked for them?" laughed the man.</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you find any you must be sure to report to me. Sometimes you +have to look right smart to find the horns on some of the Yankees."</p> + +<p>"Does dey grow right out of dere haid like dis?"</p> + +<p>"That's what they do, and their horns are sharp, too."</p> + +<p>"Glory!" exclaimed the little negro. "I reck'n I don't want to see no +Yanks wif hawns. Is yo' all thinkin' dat dey is comin' yere sometime?"</p> + +<p>"I think some of them have been here."</p> + +<p>"What dey wan' hyer?"</p> + +<p>"You ask Aunt Katie about that. I reckon she knows more about it than I +do. Are you sure, Little Jake, you haven't seen any Yankees that didn't +have any horns?"</p> + +<p>"How would I know dey was Yankees if dey didn't hab any hawns? Yo' all +don' tole us dat de Yankees hab hawns, so when I sees a man what I don' +know I allus looks to see if he hab any hawns."</p> + +<p>"If he does have horns, then you make up your mind he is a Yankee, do +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. Dat's what yo' all don' tole us, so I looks fo' de hawns."</p> + +<p>"Well, the next time you find anybody in Aunt Katie's cabin whom you +don't know, you come and tell me, whether he has horns or not. I'm +expecting somebody to be in her cabin pretty soon. You're sure, are you, +there isn't anybody there now?"</p> + +<p>"Yas, suh. You come 'long wif me," said the negro lad confidently, "and +I'll show yo' all dat dere ain't nobody in dat cabin 'tall, 'ceptin' +mammy."</p> + +<p>"I'll take your word for it. Now, Little Jake, don't you forget to come +straight to the big house and tell me if you ever find any strangers +there, whether they have horns or not."</p> + +<p>The conversation ceased, and with a sigh of relief Noel turned once more +to Dennis and said, "When do we move from here?"</p> + +<p>"About midnight."</p> + +<p>"Is Sam going to be our guide?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether he is or not, but Aunt Katie told me that somebody +would come for us about that time."</p> + +<p>"Do you know how far the Union lines are from here?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't," replied Dennis. "I think the best thing we can do is to +lie down here on these cornstalks and take a nap."</p> + +<p>"But you haven't told me where you came from nor how you got here."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a long story, lad, and I'm afraid to tell you here for fear +somebody outside will hear our voices."</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Noel. "You can tell me after we leave. I think +we'd better do what you say."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the boys stretched themselves on the earth which was covered +with cornstalks and in a few moments both were sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>Just how long Noel had been asleep he did not know, but he was awakened +by a vague feeling of uneasiness. Somehow he felt as if he were being +smothered, and for a brief time he was unable to decide just where he +was or why he was there.</p> + +<p>The voice of Dennis in a hoarse whisper recalled to him the incidents +which had preceded the finding of the shelter within the strange +hiding-place.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" whispered Dennis.</p> + +<p>Noel saw that his Irish friend was alarmed, although as yet he was +unable to determine the cause.</p> + +<p>"What is what?" responded Noel.</p> + +<p>"'Tis smoke, I tell you!" said Dennis once more. "This place is on +fire."</p> + +<p>"You have been dreaming," protested Noel, although even as he spoke he +was aware of the odor of burning wood.</p> + +<p>"If I have been dreaming, I'm awake now," declared Dennis. "And the only +thing for you and me to do is to get out of this place."</p> + +<p>"It isn't midnight yet."</p> + +<p>"It's time to get up. The sooner we get out of here the safer it will be +for us both."</p> + +<p>All this time Noel was sharing the alarm of his comrade. Not merely was +there an odor of burning wood, but there was no concealing the fact +that smoke was penetrating their hiding-place.</p> + +<p>To add to his alarm, at that very moment there were sounds of men +running about near the shack, and then abruptly above the noise was +heard the voice of some one shouting, "Fire! Fire!"</p> + +<p>The danger of meeting the owner of the plantation was not so great in +the mind of the young soldier at the time as that of being burned or +suffocated in the place where he and Dennis had been concealed.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Dennis! Come on!" he called in a low voice, as instantly he +crawled toward the opening.</p> + +<p>The place, however, had been closed after the entrance of the two boys +and in the darkness it was impossible at first for Noel to find the +exit. By this time his fears had been greatly increased and the sounds +of confusion outside were much more alarming.</p> + +<p>Men were shouting and running about, and in the midst of it all were +heard the screams of the terrified children.</p> + +<p>"Lad," whispered Dennis, "we can't wait to find the door. We must make a +break for it anywhere we can." As he spoke the young Irishman threw +himself with all his strength against the side of the little room.</p> + +<p>Instantly the partition gave way and to the consternation of Noel the +entire structure collapsed. Both boys were buried beneath the +cornstalks, but it was only the work of a moment for them to free +themselves.</p> + +<p>As they leaped to their feet they discovered that one of the little +whitewashed cabins, which they had seen the preceding evening, was on +fire. Surrounding it were crowds of colored people, and among them Noel +saw a tall white man, who he instantly concluded was the man whose voice +had been overheard by him and Dennis. Without question the man before +him was the owner of the plantation and the one who had warned Aunt +Katie's little boy against the "terrible Yankees with hawns."</p> + +<p>Fortunately the collapse of the rude structure, within which a +hiding-place had been made for the escaping soldiers, apparently was not +noticed by the people on the plantation. It was evident by this time +that only the little cabin was doomed and that the fire without +difficulty would be prevented from spreading to the adjoining buildings. +Men in lines were passing buckets of water from hand to hand and the +flames promised to be under control in a brief time.</p> + +<p>Convinced that there was no immediate danger now to be feared from the +spread of the fire, Noel turned to Dennis and in a low voice said, "We +must get away from this place before that chap sees us."</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke, however, the man turned and instantly discovered the +presence of the two young soldiers.</p> + +<p>As he advanced toward them both boys turned and fled from the place, +running swiftly, and hoping that the surrounding darkness would soon +hide them from the sight of the man whom they believed to be a friend of +the Confederate cause.</p> + +<p>Unmindful of the direction in which they were running Noel and Dennis +fled at their highest speed, keeping well together until they came to +what seemed to be an abandoned cabin on the border of the plantation.</p> + +<p>"We'll stop here and abide until mornin'," suggested Dennis, who was +laboring hard and breathing heavily under the exertion.</p> + +<p>"No! No!" replied Noel. "We must not stop a minute. The only hope we +have is in getting as far away from the plantation as possible in the +shortest time."</p> + +<p>"I can't go any farther," said Dennis; "I'm winded."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Noel suddenly as he turned and looked toward the +plantation, which now was far behind them, but from which the glow of +the fires still could be faintly seen.</p> + +<p>"'Tis nothin', lad. What is it you think you hear?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard the dogs. If they set the dogs on us, we shall have +more troubles than we ever had before, Dennis," said Noel, speaking +rapidly and excitedly.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it if they do set the dogs on us," muttered Dennis +sturdily. "I can't go any farther. My wind is gone, and my side is +thumpin' as if—"</p> + +<p>"Here!" said Noel excitedly; "here's a well! I don't know whether +there's any water in it or not, but the thing for you to do is to hide +there. You can do it," he added abruptly as he stretched himself on the +ground and, peering into the depths, found that the old well was lined +with rough stones that projected unevenly from the sides. "Go down a few +feet and wait until the excitement is over."</p> + +<p>"Will you come with me?"</p> + +<p>Noel hesitated and then said, "No, I'll not stay here. There will be +more danger if both of us try to hide in the same place. I'll keep on, +and after a while you follow me and I'll be on the lookout for you, and +not very far ahead."</p> + +<p>"See that you are," said Dennis, as he at once prepared to make his +descent into the forbidding hole which his companion had discovered.</p> + +<p>Without waiting to discover what success attended his comrade's efforts, +Noel Curtis instantly turned and resumed his flight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>AT THE FORK</h3> + + +<p>Noel ran swiftly forward in the darkness until at last he was compelled +to stop to recover his breath. As he looked behind him he saw that the +fire on the plantation manifestly was dying down. There was one spot of +dull red yet to be seen against the dark horizon, but the flames had +ceased.</p> + +<p>For a moment he was tempted to turn and bid Dennis join him in his +flight; but his uncertainty as to the exact direction in which to return +to the old well, and his confidence that somehow the young Irish soldier +would be able to make his way through the surrounding difficulties +caused him to decide to continue his own flight.</p> + +<p>The young soldier soon found himself in a road with which he was, of +course, unfamiliar. He also was ignorant alike of the location of his +friends and his enemies. For a brief time Noel tried to discover some +signs which would indicate the presence or the passing of bodies of +troops, but his efforts were unavailing, and at last he turned to his +left and started resolutely along the roadway.</p> + +<p>Frequently the young soldier stopped to convince himself that he was in +no immediate peril. To his listening ears, however, no sounds of danger +came. The silence of the night was unbroken, and from the occasional +plantations not even the dogs betrayed any alarm at his passing.</p> + +<p>Two hours or more had elapsed, and Noel now was beginning to feel the +effects of his labors. Only in a general way did he know where he wanted +to go, but his very ignorance had strengthened his nervous fear and he +increased his efforts to make haste.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the young soldier was aware that a dense fog was settling over +the land. Almost like raindrops the heavy mist rested upon his face and +clothing. He was able to see but a short distance before him. What fears +or hopes might be concealed by the enfolding mist he did not know, but +his senses were alert, and he was keenly watchful as he moved forward in +the darkness.</p> + +<p>He had not advanced far, however, when he came to a fork in the road. +Almost at right angles a road branched which plainly was traveled as +frequently as the one over which he had journeyed. Near the fork the +young soldier discovered a little cabin, about which he was striving to +make some investigations that would enable him to decide which road to +follow. The little building was near the side of the road, and as Noel +saw it he abruptly halted and listened intently for any sounds that +might betray the presence of people within it.</p> + +<p>It was almost morning by this time, and though the fog was not +scattered, the light of the coming day presented a new aspect to his +surroundings. Cautiously the young soldier approached the little cabin. +The door was open, and as he came nearer he saw that there was no window +in the room. Apparently the place was deserted.</p> + +<p>At last with renewed caution Noel approached the door and hastily +glanced within the building. In spite of the darkness he was convinced +that he was the only one in the place. His impression was strengthened +when he entered and found that apparently the room had not been occupied +for a long time.</p> + +<p>So tired was Noel by the efforts which he had made in his flight that +the place appeared almost inviting. At all events, it was quiet and +peaceful and he flung himself on the ground and soon was sleeping +soundly.</p> + +<p>The young soldier was awakened suddenly, and as he opened his eyes, at +first he was unable to say where he was. Rays of the early sunlight were +streaming through the open spaces in the walls, but stronger than the +impression produced by the morning was that of the sounds which he heard +from the road.</p> + +<p>It was plain that horses and men were outside the building, and if he +could judge from the noise there were many of both.</p> + +<p>Alarmed as Noel was by what he heard, he nevertheless quickly arose and +cautiously looked through the place where the window had been.</p> + +<p>The sight which greeted his eyes was one which might well have startled +a bolder man than the young soldier. A troop of cavalry had halted at +the fork in the road and were preparing their breakfast. There were at +least fifty men in the band, and from their actions Noel concluded they +were in no immediate fear of discovery or attack. The men were not +noisy, but they were joking with one another, and plainly were +interested in the preparations which were being made for their morning +meal. Indeed, the odor of the bacon which was being broiled over the +several fires which had been kindled, made him aware that he, too, had +eaten little since he had fled from his pursuers early the preceding +day.</p> + +<p>Occasional words were overheard, and it was not difficult for the young +soldier to conclude that the men before him belonged to a troop of +Stuart's cavalry, and that apparently they were in no immediate fear of +the Federal troops.</p> + +<p>As the young soldier looked about him in the morning light he saw that +the building in which he had slept was old and dilapidated. One corner +of the roof had fallen, and the place was so small that no one passing +would believe that many could be concealed within its walls. At all +events, its appearance of desolation undoubtedly was his strongest +protection, he thought. Not one of the cavalrymen would think of +inspecting a place around which the bushes and weeds were growing and +within which no one was likely to seek refuge.</p> + +<p>His admiration for the men before him became stronger as he continued to +watch their activities. Not only were they well trained, but their +horses were wonderful animals. Some of them showed the effect of the +labors of the campaign, but it was clear that both men and horses made +up a carefully selected body.</p> + +<p>Noel, as has been said, was peering anxiously from one corner of the +little window. An exclamation of surprise almost escaped his lips when +suddenly he discovered two men approaching from the branch road, and he +was convinced that one was Levi, the former sutler in the camp at +Harper's Ferry, and the other was the husband of Sairy Ann's sister.</p> + +<p>It became evident to the young watcher that the arrival of both men was +expected. At all events, an orderly ran forward to meet them, and it was +plain from the conversation which followed that neither of the newcomers +was a stranger to him.</p> + +<p>Noel's desire to see and hear more became intense. Soon after the +arrival of the sutler and his companion, patrols were established in the +three roads. The chief comfort that Noel had at the time was the +conviction that his hiding-place, in view of the interest which the +arrival of the two men had created, was not likely to receive the +attention of the cavalrymen.</p> + +<p>Except for a few faint snatches of the conversation of the soldiers, +Noel, despite his efforts, still was unable to overhear much of what was +said.</p> + +<p>Occasionally words came to him, but for the most part they were +meaningless. The impression, however, which he received was that the +newcomers had brought information which was considered of importance, +for the men soon were hastily preparing to leave the place, although +they had not yet finished their breakfast.</p> + +<p>By this time the fog largely had been burned away by the rays of the +rising sun. When a few minutes later the bugle sounded, the men mounted +their horses and in a body departed swiftly, leaving behind them both +Levi and his strange companion, whom Noel had first seen in the house of +the elongated Jim, the husband of Sairy Ann.</p> + +<p>The two men sat on the ground near one of the fires which was still +burning, and over it was some of the food still cooking which the +soldiers had abandoned in their sudden departure. The conversation +between the two could be overheard more plainly, and as Noel listened +his interest became more intense.</p> + +<p>"Here, don't yo' all want some of this yere bacon?" inquired Levi's +companion.</p> + +<p>"I do not eat bacon."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you eat it?"</p> + +<p>"Because it vas unclean."</p> + +<p>"It's as clean as anything you're likely to get in the next week or +two," laughed the man. "Now, then, Levi, what did you find out?"</p> + +<p>"Just vat I tells you."</p> + +<p>"Yo' 're perfectly sure about that, be yo'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," snapped Levi. "Now you tells me vat you haf found."</p> + +<p>"Not very much. I was back here on the major's plantation, and he said +there were some Yanks at the nigger hut last night, but that they +couldn't find any trace of them this mo'nin'. One of the cabins burned +up last night, and the major thinks the men got away while all hands +were busy puttin' out the fire."</p> + +<p>"How many did you say der vas?" inquired Levi.</p> + +<p>"How many of what?"</p> + +<p>"How many Yankees vere dere. How many got avay?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about that. I heard the major say he was sure +two, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Yah, I knows dose men, I vas sure. Dey are de two men what robbed me of +mine goots. Dey push over mine tent. Dey say I charge too mooch. Dey +steals mine goots. Dot is vy I am no more some Yankee."</p> + +<p>"A Yankee!" exclaimed his companion as he threw back his head and +laughed loudly. "A Yankee! Yo' 're about as much Yankee as yo' are +nigger."</p> + +<p>"Not too far, mine friend. Not too far. You forget dot the brains of the +Confederacy is Jew brains—"</p> + +<p>"That's a good one! That's a good one!" broke in Levi's companion. "Now, +then," he added more soberly, "are yo' all comin' on with me, or am I +goin' with yo' all? The captain said yo' all were to come with me. Do +yo' know where we're goin'?"</p> + +<p>"I know vere ve vas going to try to go," said Levi. "Ever since dose men +push over mine tent and steals mine goots, I—"</p> + +<p>"Well, if we're going, why don't we start? I have had all I want to +eat," broke in the other man.</p> + +<p>Noel could see that neither of the men was clad in the uniform of the +Confederate army. His suspicions were confirmed that both were being +used by the rebel troops to secure information concerning the presence +and the actions of McClellan's army.</p> + +<p>Noel was desirous of hearing the men speak more concerning their +immediate plans, but, although it was plain that neither was suspicious +that any one was near, almost instinctively they both lowered their +voices whenever they spoke concerning the immediate task which +confronted them.</p> + +<p>An interruption was provided, however, by Noel himself. A sudden impulse +to sneeze became almost uncontrollable. In spite of his efforts to +repress the impulse Noel soon found that he was unable to do so, and +after several attempts a prolonged and agonizing sound came from the +hut, which instantly caused the two men outside to leap to their feet +and gaze anxiously at the little building.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE STACK OF STRAW</h3> + + +<p>The little sutler was unarmed, but his companion carried a rifle, which +Noel had no difficulty in concluding was of unusual excellence. Grasping +the weapon in his hand, the man instantly stood leaning forward prepared +for the appearance of an enemy from the place from which the unexpected +sound had come.</p> + +<p>The action caused Noel at once to draw farther back from the window, +although he still was watching the movements of his enemies outside. The +expression of consternation that appeared on their faces, as well as the +manifest fear of Levi, at another time would have caused the young +soldier to laugh heartily. As it was, however, unarmed, and wearied by +the labors of the preceding night, and facing one, at least, who would +not hesitate to use his rifle, there was no expression of mirth on the +young soldier's face.</p> + +<p>"Vat's dat?" Noel heard Levi demand of his companion. The expression of +alarm on the face of the little sutler became more marked and he +glanced fearfully about him as if the sound might be repeated from some +other direction.</p> + +<p>"Why don't yo' all go into the shanty and find out what it is?" drawled +Levi's companion.</p> + +<p>"I haven't any gun."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shan't let yo' have mine. I should not dare to trust myself a +minute here with my gun in your hands. Bad enough to be shot by the +Yanks, but if I should be hit by one who is neither fish, fowl, nor good +red herring, I think I would feel worse about it."</p> + +<p>"You go and see who vas in dere."</p> + +<p>"I'm a-goin' to," said the man in a low voice. "That's just what I'm +thinkin' of. I reckon yo'll find it's some nigger who's crawled in there +and gone to sleep."</p> + +<p>As if in answer to the implied question there came at that moment from +the hut a sound not unlike the sneeze which had preceded it. This time, +however, the report was suddenly broken as if the guilty party had +stifled the rising sounds.</p> + +<p>Terrified as Noel was by the action over which he had no control, the +young soldier nevertheless peered quickly from the corner of the window +at his enemies, whose consternation, he saw, was much more marked at +the repetition.</p> + +<p>Both men were keenly observant of the little building, and it was +manifest now that Levi's companion was no longer hesitating.</p> + +<p>Advancing boldly several yards nearer the little building he stopped and +in a loud voice said, "Who's in there? Come out and show yourself!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a> +<img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"WHO'S IN THERE?"</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>As no response was given his hail, the man waited a brief time and then +repeated his summons.</p> + +<p>"Come along out o' that! It will be easier for yo' now than it will be +if I come in there toe get yo'. It's either fo' yo' toe come out +yo'self, or be dragged out by some one else."</p> + +<p>Noel was preparing to obey the command when to his surprise he was +suddenly aware that both men outside were no longer looking toward the +building, but were eagerly watching somebody or something down the road. +Almost instinctively the young soldier followed their action, and his +fears were increased when he saw approaching from the distance a body of +troops. It was impossible, from the place where he was watching, to +determine whether the men belonged to the Confederate army or to his +own. There were several horses in the band, but whether or not it was +a cavalry troop that he saw he was unable to determine.</p> + +<p>The men were approaching steadily, and Noel, aware that the attention of +Levi and his comrade had been diverted, at least for the moment, +suddenly darted through the little door, and without once glancing +behind him, at full speed started to cross the open field in the rear of +the hut.</p> + +<p>He knew he would not long be hidden from the view of the men, but every +yard he gained not merely provided an additional incentive for effort, +but increased his possibility of escaping.</p> + +<p>Without once glancing behind him Noel ran at his utmost speed, leaping +over the low rail fence as he came to the border of the field and then +heading directly for a stack of straw which stood in the middle of the +neighboring field.</p> + +<p>As he drew near the weather-beaten pile of straw and glanced behind him, +it seemed to him that some of the men had started in pursuit.</p> + +<p>He was, however, not positive, but his fears were sufficient to cause +him to run quickly to the opposite side of the stack and when he was +once more beyond the vision of his enemies he hastily climbed the heap +which was not more than fifteen feet in height.</p> + +<p>The task was difficult because it was well-nigh impossible for him to +gain any firm foothold, but at last he succeeded and did not cease his +endeavors until he had gained the summit of the pile. Once there he +hastily tore the straw apart, which to his surprise was somewhat loose, +and burrowing into the depths soon made a hiding-place large enough to +receive him.</p> + +<p>Noel's next effort was to tear away the straw which prevented him from +obtaining a view of the field over which he had fled, and when he had +succeeded in obtaining a peep-hole he saw that his fears were confirmed +and that some of the men were approaching from the road.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for the troubled boy to know whether the approaching +men were searching for him or were planning to pass his hiding-place +without giving him any heed. The men were coming in an orderly manner, +holding well together, and there were many things to make the excited +young soldier hope that he was not the object of their search.</p> + +<p>Tremblingly he watched the men as they came nearer and nearer, and when +at last a part of the body halted and began an inspection of the +straw-stack in which he was hiding, his alarm became great.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these men he saw the little sutler, Levi, who was +pointing excitedly, first, back toward the road from which they had +come, and then toward the intervening distance between the place where +he was standing and a house far away.</p> + +<p>In response to his appeals a hasty search of the straw-stack was made, +the soldiers moving in opposite directions until they had encircled the +place. An investigation then was made around the bottom of the pile, +apparently no one thinking of looking to the top where the young soldier +was concealed. It was evident that the men were in haste and in spite of +Noel's fear he was hopeful that they would not remain long.</p> + +<p>His expectation was fulfilled, for, after the soldiers had circled the +stack and some of their number had tried to discover any possible +hiding-places around the base of the pile, the leader shouted, "Come on, +boys! We must not waste any more time here. We shan't get to the Gap +befo' every Yank has surrendered."</p> + +<p>Noel was afraid to lift his head far above the place where he was +concealed. Nevertheless, when he heard the sounds of the hoofs of the +departing horses, he did venture to look out on the scene before him.</p> + +<p>In a body the soldiers were speeding swiftly across the intervening +field without once glancing behind them. So interested was Noel in the +sight that the presence of the little sutler, for the moment, was +forgotten. Levi was not with the soldiers, and when Noel once more drew +down into his place of concealment his thoughts were chiefly concerned +with the departing enemy.</p> + +<p>For a time the young soldier remained quietly in his hiding-place, +peering out through the peep-hole he had formed between the straws. He +was watching the road near the place where the little hut in which he +had hidden was standing. All the time he was fearful of the coming of +more men.</p> + +<p>His fears were not without foundation, for within a few minutes another +band was seen approaching.</p> + +<p>Tremblingly the boy watched them as they rode swiftly down the road, but +as they did not halt at the fork a feeling of intense relief swept over +his heart. It was manifest now that the men who had investigated the +straw-stack had turned aside from the regular course which the main +body was following.</p> + +<p>The thought caused Noel once more to look in the direction in which the +men had disappeared. He was unable to discover their presence, however, +even the distant house toward which they had been speeding now being to +all appearances as harmless as the little cabin in which he had sought +refuge.</p> + +<p>As we know, Noel's coat was gone and the remaining parts of his uniform +had been so discolored by his flight along the muddy roads that he was +not without hope that even if he were discovered his clothing would not +betray him. The boy was hungry and intensely thirsty. His mouth was +parched, and at the time it almost seemed to him that he could endure +his torment no longer.</p> + +<p>The nearest place where he was likely to obtain relief was the farmhouse +in the distance toward which the investigating party had fled. Noel +convinced himself that he would incur no risk if he should follow in the +same direction, for doubtless the soldiers would not remain about the +place; at least, their conversation implied that they were in haste to +arrive at some "Gap." The location of any such place was entirely +unknown to him.</p> + +<p>After he had waited several minutes more, Noel finally decided that he +could endure his sufferings no longer. His eyes, ears, and nose seemed +to be filled with the dust that had accumulated for months in the +neglected stack. His muscles were cramped and sore from remaining so +long in one position, as he had not dared to move, for fear of causing +some of the straw to slide from its place.</p> + +<p>At last he decided that he would attempt to find relief at the far-away +house. Slowly and cautiously he climbed from the hole in the stack, +frequently pausing to look up and then down the road and make sure that +his actions were not observed. As soon as he was convinced that the road +was free from his enemies he quickly slipped over the side. As he struck +the ground an exclamation escaped him when his fall was broken by the +body of a man directly beneath him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE CARPET-BAG</h3> + + +<p>Noel was conscious of a low cry from the man upon whom he had fallen, +and then instantly each savagely clutched the other. There was a +struggle, which was short and violent, and Noel found himself holding to +the ground the body of Levi, the sutler.</p> + +<p>"Father Abraham!" ejaculated Levi. "Father Abraham! Let me up! Let me +up!"</p> + +<p>The surprise of Noel, when he discovered who his captive was, did not +detract from his inclination to laugh as he heard the exclamations of +the little sutler.</p> + +<p>Without rising and still holding his prisoner fast to the ground, Noel +said, "What are you doing here, Levi?"</p> + +<p>"You vill let me up and I vill leave so quick you shall not see me."</p> + +<p>"Before you go I want to know what you're doing here. Were you spying on +me?"</p> + +<p>"Not von leedle bit. I deed not know you vas here. Father Abraham! Vot a +pinch you gif mine arm!"</p> + +<p>"You want to be thankful it was only your arm, Levi. Now you tell me +what you were doing here!"</p> + +<p>"I vas chust stopping for to see vich vay the men vas going."</p> + +<p>"What men?"</p> + +<p>"Der men vot vas soldiers for the Johnnie Rebs."</p> + +<p>"Did you find any of them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see some going up mit der road. Dey vas all gone, and den I +starts for der house over yonder for to sell somedings vot I carry in +mine bag."</p> + +<p>"I believe you knew I was here all the time."</p> + +<p>"Nefer did I know you vas here. Father Abraham! I vish you vere not here +now. If you vill be gone I too vill go so fast you shall not see me in +two minutes."</p> + +<p>Aware of the perils which recently had threatened him, Noel was not +inclined either to prolong the interview or to compel his prisoner to +remain longer on the ground. Grasping the little sutler by his shoulder +Noel quickly yanked him to his feet, but without relaxing his grasp.</p> + +<p>"Levi, what have you got in that bag?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Somedings vot I sells to the vimmins ven der men vas gone off to the +var. Dot vos all. You shall belief mine vord. I chust carry somedings +vat cannot be had ven the armies vas so near by."</p> + +<p>"Let me see what you have," suggested Noel, as, compelling his prisoner +to advance with him he moved toward the bag which Levi had left on the +ground near the base of the straw-stack.</p> + +<p>"No, I shall not do so!" screamed the little sutler. "You shall not open +mine bag. It vas mine."</p> + +<p>Noel's suspicions, greatly increased by the manifest alarm of the +sutler, were almost strong enough to induce him to send his prisoner +away and appropriate the bag. From the expressions he already had heard, +he was aware that Levi was playing a dual part, or at least he believed +him now to be in the employ of the Confederates.</p> + +<p>Before he acted, however, he turned once more to his prisoner and said +sharply, "How long since you have been inside our lines?"</p> + +<p>"I do not go in der lines of der Yankees," protested Levi. "Dey vas +steal mine goots. Dey vas take vat vas not theirs. I lose more nor two +hundred dollars ven you and dot Dennis tear mine tent and tip ofer mine +goots."</p> + +<p>The expression of hatred which appeared upon the sutler's face when he +referred to Dennis strengthened the conviction in the heart of Noel that +his prisoner certainly did not entertain any cordial feelings for the +boys in blue.</p> + +<p>Noel, boylike, unmindful of the justice of the little sutler's +complaints, was greatly angered at the treachery of his comrade.</p> + +<p>"How long since you have been in the Confederate lines?" he demanded +sharply.</p> + +<p>"I do not go dere either. I have tolt you vat mine peesness vas. I sells +mine goots to the peoples vat may be at home."</p> + +<p>"All right, then," said Noel. "You let me see what is in your bag, and +I'll believe you."</p> + +<p>"I shall not trust von Yankee soldier!" screamed Levi. "You shall not +open mine bag. I haf already had mine droubles mit der Yankees. Dey +tears mine tent and tips ofer mine goots and steals vot vas mine. I +shall not open mine bag for you yet von leedle bit."</p> + +<p>"Too bad," said Noel, more soberly. "Then I shall have to open it +myself, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"No! No!" screamed Levi in tones still shriller. "Father Abraham! +Father Abraham! I shall call for some helps!"</p> + +<p>"Levi," said Noel abruptly, "I think I shall send you away and take your +bag myself."</p> + +<p>"You shall not do so!" protested the sutler noisily. "You shall not take +mine bag! It vas mine, I dells you! It vas not yours. You shall not have +it."</p> + +<p>"Then let me see what there is in there."</p> + +<p>"If I open mine bag von leedle bit, you vill take vot is not yours. I +haf known you. You are von of dose Yankee soldiers. Dey tears mine tent +and tips ofer mine goots and takes vat vas not theirs. I shall not gif +you von chance, not even one leedle bit of a chance."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Noel, "but I'm afraid, then, that I shall have to take +it myself." As he spoke Noel moved as if he was about to seize the bag, +and instantly the little sutler, rushing savagely upon him, began to +kick and strike, and before Noel was prepared to resist the sudden +onslaught Levi bit him severely on the hand.</p> + +<p>Aroused by the sudden attack and maddened by the pain which Levi's bite +had caused, Noel flung the little sutler far from him and eagerly +watched him as he rolled over upon the ground.</p> + +<p>Almost as nimbly as a monkey the sutler leaped to his feet, and instead +of trying to run from the place started once more fiercely at his enemy.</p> + +<p>Noel was prepared for the attack now, and as Levi ran savagely upon him +he thrust out his right foot and, at the same time giving him a hard +push, sent him once more sprawling upon the ground. This time he did not +wait for the sutler to recover from his fall but at once advanced and +seized his carpet-bag.</p> + +<p>The sight of his possessions in the hands of Noel again proved too much +for Levi's feelings. In a thin, piping voice he screamed, "Father +Abraham! Father Abraham! You shall not steal from mine bag. It vas not +yours. You vas like some of dose Yankee soldiers. Dey tears mine tent +and tips ofer mine goots and takes vot vas not theirs. I shall shoot!"</p> + +<p>Startled by the threat, Noel glanced keenly at Levi, who was almost +beside himself with rage, to see if any weapons were upon his person. He +had not thought of the sutler as one who would carry firearms of any +kind. The man was undersized and was lacking in physical strength. Noel +had never thought of him other than as a weakling and one who might +obtain his way by deception rather than by force. The thought that he +might be armed was startling, and before the man could act Noel leaped +forward and, seizing him again, threw him upon the ground, where he +satisfied himself that no pistols were in his possession.</p> + +<p>"You go back from here the way you came," ordered Noel as he swung his +prisoner in his arms and, giving him a violent push, sent him in the +direction he had indicated.</p> + +<p>But Levi was not to be so easily turned aside from his purpose. Once +more he leaped toward his tormentor, who now had taken the carpet-bag in +his hands and stood facing him. Screaming, chattering, lamenting, Levi +would have been a pathetic object under other circumstances. But Noel +was so thoroughly convinced that in the bag which he held in his hands +he would find something of value to the leaders of his army that he was +determined now to investigate the contents and compel the little Jew to +give it over.</p> + +<p>Levi's screams of impotent rage and his childish attempts to compel Noel +to relax his hold upon the bag were alike without avail. At last the +young soldier said more sternly to the angry sutler, "Levi, if you know +when you are well off you'll leave this place as I told you. Now, go!"</p> + +<p>There was something in Noel's voice that caused Levi to heed the +command. Tears were coursing down his cheeks and his two little fists +were working very much after the manner of a pump-handle when he saw the +expression on the face of his captor, and, aware that further efforts +would be useless, he abruptly turned away and, without once glancing +behind him, sped swiftly toward the fork in the road from which he had +come.</p> + +<p>For a brief time Noel watched the man as he sped across the field, and +then suddenly, aware that his own problems were sufficient to demand his +entire attention, he turned toward the house in the distance.</p> + +<p>He had expected to learn from Levi the direction in which the Union +troops might be found, but his sudden determination to investigate the +carpet-bag, as soon as he discovered that it was not heavy, had changed +his plans. Levi was gone and if he possessed the desired information he +had taken it with him.</p> + +<p>And yet Noel Curtis was aware that his own predicament was such that if +other bodies of the Confederate cavalrymen should soon pass along the +road, Levi would be able to inform them of what had occurred. If his +suspicions were correct, that the contents of the carpet-bag were of +considerable value, there would be an added incentive for the little +sutler to rescue them.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Noel's decision to start toward the house which he saw in the +distance was formed simply because it was the only place within sight +which indicated the presence of people. His own plight now was such that +he keenly felt the need of food and drink. No little streams were near +him, and as for food there were no indications that the shallow soil +itself had produced any of late.</p> + +<p>His determination once fixed, Noel, with the carpet-bag firmly grasped +in his hand, moved swiftly across the field toward the distant house.</p> + +<p>Twice he stopped and looked back to see whether or not Levi had held to +his course. Once he saw the little sutler, but he was moving steadily +toward the fork in the road. The second time Noel looked he was unable +to see the man anywhere. Concluding that Levi had sought the little +building in which he himself had found shelter a short time before, +Noel's efforts increased, and he ran swiftly toward the place he was +seeking.</p> + +<p>When Noel drew nearer the house he was aware of the aspect of neglect +and even of dejection that was manifested by every living object within +his sight. The two dogs, which came out of the building as soon as they +were aware of his approach, were mangy and spiritless. Even the few +chickens in the yard seemed to be affected by the general air of +desolation. The fence was broken in many places, the gate was lying flat +upon the ground, and as for paint or whitewash, it had been long since +the house or barns had seen anything of that kind.</p> + +<p>The young soldier halted a moment to make certain that no enemies were +near the plantation. Satisfied that his fears for the time were without +foundation, and still holding firmly to the carpet-bag which he had +taken from the little sutler, Noel boldly approached the kitchen door. +His purpose now was merely to obtain food, and then to push forward on +his way to rejoin the army from which he had been separated so long.</p> + +<p>Advancing boldly, he rapped loudly upon the door, which sagged like +everything else about the place. All these things were forgotten, +however, when he looked into the face of the person who answered his +summons.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERY</h3> + + +<p>Before him stood the sister of Sairy Ann, whom he had heard the latter +address as 'Liza Jane. That her sympathies were not with the side for +which he was fighting Noel well knew, but his great fear as he saw the +woman was that her husband might not be far away.</p> + +<p>Noel recalled the contempt with which Sairy Ann had referred to her +sister as one of the "secesh," and, in spite of his alarm at the +discovery of her presence, he smiled as he recalled the sharp +declaration of Sairy Ann that in her will she had left her shoestrings +to her "beloved sister, 'Liza Jane."</p> + +<p>Before he spoke Noel quickly decided that he would try to find out +whether or not the woman recognized him. He did not believe that she had +seen him when he had been in her sister's house, and yet it was +impossible for him to determine whether his confidence was well founded +or not.</p> + +<p>To all appearances no man was near. What he had taken for the "big +house" of a plantation when he had seen the place in the distance, he +now saw was only a bare habitation, and the "plantation" had decreased +to a few uncultivated and unfruitful acres. The appearance of the woman +herself was not unlike that of her surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Well," demanded Eliza Jane, "who be yo'? Whar do yo' all come from? +What be yo' all doin' here?"</p> + +<p>"Is your husband at home?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"No; he ain't to home. What do yo' want toe see him fo'?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't want to see him; I just wanted to know whether he was here +or not. In fact I don't want to see anybody just now," continued Noel, +smiling in such a way that the suspicions of the questioner were +apparently relieved in part.</p> + +<p>"Has Levi been here lately?" asked Noel abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Maybe he has and maybe he hasn't," said the woman. "I can't keep track +of Sam Tolliver's doin's. He has all kinds of men here. Who is Levi?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he is a little sutler that used to be in the Yankee army and now +is doing what he can for—"</p> + +<p>"I reckon he's been here," spoke up the woman promptly. "What might yo' +all want o' him?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want anything of him just now," said Noel, his face again +lighting up with the smile which won him friends on every side. "What I +want now is something to eat. I'm as hungry as a bear and almost as +thirsty as I am hungry. Can you help me? I shan't be able to pay you—"</p> + +<p>"Who said anything about payin'?" broke in the woman. "I ain't got much +fo' toe eat, but I reckon pa't of what I has is fo' yo' all. Come in and +set ye down at the kitchen table and I'll see what I can do fo' yo'."</p> + +<p>Too hungry and thirsty to delay, Noel promptly accepted the invitation, +and after he had washed his face and hands, he eagerly took his place at +the table as the woman directed.</p> + +<p>The young soldier was well aware that he was in the midst of perils. If +the husband of his hostess should return or Levi should come, his +position was not one to be envied. Not that he was afraid of either of +the men in a personal encounter; but he was unarmed, while the man whom +Eliza Jane had called Sam Tolliver was doubtless thoroughly armed and +desperate. Besides, if he was playing the part which Noel suspected, and +was obtaining information concerning the plans and movements of the +Federal troops and reporting the knowledge to the leaders of the +Confederates, he was well aware that the man was one to be feared.</p> + +<p>Noel's meditations were interrupted by the approach of his hostess who +placed some corn-bread and a small jug of molasses upon the table before +him.</p> + +<p>"'Tis about the best pore folks can have these days," she said. "I don't +know how I happened to save that ther' molasses, but Sam never likes his +co'n-bread unless he can po' molasses over it, and we had a barrel put +in the cellar before the Yanks started all this trouble."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to rob you," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"Who said anything about yo' robbin' me? I reckon I haven't got much +that would pay any robber toe take. If yo' all don't like that molasses, +why, jest say so."</p> + +<p>"I do like it," said Noel, "and I am grateful to you for giving it to +me."</p> + +<p>Without further delay the young soldier at once began his breakfast, all +the time aware that the woman was watching him with an expression which +gave evidence that her feeling was more than mere hospitality.</p> + +<p>Finally, unable to resist her curiosity longer, she broke in: "What pa't +of the No'th do yo' all come from?"</p> + +<p>"How do you know I am from the North? What makes you think that?"</p> + +<p>"Jest as soon as I heard yo' all talk," said the woman, "I knew yo' was +a Yank. Strange how queer th' Yanks talk."</p> + +<p>Noel laughed and did not give expression to his own feeling that the +dialect that he had heard in the South had impressed him much the same +way as his hostess had been impressed by the voices and words of the +Northern soldiers.</p> + +<p>"I reckon," she continued, "that yo' all are one of McClellan's men, +though what yo' all are doin' over yere is more than I can understand. +Yo' all are not looking fo' my man, Sam, are yo'?"</p> + +<p>"I assure you that I am not," said Noel promptly. And the young soldier +spoke honestly, for of all men Sam Tolliver was the one he least desired +to see at the time.</p> + +<p>"Run away from the army?" inquired the woman.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, what are yo' all doin' out yere? I see yo' ain't got no +coat, but in spite of the dirt I can see that yo' pants is the same as +all th' Yankee soldiers wear."</p> + +<p>"How far is the Northern army from here?" inquired Noel, without +answering her question.</p> + +<p>"That's more than I can say. Sometimes they say it's in one place and +then again they say it's in 'nother. If Sam was here he could tell yo'. +Sam knows more than any man I ever see."</p> + +<p>Noel did not explain his suspicions that Sam's knowledge included some +things which he knew and some things which he did not know.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you see very much of him now," he said aloud.</p> + +<p>"Not as much as I used toe," said the woman, "though befo' the war Sam +used to go out with houn' dogs and be gone days at a time huntin' +rabbits. He was a pow'ful good shot."</p> + +<p>"He must have kept you pretty well supplied with rabbits," suggested +Noel.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes he did and sometimes he didn't," replied Eliza Jane. +"Sometimes the pesky little varmints would get away befo' Sam had a +chance toe fire. They seemed toe know that he was a dead-sure shot."</p> + +<p>Noel's suspicions as to the prowess of the wonderful Sam once more were +not voiced. He was content if only the woman would feed him and permit +him to depart without further trouble.</p> + +<p>"Sam says," continued the woman, whose readiness to talk was manifest, +"that there isn't goin' toe be much left o' the Yanks pretty quick. He +thinks there is goin' toe be some fightin' befo' long and the Yanks will +get whipped worse 'n they were at Manassas. I would jes' like toe see my +sister, Sairy Ann. I wonder what she'll think of the secesh then. She +can keep her old shoestrings if she wants 'em! You know she's my own +sister and she's worth a lot of money. Befo' the war she had nigh on toe +two hundred dollars. Think of Sairy Ann leaving me in her will nothin' +but her shoestrings! I believe she joined the Yanks jest a purpose so +she could turn ag'in her own relations. Shoestrings!" snapped the woman, +whose recollection of her sister's generosity renewed her feeling of +anger.</p> + +<p>By this time Noel's hunger had been appeased in a measure and he was +eager to be gone. Before he arose from his seat at the table he turned +again to his hostess and said simply, "Do you know where the Northern +army is?</p> + +<p>"I done tole yo'," she replied tartly, "that sometimes 'tis said toe be +in one place and sometimes in another."</p> + +<p>"Where is it reported to be now?"</p> + +<p>"I can't say. Now, if Sam was home—"</p> + +<p>Without waiting for further enlightenment as to the knowledge and +ability of the missing Sam, Noel said, "Well, if you cannot tell me +where the army is, you can tell me the road to take."</p> + +<p>"No, I can't. Yo' all might take mos' any road an' the first thing yo' +know yo' would run right into McClellan's troops, an' then ag'in yo' +might run intoe General Lee's."</p> + +<p>"At all events," said Noel, "I'm grateful to you for your kindness to +me. You have taken me in, and though I was a stranger—"</p> + +<p>"But I ain't been entertainin' no angel unawares," snapped the woman. +"You don't look to me very much like a angel, with that mud on yo' +pants. I am thinkin', too," she added, as she glanced out of the window, +"that it might be well fo' yo' toe start right soon, that is if yo' 're +goin' toe go."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?" demanded Noel, leaping to his feet and running to +the side of the woman, where he looked anxiously out of the window.</p> + +<p>The statement of Eliza Jane was correct, for a small body of men was +moving in an orderly manner up the road. Noel watched them with keen +interest, and at first was unable to determine to which side in the +conflict they belonged.</p> + +<p>His interest changed to alarm when he saw the men abruptly halt, and +then, at the command of their leader, turn into the yard leading +directly to the house.</p> + +<p>The woman by his side had not spoken, but when she exclaimed, "Them's +Yanks," Noel also made the discovery at the same moment. The approaching +men belonged to his own army, and in the thought of being once more +among his friends and comrades the heart of the young soldier suddenly +was lightened. Rushing to the door he ran across the yard to meet the +boys in blue.</p> + +<p>To his consternation as he drew near, he discovered that Dennis was +among the number, and also that he was a prisoner. Just what this meant, +Noel was unable to conjecture, but his interest in his comrade was +speedily banished when to his amazement he saw Levi, the little sutler, +also in the company, talking eagerly to the captain and pointing +excitedly toward Noel as he spoke.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE GUARD-HOUSE</h3> + + +<p>The subject concerning which the little sutler and the captain were +conversing soon became manifest to Noel. The officer turned sharply to +him, and as he did so the young soldier was no longer able to discover +the presence of Levi in the band.</p> + +<p>"There's no use in your trying to get away now," exclaimed the officer.</p> + +<p>"'Get away!'" responded Noel, astounded by the suggestion. "That's the +last thing in the world I want to do! I have been looking for you or +some of the boys in blue for more than—"</p> + +<p>"That's a likely story!" interrupted the young captain. "You can explain +that to the colonel after we are back in the lines."</p> + +<p>"I'm perfectly willing to explain it to the colonel," declared Noel. +"And I'll explain it to you now."</p> + +<p>"There's no use in that. I'm afraid your explanations won't do you any +good."</p> + +<p>"What do you think I am?" demanded Noel angrily.</p> + +<p>All the men in the band now were listening intently, and Noel was aware +that he was under a cloud that might not easily be dispelled.</p> + +<p>"I know what you are. You are a deserter."</p> + +<p>In spite of the charge Noel laughed, but he was sobered instantly when +he saw that every man before him firmly believed him to be what the +officer had charged.</p> + +<p>"I'm no deserter!" declared Noel hotly. "I happened to be outside the +lines at Harper's Ferry and the Rebels took me. I have been doing my +best to get to the army ever since."</p> + +<p>"You look as if you had been trying," sneered the officer. "Come on. +There's no use in talking any more. You come with us and we will turn +you over to the colonel."</p> + +<p>"Is that man a deserter, too?" inquired Noel as he pointed to Dennis.</p> + +<p>"He is. 'Birds of a feather flock together,' I guess that's why we found +two of you to-day. There must be a baker's dozen of them altogether. I +don't know what will be done with you, but I can tell you one thing, you +aren't going to lie on any bed of roses to-night after we get back."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think I'm a deserter?" said Noel persistently.</p> + +<p>"I don't 'think'; I know. We have absolute proof. Your name is Noel +Curtis, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the young soldier in surprise.</p> + +<p>Instantly, however, he concluded that Levi must have revealed his name +and the source of the officer's knowledge, therefore, was not unknown.</p> + +<p>"We cannot stay here any longer," continued the officer emphatically. +"Take your place in the ranks with your friend. Do you know who he is?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I do!" said Noel, somewhat defiantly. "He and I both belong to +the sharpshooters of the —th. You ask Colonel Crawford about us and +he'll tell you all you want to know. 'Deserters'! Why, man, we 're no +more deserters than you are. We have been trying ever since we left +Harper's Ferry—"</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to have made very good time even if you did try," +sneered the officer again. "Your story sounds fine, but when the colonel +listens to what you have to say and then compares your story with the +one Levi has to tell, he may have something to say about it himself."</p> + +<p>Apparently it was useless longer to try to persuade the captain. When +Noel saw the expression on the face of Dennis and was aware that the +young Irishman also had failed to plead his cause successfully, he was +somewhat heavy-hearted.</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"That's mighty good of you," laughed the officer. "You might take your +place in there with the other deserter and we'll try to see to it that +you don't get very far away again. My advice to you is not to try any +more of your tricks."</p> + +<p>For a moment Noel looked steadily into the eyes of the sneering young +officer. He was furiously angry, and withal was more seriously troubled +than he was willing to acknowledge even to himself. Because the men +under whom he had served were not now in the vicinity it would be +difficult for him to find any one who could recognize him. His father +had once met General Hooker, a fact which Mr. Curtis frequently enlarged +upon in talks with his boys, but even if admittance could be had into +the presence of the general, which was not at all probable, it would not +identify the young soldier who was charged with deserting.</p> + +<p>Obediently Noel advanced to take the place which had been assigned to +him, and as he did so he glanced back at the house, and saw Eliza Jane +standing in the doorway and watching with manifest interest the +activities of the soldiers whom she professed to hate.</p> + +<p>Noel was quite certain that he had a momentary glimpse of Levi standing +behind the woman, but of this he could not be positive, as the face +speedily vanished and did not again appear. At all events, the +treacherous little sutler was not to accompany the men on their way back +to camp and, fearful alike of his absence and presence, Noel was in dire +straits when at last the command to advance was given and by the side of +Dennis he obediently fell into step and marched with the men.</p> + +<p>A sound like distant thunder caused Noel to look up hastily. He had +heard the sound several times, but as the sky was clear and there were +no thunder clouds anywhere to be seen, he had been somewhat puzzled by +the rumbling in the distance.</p> + +<p>"I guess the boys are up and at it ag'in," suggested Dennis in one of +his hoarse whispers.</p> + +<p>Startled by the suggestion, Noel glanced sharply at his companion and +said, "Fighting?"</p> + +<p>"That's what it sounds like."</p> + +<p>"Silence in the ranks!" ordered the captain sharply, and both young +soldiers became silent as the little band marched forward.</p> + +<p>The threatening sound was occasionally repeated, and then after a +half-hour or more had elapsed it died away and was not heard again. +Ignorant of its cause, Noel's fears were not relieved. The suggestion of +Dennis that the sounds came from cannon was undoubtedly correct, and in +that event an engagement not far away was even now taking place.</p> + +<p>Puzzled as well as alarmed, it was not difficult for the young soldier +to decide that the two armies now must be near each other. He had no +knowledge of the region through which he was moving, the only place of +which he had heard in the vicinity being Frederick City. Just where this +was situated, and what the sympathies of its inhabitants were, he did +not know.</p> + +<p>Noel was aware also that his companion was manifestly in very low +spirits. Never before had he seen Dennis so cast down. The sight was +depressing, and in spite of his efforts to convince himself that his +fears were groundless Noel's confidence was rapidly vanishing as the men +advanced.</p> + +<p>How far away the main body was lying was another matter of which he was +in ignorance.</p> + +<p>Refreshed by the food that Eliza Jane had served him he was in better +condition to endure a long march, if such a demand should be made upon +him, than he had been at any time since he had escaped the attack at +Harper's Ferry. It was the unconcealed depression of Dennis that +influenced him now.</p> + +<p>When he had first been charged with being a deserter he had looked upon +the matter as a joke. He was fearful by this time, however, as has been +said, that with his friends all in another division of the army or +prisoners of the Confederates, it might be impossible for him to prove +his identity, at least for a time.</p> + +<p>That he was then a regularly enrolled sharpshooter, and in his small way +had done faithful service in the Peninsula campaign, was true. But could +he convince the captain that his record was clean?</p> + +<p>There was no delay in the march. When two hours had elapsed, Noel was +surprised to find that they were approaching a camp. This camp, however, +was so manifestly only a temporary affair that he easily conjectured +that the men practically were under marching orders. Perhaps they had +come a considerable distance that very day.</p> + +<p>Without waiting for any instructions the young captain directed that +Noel and Dennis should be sent to the guard-tent, into which both were +somewhat roughly thrust.</p> + +<p>To Noel's surprise he found within the tent a half-dozen unfortunate +men, and in a brief time, from the confessions which followed, he was +aware that every one there was facing a charge of desertion. Indeed, one +of the men was describing the treatment which was measured out to those +who had deserted from the ranks.</p> + +<p>"Most generally," he was saying, "if a man deserts, and is caught again, +they make him serve out all the original time of his enlistment without +any pay or allowance."</p> + +<p>"For instance," suggested another man, "if a soldier has enlisted for +four years and deserts at the end of six months, if they should catch +him they would bring him back and make him serve three years and six +months more without pay, would they?"</p> + +<p>"That's it," said the first prisoner. "Sometimes they send the deserters +off to Dry Tortugas."</p> + +<p>"They might as well banish them from everywhere as to send them there."</p> + +<p>"That's right."</p> + +<p>"Where is this Dry Tortugas you're talking about?" inquired another.</p> + +<p>"It's a group of islands that belong to the United States down near the +entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. It's about one hundred and twenty miles +southwest of Cape Sable."</p> + +<p>"And where is Cape Sable?"</p> + +<p>"That's the southern part of Florida. Where is your geography, man? +These islands of the Dry Tortugas are very low and swampy, and they are +covered with mangrove bushes."</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, they are something like the banana. Sometimes the deserters there +are made to serve a term of years with ball and chain."</p> + +<p>"What do you think is going to happen to us?"</p> + +<p>"That's not easy to tell. There have been so many men trying to get away +that I'm afraid that it will go hard with us."</p> + +<p>Noel was listening intently to the conversation, but its effect upon him +was not so marked as it was upon Dennis. The fear in the heart of the +young Irishman was great, if it could be estimated by the expression +which appeared upon his face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>A FRUITLESS INTERVIEW</h3> + + +<p>As conversation ceased for a time Noel and Dennis withdrew to a part of +the tent where they were by themselves. The face of every man in the +tent betrayed his feeling of anxiety. Even Noel, the youngest of the +soldiers, was becoming alarmed at the outlook. Far removed from his own +regiment, among those who were strangers to him and who knew nothing of +his record or even of his presence in the army, the young soldier +desperately tried to think of some one to whom he might appeal for aid.</p> + +<p>If he had been left free to follow his own wishes he would immediately +have sought the colonel and stated his case to that officer. As it was, +however, he was not only prevented from seeing the leader, but also was +in a position in which his statements would not be accepted without +further proof. His anger at the little sutler, who had brought the +trouble upon him, became keener, but his very helplessness tended only +to increase his anxiety.</p> + +<p>The anxiety of the young prisoners would have been much greater if they +had known that at this very time Harper's Ferry was about to be taken +and the soldiers of the garrison made prisoners. The two great divisions +of the Southern army, as we know, had been planning to cross the +mountains and reunite at Hagerstown or Boonesborough.</p> + +<p>General Jackson, energetic and prompt, successfully carried out the task +which had been assigned to him. Indeed, he was as prompt in his actions +as was his great commander. On the first day of his advance he marched +fourteen miles and that same night decided to cross the Potomac River. +The following day he was only four miles west of Martinsburg, and in the +morning when he moved upon the little place, to his surprise he found +that the garrison already had abandoned the post.</p> + +<p>The general quickly resumed his march and on the following day, after +his troops had covered more than sixty miles in the four days, he came +within sight of the Federal forces.</p> + +<p>There was a slight delay now, but on the 13th of September General +McLaws reached the hills known as Maryland Heights and at the same time +General Walker, who was meeting with no resistance at all, occupied +Loudon Heights above Harper's Ferry.</p> + +<p>All that night General Jackson was awake, receiving frequent reports +from both of his subordinates, and before the morning came he had made +all his plans for a combined attack upon Harper's Ferry by all the +divisions under his command.</p> + +<p>Right at the angle formed by the junction of the Potomac and the +Shenandoah Rivers lies Harper's Ferry. To the south were heights which +were strongly held by the Union troops. It was in the afternoon of +September 14, when at the command of General Jackson the Confederate +batteries began to pour a heavy artillery fire upon the Union troops on +the heights, and when night fell he had worked his army into such a +position that it really commanded both flanks of the Bolivar Heights +where these Union soldiers were stationed.</p> + +<p>The following morning there was a brief interval of quiet and then +General Jackson prepared to assault the heights. But before the attempt +was made the Union garrison capitulated.</p> + +<p>Not only were more than twelve thousand prisoners secured (for the +garrisons which had been stationed at Winchester and at Martinsburg had +retired previously to Harper's Ferry), but there also were seventy-three +great guns and something like thirteen thousand small arms that became +the prizes of the victors.</p> + +<p>"Whist!" whispered Dennis, speaking for the first time since the boys +had been consigned to the guard-tent. "'Tis a black day for us, I'm +thinkin'. 'Tis a foine way, too, to treat the boys that niver thought of +desartin'."</p> + +<p>"We'll get out of this all right," said Noel, speaking with a confidence +he was far from feeling. "They'll have to find out first whether or not +we're really deserters before they punish us."</p> + +<p>"If I had that little spalpeen, Levi, here, I'd get some satisfaction, +anyway! What for do you suppose he told the captain that we were +desarters?"</p> + +<p>"There's fifty dollars reward offered to any one who will help in the +return of a deserter; at least, that's what I have been told," said +Noel.</p> + +<p>"That explains it, thin," said Dennis confidently. "That explains it +all. For fifty dollars that Levi would sell his mother and his whole +family."</p> + +<p>"Fifty dollars is a good deal of money, Dennis."</p> + +<p>"So it is. So it is," acknowledged the young Irish soldier, "but it's a +lot more than Levi is worth."</p> + +<p>"How much more?"</p> + +<p>"Just fifty dollars, to a cint."</p> + +<p>The attempt to speak lightly of their troubles, however, was almost +pathetic. Both boys were exceedingly anxious and their feelings were not +relieved by the manifestly increasing fears of their companions.</p> + +<p>It was now early in the afternoon and the guard as yet had not come with +their food. Noel had decided that he would await the coming of this man +and beg him to obtain permission for him to see the colonel. The boy +felt that, if only he could be admitted to the presence of that officer, +he would be able to state some things which would lead to the prompt +release both of himself and his companion.</p> + +<p>There was a long interval, however, before a soldier came to bring their +dinner, if hard-tack and water could be dignified by such a term. +Neither Dennis nor Noel ate of the food thus provided. Not only were +their appetites gone, but their anger had increased as they thought of +the way in which they were being treated after their difficult and +perilous services all through the campaign on the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>The feeling of Dennis frequently found voice in his expressions of anger +and disgust. Noel, however, was more controlled in his manner and seldom +spoke except in reply to the questions of his comrade.</p> + +<p>Noel eagerly had begged the soldier who had brought their dinner to +report to the colonel that one of the men was innocent and most +earnestly begged permission to explain to him how he had been falsely +accused.</p> + +<p>He was by no means confident that the soldier would bear his request to +the colonel and still less was he hopeful that the colonel would grant +him an interview.</p> + +<p>He was, therefore, the more surprised when an hour later an orderly came +to the tent and said, "Who is the man that asked to see the colonel?"</p> + +<p>Instantly three of the inmates replied that they had made this request. +To the surprise and consternation of Noel Curtis the orderly simply +said, "There will be time for only one and he will have to be quick. I +don't see why the colonel waits, anyway. The only place for a deserter +is at the end of a rope that's tied so that his feet will be about three +feet above the ground. That's the way one of the deserters was served +this morning."</p> + +<p>"What!" demanded Noel, his face turning pale in spite of his effort to +be calm. "Do you really mean to say that a deserter was hanged to-day?"</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what I mean to say," said the soldier lightly. "So many +men have tried to break loose lately that it has been decided to use +stricter measures. Perhaps they will be better to you, though, and +instead of hanging you, they will just let you be shot. That's a better +way. Leastwise, that's what I would want if I had to take my choice."</p> + +<p>"I'm the one," said Noel hastily, "who sent word to the colonel asking +for permission to see him."</p> + +<p>"He isn't the man!" shouted the other three in unison; and each added, +"I'm the man!"</p> + +<p>"How will I ever know?" said the orderly as he gazed in confusion first +at one prisoner and then at another.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," suggested Noel. "Ask each man to tell how he sent his +message, and the one that gives it right is to be the one who shall have +a chance."</p> + +<p>"Good!" said the orderly. "How did you send word?" he asked, turning to +Noel as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Ask these other men first," suggested Noel. "I was the last one to put +in a claim that I had sent word, so let me be the last one to explain +how I sent it."</p> + +<p>"All right. Now, go ahead, you tell how you sent your word," the orderly +demanded as he looked keenly at the oldest of the trio.</p> + +<p>"I don't just remember," stammered the soldier. "It seems to me I sent a +letter."</p> + +<p>"That's what I did, too," said the second. "I wrote a note and sent it +by one of the boys."</p> + +<p>"And how did you get word to him?" the orderly inquired as he turned to +the third man.</p> + +<p>"I give it up. I'll own up, too, that I didn't send any word at all, +though I wanted to. Perhaps I took the wish for the deed."</p> + +<p>"Now explain how you sent your message," said the soldier as he again +turned to Noel.</p> + +<p>"I sent it by the man who brought us our dinner to-day."</p> + +<p>"That's right. You're the boy. You come with me."</p> + +<p>Without any delay Noel was conducted by the orderly to the tent of the +colonel, and soon was admitted.</p> + +<p>He remained standing near the table upon which the officer was writing. +The colonel did not even glance at his visitor for a time as he +continued his task. At last, however, he looked up and said abruptly, +"Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I have come to tell you," said Noel, somewhat embarrassed in spite of +his determination to be self-controlled, "that I have been accused of +being a deserter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're the man who sent word by Dan Tague."</p> + +<p>"I don't know the man's name," said Noel respectfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, he brought your message. And you say you are not a deserter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"But you cannot prove it?"</p> + +<p>"I can and I will if you'll give me a little time."</p> + +<p>"But I have positive information here," said the colonel, taking a paper +from his pocket, "that you <i>are</i> a deserter. It states that you and +another man named Dennis O'Hara both deserted at Harper's Ferry and were +discovered not far from here this morning by Captain Blowers."</p> + +<p>"I don't know the captain's name, Colonel," said Noel. "I did not +desert at Harper's Ferry. I was outside the lines—"</p> + +<p>"What were you doing outside the lines?" interrupted the colonel.</p> + +<p>"I was foraging."</p> + +<p>"Was any one with you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Dennis O'Hara."</p> + +<p>"Ah, ha! Then the story is true that you both were outside the lines?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir! that's true, although it isn't true that we deserted."</p> + +<p>"To what regiment do you belong?"</p> + +<p>"To the —th."</p> + +<p>"To which company?"</p> + +<p>Noel gave the number of his company.</p> + +<p>"Who was your colonel?"</p> + +<p>"Colonel Crawford."</p> + +<p>"That's correct," said the officer. "All these things tally. I have a +statement here that you and—your name is Noel Curtis, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have a statement here that Noel Curtis and Dennis O'Hara, both +belonging to Company —— of the —th regiment deserted just before the +attack on Harper's Ferry."</p> + +<p>"Colonel, may I ask you who made that statement?"</p> + +<p>"The sutler is the one who informed us."</p> + +<p>"Did any one else tell you?"</p> + +<p>"I think so. I haven't all the papers here and I have no time to go into +details about this. Have you served long?"</p> + +<p>"We enlisted last spring, my brother and I. We were both in the +Peninsula campaign. My brother was sick and went home on a furlough."</p> + +<p>"Where is your home?"</p> + +<p>"In New York State, on the border of the St. Lawrence River. My brother +and I were both sharpshooters."</p> + +<p>The colonel smiled incredulously as he looked at the young soldier, but +all he said in reply was, "I have nothing but your unsupported word for +this, while I have the testimony of others against you. The fact that +you were outside the lines at Harper's Ferry is against you, and it's +just about as black when Captain Blowers reports that he was informed by +reliable witnesses that you are a deserter and were seen several times +skulking about the region. We are compelled to make examples of these +men right now, or we shan't have anybody left to stand against Lee. +You'll have to find better reasons for convincing me than you have given +this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Will you make some investigations, Colonel?"</p> + +<p>"No, not now. There is no time. Do you hear those guns?" he demanded as +the roar of distant cannon was heard. "We may be ordered to advance at +any time. Meanwhile I must give my men a good lesson, and I cannot do it +in a better way than by making an example of such men as you."</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe what I have told you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't," said the colonel tartly. "Your story is just about as +plausible as the one young Naylor told me before I had him hanged."</p> + +<p>Noel's face became pale as he heard the statement lightly repeated by +the colonel that some one had been hanged that very day for desertion. +He was aware, however, from the attitude of the officer and the abrupt +manner in which he turned again to his writing that there was little use +in trying further to plead his cause. Turning about, Noel, still under +the guard of the orderly, left the tent and was conducted back to the +place where he had been confined with his companions.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE EXECUTION</h3> + + +<p>Depressed as Noel was by his recent interview with the colonel, he +nevertheless was surprised when he approached the tent to find that the +guards had been changed. The young soldier was not yet aware that when +deserters were put under guard certain selected men were stationed with +loaded muskets about the tent of those who had been condemned. Every two +hours the guard was relieved.</p> + +<p>Nor was any soldier ever compelled to stand guard over a deserter from +his own company or regiment. Naturally it was very difficult for one +comrade to be compelled to enforce so severe a rule as that which was +applied to men who deserted, when the guilty comrade, perhaps, was a +schoolmate, a relative, or even a brother. Besides, there was the +continual fear of the officers that if such men were placed in charge +there would naturally be the danger of a plot or a plan for the escape +of those who were condemned. It was for this reason that Noel and +Dennis, in any event, would have been assigned to a guard-tent in some +company in which they were not likely to have any acquaintances, or +even any friends among its members.</p> + +<p>As soon as Noel entered the tent, Dennis was aware from the expression +of his face that his mission had not been successful.</p> + +<p>"What is it, lad?" he whispered as he drew the young soldier to one +side.</p> + +<p>Noel shook his head as he replied, "The colonel wouldn't believe a +word."</p> + +<p>"The colonel is as bad as that little spalpeen, the sutler!"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind it so much," said Noel, "if they would first really +find out what the truth of the charge is, but it seems that they have +taken the word of Levi, and now anything we can say doesn't seem to +count for much against it."</p> + +<p>"But they'll give us a trial. They'll hold a court-martial before +anything is done," protested Dennis.</p> + +<p>"I hope so," said Noel. "I don't know how it will be held, or how fair a +show we'll have. It's the only square way, though, and if it's possible +I am going to try to make an appeal. I have thought of sending for the +chaplain. I think he might be able to do something for us if any man in +the regiment can."</p> + +<p>"Who is the chaplain?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know who he is, but we'll be able to find that out later."</p> + +<p>A low conversation which followed between the inmates of the tent +revealed the fact that several of the men already had been tried and +condemned by court-martial for desertion. Every one was bitter against +those who had passed sentence upon him. Noel was surprised to find that +the men were all claiming, what he himself had asserted as the cause for +the mistake in his arrest, that some one had brought a false charge +against them.</p> + +<p>Not unnaturally both the young soldiers were depressed when darkness +came on, and Noel was unable to sleep. Mortified by the charge as well +as anxious, he lay with wide-open eyes staring in the dim light at the +top of his tent and wondering what the following day would bring forth. +The sound of guns in the distance, the restlessness that was manifested +among the soldiers, the evident interest with which the colonel was +reading some dispatches that he had received, as well as the severity +with which the so-called deserters were being treated, all combined to +make the young soldier confident that stirring action was speedily +expected.</p> + +<p>The following morning dawned wonderfully clear. When Dennis awoke the +sun was shining brightly and the morning air was soft and still.</p> + +<p>When the boys first arose they were startled at the presence of two +ambulances in front of their tent. In each of these ambulances there was +a rough coffin of wood. That these gruesome objects should have been +brought to the place where the prisoners under the charge of desertion +were confined at first had not been suggestive to Noel. He was soon +aware, however, what the explanation was, and his face became pallid +when he heard two of his companions ordered to advance and each man to +take his seat on a coffin. A detail of soldiers had been assigned to +draw these two ambulances and in solemn silence were awaiting the coming +of the condemned men.</p> + +<p>Noel Curtis shuddered when one of the prisoners, stepping lightly into +the ambulance, seated himself upon the long box, and, rapping upon the +wood, turned to some of the watching soldiers and flippantly said, +"Boys, can't you put some shavings or something a little softer in my +box? It looks as if it might be a pretty hard nest to rest in."</p> + +<p>Instead of laughter or applause greeting his coarse remarks, the +silence and disgust of the assembled soldiers seemed to react with +solemn force upon the condemned man. At last the word was given and the +cavalcade departed, leaving the remaining prisoners in the guard-tent +dumb with the horror of the event.</p> + +<p>Difficult as Noel Curtis had found it, in his previous experiences in +the campaign on the Peninsula, to control his feelings when he found +that he was actually shooting at a human being, that experience was by +no means equal to the suffering which he now was undergoing.</p> + +<p>There might be some justification for men making targets of one another +when some great issue had been raised, but the young sharpshooter was +now fully aware that war was no holiday game. His heart rebelled against +many of the things which he saw, and yet the supreme issue of it all and +the fact that war had been declared and accepted, and that there was no +relief or release until one side or the other in the great conflict had +won its victory, could not be ignored.</p> + +<p>His thoughts now were centered upon the men who had been taken away from +the tent for their execution. The presence of the detail implied that +both men were to be shot, a method of execution not quite so revolting +as that by hanging.</p> + +<p>Some of the men under sentence in the guard-tent seemed to be dumb with +fear, while others more stolidly expressed their complaints over the +outcome of the court-martial which had been held for the two condemned +men the preceding day.</p> + +<p>Several times when shots were heard near the place where the division +was in camp, Noel fancied that the report was that of the guns of the +men who had been detailed to shoot the two deserters.</p> + +<p>In his interview with the colonel the young soldier had been informed +that desertion was becoming so frequent in the army at this time that +orders for the sternest measures to break it up had been issued. No man +now might expect any mercy who should flee from his post of duty.</p> + +<p>Sometimes homesickness had been the cause of the men leaving their +comrades. The thoughts or recollections of family and friends in the +far-away North had produced a longing in the midst of the monotony of +the camp work and of the army life that had been too strong for some to +resist. Others, however, had become tired of the service when the +novelty of the first days was gone and had fled simply to evade the +difficulties and drudgery which are a part of the campaign of any army. +Whatever the cause may have been, the fact could not be denied, and Noel +Curtis understood fully the reasons for the sterner measures which now +were being used. Perhaps they might be justified, he thought, although +the unspeakable horror which had appeared in the expression on the faces +of the two condemned men, when at last they were taken from the tent, +was something which he was positive he never would be able to forget.</p> + +<p>Somehow the morning passed. The guards were changed more frequently, and +it was evident to the waiting men that they had not been forgotten in +the midst of the excitement of the army in the knowledge that the enemy +was not far distant.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to send for the chaplain?" suggested Dennis to +Noel when an hour or more had elapsed.</p> + +<p>"So I am," said Noel promptly. "I had not forgotten it. It doesn't seem +to me, though, that any man will be able to help us much, when the +colonel is not willing even to hear what we have to say for ourselves. +It seems to me that they ought to give us credit first of all for being +honest. But his plan apparently is to believe a man guilty and then let +him prove his innocence, if he is able."</p> + +<p>"Niver you fear, lad. The chaplain will be able to help us out."</p> + +<p>"We'll ask to see him, anyway," said Noel.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, when the guard next was called, Noel succeeded in +attracting the attention of the sergeant and made known his desire to +receive a visit from the chaplain. Such a visit, he was aware, was +permitted, and he was not without hope that the coming of this man might +be of assistance to him and his hardly beset comrade.</p> + +<p>Nearly an hour elapsed before the chaplain appeared. He was a young man, +and in his face there appeared an expression of friendliness. Noel was +drawn to him at once, even before he heard the somewhat abrupt and loud +tones of his voice.</p> + +<p>"What can I do for you?" asked the chaplain, not unkindly, as he entered +the tent and was informed that Noel was the inmate who had requested the +visit.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to see you and tell you my story," said Noel quietly. "I am +here under a false charge."</p> + +<p>The interest of the chaplain instantly became less keen, as Noel +discovered to his dismay.</p> + +<p>"That's what every man says," responded the chaplain quietly.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's true in my case. Did those poor fellows who were taken out +this morning say they were not to blame?"</p> + +<p>"They surely did," said the chaplain. "I wish I was able now to forget +the horror of that scene. A hollow square was formed and the two coffins +were placed in the open part. I shall never forget the moment when the +adjutant-general stepped out into a position a little in front of the +center of the square. He's a strong man and not much given to sentiment, +but his voice trembled, although it was clear and strong, when in the +presence of all the soldiers he read the finding of the court-martial."</p> + +<p>"It must have been hard for the men who had been detailed," suggested +Noel in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"It was. You understand, however, that the guns used by the provost +guard on occasions like that are always loaded by men who have been +appointed for that special purpose. It never would do in the world to +let the soldiers load their own guns."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's more than likely that they would use blank cartridges. No one +wants to be responsible for the death of a man even if he is under +sentence. That's the reason why the guns never are loaded by those who +are to do the shooting. However, they all know that a blank cartridge +has been placed in one of the guns, but they are never told which one it +is. This plan makes every man believe that his gun contained the blank +cartridge and that it was not his shot which killed the prisoner. While +the adjutant-general was reading the finding of the court-martial the +two men had to stand up. As soon as the officer had finished reading, +both men were ordered to kneel on their coffins and a paper heart was +pinned on the coat of each."</p> + +<p>"What is a 'paper heart?'" asked Noel.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's just a quarter of a sheet of ordinary notepaper. It's white, +you know, and provides a mark for the men who are usually selected +because they are good shots. One of these poor fellows, after he had +been blind-folded, shouted, 'Boys, shoot me here,' as he put his hand +upon his heart. 'Don't make any mistake, either!' I don't know whether +the rest of the men heard the final order of the provost guard or not. +His voice sounded to me as if it might have been a quarter of a mile +away, it was so indistinct, but somehow he managed to call out—'Ready!' +'Aim!' 'Fire!'"</p> + +<p>"Did they find the paper hearts?" inquired Noel, almost in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes, both the poor fellows fell forward on their faces and never +breathed again."</p> + +<p>Dennis O'Hara, who had been listening to the words of the chaplain, +although he had not taken part in any of the conversation, could +restrain his fears no longer.</p> + +<p>"But, yer Riverence," he said, "why should they treat an innocent man +like that? I'm tellin' ye that we're the most loyal boys in Little Mac's +army. We're both sharpshooters and we both did our part down on the +Peninsula. Now to be set up here and shot down like a couple of dogs! +Why, instead of desartin', we just were doin' our best to escape from +the Johnnies. 'Tis pretty hard! The colonel won't listen to a word! We +can prove it to him, everything we say."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" inquired the chaplain, turning to Noel for confirmation.</p> + +<p>"It is, sir," replied Noel.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that anything can be done," said the chaplain. "It would +be horrible to make such a mistake as that. You are entitled to a trial, +anyway. Where is the man who made the charges against you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Noel, "but I don't think he's here. My belief is +that he is a spy, anyway, and part of the time is in the other army."</p> + +<p>"Let me take the number of your company and regiment and I shall very +gladly see what can be done. I don't want you to build your hopes too +high, but you may rest assured that I shall do for you all that is in my +power."</p> + +<p>As soon as their visitor had jotted down in his notebook the few facts +and figures which he asked for, he at once left the tent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE TEST</h3> + + +<p>The sufferings of Noel and Dennis were increased by the feeling of +suspense which followed the departure of the chaplain. Rumor had been +busy in the camp and had reached even the men in the guard-house +concerning the execution of the deserters and the penalty which now +might be visited upon the men who were still under guard.</p> + +<p>The feeling in the heart of Dennis was more one of anger than of alarm. +With Noel, however, uncertainty and fear combined to make the young +soldier much cast down. When Dennis occasionally tried to arouse his +spirits, the effort of the young Irishman was so manifest that the +effect sometimes was the exact reverse of what he had intended.</p> + +<p>More and more Noel became alarmed as the hours passed. When the chaplain +returned, as he did a few hours later, not even his cheery words could +disguise the fact that as yet he had not received any information +concerning the two young sharpshooters which would justify the colonel +in making an exception of their cases.</p> + +<p>When Noel awoke early the following morning he was surprised to find +Dennis already busily engaged in writing a letter. And such a letter!</p> + +<p>When Noel drew near, he saw that Dennis had taken sheets of foolscap, +cutting them lengthwise and had pasted the half-sheets together so that +he had a continuous roll that must have been at least thirty feet in +length.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" demanded Noel in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Shure, lad, and I'm writin' a letter."</p> + +<p>"But to whom are you writing such a letter as that? Do you write on both +sides of the paper? It would take more money than you have saved in a +month to pay the postage. What are you trying to do, anyway, Dennis?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, lad," said Dennis quietly, "I had a letter from me sister in +which she says as how I have niglicted the family and niver write a +word, so I'm goin' to sind her one letter that she can't say is too +short. I'm gettin' near the end of it, though. If you'll wait a minute, +lad, I'll read to you the last sintence."</p> + +<p>Before Noel could protest Dennis began glibly, "And now, me dear +Bridget, I can tell you that I am very happy because the assurance is +dawning upon me mind that I am gettin' near the end of my paper. I have +only to say that after I have been through the regular number of +pitched-battles and hair-breadth escapes and have walked a few hundred +miles and chased the Johnnies up and down the hills, perhaps by that +time I shall have come really to the ind of this letter and be able to +sign me name. If you still think that I'm not writin' long enough +letters to you and to mother and the girls, I'll come home just as soon +as our business at the front is finished, and from the appearances at +the prisent time somethin' is going to happen before I shall have a +chance to sign my name."</p> + +<p>Dennis looked up from his paper and said, "There, lad, I'm not +explainin' to thim what it is that may happen. It'll be time enough for +thim to find out that when they have to. But what do you think of me +epistle, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"Very good."</p> + +<p>"What there is of it," replied Dennis, smiling in spite of the fears +which held him.</p> + +<p>"It's a sort of last will I'm writin', too," added Dennis. "I niver have +written a will whin I was goin' into battle the way some o' th' boys +do, but whin I have to face the sintence of bein' shot as a desarter, +which I niver was, and if the Saints will presarve me, I niver shall +be—"</p> + +<p>"I heard of a woman back here," broke in Noel, "who made a will and left +her shoestrings to her sister."</p> + +<p>"Bedad," said Dennis, "I niver thought o' that. 'Tis a good suggestion! +I'm goin' to leave mine to Levi Kadoff. There ought to be enough of them +to hang him with. Faith, and if I had him here now—"</p> + +<p>The conversation of the two young soldiers was interrupted once more by +the return of the chaplain. Still he had not received any information +and the messenger, who he assured the boys had been dispatched, had not +as yet returned.</p> + +<p>In spite of the desire of the good man to encourage the boys, and his +apparently unshaken confidence that in the end all would be well, the +feeling of uncertainty and injustice still possessed both Noel and +Dennis. They had been forgotten, they assured themselves, by the men who +knew them best and at such a time as this could bring them aid. Of what +good was it that they had been selected for positions of danger and had +been among the sharpshooters, doing their part in holding back the +enemy around Williamsburg and at Malvern Hill?</p> + +<p>Even if the desire had been in the minds of the young soldiers, the +opportunity to escape was gone. The guard was changed every hour now, +and there was no question that the muskets of the marching soldiers were +loaded. There was no blank cartridge here.</p> + +<p>Noel's strong desire was to receive word from those who knew him. But +just where that division of the army now was located he did not know, +nor was he positive that there would be an opportunity in the presence +of threatening events for an investigation to be made which would +relieve him from the charge which was hanging over him.</p> + +<p>A third visit from the chaplain still failed to bring the desired news. +The depression of the boys was so manifest that the chaplain apparently +made a special effort to cheer them.</p> + +<p>"There was a little fellow back here near the colonel's tent who somehow +made me think of you two boys. You have told me about the little sutler. +Let me see, what did you say his name is?"</p> + +<p>"Levi. Levi Kadoff," answered Noel.</p> + +<p>"Well, this little fellow by the colonel's tent may be the same one. He +was a little Jew, who had been shot. A ball had just grazed the tips of +two of his fingers and he was howling so loudly that I think you might +have heard him here, if you had listened."</p> + +<p>"Was he yelling with pain?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" laughed the chaplain. "He was crying for a pension. In fact, +he was screaming for one. Yes, he wanted two pensions. When I saw him he +was holding up the two fingers that had been scratched, and was whining, +'Oh, Scheneral! Oh, Scheneral! how much pensions I gets for heem? I dink +I gets two pensions, maybe. One for each finger vat I lose.' A lot of +the boys had gathered around the little fellow and they were having a +good time as they listened to his complaints."</p> + +<p>"Did he say where he was when he was shot?"</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't hear anything about that."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he is Levi. If he is, and you'll bring him here, Dennis and I +soon can tell. Did he have shining black eyes?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And curly black hair?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And did he weigh about ninety pounds?"</p> + +<p>"Not more than that."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's Levi; that's Levi, all right," broke in Dennis. "Just +bring him here to me, and I'll make him forgit his fingers and his +pinsions."</p> + +<p>"You may make him forget his fingers, but you never can make him forget +his pensions," laughed the chaplain. "That seemed to be the chief thing +in his mind. I think I'll try to find out if his name is Levi Kadoff."</p> + +<p>"If it is," suggested Noel, "bring the fellow here, but don't tell him +what you are bringing him for or that we are here."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what I can do," said the chaplain, and a moment later he +departed from the tent.</p> + +<p>The fact that the kind-hearted officer had made three visits that day to +the boys showed his interest in their welfare, but somehow Noel was +unable to shake off his conviction that their friend was powerless to +aid them. Accordingly he was surprised when an hour afterward the +chaplain returned.</p> + +<p>"No word yet," he said quietly, as he smiled and shook his head, "but I +have some other good news for you. You understand there is nothing to +back up the statement which you have made that you were sharpshooters +in the Peninsula campaign. Personally, I believe what you tell me. I +have at last secured permission for you both to go with an orderly and +four men to a place outside the camp where you may show what skill you +possess."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk," spoke up Dennis quickly. His hope had now +returned with full force. Indeed, as he afterward explained, he looked +upon their discharge as already having been accomplished.</p> + +<p>To Noel, however, the privilege was not one which was unmixed with +anxiety. In his own skill, in his quiet way, he felt confident, but to +make such skill a test of the truth of what he had spoken was another +matter. A gun with which he was unfamiliar would be thrust into his +hands and the very excitement of the test of itself might be sufficient +to prevent him from doing himself full justice.</p> + +<p>The chaplain, aware of what was passing in the mind of the young +soldier, smiled encouragingly and did not speak.</p> + +<p>Dennis, whose joy rapidly increased, had now arrived at a point where +his enthusiasm seemed to pass all bounds.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what to do, yer Riverence," he said to the chaplain. +"Just put Noel and me tin yards apart. Let one of us fire and then the +other and you'll find Noel's bullet lodged in the barrel of my gun and +my bullet in his. That is, if we don't fire at the same time. If we +should fire at the same minute the bullets would meet midway and you +wouldn't find anything but two flattened pieces of lead."</p> + +<p>"Do you often have an experience like that?" inquired the chaplain with +a smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yis, very oftin," answered Dennis solemnly. "Sometimes Noel says to +me,' Dennis, me boy, I'm a bit tired this mornin'. Just put a bullet in +my gun, please'; and it's easier to shoot one in than it is to have to +go through the whole process o' loadin'."</p> + +<p>The chaplain said no more, but at once conducted the two young soldiers +to the guard which was waiting outside the tent.</p> + +<p>No word was spoken as the little band fell in, and at the word of the +orderly started in the direction which to Noel's surprise led over the +way by which he had come when he had been brought to the camp. As yet he +had not been able to obtain from Dennis a connected story of the mishaps +of the young Irish soldier, nor of the way by which he had avoided his +enemies and at last had been taken as a deserter and confined in the +guard-tent.</p> + +<p>Noel somehow believed that not even Dennis would have been able to +escape from the well in which he had been hidden unless he had received +help from outside. But to all inquiries Dennis made evasive replies, and +Noel was still unable to understand the mystery with which he had +shrouded his doings.</p> + +<p>The little band now was on the borders of the place where the division +was encamped. The entire region was unfamiliar to Noel, but as he +glanced at a low house on the side of the road over which they were +passing he was startled when he beheld Levi standing by the little +cabin. The little sutler's fingers were bandaged, and as Noel recalled +the story which the chaplain related to him and the pleadings of the +little Jew for two pensions because he had received a wound in the tips +of two fingers, he smiled in spite of the seriousness of the errand upon +which he and his companion were going.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Levi recognized the two young soldiers in the midst of the +little band, and with a scream of rage instantly started toward them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>THE SHARPSHOOTERS</h3> + + +<p>"I shall see dem hanged," screamed the little sutler; "I shall see dem +hanged. Dey steals mine goots. Dey tip ofer mine tent. I shall see dem +hanged."</p> + +<p>Levi's voice, usually shrill, in his rage now became almost a childish +treble. Even his wounded fingers were forgotten for the moment, and he +was gesticulating with both hands.</p> + +<p>"Shure," exclaimed Dennis, pretending to have difficulty in recognizing +the little Jew, "shure, 'tis Levi! My friend, it's lucky for you it's +not cold here. You talk so much wid your hands they might be frozen +stiff."</p> + +<p>Unmindful of the declaration, Levi became still more excited and his +hands were moving still more rapidly.</p> + +<p>"Yah, I shall see you hanged!" he shouted. "You shall no more steal mine +goots! It shall cost you more nor you vould haf paid for mine goots, vot +vas so cheap. You shall no more tip ofer mine tent!"</p> + +<p>"Levi," said Dennis solemnly, "how many pinsions are you drawin'?"</p> + +<p>"I draw no pensions yet," shrieked Levi.</p> + +<p>"I understand," said Dennis, "that you are trying to draw two pinsions, +one for the scratch you got on each finger."</p> + +<p>"I did not scratch mine finger. I haf been shot mit der fingers. I shall +draw more pensions, but I shall have mooch joy in seeing you hanged."</p> + +<p>The soldiers, under whose charge the boys were being conducted to the +place where they were to display their skill with the rifles, were +laughing heartily at the impotent rage of the little sutler.</p> + +<p>Dennis, in spite of his bantering, did not betray a trace of a smile on +his face. As solemnly as if the errand upon which he was going was the +sole purpose in his mind, he looked reprovingly at Levi as if his heart +was moved by sorrow more than by anger.</p> + +<p>"Are you coming with us, Levi?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yah, I vill surely come. I shall mit great pleasure see you hanged. You +shall no more tip ofer—"</p> + +<p>"I say, sergeant," said Dennis, "what are we to have for a target?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied the soldier good-naturedly. "We'll find +something."</p> + +<p>"If you haven't any target ready, I would like to suggest one."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I think it would be a great scheme to have this little sutler come +along with us and stand him up at a distance of seventy-five yards. +Noel, here, can clip one ear an' thin I'll take the other. Thin we'll +cut off a part of his nose, though he will have enough left even thin to +satisfy any two or three living men—"</p> + +<p>A cry of rage, not unmingled with fear, from Levi, interrupted the young +Irishman.</p> + +<p>"I shall not be von target! you shall be von target!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but, Levi," suggested Dennis, "think what it will mean for you! If +Noel cuts off one ear, there's another pinsion. That will be pinsion +number three. If I trim your other ear, that will be pinsion number +four, and if both of us cut down your nose a little that will be worth +more yet. Why, Levi, you'd be a rich man before you would be able to get +home. Of course, there may not be very much of you left, but what there +is will have a good time to the end of your days."</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was the expression which Levi discovered on the faces of the +soldiers that caused him to halt abruptly. At all events, he stared for +a moment at the young sharpshooters, and then, as the soldiers laughed +loudly, he turned quickly and without once glancing behind him ran from +the place.</p> + +<p>Even the chaplain had not been unmoved by the bantering of Dennis. He +was proving himself a friend, indeed, to the two boys, and it had been +largely through his solicitation that the opportunity had been gained +for them to show whether or not their claims to have been sharpshooters +in the Peninsula campaign were trustworthy.</p> + +<p>"There comes that little spalpeen ag'in!" cried Dennis suddenly, as he +looked back and saw that Levi was following discreetly in the distance. +"'Tis well for him he stays behind us, though I think I could put me gun +over me shoulder and shut both eyes and not miss the little rascal."</p> + +<p>Noel had not taken any part in the badgering of Levi. He was far too +anxious concerning his own safety. It is true he was not without hope +that before he should be tried by the court-martial his statements +concerning his enlistment and service would be obtained and verified and +he would be free. But there was so much confusion in the army, and the +presence of the enemy was so well known, that he understood an advance +was to be speedily ordered, and at such a time it was inevitable that +some mistakes should be made and certain duties should be neglected. The +greatest danger was that in the midst of such confusion it would be +impossible for him to free himself from the charge of desertion which +had been brought against him.</p> + +<p>At last a position outside the camp was gained, where the little company +halted. An improvised target was made of an old and battered white hat +which was found in a corner of the fence, whither it had been driven at +some time by the wind. This hat was securely fastened to a stake which +was driven into the ground at a distance of seventy-five yards from the +place where the two young soldiers were stationed.</p> + +<p>"Who shall shoot first?" inquired Dennis, who was carefully examining +the rifle which had been placed in his hands.</p> + +<p>"If you don't care, I should like to," said Noel.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, me lad," assented Dennis. "They won't have the execution +until I'm ready to go along with ye."</p> + +<p>Noel found the rifle which had been given him a trifle heavier than the +one to which he had been accustomed. It was a little more difficult for +him to raise it to his shoulder and gain the sight which he desired. +However, after testing his gun several times and looking carefully to +its loading, he abruptly raised the rifle to his shoulder and apparently +without taking careful aim fired at the target in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" called Dennis, when some of the young soldiers started toward +the hat. "Wait until I have my shot."</p> + +<p>"If one of you hits the hat, we shall not be able to tell which one did +it unless we examine it after each shot," suggested one of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>"Just wait a minute," called Dennis, "and you'll see two holes. That +will mean that both of us hit it."</p> + +<p>Good-naturedly the men consented, and Dennis, whose methods were far +different from those of his comrade, brought his gun to his shoulder and +took long and careful aim before he fired.</p> + +<p>In a moment a part of the little band started swiftly toward the hat, +and their exclamations of surprise were loud and many when they +discovered that Dennis's promise had been fulfilled. Two balls had +pierced the crown of the hat within an inch of each other.</p> + +<p>"Just put up that hat again," said Dennis. "And if you like, Noel and me +will put some eyes and ears on the old hat until it will look as if some +old man's face was peering out of it. This is just to show you that +there wasn't any luck in it," he added, as he turned quickly to Noel, +who was about to fire the second time.</p> + +<p>Again the report of the rifle rang out, and then Dennis speedily +followed the example of Noel. When the hat was examined two more holes +were found in the crown each about an inch from the place which had +marked the spot where the preceding bullets had hit the mark.</p> + +<p>"I guess the boys are all right," said the orderly.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," said Dennis. "We have made a square there now, haven't +we?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the soldier.</p> + +<p>"Well, with three more shots Noel and I will turn the square into a +circle and cut out a round piece of the old hat itself."</p> + +<p>The suggestion of the young Irishman was followed, and true to his word +when three more shots had been fired by each it was discovered that a +circle in the crown had been completed by the bullets.</p> + +<p>"If the rest of your story is as true as the part which has to do with +your shooting, then I guess both you boys are all right," said the +orderly cordially. "We haven't a better shot in our regiment."</p> + +<p>"Shure, you haven't," said Dennis heartily. "Didn't I tell you that Noel +was the best shot in Little Mac's army? Now, if you'll just say the +word, sergeant, I would like to have him turn around and fire at the +ground under the foot of that little Jew. He paid the piper and he ought +to have his dance."</p> + +<p>Every man in the group at once turned to look at Levi Kadoff, who in +spite of his fears had been creeping nearer, and as the voice of Dennis +had not been either low or soft, the effect was magical. Levi prepared +to depart without further delay.</p> + +<p>Turning to the orderly Dennis said, "Take my gun, sergeant, and just let +me catch the little spalpeen, will ye?"</p> + +<p>As the chaplain nodded assent in response to the implied question of the +sergeant, Dennis laughingly started in swift pursuit of the sutler.</p> + +<p>For one moment Levi stared blankly at the approaching young Irishman. +Manifestly what he saw was not pleasing, for with a shriek he turned and +at his utmost speed tried to escape from the place.</p> + +<p>His efforts, however, availed little, for with his longer strides Dennis +swiftly gained upon his victim, and in a brief time laid his heavy hand +upon the shoulder of the screaming, shrieking Levi. Kicking and striking +like an angry child, the sutler did his utmost to break the firm hold +which his captor secured upon him. Apparently unmoved and unmindful, +Dennis dragged his helpless prisoner back to the place where the +soldiers were awaiting him.</p> + +<p>"Now, then," said Dennis when he had rejoined his comrades, "we'll make +the little spalpeen speak up. What for did you say that Noel and me was +disarters?"</p> + +<p>"Because you vas deserters!" shouted Levi. "You steals mine goots, you +tips ofer mine tent, you—"</p> + +<p>"There! there! That will do," said Dennis soothingly. "I'm thinkin' what +you need is what Paddy gave the drum."</p> + +<p>Helpless in the powerful grasp of Dennis, Levi still shrieked and +protested. But in spite of all his efforts, Dennis, seating himself +upon a stump, stretched Levi across his lap and soundly spanked him.</p> + +<p>When this task had been completed, the howlings of Levi were redoubled. +Apparently irritated by the failure of the little sutler to profit by +his experience, Dennis lifted his victim from the ground and shook him. +As he did so a paper fell to the ground from Levi's pockets, at the +sight of which the excitement of the little sutler instantly increased.</p> + +<p>"And what's that?" said Dennis as he roughly pushed Levi from him and +picked up the paper, which he discovered was an envelope containing a +letter.</p> + +<p>"It was not for you," screamed Levi. "It vas mine! It vas mine! You +steals mine goots. You tips ofer mine tent, but you shall not haf mine +letter. It vas from mine moder."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute and I'll see whether it's from your mither or from +General Lee," said Dennis tauntingly, as he drew forth the paper from +the envelope.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION</h3> + + +<p>An expression of surprise appeared upon the face of Dennis which quickly +changed to one of consternation. Every one in the little band was +silent, watching the young Irishman. What at first had been looked upon +simply as a rough and not altogether good-natured joke, now seemed to be +taking upon itself certain other phases that interested every one +present. Even Levi was speechless in his rage. Several times he made as +if he was about to flee from the spot, but every time he came back, +either fascinated by the action of Dennis, or eager to secure the paper +which the young Irishman was holding in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Here, sergeant," said Dennis at last, "I think 'tis likely this is for +you."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" replied the officer as he advanced.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if it might be mighty important. 'Tis my opinion that the +little spalpeen has been seein' some things he ought not to see and is +reportin' what no Johnnie ought to know. Just look at that, will ye!" +and Dennis placed the tip of his huge forefinger upon some figures which +were written upon the paper.</p> + +<p>Taking the sheet from Dennis's hand the sergeant looked keenly at it, +and in a moment it was seen that he was as startled and alarmed as had +been the young Irish soldier.</p> + +<p>Turning quickly about, he saw that Levi manifestly was aware of what was +going on in the mind of the officer and was stealthily working toward +the woods in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Stop that fellow!" ordered the sergeant. "Don't let him get away, not +for a minute!"</p> + +<p>"Shall we try to catch him?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"No, there will be men enough without you. You go after him," he added, +turning to some of the others in the band.</p> + +<p>Instantly obeying the command a half-dozen men started in swift pursuit +of the little sutler, who now was running at his utmost speed. The +pursuit was not long continued, however, for just before Levi gained the +refuge of the woods he stumbled and fell to the ground. Before he could +rise his pursuers were upon him, and in spite of the efforts of the +biting, kicking, striking, howling little sutler he was picked up +bodily and carried back to the place where the other members of the band +were awaiting their return.</p> + +<p>"I suspict," said Dennis, as he tauntingly grinned at the helpless +prisoner, "that the little spalpeen has some other papers somewhere +about him. Maybe he has put thim in the heel of his boot. 'Tis my +opinion that he ought to be sarched from head to feet."</p> + +<p>"We'll attend to that," said the officer, as he thrust into his pocket +the letter which Dennis had secured and at once gave the word to return +to the camp.</p> + +<p>It was manifest to Noel that the test which had been made of the skill +of himself and Dennis, had been a source of deep satisfaction to the +chaplain, who now was advancing by his side. Naturally the officer did +not make any comment, but his face was beaming, and it was plain that he +was almost as pleased as were the boys themselves.</p> + +<p>When the party arrived at the guard-tent, and Dennis was free to express +his opinions once more, he was not slow to embrace the opportunity.</p> + +<p>"'Tis no use at all, at all," he said, "in kapin' Noel and mesilf here. +Think of a little spalpeen like Levi Kadoff comin' into the camp and +gettin' all he wants to find out and goin' back with it among the +Johnnies!"</p> + +<p>"That's what he was doing," said Noel. "I wondered what Levi could have +to do with Sairy Ann's brother-in-law. He made no bones of the fact that +he was a spy, but I never suspected Levi of doing anything of the kind +from his own wish. We knew he would sell anything he possessed, whether +it was information or clothes, but I never believed that he would go +back and forth between the armies and carry news from one to the other."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the little imp had been bringing +information here, too."</p> + +<p>"Of course he has!" said Noel. "He got paid at both ends of the journey +and he wasn't very slow to make much of the chance. I wonder how much he +had."</p> + +<p>"He hasn't had as much as he will get!" said Dennis positively. "Just +listen to that, will ye!"</p> + +<p>The roar of great guns in the distance again was distinctly heard, and +so threatening was the sound that it did not seem possible to the +startled listeners that the men who were engaged in the combat could be +far away.</p> + +<p>"Listen to that!" repeated Dennis. "That means that we're goin' to be +busy just as soon as they take us out of this guard-house."</p> + +<p>"I think I would rather be there than here," said Noel, "although I +confess that ever since Malvern Hill I have not been eager to go into +the sharpshooters' pit."</p> + +<p>"You'll be in no sharpshooters' pit here. They don't know enough to +count you for what you're worth. If we're fortunate enough iver to get +back to the —th, where we belong, there we'll pass for just exactly +what we are. The most I want here is just to get out of the guard-tent. +I think I can take care of the rest of it mesilf."</p> + +<p>The conversation of the young soldiers continued in spite of the +repeated sounds of the distant firing. Two hours or more had elapsed, +and still no word was brought them, nor had the chaplain returned. +Eagerly the boys had talked over the possibilities of Levi being a spy, +Dennis firmly contending that there was not "spunk enough in the little +spalpeen to do anything for himself." Noel, however, claimed that the +former sutler was not without a form of courage of his own.</p> + +<p>"There comes the chaplain," said Dennis, after a few minutes more had +elapsed. "From the look of him I think he has got something he would +like to say to us."</p> + +<p>Nor was the young Irishman disappointed. When the chaplain entered the +tent his face was beaming and his satisfaction over what he was about to +say was so manifest that every one of the inmates was confident good +news of some kind had been brought.</p> + +<p>"We have just heard from Washington!" said the chaplain eagerly. "We +sent a message to President Lincoln informing him just what had been +done here,—the number of deserters, who had been hanged, and who had +been shot, and how many were on hand, and asked what we should do next."</p> + +<p>"Did you tell him about us?" broke in Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we told him about you and the others, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, what word did you get? Why don't you out with it, yer Riverence?"</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted chaplain laughed and said, "I was just about to say, +when you interrupted me, that after we had sent our message to +Washington we did not expect to receive word in reply so soon. But the +message has just come that the President has received our communication +and—"</p> + +<p>"The Saints presarve us!" broke in Dennis. "Won't you please tell us +what's happened?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I am telling you," continued the chaplain. "If you wouldn't +interrupt me so frequently you would find out what I have come to say."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell us, then!" said Dennis. And although every inmate was +silent, the face of every one gave evidence of the eagerness with which +he was waiting for the visitor's word.</p> + +<p>"We have just received our message," began the chaplain once more, "and +I confess that I have a feeling toward the President such as I never +cherished before."</p> + +<p>"But what did he say?" broke in Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Be silent and I'll explain," said the chaplain. "We were not looking +for an answer for several hours yet, but to our surprise the messenger +has returned and has brought us word that President Lincoln has decided +to—"</p> + +<p>As the chaplain paused again, Dennis impatiently broke in, "For the love +of the Saints in heaven tell us what he has decided to do! I can't stand +much more o' this. It isn't the spache we want. It's to know what the +Prisident said."</p> + +<p>"He has decided to pardon every one of you."</p> + +<p>A shout went up from the guard-tent. In their enthusiasm several were +for leaving the place at once.</p> + +<p>"Hold on," warned the chaplain. "I have no right to let you go. I was +permitted to come and bring you the word. You will have to wait until +orders come from the colonel before you will be free. It won't hurt you +very much to wait a little while because you know you will not have to +stay long. It's a great message and I'm glad I am the one to bring it to +you. Are you pleased, both of you?"</p> + +<p>"In course I'm pleased," said Dennis.</p> + +<p>"And how is it with you, Noel?" asked the chaplain keenly as he turned +to the other young soldier.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want any 'pardon'," declared Noel quietly. "I haven't done +anything for which I ought to be pardoned. I have been charged with +being a deserter, by a man whose word was taken instead of ours, and, +too, he is now said to be a spy. I don't feel like taking a pardon +because I haven't done anything which deserves a pardon."</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish, lad," suggested the chaplain. "This matter will all +be straightened out. If there is time you may be sent back to the +division where you belong, but if there isn't and we have to advance +now, there will be plenty of work for you to do before many hours have +passed. Don't stand on a little thing like that."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," said Noel, "and perhaps I shall not stay in the +guard-tent. I am not made of the stuff of which they used to make +martyrs. I appreciate what President Lincoln intended to do, but at the +same time I don't want to stay here as one who has been pardoned for +something which he never did."</p> + +<p>"That will be fixed all right," said the chaplain soothingly. "And just +as soon as you receive word from the colonel that you are free, I hope +you won't stay here any longer."</p> + +<p>"Niver a bit will we stay here any longer," declared Dennis. "You watch +me, if you want to! You'll see some dust, but not me nor me feet when I +get word to lave this tent."</p> + +<p>True to the promise of the chaplain, word was brought in a brief time +that a message from the President had been received and that all the +deserters had been pardoned on the condition that every man should +resume his place in the army and do his duty.</p> + +<p>Nor had they been long released before another and more startling +experience came. The heavy firing of cannon in the distance had now +increased, and it was manifest throughout the camp that preparations for +an advance were rapidly being made.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE</h3> + + +<p>Noel Curtis was standing in front of the colonel's tent listening to the +word of that anxious officer, who in response to the request of the +chaplain was showing the young soldiers the pardon received from the +President.</p> + +<p>It was in Noel's mind to inquire concerning the fate of Levi. His own +feeling about accepting the pardon which had been offered was unchanged, +but in company with Dennis he had gone to the colonel's tent at the +suggestion of the chaplain, and with interest was listening to the words +of that officer.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the clatter of hoofs was heard, and as the men turned sharply +about to ascertain the cause, they saw an orderly approaching with the +information that the division at once was to advance.</p> + +<p>Hastily positions were assigned to Dennis and Noel, who were to report +with one of the New York regiments, and the marching orders speedily put +other thoughts from their minds.</p> + +<p>Almost before the men realized what had taken place, they found +themselves marching along a dusty road with the air cool and the +confidence of the leaders manifest in many ways that appealed to the +boys in blue. Naturally there were rumors of the battle which was +expected, but so many similar reports had been current that some of +their power to arouse the interest of the army was gone.</p> + +<p>Several times the excitement of the advancing troops was increased by +the sight of little squads of rebel prisoners that had been taken by the +cavalry skirmishing in advance.</p> + +<p>One picture appealed with special force to Noel. The horses of the +officers of late had fared poorly at the hands of the quartermaster, and +now, as the troops halted near a barn, Noel saw several of the +half-starved animals within the building enjoying the first oats they +had received for days.</p> + +<p>As Noel glanced behind him he saw a long column of troops winding around +the summit of the mountain over which he and his comrades had just +passed. The muskets of the men were glistening in the sunlight. The +lines resembled a mighty coil of armed men extending far down the side +of the mountain. Indeed, far beyond the place where Noel was standing, +it could be seen, and was lost to view only by the winding of the road +in the distance. It was the finest view of a marching army he had ever +had.</p> + +<p>In the loft of the barn were a score or more of Confederates. Some of +these unfortunate men were sick, others had been wounded in the recent +cavalry skirmishes, and had been left by their comrades as they had +fallen back before the advance of the boys in blue. A guard or two was +attending to their wants, but every man as he peered out of the windows +seemed wan and pale, and the marks of the many privations and the heavy +fatigue to which they had been exposed were plain on every side.</p> + +<p>The farmer, near whose barn the line had halted, explained that a large +body of the rebels had passed his house not long before. The men were +ill-clothed and seemed to be in want, he explained. The report of the +man, however, did not deceive any of the Yankee soldiers. They were well +aware that the "Johnnies" were fierce fighters, and in spite of their +scarcity of food and clothing were standing up bravely and persistently. +It was Dennis one time who made the remark that "these men might not be +inspired of God, but they certainly were possessed of the divil."</p> + +<p>Neither of the young soldiers dreamed of the fearful events which were +soon to follow. Whether prejudice or ignorance, truth or falsehood, were +behind the struggle, there was no question about the tremendous +earnestness of both armies.</p> + +<p>The Union army, when it entered the little city of Frederick, was +surprised as well as delighted at the ovation which it received from +many of the people. Shouts and songs and cheers greeted their arrival +and continued during their march through the city.</p> + +<p>In the doorways of some of the houses girls and young women stood with +pails of clear, sparkling water. Many of these enthusiastic girls held +glasses in their extended hands inviting the thirsty and dust-covered +soldiers to drink.</p> + +<p>It was Dennis who said glibly to Noel, when a halt was made beyond the +limits of the town, "I can't for the life of me tell what made me so +thirsty this afternoon. I think I must have stopped a dozen times for a +drink of water."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I noticed it," said Noel demurely. "I have never seen anything +like this dust. No, and it doesn't seem as if the dust was all that was +new, either."</p> + +<p>"There's one thing I don't see, though," said Dennis.</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see any of the big bugs, like the others, standing in the +doorways and giving water to our boys as they passed."</p> + +<p>"I'm not surprised at that. I don't suppose the people who have money or +own slaves can be very enthusiastic over our coming down here to set +their slaves free or destroy their property."</p> + +<p>"Indade, and I niver once thought o' that," said Dennis.</p> + +<p>Near sunset the army halted again, and, wearied by their long march, +many of the men flung themselves upon the dust-covered grass by the +roadside or underneath the projecting branches of some large trees, and +sought a short respite from their labors.</p> + +<p>The day was Sunday the 14th of September, 1862. To Noel, his thoughts at +such a time naturally recalled the manner in which the day was spent in +his far-away home. There all was peace and quiet. About him now, +however, were armed men and officers riding past and cannon were being +dragged up the dusty road. All these things presented a striking +contrast to his vision of peace and quiet.</p> + +<p>Noel saw that every one of his comrades was sleeping, not even being +aroused by the passing of a body of cavalry or by the stamping of the +horses of their officers.</p> + +<p>He, too, was about to place his knapsack upon the ground for a pillow +when, glancing up the road, to his surprise he saw Dennis running toward +him, dragging in his hand a large fallen branch of a tree.</p> + +<p>That the young Irishman was about to perpetrate some prank Noel was +convinced. Dennis was simply irrepressible. The fatigues of the day, or +the thoughts of the battle, in which it was commonly believed the army +was about to enter, did not seem to check the exuberant spirits of +Dennis O'Hara.</p> + +<p>As he approached the place where Noel was seated, suddenly the young +Irishman swiftly entered the road and, stamping loudly upon the ground, +began to run close to the place where many of the soldiers were +sleeping.</p> + +<p>Adding to the confusion, Dennis began to shout, "Whoa! Whoa, there! +Whoa!" He did not check his own advance, however, and running swiftly, +dragged the branch he was carrying over the bodies and faces of some of +the sleeping men.</p> + +<p>Instantly every one of the soldiers who had felt the touch of the +sweeping branch or heard the sound of Dennis's voice sat erect, and +then, convinced that a body of horsemen were trampling upon them, +quickly leaped to their feet and ran from the place. In spite of their +weariness a shout greeted the prank of Dennis and caused the young +Irishman to laugh loudly.</p> + +<p>"They make me think," said Dennis, "of the old sport who took his gun +and traveled two days over the brakes and ferns and up and down the +mountains huntin' for a bear. Just at the close of the second day he +found the footprints of the old fellow and pretty soon afterward he +heard a growl from a rocky ledge that was too close to him for comfort. +The man stopped and scratched his head, and turnin' to his brother, who +was close behind him, he said, 'Now, look out! These tracks are gettin' +a little fresh! I believe I don't want any bear after all, so I'll go +back home.' It's a lot of brave men we have been hearin' talk about +comin' up to the front and drivin' the Johnnies through every gap in +these mountains, but whin a poor harmless boy comes along and shakes a +branch of a tree over thim, they are all so scared they don't even stop +to find out whether 'tis a Yank or a Reb that's chasin' thim."</p> + +<p>It was not long before the march was resumed. The turnpike over which +the soldiers moved was broad and smooth, and as the men passed through +the rolling country its contrast with that which they had seen in their +campaign in the Peninsula was marked by every one.</p> + +<p>At the next halt the chaplain, who had proved himself such a warm friend +to both of the young soldiers, approached the place where the two boys +were seated by the roadside.</p> + +<p>"That's General Burnside and his staff over yonder," he explained to +Noel. "General Hooker is to lead our division."</p> + +<p>"There's going to be a battle surely, isn't there?" inquired Noel.</p> + +<p>"I think there is no doubt of it," replied the chaplain, "and I have a +strange feeling about this engagement. I know I shall be shot."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" protested Noel.</p> + +<p>"But I shall be. I was shot when I was on the Peninsula almost the first +chance I got. I was only slightly wounded there, but this time I shall +be killed. I know it."</p> + +<p>"Shure, 'tis only a foolish notion that's got into your head," protested +Dennis. "Get rid of it, yer Riverence! Cheer up! Shure, you'll come out +all right."</p> + +<p>"I wish I might think so. If I fall I shall fall doing my duty."</p> + +<p>"Niver a doubt about that. Every man of us knows that you won't be shot +in the back."</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted man soon passed on, but the impression he had made upon +the mind of Noel was one which the boy was unable to shake off. He, too, +was fearful of the coming contest. He was doing his utmost to repress +the feeling and was striving hard to hold himself to the line which had +been mapped out for him.</p> + +<p>Apparently there were no rebel battalions now threatening the passage. +No cannon warned the advancing army from the narrow entrance between the +hills which they were approaching. These hills on either side of the +pass now were crowned with the glories of the approaching sunset. A few +clouds were seen in the sky, and in the distance occasional quick rushes +of smoke-puffs arose just above the trees and then the sight was +followed by the sound of a heavy boom.</p> + +<p>Far to the left there were other puffs, and as they were faintly seen in +the distance there were quick responses from the Union artillery.</p> + +<p>"Shure," muttered Dennis, "the artillery is beyond and with the help of +the infantry they'll drive the Johnnies out o' the way."</p> + +<p>A rattle of musketry only faintly heard confirmed the words of the young +Irish soldier.</p> + +<p>Above them and beyond were forests. Unseen foes without doubt were +lurking within the shelter of the great trees. Even now the opposing +armies might be preparing to rush madly against each other. Somehow the +smooth white turnpike began to lose its peaceful aspect in the eyes of +Noel Curtis.</p> + +<p>The toiling soldiers, climbing a steep ascent now, were soon aware that +between them and the main ascent of South Mountain was an extensive +valley.</p> + +<p>There were sharp calls from the officers, the line of march was changed +from the open turnpike, and the men approached a cornfield upon the +hillside.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the passage through the field suddenly the great guns of +the Confederates opened upon the line with solid shot. Down the hill +dashed the army, then swiftly crossing the little valley, began the +steady climb of the mountain-side.</p> + +<p>A few yards from the base of the mountain was a fence. Below the fence +the ground was cleared, while above it the face of the mountain was +covered with rocks and trees.</p> + +<p>Steadily and surely the boys in blue advanced, and when they had arrived +within fifty yards of the place they were seeking, a rapid fire of +musketry was opened upon them by the Confederates, who lay concealed +behind the fence.</p> + +<p>Bullets whistled about their ears. There were shouts and calls from the +leaders and loud and prolonged cheers from their willing followers. With +a wild shout the men dashed forward. Indeed, their course was almost +upward, so steep was the ascent. Volley after volley was poured in upon +them, but as yet the brave boys did not heed them and still rushed madly +forward.</p> + +<p>The Confederates, astonished by the recklessness and the apparent +disregard of their bullets, began to give way. Successfully the +advancing soldiers gained the fence and then instantly sprang over it. +To their surprise, however, their enemies re-formed among the rocks and +renewed the fight with unshaken determination.</p> + +<p>It was at this time that the chaplain, who had shown his friendship for +the boys, accompanied by a young lieutenant, was just springing over the +fence when a bullet struck him and he fell back upon the ground.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>THE FOLLOWING DAY</h3> + + +<p>To the horror of the young soldier he saw that the chaplain was +lifeless. The expression upon the face of the dead man was as peaceful +as that of one who has fallen asleep in his own home.</p> + +<p>The strange declaration which the chaplain had made, that he expected to +fall in the fight into which he was about to enter, came back to Noel +now and strongly impressed him. It was strange, he thought, that such a +premonition should have taken hold upon a man who was so sane and +thoughtful.</p> + +<p>There was little time, however, for consideration of matters of +sentiment. The struggle was not yet ended, and it was plain that the +Confederates desperately were holding their ground.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the success which had been won stimulated the Union soldiers, +and with shouts and shots they again pressed forward.</p> + +<p>Not far before him Noel saw a line of men in gray who were loading and +firing steadily, and soon afterward he saw the line begin to waver. +Directly in front of his own regiment the men gave way, and several +companies from the right pressed forward at one side and in this manner +became separated from the regiment itself.</p> + +<p>Looking hastily behind him, Noel saw that he and his companions were +thirty or forty paces in advance of the main line and now were within +twenty or thirty steps of the Confederate soldiers who were on their +left. It was plain, too, that the Southern soldiers were not as yet +aware of the approaching force.</p> + +<p>In a brief time, however, they were dropping as grain falls before a +sickle. As Noel watched them a great wave of pity rushed over him. He +saw that they were falling by scores.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, at the extreme end of the line, he saw a tall man in gray +hastily loading his gun. There was no regular command to fire now, and +instantly, hardly daring to hope that he was in time, Noel raised his +gun to his shoulder and fired. He saw the soldier pitch forward and fall +into a crevice between the rocks.</p> + +<p>Unable to stop, step by step Noel Curtis with his companions pushed up +the steep side of the mountain. It was a marvelous sight to see the +determination of the boys in blue and the steady resistance which their +opponents offered in such a place.</p> + +<p>There was a halt made soon, and then Noel ran swiftly to the place where +he had seen the man, at whom he had fired, fall.</p> + +<p>When the young soldier arrived at the crevice, he saw the wounded +soldier sitting erect, and somehow a feeling of gratitude swept over +Noel's heart that the man was not dead.</p> + +<p>"Are you wounded?" he inquired hastily, as he stopped a moment.</p> + +<p>Without speaking the man mournfully nodded his head in reply. Noel saw +that there was a wound in the neck of the soldier and also one in his +arm.</p> + +<p>"Same bullet," said the Confederate briefly. "I was just ramming a +bullet home and had my arm reaching out this way." As he spoke, he rose +to his feet and Noel was delighted to find that he was able to walk.</p> + +<p>"You understand," said Noel, "that you are a prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon I do," said the Confederate.</p> + +<p>"I'll find some one to take charge of you and take you to the rear, +where you will be out of danger and where the surgeon can attend to +you."</p> + +<p>"That's good of you. I reckon you don't know who I am."</p> + +<p>The man's face was discolored by smoke and powder, but as he spoke Noel +instantly recognized him as the husband of Sairy Ann's sister.</p> + +<p>There was no time, however, for further conversation, and as soon as he +saw that the prisoner had been placed in charge of one of the boys, Noel +threw himself upon the ground and crawled back among the rocks to a +position where he was about fifteen paces in advance of his company. His +intention now was to act as a sharpshooter, although he had received no +orders to that effect.</p> + +<p>Cocking his gun he rose abruptly from his position behind the rock, and +there, directly in front of him and not ten paces away, he beheld a grim +rebel just bringing his gun to aim. His dark eyes seemed to flash fire +as they scowled fiercely from beneath the broad brim of a large, ugly +hat. He was aiming directly at the young soldier, too, and there was +slight chance of escape.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for Noel to take careful aim under such circumstances. +More quickly than ever before he brought his gun to his shoulder and +blazed away, as it seemed to him almost at random, and then dropped +instantly behind the protecting rock. He hardly dared to breathe during +the excitement. Every part of a second seemed like a long time. There +was a fear that the fire of the rebel would reach him before he could +gain the protection of the rock, and, just as Noel dropped, the bullet +tipped the edge of the stone above his head.</p> + +<p>Step by step the enemy now were retiring. Without venturing from the +position of safety which he had found, Noel waited until his line +advanced.</p> + +<p>The enemy still were falling back and the boys in blue still pressed +steadily forward. More prisoners were secured and were regularly being +conducted to the rear. The bodies of those who had fallen and the +wounded were lying among the rocks.</p> + +<p>For the first time Noel became aware that night was almost at an end. A +feeling of indescribable weariness swept over him. Even the bodies of +the fallen men, some of which were within ten feet of the place where he +was standing, seemed to be vague and unreal.</p> + +<p>The hospitals had been established about halfway down the hill. To them +the wounded wherever they were found were still being carried. +Gradually the sound of the guns off to the left had been dying away. +Ricketts's men were holding the fence, while the regiment in the midst +of which Noel Curtis and Dennis had been struggling was resting on its +arms. No mounted orderlies could be found, as they had all been +withdrawn to other parts of the army. Such horses as were left were +secured by being tied to the trees.</p> + +<p>After the necessary dispositions for the night had been made, the men, +wrapped in their cloaks or having donned their heavier coats, in utter +weariness threw themselves upon the ground.</p> + +<p>Noel was far from feeling easy in his mind. With his comrades he was +fearful that the enemy might make a night attack and was afraid of what +might follow in the darkness and confusion.</p> + +<p>The issue of the battle on the left was still uncertain and with this +feeling of uneasiness still prevalent throughout the regiment the men +sought to rest.</p> + +<p>In spite of the excitement through which they had passed and in spite of +the near-by presence of the dead, not many minutes elapsed before +everything was forgotten and every man was asleep.</p> + +<p>Awake early the following morning, Noel was surprised to find that his +nearest sleeping comrade was Dennis. He had seen but little of the young +Irishman thus far in the engagement and, indeed, he had seldom thought +of his friend.</p> + +<p>Discovering that Dennis was awake, Noel in a low voice said to him, +"Dennis, how is it that any of us are left alive?"</p> + +<p>"Indade, 'tis a wonder," answered Dennis.</p> + +<p>"Not so great, after all," remarked another soldier who was lying near +the boys and had heard Noel's question. "The waste of ammunition in a +battle is something marvelous. Our colonel told us that it takes almost +a man's weight in lead to kill one soldier."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem so," said Noel thoughtfully, "when you hear the volleys +shrieking above your head or flying close to your ears, and when men, +all excited and anxious, are trying to fire just as fast as they are +able. It doesn't seem possible that so many can come alive out of a +fight."</p> + +<p>"You must not forget," said the soldier, "that most of the men make no +pretense at taking aim."</p> + +<p>"And I guess," suggested Dennis, "that most of them don't. They act +like they were aiming at nothin' and trying to hit it."</p> + +<p>"It is strange," said Noel, "how still the wounded men were. I didn't +hear many who were groaning or making any cry. The most of them were +either limping off, or being carried to the rear, or they were lying +down where they fell, all quiet and still."</p> + +<p>"The worst shock I got," suggested Dennis, "was when I stumbled over the +bodies of some of the dead boys. That shook my nerves and made me +tremble like a leaf."</p> + +<p>By this time the army was stirring once more and preparations for the +approaching day were being made. The great matter for rejoicing with +Noel and Dennis was the fact that there had been no attack by the enemy +during the preceding night.</p> + +<p>Hasty arrangements were made for the burial of the dead. The young +soldier was marvelously impressed by the peaceful expression of most of +the upturned faces which he saw.</p> + +<p>The first question among the living, however, was, "Where is the enemy?"</p> + +<p>In front of the fence which General Ricketts's troops were still holding +there was no sign of the Confederates. Indeed, a strange, almost +unnatural, silence rested over the entire region. The little stretch +between the men and the cornfield seemed to be entirely free from the +presence of soldiers. There was a slight mist resting on the +mountain-side and through this could be dimly seen the fallen dead of +the enemy.</p> + +<p>With others Noel had been designated to care for the bodies of his +comrades who had been killed in the fight. As he was moving about among +the rocks and stumps, suddenly, a slight, boyish form without any weapon +and clad in the customary gray uniform of the Confederate soldiers, was +seen by Noel kneeling over the body of a fallen man. To his +inexpressible horror Noel saw that the man was using his knife and +trying to remove a ring from the finger of the dead soldier.</p> + +<p>Startled by the approach of Noel, the man suddenly looked up, and, +instantly rising, said quickly, "Don't shoot! Don't shoot me! I vas your +prisoner."</p> + +<p>The feeling of rage and disgust which had seized upon Noel's heart +quickly gave way when to his surprise he saw that the approaching man +was none other than the little sutler, Levi Kadoff.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<h3>ANTIETAM</h3> + + +<p>Startled as Noel Curtis was by the sight of the little sutler, whom he +believed to be true to neither side, his feeling speedily gave way to a +great rush of anger. Almost unmindful of what he was doing, Noel rushed +upon Levi and seizing him by his shoulders shook the little sutler until +both he and his prisoner were nearly breathless.</p> + +<p>"You rascal! You little villain! What do you mean by this work? It's bad +enough for you to be false to the living, but when you try to rob the +dead! I'll try to see that you receive your just deserts!" shouted Noel.</p> + +<p>"But—"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk!" roared Noel, again shaking his prisoner. "What are you +doing here? How did you come?"</p> + +<p>Unmindful of the fact that Noel had forbidden his prisoner to speak, and +yet at the same time had told him he must explain his presence and +actions on the battle-field, he glared into the face of the breathless +and frightened Levi in a manner that increased the latter's terror.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," shouted Noel, "what I'm going to do with you! I'm going +to turn you over to the boys after I have told them that you were trying +to cut the ring from the finger of one of the dead soldiers! I'll leave +you with them. I guess they'll know what to do with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do not! Please do not! Dey vill be very angry mit me."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think so? Maybe so. At all events, I'll turn you over and +we'll see what comes."</p> + +<p>Securing a firmer hold upon the shoulder of his little prisoner, Noel +speedily withdrew from the place and soon placed the miscreant in the +hands of the proper authorities.</p> + +<p>Only a partial explanation was given by the young soldier, and as he +hastened back to his place on the field his anger against the little +sutler soon was in a measure forgotten in the task that still confronted +him.</p> + +<p>The division in which Noel and Dennis were fighting was on the flank of +the Union army. Because of this fact they were not among the first to +start in pursuit of the Confederates that Monday morning. It was +necessary for the greater part of the army to cross South Mountain by +one road, the turnpike.</p> + +<p>Noel, who had been greatly depressed by the struggle through which he +had gone the preceding day, was surprised to find that Dennis and many +of his comrades were highly elated. They had succeeded in driving the +rebels from the strong position which they had held on South Mountain, +and up its steep and rocky sides they had forced their way against +fearful odds. If they could do so well where rocks and steep ascents had +to be overcome, what might they not be able to do in the valley beyond +the mountain?</p> + +<p>A spirit of confidence at this time, indeed, of overconfidence, as later +events proved, possessed the soldiers. They had jumped to the conclusion +already that General Lee had been beaten, and therefore the overwhelming +defeats suffered by the Union army at Bull Run now were balanced.</p> + +<p>The rejoicing which had come to the army was modified somewhat when the +men found that no response was given to their inquiry as to the +whereabouts of the enemy. They were not aware that the Confederates at +this time had withdrawn beyond South Mountain.</p> + +<p>In the task in which Noel had been engaged he had discovered how +closely together the desperate charges had brought the men of the two +contending armies. There were cases where not more than ten paces +intervened between the fence and the place where some of the poor +fellows were lying in their last sleep.</p> + +<p>In the presence of such scenes the bitterness of the struggle was almost +forgotten, and the eyes of the dead, that were staring upward so fixedly +in the gray of the morning hour, neither expressed nor aroused any +emotion except sorrow.</p> + +<p>Unaware of the cause, the young soldier's feelings were somewhat numb +from the tension of the preceding hours. Even Levi now was almost +forgotten and the husband of Sairy Ann's sister had faded from his +thoughts.</p> + +<p>At last about ten o'clock, after many protests and much growling on the +part of the boys in blue over what they were pleased to call an +unnecessary delay, orders were received for the division to be marched +toward Boonesborough.</p> + +<p>Noel and Dennis were marching side by side, but the most of their +comrades were unknown.</p> + +<p>As the men advanced, Noel saw that the turnpike far ahead was filled +with troops, artillery and wagons that were hurrying up the pass. The +fields on either side were white with army wagons and far down the road +that extended toward Frederick City a moving, living, advancing tide of +men was pushing steadily forward.</p> + +<p>Suddenly some one broke into a song, and in a moment "Maryland, My +Maryland" was taken up by the soldiers, although the words frequently +changed to suit the feelings of the different singers. Even Noel, +heavy-hearted as he was, smiled as he heard Dennis shouting, "<i>My</i> +Maryland," with special emphasis upon the "My."</p> + +<p>"Dennis, what are you doing?" inquired Noel as the line halted for a +brief respite.</p> + +<p>"Singin', sor."</p> + +<p>"You call that singing, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Shure, and what is it, if it isn't singin'?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I wanted to find out. That was the reason why I asked my +question. If you call it singing, why, I suppose I shall have to take +your word for it."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a beautiful country," said Dennis as he surveyed the scene which +extended far on either side. Fertile fields and a rolling plateau that +terminated in the distant hills appeared doubly beautiful in the soft +light of that September day.</p> + +<p>At their next halt, which was at the home of a family that proved to be +loyal to the Union cause, the good woman of the house brought forth all +the food she possessed and divided it among the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Laughingly she was telling some of the boys in blue of one of her own +relatives who had been in her home two days before the battle of South +Mountain. Apparently all that he feared was that the demoralized army of +the North, which had been driven from the Peninsula and out of Virginia, +could not now be induced to enter into a contest.</p> + +<p>"We are going to wipe them out this time, once and for all," the man had +said. "And then for Philadelphia and New York! These Yankees will find +out for the first time what war means when we get into their country! As +for Maryland, we'll lose the last man before we'll retreat."</p> + +<p>Before day broke that morning this woman had been aroused by a band of +half-starved and weaponless men, clad in suits of ragged gray who +stopped near her residence begging for food. A panic apparently had +seized upon the men. She had heard one of these soldiers say that if he +could only be taken prisoner he would be happy. In this crowd she had +discovered the relative who confidently and positively had foretold the +dire results of the coming battle for the Yankees.</p> + +<p>"Why, John, is that you?" she had inquired. "I thought you were going to +Philadelphia."</p> + +<p>"It's no use talking about that, aunt," he replied foolishly. "We have +been badly whipped, and I don't know where a single man or a single gun +of my battery can be found to-day."</p> + +<p>At this time a small body of men was seen approaching bearing a flag of +truce. At its head rode a Confederate surgeon in a gray uniform which +had been highly ornamented. On the end of a stick, which he held high, +was a white handkerchief. The surgeon was accompanied by four soldiers +carrying a blood-stained stretcher, while in charge of the little band +was one of the boys in blue. Upon its arrival the leader requested to +see the ranking official.</p> + +<p>In response to his expressed wish the surgeon was taken to General +Hooker and by him was granted permission to secure and bear off the body +of one of the rebel colonels, who supposedly had fallen in the fight.</p> + +<p>The long waiting by the division continued. Hunger as well as thirst now +tormented the men. When the division at last moved forward, it was +discovered that the advance then was to be to Keedysville, about six +miles distant.</p> + +<p>The little hamlet presented a strange appearance upon the arrival of the +soldiers. The few stores and hotels were filled to overflowing with men +clad in uniform. When night fell it seemed as if the train of wagons +that steadily was moving past was almost unending. On the following day, +when the men reached Keedysville, their progress was halted by a +counter-current of cavalry and artillery moving to the right of what +later proved to be a great battle-field.</p> + +<p>At this time no one seemed to be positive as to just the position the +enemy were occupying. Many of the boys in their enthusiasm believed that +they had fled across the Potomac. Such opinions, however, were met by +those who believed that the armies were on the eve of a desperate +conflict.</p> + +<p>When daylight came the following morning (Wednesday September 17, 1862), +a frequent discharge of artillery, apparently about two miles to the +right, soon gave place to a roar that was incessant, and then every one +in the army knew that a battle already was beginning. The straggling +little village was filed with orderlies and officers rushing hither and +thither on various duties.</p> + +<p>The division advanced until it was on the east side of the Antietam +Creek. Beyond, were the enemy, flanked by the Potomac River. It seemed +at first like an unfavorable position and one filled with deadly peril +for the men in gray.</p> + +<p>At this time Noel was not able to see any indication of a hidden force +in the fields and woods opposite the position where his division had +taken their stand. As yet, too, very few missiles had come as far as the +place which he and his comrades were occupying. Ambulances could now be +seen carrying off the more desperately wounded, or on their way back to +the field for their new freights of agony.</p> + +<p>The fighting seemed to be going on mostly on the right. The roar of the +artillery and of the infantry became louder and more terrifying. As Noel +advanced with his comrades he passed improvised hospitals sheltered in a +little valley. Farmhouses and barns were all occupied now, and still the +stretcher-bearers brought in from the front a constant and fresh +addition of suffering men.</p> + +<p>It was no time for faint-heartedness, however. Into the smoke and the +din of battle, out of which the bleeding forms had come, Noel and Dennis +must enter.</p> + +<p>So many were the stragglers from the field that the cavalry was brought +up and stationed on the Hagerstown Turnpike and with drawn sabers +prevented the withdrawal of any more.</p> + +<p>On his right Noel saw troops drawn up in line of battle. On his left +were other troops in a grove near the road. To his surprise as they +advanced he saw some of the troops apparently falling back. A cry passed +through the ranks that General Hooker, who was in command of the +division, had been wounded and that the right wing had been compelled to +fall back. There were rumors also that the enemy far outnumbered the +right wing and that there was great danger also for the left.</p> + +<p>Beyond all that, Stonewall Jackson, a name that every Yankee soldier had +come to respect, had sheltered his reserves behind some rocky ledges and +had thrown up long lines of fence-rail breastworks.</p> + +<p>A feeling of intense and bitter disappointment now took possession of +the Union men. The division was sent ahead and drawn up in line of +battle on both sides of the Hagerstown Turnpike. It seemed at that +moment as if the Confederate soldiers were about to break through the +army of the North and repeat the successes which they had won on the +field of Bull Run.</p> + +<p>One of the batteries in Noel's division had lost thirty-eight officers +and men and twenty-eight horses. Two of his comrades had tried to +appease their desperate feeling of hunger by a hoe-cake which they had +taken from the haversack of a dead rebel soldier. One general in the +division had leaped forward in a critical moment and personally sighted +the guns when the enemy was almost upon him. Another general, of a +different division, had ordered his brigade to advance, but he himself +had remained behind.</p> + +<p>Apparently matters once more were moving well, but just as Dennis and +Noel were pushing with their comrades into some woods, they found +themselves with others confronted by fresh troops who instantly stopped +them with volleys so terrible that a retreat was unavoidable. Neither +Noel nor Dennis knew at this time that the battle of Antietam really was +nearly over. As yet, to both boys there seemed to have been set only +the first act of the tragedy.</p> + +<p>On the left the din of battle had long been heard and out in front the +cannon thundered, and every moment an attack was expected on the +division where Noel and Dennis were.</p> + +<p>The cavalry now rested upon the ground in long lines. Its ranks were +somewhat broken and thin. Steadily in their rear, the various reserves +were being stationed to aid in resisting the attack which was expected. +The men of each brigade in turn were stacking their arms and then were +lying down.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in +long lines. They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel +and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of +the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, +were thin. At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were +seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like +some of the Yankee soldiers.</p> + +<p>The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were +numbered. One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, +said, "Look here, captain! This is the allowance of pork for my men. I +guess I shall have to eat it all, as I am the only one left."</p> + +<p>At such a time many wild rumors have full swing. About four o'clock +General McClellan, with his staff, rides along the lines and is greeted +with great enthusiasm by his men. The report now is that the Union +soldiers have been partly successful, the Confederates having been +driven back, although they are still holding firmly the new position +which they have taken.</p> + +<p>An orderly stops for a word with Dennis and Noel. He shows a loaf of +bread which he has obtained from a near-by farmhouse and a little piece +of butter which he ingeniously has put in a hole cut in the loaf. All +three, upon their comrade's invitation, sit down to enjoy the rare +treat. The pleasure is increased by a cup of coffee, for the men now +have been permitted to light fires by which to cook their rations. It +looks very much as if the fighting for the day, at least, is ended.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, about five o'clock, as abruptly as thunder is heard under a +clear sky, a volley of shot and shell begins to strike or pass over and +about the place where the men are gathered.</p> + +<p>Before the officers are fairly able to mount their horses the thirty +great guns, which have been waiting for this opportunity for hours, +begin to sweep the woods and the cornfield with their deluge of shot and +shell. The roar of the artillery soon is almost deafening. The thirty +guns are being discharged one by one as rapidly as the men are able to +load them. The little hillside actually shakes under the force of the +shots. Dennis murmurs, "Faith! 'Tis not only the hill, but the whole +planet that's shaking like a leaf now."</p> + +<p>It is supposed that the fire of the rebels is introductory to an attack +by their infantry. In view of this fact, the troops in front are +notified to hold themselves in readiness, while those in the rear are +called upon to fall in and to take their arms and advance closely to the +crest of the hill and also to lie down there and to be ready for action +at any moment. All the reserves are prepared and ready. The wagons now +are drawn by galloping horses. The right wing is believed to be ready.</p> + +<p>General Meade, who, after the wounding of General Hooker, succeeds to +the command of the corps, rides up to the crest of the hill on which +Noel and Dennis are stationed and studies the position of the batteries +of the enemy almost as coolly as if he were at a review. Already there +is a bullet-hole in his cap, but the quietness of the great leader in +the midst of the confusion and peril is most impressive. He gives his +orders to make ready for the storm.</p> + +<p>Noel saw shots strike so close to his own comrades as to fling the dust +over them. The heavy cannonading by the enemy continues for at least +ten minutes, and it is with a great feeling of relief that Noel, as he +glances about him, is unable to see that any men had been killed or +wounded. Such artillery firing at long range is terrific to hear, but is +seldom fatal.</p> + +<p>Later it was learned from some of the prisoners that General Jackson's +plan had been to attack with his infantry after the heavy cannonading. +Just before sunset was his favorite hour for such an order. The +tremendous fire of the Union batteries, however, plainly showed him how +well prepared his enemies were, and in a brief time his cannon ceased to +play and the Union guns also became silent.</p> + +<p>Fighting by the right wing ceased when the cannonading stopped. When the +officers were convinced that there had been an end to the immediate +attempt, they permitted every man to bring from the neighboring farms +bundles of straw with which beds were made, and, still in line of +battle, all soon stretched themselves upon these improvised +resting-places.</p> + +<p>The weary gunners tried to make themselves comfortable alongside their +guns. The pickets were standing, with every sense alert, close to the +rebel lines, and prepared to give instant warning should a night attack +by the Confederates be attempted. Not an officer removed even his sword. +The horses, tied to near-by fences, were standing saddled and ready for +instant use.</p> + +<p>There was no tree above the heads of Noel and Dennis, and as they lay +looking up at the stars, for the first time in twenty-four hours the +tired boys were able to think of the experiences they had undergone. +Within a space of four square miles two hundred thousand men were lying. +Some of them were stiff and stark and with sightless eyes were looking +up into the pitying heavens. Some were stretched on beds in the +improvised hospitals or lying wounded and bleeding under the trees. +Others, even in their sleep, are clasping the deadly weapons with which +on the morrow they are expecting to renew the awful scenes of the day.</p> + +<p>It was long before daylight the following morning when the little hill +upon which Noel and Dennis had been sleeping was alive with men +preparing their simple breakfasts and getting ready for the fighting of +the coming day.</p> + +<p>Somehow there was a feeling of confidence among the soldiers that the +day was to be marked with victory. They now had every opportunity to +drive the rebels into the Potomac, or perhaps to capture their entire +army.</p> + +<p>But when sunrise came and hour after hour passed without any orders to +advance, gradually a feeling of bitter disappointment took possession of +the men. The day dragged on, the batteries still remained in position, +and the infantry still were resting on their arms. In the position held +by the enemy silence brooded throughout the day. It was nearly dark when +orders came to be ready for action at sunrise on the morrow.</p> + +<p>With such information the growlers ceased their complaints and there was +a common hope that the enemy would not escape.</p> + +<p>"'Tis only put off one day," said Dennis. "We'll either drive the +Johnnies into the Potomac or carry them with us back to Washington."</p> + +<p>The following day the men were aroused at three o'clock in the morning. +There was no haste in the orders or in the movements of the men. They +ate their breakfast and drank their coffee, and then all made ready for +battle. But again the hours passed and there was no decisive action. At +eight o'clock it was learned that the Confederates had slipped away and +had withdrawn across the Potomac, and doubtless by this time were safely +in Virginia.</p> + +<p>The river into which the Union soldiers had believed they would drive +their enemies had now become the best defense of Lee's army. The battles +of South Mountain and Antietam were robbed of any decisive significance. +It is true that Lee's advance into the North was blocked, and that he +was compelled to turn back to defend the rebel capital, but he had shown +his skill by successfully evading his foes and at the same time +protecting his army as he withdrew.</p> + +<p>The following day was Sunday. All signs of storms had passed, and not +since the Union army had departed from Washington had finer marching +weather been seen.</p> + +<p>The sound of distant cannonading once more revived the hope that General +McClellan would follow the retiring Confederates and that another battle +would soon be fought. The roar of the great guns, however, was merely a +harmless artillery duel across the river.</p> + +<p>The hours of the long day dragged on and still the men were not ordered +to advance. The lack of action was beginning to tell strongly upon their +spirits and there were many complaints to be heard now on every side +over the meaningless, or at least the misunderstood, delay.</p> + +<p>It was eleven o'clock at night before it was reported that orders had +been received for the corps to advance to Harper's Ferry the following +day. But the following day came and went, and in turn was followed by +other days until a month had passed and the advance still was postponed. +The battle-field was still the scene of the camp, and it was only after +some time had elapsed that the soldiers understood that they had been +left to help guard the Potomac so that General Lee might not attempt to +cross it again and try another battle.</p> + +<p>The terrible excitement and fatigue, the privations and the continued +strain upon the nerves and feelings of the men were followed now by a +calm and monotony that was most deadly. Once a week each soldier was on +guard, taking his turn as a sentinel. Part of each day was given to +drill. At sunset there was a brief parade, but the rest of the day was +largely his own.</p> + +<p>Because of such conditions the soldiers were exposed to many +temptations, and in spite of the sorrow which followed the battle of +Antietam there were many pranks being played.</p> + +<p>One day, which was unusually warm, Noel had been sent to the +quartermaster's office on some errand for his colonel. He was standing +behind an improvised desk and consequently was partly hidden from the +sight of any one who entered.</p> + +<p>In the midst of his task of copying certain details which his colonel +desired he was startled by the sound of a familiar voice. Without being +seen he peered from behind his stand and saw that Levi Kadoff had +entered the quartermaster's place.</p> + +<p>"Ish dis de quartermaister's office?" inquired the sutler timidly.</p> + +<p>"It is," replied the officer in charge.</p> + +<p>"Vell, Mr. Quartermaister, I chust got mine sutler's goots and I vant +von place vere I shall sell dose dings to the soldiers. You gife me von +place, hey?"</p> + +<p>"It is against my orders, sir, to give permission to anybody to put up +tents or houses for the sale of goods of any kind."</p> + +<p>"I vill not take mooch room for dese leedle dings," pleaded Levi.</p> + +<p>"Come back and see me later."</p> + +<p>"Ven I comes?"</p> + +<p>"About an hour."</p> + +<p>"Vell, captain, I comes chust as you say. I send you some of mine fine +goots."</p> + +<p>True to his word not long afterwards a basket, with a card attached +bearing the following address, was received,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<i>To Captain Vesh,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Qr. Maister.</i>"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Levi had departed before Noel had been able to make any protest. +Confident that he would return, however, he explained to Captain Vesh +what Levi's former dealings had been and also expressed his surprise +that the little sutler had not been hanged.</p> + +<p>In a brief time Levi again appeared, and as he entered the office he +said smilingly, "Vell, captain, I comes to look at dot leedle place vot +ve spoke about dis morning."</p> + +<p>"What place, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, dot place vat you give me to put up von leedle dent vere I sells +mine goots."</p> + +<p>"You must be mistaken, sir. I told you distinctly that we did not grant +any such privileges."</p> + +<p>"Vell, now, captain, look at dis. Dis morning I sends you von fine +basket which costs me sixteen dollars mit de wholesale."</p> + +<p>"You thought you would bribe me, did you?" replied the quartermaster in +apparent anger. "Now, I'll give you two hours to get out of this place."</p> + +<p>As Levi turned to depart, he obtained a glimpse of Noel's face and fled +precipitately.</p> + +<p>Nor was Noel afterward able to learn the fate of the little sutler. +Apparently each side had taken him as friendly to itself, or else the +crafty little trader had persuaded both that the charges against him +were untrue. Whether he was hanged as a spy, shot as a deserter, or was +able to continue his nefarious trading with the soldiers was a mystery +which never was made clear.</p> + +<p>The husband of Sairy Ann's sister, Noel later discovered among the +wounded prisoners, and in return for the help which he himself had +received, he was able in many ways to aid the wounded man.</p> + +<p>The continually repeated question among the men, "When do we move?" was +not answered until a month or more had elapsed. Then, when the army was +moved to Harper's Ferry, Noel there learned that his brother Frank had +been among the prisoners taken by the Confederates and sent to Libby +Prison. Disheartening as the information was, it did not decrease the +interest of Noel when late in October his division was ordered to move +toward Virginia.</p> + +<p>It was plain now that the campaign was to be transferred again to the +State in which Noel and Frank had had their first experiences in the +army. The enthusiasm of Dennis was great, and in his loudest tones he +joined in the song of the men when they departed from Harper's Ferry,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His soul is marching on."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The boys in blue were somewhat cast down, but not despairing. The Union +army had outnumbered the Confederates nearly two to one in the recent +battle of Antietam.</p> + +<p>Among the subordinate Union commanders there had been great energy +displayed, but no one was able to escape the conclusion that on the +Federal side the battle had been badly fought and many great +opportunities had been neglected.</p> + +<p>In the battle of Antietam the Federals had lost more than twelve +thousand men and their enemies ninety-five hundred. All the troops of +the latter had been engaged in the fight, but only about two thirds of +the Union army had seriously entered into the struggle.</p> + +<p>In a measure the friends of the Union were content that Lee's +threatening invasion of the North had been thwarted. The great Southern +general had fought a pitched battle, but had not destroyed his foe. +There was no escape, however, from the conclusion that Lee's plan to +invade the North had failed, and that the struggle now was to return to +Virginia soil, a fact which Dennis O'Hara and Noel Curtis and his +brother soon were to learn.</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h3>Dr. Tomlinson's Books</h3> + + +<p>The American boy will never tire of reading tales of the early colonial +days and especially of the desperate encounters and struggles of the +colonists with the natives of the forest.</p> + +<p>Dr. Tomlinson has read widely and has collected a mass of incident +through family tradition and otherwise, which he has skillfully +incorporated in the historical frameworks of several exceedingly +interesting and instructive stories. He has the knack of mixing history +with adventure in such a way as to make his young readers absorb much +information while entertaining them capitally. His historical tales are +filled with an enthusiasm which it is well to foster in the heart of +every healthy-minded and patriotic American boy.</p> + +<p>The plots are all based upon events that actually occurred; and the boy +heroes play the part of men in a way to capture the hearts of all boy +readers. Dr. Tomlinson shows scrupulous regard for the larger truths of +history, and the same care that would naturally go into a book for older +readers.</p> + + +<h3>The Boys of Old Monmouth</h3> + +<p>A story of Washington's campaign in New Jersey in 1778.</p> + + +<h3>A Jersey Boy in the Revolution</h3> + +<p>This story is founded upon the lives and deeds of some of the humbler +heroes of the American Revolution.</p> + + +<h3>In the Hands of the Redcoats</h3> + +<p>A tale of the Jersey ship and the Jersey shore in the days of the +Revolution.</p> + + +<h3>Under Colonial Colors</h3> + +<p>The story of Arnold's expedition to Quebec; of war, adventure, and +friendship.</p> + + +<h3>A Lieutenant Under Washington</h3> + +<p>A tale of Brandywine and Germantown.</p> + + +<h3>The Rider of the Black Horse</h3> + +<p>A spirited Revolutionary story following the adventures of one of +Washington's couriers.</p> + + +<h3>The Red Chief</h3> + +<p>A story of the massacre at Cherry Valley, of Brant, the Mohawk chief, +and of the Revolution in upper New York state.</p> + + +<h3>Marching Against the Iroquois</h3> + +<p>An exciting story based on General Sullivan's expedition into the +country of the Iroquois in 1779.</p> + + +<h3>Light Horse Harry's Legion</h3> + +<p>A stirring story of fights with marauding Tories on the Jersey Pine +Barrens.</p> + + +<h3>The Camp-Fire of Mad Anthony</h3> + +<p>This story covers the period between 1774 and 1776 and follows the +adventures of the Pennsylvania troops under "Mad Anthony" Wayne.</p> + + +<h3>Mad Anthony's Young Scout</h3> + +<p>A story of the winter of 1777-1778.</p> + + +<h3>The Champion of the Regiment</h3> + +<p>An absorbing story of the Siege of Yorktown, with Noah Dare, so well +known to Tomlinson readers, for hero.</p> + + +<h3>The Young Minute-Man of 1812</h3> + +<p>The young hero joins the garrison at Sacket's Harbor, is sent on an +expedition down the St. Lawrence, and takes part in McDonough's victory +on Lake Champlain.</p> + + +<h3>The Young Sharpshooter</h3> + +<p>The experiences of a boy in the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, under +McClellan.</p> + + +<h3>The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam</h3> + +<p>Deals with Lee's invasion of Maryland in 1862, relating further exciting +adventures of Noel, the young sharpshooter.</p> + + +<h3>Young Americans In The British Isles.</h3> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 39473-h.txt or 39473-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/4/7/39473">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/4/7/39473</a></p> +<p> +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p> +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Tomlinson + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam + + +Author: Everett T. Tomlinson + + + +Release Date: April 18, 2012 [eBook #39473] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT +ANTIETAM*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 39473-h.htm or 39473-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39473/39473-h/39473-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39473/39473-h.zip) + + + + + +THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM + +by + +EVERETT T. TOMLINSON + + + + + + + +Boston and New York +Houghton Mifflin Company +The Riverside Press Cambridge +1914 + +Copyright, 1914, by Everett T. Tomlinson +All Rights Reserved + +Published September 1914 + + + + +[Illustration: THEY WERE FALLING BY SCORES] + + + + +PREFACE + + +This story has been written with no desire to revive or even to keep +alive the spirit of the struggle between the States. + +Nevertheless the facts which have made our history and the forces which +have entered into the making of the life of our country ought not to be +ignored or forgotten. The effect of the conflict was too great for that. +The Civil War is now far enough away to enable us to see the heroic, +dramatic, and even romantic elements that composed it; and all these, +too, free from the bitterness which naturally was characteristic of the +times. + +To-day each side understands the other better, and with a more complete +knowledge is able to see more clearly the sterling qualities of both +contestants. + +The appreciation of the importance of Lee's first attempt to invade the +North is necessary if one is to understand the struggle which followed. +The dash, spirit, and skill of the great Southern leader, as well as the +energy and the daring of his lieutenants, are seen to-day more clearly +than in the times when his effort was made. What the consequence would +have been if General Lee had succeeded, all can appreciate. The battle +of Antietam was almost a pivot of the great Civil War. + +That my young readers may gain a more complete knowledge of the daring +advance of the great Southern general and the result which followed when +his army was turned back into Virginia, I have written this story. My +hope is that it will lead to a careful study of the conflict, and that +boys, North and South alike, may be led into an increased knowledge of +and interest in our common country. + +EVERETT T. TOMLINSON. + +ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. THE IRISHMAN AND HIS PIG 1 + + II. THE SUTLER'S GOODS 13 + + III. INTERCEPTED 27 + + IV. THE V IN THE FENCE 38 + + V. THE PLAN OF GENERAL LEE 47 + + VI. LONG JOHN 54 + + VII. CAUGHT 63 + + VIII. UNDER GUARD 72 + + IX. THE PLOT 83 + + X. INTO THE STORM 93 + + XI. NICK 102 + + XII. THE GIANT 113 + + XIII. FRIENDS OF THE UNION 124 + + XIV. THE SUTLER AS A GUIDE 135 + + XV. WARLIKE BEES 146 + + XVI. A HELPER 154 + + XVII. THE GUEST ROOM 166 + + XVIII. THE FIRE 177 + + XIX. AT THE FORK 188 + + XX. THE STACK OF STRAW 198 + + XXI. THE CARPET-BAG 207 + + XXII. A MYSTERY 217 + + XXIII. THE GUARD-HOUSE 227 + + XXIV. A FRUITLESS INTERVIEW 236 + + XXV. THE EXECUTION 248 + + XXVI. THE TEST 260 + + XXVII. THE SHARPSHOOTERS 270 + + XXVIII. THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION 280 + + XXIX. THE BATTLE 290 + + XXX. THE FOLLOWING DAY 302 + + XXXI. ANTIETAM 311 + + XXXII. CONCLUSION 323 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + +THEY WERE FALLING BY SCORES (PAGE 303) _Frontispiece_ + +"DEY SAY YO' HAB HAWNS" 58 + +NOEL HEARD THE BULLET AS IT WHISTLED PAST 152 + +"WHO'S IN THERE?" 200 + + +_From drawings by George Avison_ + + + + +THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE IRISHMAN AND HIS PIG + + +"You're too noisy, Dennis." + +"What's the harm?" replied Dennis O'Hara as he stopped a moment and +looked all about him. "There are no Johnnies around here." + +"You don't know whether there are or not," retorted Noel Curtis sharply, +as he too glanced in either direction along the dusty road over which +the two young soldiers were tramping that September day in 1862. Both +were clad in the uniform of the Union army, and the manner in which they +carried their rifles gave evidence of the fact that both young soldiers +were well known in the army of General McClellan for their skill as +sharpshooters. + +"'Tis nothing I'm afraid of now," said Dennis gleefully, as he shifted +from one shoulder to the other the body of a small pig which he had +secured in his foraging expedition with his companions. + +The day was one to stir the souls of both young men, who were thoroughly +wearied by the routine of the camp life at Harper's Ferry, where they +had been stationed with about eight thousand other Union soldiers. There +was a haze in the distance that covered the summits of the hills and +even the waters of the near-by stream seemed to be subdued as they +rushed on their way to join the Potomac. + +"'Tis a fine day," exclaimed Dennis; and at once he began to sing,-- + + "My rations are S.B., + Taken from porkers three + Thousand years old; + And hard-tack cut and dried + Long before Noah died,-- + From what wars left aside + Ne'er can be told." + +"What do you mean by 'S.B.'?" laughed Noel. + +"Sometimes 'tis said to mean 'salt bacon,' and then again maybe 'tis +'salt beef,' and sometimes we call it 'soaked beans.' Whatever it is I +have had my fill of it. Shure, Noel, me boy, it's you and I that will be +feasting ourselves on some roast pork before to-morrow mornin'." + +"Look at those pickaninnies!" exclaimed Noel, as he pointed to a little +hut from which a stream of black-faced urchins appeared, who were +rushing to join their companions in the road and watch the two +approaching Union soldiers. + +"Wait 'til I sing them a song, too," exclaimed Dennis; and once more he +began to sing,-- + + "Ole massa run, ha! ha! + De darkies stay, ho! ho! + It must be now dat de kingdom's comin' + And de year of Jubilo." + +In addition to the crowd of dusky-faced children several older negroes +now joined the group to watch the passing Union soldiers. The boys in +blue were still such a novelty to many of the slaves that their +appearance usually served to summon speedily a band of the admiring +dusky spectators. + +Dennis, unfamiliar with the colored people and their ways, had never +ceased to express his dislike of them. Many a time in the camp when the +soldier boys had wanted to have a little sport they would call upon +Dennis to "cuss the niggers," by which term they described Dennis's +oratorical efforts. Standing upon the head of a barrel, or mounting some +box near the quarters of the sutler, with his ready tongue Dennis +promptly poured forth a steady stream of almost meaningless words that +were supposed to be descriptive of his feeling of antipathy toward the +people for whose liberty he was fighting. + +In the company of negroes at this time assembled to watch the passing of +the two young soldiers there was one woman, manifestly an old +field-hand, whose size was so immense as to be impressive. The +admiration with which the woman gazed upon Dennis was returned in the +expression of astonishment with which the young Irish soldier stared at +this huge negress. + +"Shure, Noel," he exclaimed to his friend in a loud whisper, "'tis not +an ounce liss than four hundred pounds she weighs." + +Noel laughed and did not reply as he looked again at the strange woman. +Her cheeks hung down almost to her shoulders, and her immense lower lip, +which appeared to be nearly an inch in thickness, and her hair, which in +appearance was not unlike the tail of a horse after the animal has been +feeding in some field where cockles abound, increased the weird +expression with which she beamed upon the approaching boys. + +All of the negroes by this time were becoming more and more excited. +Their eyes seemed almost to protrude from their faces. They soon began +to sing and dance, and mingled with the strange noises were the wild and +weird shouts they occasionally uttered. The huge negress was the wildest +of all. + +Neither of the approaching soldiers looked at the spectacle with any +other thought than that of curiosity. To both of them up to the time of +their enlistment a negro had been a rare sight. Since they had entered +the army, of course they naturally had come frequently in contact with +the dusky slaves. And the contrabands also on many occasions had flocked +into the camps, confidently expecting to be sent North by their soldier +friends. + +Suddenly the huge negress abruptly started toward the young soldiers. +Swinging her arms as she ran, she swiftly approached the boys, who had +stopped abruptly when they first discovered her action. + +"Bress de Lor'! Bress de Lor'! Yo's de ones we's been prayin' fo' dese +fo' yeahs! Lor' bress ye, honey! I lub ye! I lub ye!" she added in her +excitement, as she lunged toward Dennis, who was the particular object +of her attack. + +For a moment the startled young Irishman gazed in mingled disgust and +fear at the huge negress, who was rapidly approaching. Then without a +word of explanation Dennis O'Hara, who on the battle-field had been +brave almost beyond the power of description, abruptly turned and fled +from the excited negress. A wild shout from the assemblage followed his +unexpected departure, and even Noel was compelled to laugh when he saw +the huge woman start in swift and awkward pursuit of the fleeing +soldier. + +Unwilling to let go his hold upon the pig, which he had secured in his +foraging, Dennis was greatly hampered in his flight. With long strides +the black woman gained rapidly upon him. Once Dennis emitted a loud +whoop of terror or warning, Noel was unable to decide which. + +The excitement of the negroes became more marked as it was seen that the +efforts of Dennis to escape were unavailing. Nearer and nearer came the +excited black woman, and in a brief time she flung her great arms about +Dennis, who was helpless to protect himself, as he still was unwilling +to let go his hold upon his prize. + +"Lor' bress ye, honey!" shouted the woman as she clasped the unwilling +soldier in her arm. "Bress de Lor'! Bress de Lor'! We hab bin prayin' +fo' yo' dese fo' yeahs! M--m--m--" + +Her grasp evidently became more vigorous and her enthusiasm more marked +as the plight of the helpless soldier became more manifest. The watching +negroes, almost hilarious by this time, started toward the place where +the exciting scene was being enacted. + +What the outcome might be now began to trouble even Noel, who rapidly +advanced to the side of his friend, and shouted to the approaching +blacks, "Keep back! Keep back!" + +The negroes, however, either were too excited or were unwilling at first +to heed the request, and in a screaming, laughing, shouting mob they +still pressed forward. + +The negress, as has been said, apparently a field-hand, was possessed of +great physical strength, and it was plain that Dennis was unable to +protect or even release himself as long as he held to the body of the +pig. + +As Noel approached, Dennis shouted excitedly to him, "Take the porker, +Noel, me boy! Take me gun, too! Help me out o' this!" + +"Bress ye, honey! We hab bin waitin' fo' yeahs fo' yo' to come! We's +been prayin' all de time and when I hear yo' singin' about 'Ole massa +run, ha! ha!' and 'De darkies stay, ho! ho!' den I des know de kingdom +was come shore 'nuff and de yeah of Jubilo was right yere!" + +Too angry to respond, Dennis waited until Noel had relieved him of his +gun and the pig, and then with one violent effort freed himself from the +grasp of the excited black woman. + +When she made as if she was about to approach him once more and renew +her expression of delight over the coming of the boys in blue, Dennis +suddenly seized the little pig that Noel was holding and swinging it +with all his strength struck the woman with it upon the side of her +face. + +The effect of his effort, however, was plainly not more than to cause +the huge mass of flesh to stop a moment, but not to abandon the efforts +in which the negress was engaged. Again Dennis drew back the little pig +and again struck at his tormentor. His second effort, however, like his +first, was unable to check the fervor of the powerful woman. The +remaining negroes now were almost upon the struggling pair. The fear in +Noel's heart that some harm might come to Dennis or to himself became +real. + +"Stand back there!" he shouted. "Don't come any nearer!" + +At his word the crowd halted and, quickly taking advantage of the +interval, Noel said, "This woman says you have been praying for four +years for us to come." + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh! We shore has! Dis yere is de Jubilo, shore 'nuff! +Shore 'nuff! Ole massa goin' to run, and de darkies goin' to stay!" + +"Do you know that song?" inquired Noel. + +"We shore does! Yas, suh! Yas, suh! We knows it!" + +"Then I want you to stand up by the side of the road and sing it while +we march back to camp." + +Laughingly the dusky crowd arranged themselves in lines along the +roadside according to Noel's bidding. Even the huge negress, after some +persuasion, reluctantly took her stand at the head of the line on the +right. + +"Now, then, everybody sing!" called Noel, after he had whispered to +Dennis, "Take your gun and pig and start out of this, but don't try to +be in too much of a hurry." + +"All right," he called loudly, as he passed the negress. There was a +laughing response and instantly Noel and Dennis, as they quickly +advanced began to sing,-- + + "Ole massa run, ha! ha! + De darkies stay, ho! ho! + It must be now dat de kingdom's comin' + And de year ob Jubilo." + +Glancing neither to the right nor left the two soldiers steadily moved +forward and in a brief time passed beyond the strange assembly on the +roadside. + +"Is she after me, lad?" whispered Dennis loudly, glancing anxiously +behind him. + +"I don't think so," replied Noel, "but I shan't look back just yet. I +don't hear anybody coming and they are singing like mad back there yet." + +"Just listen to them, will you!" he added as there came from the crowd +an increased volume of sound, which was somewhat indicative of the +excitement that possessed the assembly. + +"I guess we 're all right now," Noel said a few minutes later when they +had turned a bend in the road and their admirers no longer were to be +seen. + +"Now, Noel, me boy," said Dennis, "I want ye to promise me something." + +"What's that?" inquired Noel quizzically, although he was confident that +he understood what the request of his companion was to be. + +"I want ye to promise me that ye'll kape what happened here a sacret. +'Tis just between you and me, me boy." + +"Oh, but, Dennis," suggested Noel, "think what fun the boys in the camp +will miss if we don't tell them what the black woman did." + +"Shure, you won't tell on me!" Dennis pleaded as he stopped a moment and +gazed anxiously at his companion. + +"I shall have to think about that," replied Noel mockingly. + +The expression of consternation that appeared for a moment on the face +of his companion caused the young soldier to laugh heartily. + +"Why don't you tell them about it yourself, Dennis?" he asked abruptly. + +"Niver!" replied the young Irish soldier. "'Tis one of the sacrets I +shall niver tell, not aven to me mither. But I want to feel that you +will help me to kape the sacret." + +"I'll agree not to tell it to-night," said Noel at last. + +"Well, I suppose I'll have to be contint wid that, thin," responded +Dennis. "But let me tell ye wan thing, Noel Curtis. If I find the story +ever does lake out, I shall know where it came from and the fellow that +tells on me will want to go to the surgeon to be put together. Indade +an' he will that!" + +"He won't if he gets that black woman here to help him," laughed Noel. +"Now, how are you going to get that pig into the camp? You know what the +colonel said about foraging, and what he told us would happen to the boy +who tried it, after such strict orders had been given against it." + +"Shure, and I'll give the colonel a piece o' the rib o' me pig. When he +once swallows that he'll forget all about his orders." + +"I'm not so sure about that," said Noel good-naturedly. "But here we are +almost back to camp, and you'll have a chance to try it out in a little +while." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SUTLER'S GOODS + + +The appearance of the two soldiers in the camp at once attracted the +attention of their comrades. It had been long since any of them had +tasted fresh meat and the sight of the pig which Dennis still was +carrying upon his shoulders aroused the desire of every beholder to +share in the repast which was to follow. There were many laughing calls +to be invited to the feast, to all of which Dennis responded +good-naturedly, but without in any way committing himself unduly to the +increase of the numbers of those with whom he intended to share the +change in the camp diet. + +"Hello, Levi," called Dennis, as he and Noel passed the sutler's tent. + +Levi Kadoff, one of the sutlers, who, by some strange methods, had +obtained the privilege of selling the soldiers from his stock which was +displayed in a tent not far from the center of the camp, looked hastily +up as he was greeted. His love for pork was not strong, but apparently +was the only limit to his desires. At exorbitant prices he had been +selling his wares, and he had interfered in so many ways with the camp +life and had been so disagreeable to most of the soldiers that at the +time he was the most detested man in Harper's Ferry. He had used every +artifice in inducing the boys in blue to buy from him, and many of the +sales which he made were called robbery by those who had been persuaded +to buy. + +"Vere you haf been?" demanded the sutler, as Dennis and Noel halted in +front of him. + +"Been out foraging," answered Dennis loudly. "We have a pig here. If you +will come up to my tent after dark, I'll give you a slice o' spare rib." + +The expression of disgust which appeared instantly upon the face of Levi +caused Noel to laugh heartily, but the countenance of Dennis was +unchanged, as he stared at the angry sutler. + +"What's the matter, Levi?" he said. "Don't you like pork?" + +Again an expression of disgust appeared upon the face of the sutler, but +he made no direct reply to the question. + +"How much are you charging for milk this mornin'?" inquired Dennis. + +"Twenty-five cents a glass." + +"Is that all?" demanded Dennis. "Shure, it was twinty cints when I left +camp, and you have not put it up over five cints since the mornin'! I +thought you would have it up to fifty cints shure by this time. Levi, +have you a bit of a conscience at all left yet?" + +"I vas all consciences," replied Levi, spreading out his hands as he +spoke. "I don't think how I shall be able to do business here much +longer. Dese things gets me--" + +"Of course you won't do business here much longer," broke in Dennis. +"You won't have to. Before you go, some of the boys will have to come +down and give you a good send-off." + +"No! No!" protested Levi excitedly. "They must not do dat. I haf been +der very goot friend. I have made leedle, very leedle money." + +"Don't be scared, Levi. We know just how much money you have made. Some +of the boys have been kapin' tabs on you. If we should take whativer you +have here, you would still be rich enough, and the boys would feel that +they were only gittin' even with you for the way you have treated them." + +The eyes of the angry sutler snapped, as he turned sharply upon the +young soldier. "If I choose I can reports to der colonel vat you have +been doing." + +"What have I been doin'?" demanded Dennis innocently. + +"You know dere vas strict orders against foraging. I think now I shall +report to the colonel." + +The young soldiers remained no longer at the sutler's tent. + +"I believe that fellow will report you to the colonel," Noel said to his +companion. + +"To be shure he will. He's likely to do that, and if he does he's likely +to get somethin' more." + +The reports were current in the camp that orders had been reissued +against any foraging on the part of any of the men. + +Whether or not it was due to the feast which Dennis and Noel prepared +that night when their pig was roasted, or to the monotony of the camp +fare to which the soldiers still irreverently referred as "S. B.," is +not known, but at all events the temptation to find fresh food, and +especially fresh meat, outside the boundaries of the camp proved to be +too strong for many of the boys in blue. + +It was not long afterward when Dennis with others was tempted beyond +his power of resistance and again was found among those who were +foraging in the regions adjacent to the camp. + +A dozen or more were in the company and, as the soldiers believed, +through the reports of Levi Kadoff, the colonel had been informed of the +escapade. Consequently when the men returned to the camp the angry +colonel, taking a position near the guard, ordered the entrance of the +men singly or in pairs, and then demanded of every one that he should +disclose what he had obtained in this foraging, against the strict +command which had been issued. + +Shamefacedly and with many threats against the little sutler, the +returning soldiers showed what they had secured, oftentimes through hard +labor. + +Meanwhile the pile upon which the colonel had commanded every soldier to +cast whatever he had obtained grew steadily. Chickens, an occasional +ham, various vegetables, and other articles composed the greater part of +the rapidly increasing heap. + +Most of those who had been engaged in the forbidden occupation had +already returned to camp, when Dennis O'Hara at last appeared. This +time, however, Noel Curtis was not with his friend. + +As Dennis drew near the guard he discovered the presence of the colonel, +but if he was alarmed by his discovery, his feeling was not betrayed by +any change in the expression of his face. And yet apparently Dennis was +the most guilty of all the men. Inside his coat was something which +caused the garment to protrude in such a manner as to reveal, and yet at +the same time to conceal, whatever Dennis had secured. + +Demurely the young Irish soldier approached the waiting colonel and, as +the officer sharply ordered him to halt, Dennis and a few watching +soldiers were aware that the colonel's patience was entirely exhausted. +He was not only angry that his commands had been disobeyed, but +manifestly the indifference of the young soldier increased his feeling +of irritation. + +"What have you inside your coat?" demanded the irate colonel. + +"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" retorted Dennis, saluting as he spoke. + +"What have you inside your coat?" repeated the angry officer. + +"Nothin' of any value, sor." + +"I don't believe what you say! A man who will disobey orders will lie +about his disobedience! Unbutton your coat, sir, and show me what you +have!" + +"Indade, sor," protested Dennis, "'tis nothin' I have which will +interest the likes of you, Colonel Rathbun. 'Tis nothin' of any value +at all I have." + +"Unbutton your coat, sir, and throw what you have stolen on to this +pile, where the rest of your thievish comrades have placed what they +stole!" + +"Indade, sor," protested Dennis once more, "'tis nothin' of any value. I +didn't rob anybody, sor! I--" + +"Do as I tell you!" demanded the angry colonel, "or I will order you to +be taken to the guard-house!" + +"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" responded Dennis promptly, as he began to fumble +at the buttons of his jacket. + +The garment, however, had been drawn so tightly about him to cover the +object he was trying to conceal that it was with great apparent +difficulty he obeyed. + +Watching the awkward attempts of the young Irish soldier to comply with +the demand of the colonel, many of the men of the regiment were +crowding about the place. Curiosity as to the prize which Dennis had +secured and suspicion that his sober face belied the feeling in his +heart, and the general knowledge that Dennis O'Hara was one of the worst +practical jokers in the camp, combined with other motives that steadily +increased the number of the spectators. + +After several attempts Dennis succeeded in unbuttoning the upper buttons +of his jacket, and then again he paused and facing the colonel said, +"'Tis nothin' that will interest you, Colonel. I haven't taken anything +of value--" + +"Not another word from you, sir!" shouted the angry officer. "Do as I +tell you! Unbutton your coat and show what you have stolen and throw it +on the heap where the other things are piled!" + +"Yis, sor! Yis, sor!" said Dennis, speaking almost sadly, as he resumed +his occupation and in a brief time succeeded in unbuttoning his jacket. + +As he did so a small block of wood fell to the ground. For a moment the +men stared blankly at Dennis's "prize" and then broke into loud and +prolonged laughter. + +The colonel's face flushed slowly when he discovered the true +possession of the young Irishman, and then in a good-natured way he +struck the block of wood with his sword and turning to his men said, +"Sold! I have been sold, and shall have to own up to it. You young +rascal," he said, once more addressing Dennis, "I have half a mind to +send you to the guard-house on general principles. You had no business +to play such pranks as that." + +"But, Colonel," protested Dennis demurely, "I didn't want to play it. I +did my best not to, but you ordered me to, so you see I had to. I was +just bringing in a present." + +"A present?" demanded the colonel, as the men laughed again. "A present? +To whom were you going to give that block of wood?" + +"Shure I was going to give it to the sutler," replied Dennis. "I had an +idea that it would match his head." + +The boys dispersed, pleased that the colonel had been so lenient with +them and that their only punishment had been the loss of the articles +which they had secured in their expedition. + +When the two young soldiers were again in their tent, Dennis said to +Noel, "That little sutler, Levi, is to blame for all this trouble. He +thought the boys would be after buyin' not so much of him. He's the +first of all the men who put us on hard tack that was 'cut and dried +long before Noah died.'" And Dennis began to sing noisily,-- + + "My rations are S.B., + Taken from porkers three + Thousand years old; + And hard-tack cut and dried + Long before Noah died,-- + From what wars left aside + Ne'er can be told." + +"I'm afraid the colonel won't be so easy next time," suggested Noel. + +"Don't you worry about that," said Dennis. "The next time there won't be +any Levi to carry tales to him. I have got it all fixed up in me mind. +We're going to make Levi a good soldier." + +"You can't do that," laughed Noel, "unless you begin at his feet." + +"That's where we propose to begin." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"Noel, me boy," whispered Dennis, "I can't tell you all the details, but +we're goin' to have a sham fight here between the Forty-sixth and the +Fifty-first, and I shouldn't be one bit surprised if Levi Kadoff's +supplies were somewhere near the middle of the battle-ground." + +Noel laughed and thought no more concerning the statement of his comrade +until the following day when to his surprise he discovered that there +was, indeed, to be a sham battle between some of the men of the two +regiments to which Dennis had referred. + +An interested spectator he watched the two regiments when they formed in +line near the tent of the sutler, Levi Kadoff. Nor was he the only +spectator, for near by were assembled many of the men, all apparently +aware that something of unusual interest was about to occur. + +At last, when everything was in readiness, the Forty-sixth charged their +opponents and with little effort drove them back. The Fifty-first, +however, rallied, and then began to press their foes back to their +former position. In the midst of all the efforts there was wild +excitement and loud cheers among the spectators, whose numbers increased +with every passing moment. + +When the Fifty-first re-formed, it was directly in front of Levi's tent +of supplies. A few minutes later, the bugle sounded and the Forty-sixth +charged again. + +Down came the laughing boys like a whirlwind, every one yelling as +loudly as his lungs enabled him. + +Apparently the sight of the charge of the noisy soldiers brought dismay +to the hearts of the re-formed regiment, and before a word had been +spoken they began to fall back. The applause and laughter among the +spectators increased as the howling, laughing mass of soldiers ran +swiftly forward driving their "enemies" before them. + +Unfortunately for the sutler, his tent and supplies were directly in the +way of the retreating Fifty-first. No one afterward could explain how it +had been done, but the ropes of Levi's tent somehow were cut, and in a +trice the stock of the little sutler was scattered over what seemed to +be a half-acre of ground. There were few of the soldiers who did not +have some articles in their hands. The battle itself seemed to have been +forgotten, and in a brief time all the goods had disappeared, either +into haversacks or into secret pockets of the thoughtless soldiers. + +Levi, almost like a madman, was fighting to save his property. At one +time he seized a cheese-knife and with it strove desperately to strike +some of the boys. He was quickly disarmed, however, and as he was pushed +from one to another he not only found no place upon which his feet could +secure a resting-place, but no other weapon came within his grasp. At +last, when he was released by the howling mass of soldiers, he was at +least five hundred yards from the place where his ruined store had been +located. + +It was manifest now that every soldier understood the purpose of the +sham battle. The very location had been selected with the thought to +bring dire troubles upon the unpopular sutler, who so often had taken +advantage of the boys in their purchases of his supplies. + +By this time, however, orders had come from headquarters which speedily +dispersed the disorderly mob, and in a brief time the camp resumed its +former appearance, save for the loss of the sutler's stores and tent. + +It was at this time that Noel unexpectedly came upon the little sutler. +The man was almost beside himself with anger and grief. + +"I vill haf the law on them!" he shouted. "They shall be shot, efery +one! I vill haf mine goots vonce more!" + +Not untouched by the suffering of the man, Noel said to him, "I don't +think the boys meant anything very bad. They thought you had been +charging them too much for what they have been buying." + +"I haf not! It vas cheap! It vas all cheap! But I vill tell you. Dat +fellow Dennis O'Hara, he it is who has made all dese troubles. I vill +gif him no rest. He shall pay me back efery cent vat I haf lost. I shall +gif him no rest." + +Noel laughed lightly as he turned away, not for a moment taking the +threats of the angry man seriously, and if he had been told at the time +that the very lives of himself and his companions would depend upon a +word of the little trader, he would not have believed the prophecy. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +INTERCEPTED + + +In spite of the strict orders which had been issued for preventing +foraging, either the memory of the feast for which the pig that Dennis +had secured had provided the main course, or the restlessness due to the +monotony of camp life, caused the practice to be renewed by some of the +more restless spirits. Among these was Dennis O'Hara. + +A few days afterward Dennis said to Noel, "Come on, lad, we'll take a +walk over these hills." + +"What for?" inquired Noel suspiciously. + +"Shure, and 'tis to see the scenery." + +"I want the walk," said Noel promptly, "and if you'll promise to behave +yourself and not get either of us into trouble with any of your pranks, +I'll go with you." + +Accordingly, early in the afternoon leave was obtained and the two young +soldiers departed from the camp at Harper's Ferry. + +As yet they had no fear of an immediate approach of the Confederates. It +was well known that General Lee, after his success in preventing +General McClellan and his great army from advancing up the Peninsula to +take Richmond, and his success in the second battle of Bull Run, or +Manassas, had decided to cross the Potomac into Maryland. General Pope +had been relieved of his command and General McClellan had been +reinstated as the leader of the Northern armies. + +The action of General Lee in deciding to invade the North produced a +consternation that was followed almost by a panic. There were +expectations that if he was successful he might not only take +Washington, the capital of the nation, but also that he might move +against Philadelphia and other Northern cities. + +The soldiers of the Southern army were following Lee with a devotion and +enthusiasm that at the time were without a parallel in the armies of the +North. General McClellan doubtless was a more able engineer than General +Lee, but his lack of prompt decision and quick action was known to his +opponent, for both were graduates of West Point. Either his knowledge of +the lack of decision on the part of General McClellan, or his desire for +the armies of the North to withdraw from the vicinity of Richmond, +because its defenders might not be able to withstand a well-directed and +concerted attack, or both reasons, may have influenced him in his +daring, not to say dangerous, attempt. + +It was not until later in the war that a man was developed who commanded +the confidence of the North and the enthusiastic loyalty of the Northern +troops. + +At this time, in 1862, there were divisions and jealousies among the men +and almost a total lack of preparation among the bodies of troops. + +With McClellan in command again there was a prompter action on his part +than had been manifest throughout his Peninsula campaign. It was a +critical time for his army and himself, and a time of peril for the +cities of the North not far from the border. + +Early in the preceding spring Noel and Frank Curtis, twin brothers, +whose home had been on the shores of the far-away St. Lawrence, had +enlisted, and had been assigned to the army of McClellan. Since they had +been little fellows they had been familiar with the use of the rifle and +had acquired such skill that both, soon after they had joined the army, +were assigned to the sharpshooters. + +In the battle of Malvern Hill, Noel had been wounded and sent home for a +time. His brother Frank also had been home on a furlough. At the +beginning of the fall campaign, Noel, now having recovered from his +wound, and Frank were both ordered to rejoin the army. + +For some reason, which Noel did not fully understand, his brother had +been assigned to a different corps, while he, together with eight +thousand of his comrades, had been assigned to the holding of Harper's +Ferry. Another small division had been stationed at Martinsburg and at +Winchester. + +It was not known among these garrisons that General Lee had expected, +upon his advance into Maryland, that these troops would quickly be +withdrawn. It is now understood that General McClellan had written +General Halleck to recall these men and attach them to the Army of the +Potomac; but Halleck had decided to retain the garrisons in the Valley, +and his decision has been sharply criticized on the ground that he +violated every principle of sound strategy. + +Among the friends that Frank and Noel had made there was young Dennis +O'Hara, a bright, happy young Irishman, about twenty years of age, just +two years older than the twin brothers. + +The friendship had been strengthened and the intimacy increased after +the brothers had been separated. Dennis and Noel now were not only +tent-mates, but almost inseparable companions. + +As yet there had been slight call for their labors at Harper's Ferry. It +was not known that the Confederate army was near, and in their sense of +security most of the men were becoming somewhat careless in the +observance of their duties. + +"There's one place," said Dennis, when the two young soldiers had gone a +mile or more from their quarters, "where I don't want to go to-day." + +"Where's that?" + +"'T is where that fat nager woman lives." + +"But she said she was one of the best friends you had." + +"'Friends'!" snapped Dennis. "'Friends'! I think she's the first cousin, +and maybe she's the sister, of ould Satan himself. You don't catch me +goin' anywhere near that place again. If she thinks I came down here to +set such nagers as she free, she's very much mistaken. No, sor! Niver +again! If she should run after me any more, she'll only reach me +through me dead body." + +"But suppose, Dennis," laughed Noel, "that you found another pig +somewhere. Which would you do, drop the pig or keep off the fat darky?" + +"I'd keep off the darky, anyway, though I don't think I should let go me +pig. 'T was good of you, Noel, to give me your word that you would niver +tell anybody in the camp about it." + +"About what?" inquired Noel innocently. + +"About what took place the other day when that nager woman chased me." + +"When did I promise?" + +"Shure, you promised right there where we were whin I got away from +her," said Dennis, as he stopped abruptly and looked into the face of +his companion. + +"But I don't remember making any such promise," said Noel slowly. + +"Indade, an' you did," declared Dennis. "You gave me your word, and your +word is better nor your bond. You haven't breathed a word of it to a +livin' soul." + +"How do you know I haven't?" + +"Because if you had whispered it even to the sutler 't would have been +all over the camp in no time. I knew I could rely on you, me boy." + +"But I tell you," protested Noel, "I don't remember making any such +promise." + +"You shure did, and if you didn't you'll give it to me now." + +"How do you know I will?" protested Noel, whose opportunities of teasing +his joke-loving tent-mate were not numerous. + +If there was any mischief in the camp every one by common consent +declared that Dennis O'Hara had a share in it, if he was not the prime +mover. But like all practical jokers, Dennis, so fond of playing pranks +upon others, was usually easily angered when he himself was made the +victim of the pranks. + +"Shure, Noel," he begged, "you'll give me your promise now? Just think +what it would mane for me. Ugh!" he added, as he closed his eyes and +shuddered at the recollection of the "attack" of the huge field-hand. + +"But, Dennis," protested Noel, "she was simply trying to show her love +for you. She said she had been waiting years for you to come down here. +Indeed, she declared that with you here the year of Jubilee had nothing +to offer." + +"She didn't!" spoke up Dennis promptly. "Indade, an' she said nothin' +of the kind! If you won't mind, Noel," he added, "I think I'll make a +deetour about that cabin yonder," as a little log cabin in the distance +was seen. + +"What's the matter now, Dennis?" laughed Noel. "You aren't afraid there +will be more field-hands there?" + +"I don't feel like takin' great chances. I tell you, Noel, one such +chase is enough to last a man a lifetime." + +"I don't know, Dennis, whether or not we had better go much farther," +said Noel, hesitating as he stood on the hillside and looked anxiously +about him. "We must be five or six miles from camp now and we ought to +get back long before sunset." + +"What's scarin' ye, Noel?" demanded Dennis. + +"Nothing is scaring me," answered Noel; "but I don't want to get a +reprimand for being late in the camp. We wouldn't get leave to be away +again very soon if we did." + +"There are no Johnnies around here, anyway." + +"You don't know that," said Noel positively. + +"We haven't seen any." + +"That doesn't mean that General Lee has not sent some division over +this way. He has a trick of doing that, you know, and making his men +show up where they aren't always expected." + +"I don't mind the Johnnies," said Dennis boldly, "if we can only keep +away from the nagers. Did you mind, lad, the cockle-burrs that were in +the wool of that ould field-hand that tried--" + +Dennis stopped abruptly, and turning sharply listened to the sounds +which had apparently come from the valley below them. + +"What's that?" he whispered. + +"That sounded like a rifle shot," said Noel seriously. "I tell you, +Dennis, we must get back to camp. I don't want to take any chances of +being cut off, and it would be mighty easy for some Johnnie to get +between us and the picket. I don't like the sound of that shot." + +"No more do I," agreed Dennis. "I'm with you, lad, we'll start for the +camp." + +More anxious than either of the young soldiers was willing to admit to +his companion, Noel and Dennis started hastily down the hillside, on +their way back to the garrison at Harper's Ferry. + +Even thoughts of foraging apparently were ignored or forgotten by +Dennis. Success had not crowned their efforts that day. Not a pig had +been seen, and if there were any chickens in the region they had been +successfully hidden by their owners. A few withered beets and a bunch of +onions comprised the entire stock which Dennis had secured with all his +efforts. + +"Look yonder, will ye!" exclaimed the excited young Irishman in a loud +whisper, pointing as he spoke to a small body of men in gray who could +be seen not far away in the road before them. + +"We'll have to hide," whispered Noel. "It may be that they have seen us +already, but if they haven't we might stand a chance of getting past +them. Come on!" he added as he seized his companion by the arm and drew +him to the roadside. + +The discovery which the two young soldiers had made was doubly +threatening because the road now was not near any woods. + +The partly cleared fields were inclosed by rude fences of rails. Hastily +leaping over the fence, Noel and Dennis crouched on the ground behind +the rails. + +Before they had taken their position Dennis whispered hoarsely, "They +have seen us, lad. There must be twinty men in that band. If we try for +the woods yonder, they'll get us both." + +"We'll have to stay right where we are, Dennis, and do the best we can +to defend ourselves." + +"The odds are only tin to one," said Dennis, chuckling as if the fact +was more of a joke than a peril. "They're comin', too," he added as he +pointed toward a small body of men who could be seen advancing up the +side of the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE V IN THE FENCE + + +The prophecy of Dennis that a small body of men were approaching up the +winding road was in part fulfilled. + +The men advanced until both the crouching soldiers were able to see +distinctly that they were clad in the uniform of gray. This fact +confirmed their suspicions that somehow the small body of men had come +between them and the camp at Harper's Ferry. Just what this meant or how +much it implied, neither was able to conjecture. + +The afternoon sun was low in the western sky. As Noel glanced behind him +he became aware of this fact, and with it also came a hope that if the +advancing party might be kept off until the sun had set, the darkness +would provide a shelter under which he and his companion might be able +to retrace their way to camp. + +"They're stoppin', lad!" whispered Dennis excitedly. + +"So they are," replied Noel "If they will only stay there we may be +able to get away from here after all." + +"But they have seen us," protested Dennis. + +"I know it," answered Noel. "But they may not be able to see us now." + +"There's one thing," said Dennis; "they don't know how many there are +here. If they have seen only two, it may be they think we're part of a +big company. We'll do all we can to lave them believe that. We don't +want any closer acquaintance with any of thim Johnnies." + +It was manifest that the party had halted in the road, and whether or +not there was any prospect of an advance was something which the boys +could not determine. + +Behind him Noel saw that the field sloped towards some woods that were +not more than one hundred yards away. + +Once within the shelter of the trees, safety for a time at least might +be secured, but in passing across the open field, even on the slightly +sloping ground, they would be exposed to the fire of the men in the +road. + +Suddenly Dennis exclaimed, "Look yonder, me boy! Is that a spade, or do +me eyes deceive me?" + +Glancing quickly at the corner in the fence Noel saw a spade resting +upon the ground, where it plainly had been abandoned by some one who had +been repairing the fence. + +"Be careful, Dennis. You'll be seen if you try to get that." + +"Niver fear, me lad. That spade is worth its weight in gold, and I'm the +boy that is goin' to try for it." + +Instantly acting upon his own suggestion Dennis crawled slowly through +the grass and stubble and carefully attempted to gain the implement. + +Noel meanwhile anxiously watched his friend, fearful every moment that +the report of guns in the distance would be heard. His fears, however, +were relieved when in a few minutes Dennis returned with the spade. + +"There, now!" he exclaimed. "We'll be ready for the Johnnies in a jiffy. +Just watch me!" + +It was marvelous to see what he was able to accomplish with his spade +and still without exposing himself to the possible fire of the enemy, +who were not moving from the position where they had halted some +distance up the road. + +As soon as a slight excavation had been made, both Noel and Dennis +leaped into it. A few fence rails were also secured and piled upon the +fence in front of them. + +"You see now," said Dennis, "we're ready for almost any kind of an +attack." + +Noel smiled, though he made no reply. The full seriousness of the peril +in which he and his companion now found themselves was plain. They were +confronted by a band which had seen them scurrying across the road, and +though the gray-clad soldiers had halted some distance down the road the +young soldier was aware that they knew of the presence of the two boys +in blue. Why they had not advanced he did not understand. + +He was afraid to make the attempt to gain the woods in his rear, as he +believed his enemies were still watchful and that any effort to escape +would meet with a quick fire. + +Meanwhile Dennis had succeeded in digging a ditch along the two sides of +the V-shaped rail fence. + +"There," he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. "That will keep out the +Johnnies, I'm thinkin'." + +"Not very long," said Noel quickly. + +"But they don't know how many there are of us," declared Dennis. "If +they try to attack us there will be a couple of thim what shurely will +nade the sarvices of the surgeon." + +"We may need the services of the undertaker." + +"Not yet, sor!" said Dennis with a laugh. + +It was apparently impossible for the young Irish soldier to realize the +seriousness of the position in which he and his comrade now found +themselves. + +"We'll wait a while, anyway," said Noel, "before we do anything. If they +don't attack us, we'll not make any trouble for them." + +"I'm not so shure o' that," said Dennis. + +"We won't yet, anyway," said Noel quietly, fearful that his impulsive +friend, if the attack should be delayed, would become impatient and with +difficulty would be held back from firing at the men who were so near. + +Glancing again at the band of Confederates, Noel was still more puzzled +by their inactivity. Apparently they had broken ranks and were sitting +or lying about on the ground near the road, though guards had been +stationed in front and rear. + +The moments dragged slowly on, and the confidence of Noel that an attack +was not to be made upon them gradually became stronger. + +The afternoon sun now was not more than a half-hour above the horizon. +If they should be left free for another hour, he was hopeful that they +might make their way to the near-by woods and by a wide detour be able +to return to the camp at Harper's Ferry. + +"Shure!" said Dennis, after a few more minutes had elapsed, "we can't +lave the Johnnies like this." + +"You had better let sleeping dogs alone," warned Noel. + +"Shure, an' I will that," said Dennis. "I'm not goin' to harm any one of +thim. They seem to me to be aslape and I want to give thim somethin' to +wake 'em up." + +"What are you doing?" demanded Noel, as his companion drew an empty +cartridge from his box and filled it with powder from his flask. + +"I'm riggin' up somethin' to wake up thim boys," replied Dennis soberly. + +Noel said no more and continued to watch his companion, who, after the +shell had been filled with powder, adjusted the percussion cap in such a +manner that it was placed upon the powder and within the covering. + +"There's one of thim," exclaimed Dennis, looking with pride at his +workmanship. "Now I'll make another one." + +A second "shot" like the first was soon made, and then, handing one to +Noel, Dennis proceeded very carefully to place his own in the muzzle of +his gun. + +"What are you going to do?" demanded Noel. "That isn't much more than a +blank cartridge you have got there." + +"Niver you mind that," said Dennis confidently. "We'll start these +fellows on the run." + +"It depends upon which way they run," again said Noel. "We don't want +them coming in our direction." + +"I'm not so shure about that," said Dennis, whose respect for the enemy +had fallen because of the long silence which had prevailed after their +arrival, "I'm not so shure of that," he repeated. "'Most anything is +better than nothing. Now, then, Noel," he explained, "you see that big +oak tree just beyond the place where the Johnnies are lyin'?" + +"Yes," replied Noel, as he glanced at the huge tree in the distance. + +"Do you think you could hit it?" + +"A blind man could do that," said Noel. + +"Well, then, I'll fire and then you fire." + +"At the tree?" demanded Noel in surprise. + +"That's it. That's it, exactly." + +"What good will that do? It will only expose us and our shots won't do +any damage." + +"We'll see about that in a minute or two," laughed Dennis. "When these +strange bullets of ours strike the tree they are goin' to make that +percussion cap explode and then the powder will go off and there will be +a big noise right behind the Johnnies. They'll think somebody's firin' +at thim from the other side." + +"That's no joke, Dennis," said Noel positively. "If we do what you say, +they will think they are being attacked on the other side, and if they +retreat they will come straight toward this place where we are now." + +"Shure, but they won't retreat," said Dennis. "It's positive I am that +they will be puttin' straight for the place where they think these guns +are bein' fired." + +"Then that will give us a chance to get away." + +"Which may be right, my boy." + +"Yes, I am right," said Noel hesitatingly. "Although I confess I don't +like your scheme very much." + +"We'll not fire together," said Dennis. "I'll fire first, then you fire +directly after me. Be sure you don't miss that tree." + +Dennis raised his gun to his shoulder, took careful aim and fired. After +a brief interval Noel followed his example, though his better judgment +still protested against the action as perilous. + +True to the aim of the young soldiers the strange shots struck the tree +just as Dennis had believed they would. An explosion followed each shot +that was so loud that even the report of the guns from the V along the +line of the rail fence sounded feeble. + +In a moment the little Confederate band was thrown into confusion, as +the men hastily arose and glanced in consternation first up the road and +then in the opposite direction. They had heard the report of the guns of +the two young soldiers, but, as Dennis had prophesied, the louder +reports had come after the caps had been exploded when the great oak +tree had been struck by the strange missiles. + +Eagerly Noel peered between the rails to discover in which direction the +little band would start. + +The consternation and confusion apparently lasted only a moment. In a +brief time the men formed and at the word of their leader started +hastily up the road in the direction of the hiding-place of Noel and +Dennis. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE PLAN OF GENERAL LEE + + +In order to understand more clearly the predicament in which the two +young soldiers found themselves at the close of the preceding chapter, +it is necessary for us to review briefly the events which led up to that +time after the second battle of Bull Run when the Union forces again +were defeated. The failure of General Jackson to strike the troops of +General Pope on their line of retreat had enabled the latter with his +men to regain the shelter of the fortifications at Washington. + +Meanwhile the Confederate commander, Lee, gave his troops rest only for +a day. As has been said, he was aware that it was impossible for him at +this time either to invest or to attack the lines of Washington. In +spite of his success he was convinced that only two courses of action +were open to him. One of these was to remain in Virginia and try to +defend the capital of the Confederate States from possible attacks by +his enemies, and the other plan was to cross the Potomac and enter +Maryland. There he might strike, or at least threaten to strike, some of +the Northern cities that were not far from the border, and prevent +General McClellan from carrying out his cherished desire to attack +Richmond. + +Besides, General Lee was aware that, if he merely tried to defend the +capital of the rebellion, it would leave his enemy with full power to +assume the offensive and make attacks wherever it was decided, after the +spirits of his army had been restored and the ranks once more had been +filled. + +There were many who believed that General Lee displayed great keenness +of vision when he decided to enter Maryland with his army. Such an act +on his part would enable the distressed farmers of the South to gather +their crops and harvests. Especially was this true in the beautiful and +fertile Valley of the Shenandoah. + +In addition to these advantages, the presence of the Confederate army in +Maryland would bring many recruits, it was believed, and at the same +time would confuse the Northern army by the possibility of the trouble +that might be created there. And every day of delay was of especial +advantage to the Confederates, who were working zealously to erect and +complete the fortifications of their capital. + +Another thought that is said to have been in the mind of Lee was that +the people of the North, if the war should be transferred to their +territory, would thus obtain a more intimate knowledge of its horrors, +and this personal experience would arouse a desire to bring the contest +to a close. Indeed, it is said that General Lee was confident at this +time that he could accomplish the end of the struggle, which now had +been fiercely fought for nearly a year and a half. + +General Lee's first plan was to move rapidly into southern Pennsylvania, +and by compelling his enemies to follow him, as he was confident they +would do, he would draw them so far away from any defenses such as Pope +had recently secured in Washington after the second battle of Bull Run, +that if he should then plan for a battle it would be impossible for +McClellan's troops to escape surrender as well as defeat. So confident +were the Southern leaders now that they were filled with the thought +that if the desire for peace could be strengthened in the North by a +battle fought on Northern soil, and at the same time if the powers of +Europe should agree to secure their cotton from the Southland, the +results at the same time would put added pressure upon the Government at +Washington and terminate the bloody struggle. + +Keen as was the plan of General Lee, he was aware that his army was in +no condition for an enlarged or energetic campaign. No small part of his +men, as they marched over the sandy soil, were leaving bloody marks of +their bare feet. It had been impossible to provide many of his soldiers +with shoes. The provisions, too, were not sufficient, and in the days +that had followed the battle many had been suffering from disease. As a +consequence it is said, by those who are competent to judge, that not +more than fifty-five thousand men were in the army of the brilliant +Southern general when he crossed the Potomac River. + +Much as the men were suffering, the animals of the camp were in no +better condition. The horses were weakened by lack of food and by the +hardships of the recent days. As if these facts were not sufficient to +make the general hesitate, it is said that his supplies of ammunition +also were deficient, and that he was as seriously troubled by this last +fact as by both of the others combined. + +But, like every successful man, General Lee decided not to think so +much of what he did not have as of what he did have. Whatever might +befall his attempt, he was confident that he would be able to make the +Northern armies remain so long and so far from the protection of their +defenses that he could draw out the campaign and there would be no fresh +attempt to take Richmond before the following spring. This opportunity, +as we know, would be seized by the defenders of Richmond to strengthen +their defenses. + +At this time Lee was not expecting to receive any reinforcements, as the +campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky demanded all the men that could be +spared. + +Between the 4th and 7th of September (1862) the Confederate troops were +crossing the Potomac. On the last-named day General Jackson occupied +Frederick city and speedily was followed by another division. Then the +dashing cavalry of Stuart spread out in the State in such a manner that +most of the attempts of the Union generals to gain information +concerning the plans of their enemies were frustrated. + +Meanwhile, as we know, the Federal soldiers were holding three fortified +places in or near the Shenandoah Valley which was the chief reliance of +General Lee for his supplies. About eight thousand men had been +stationed at Harper's Ferry, and there also were small garrisons at +Martinsburg and at Winchester. + +As has been said, General McClellan urged General Halleck to recall +these men and attach them to the Army of the Potomac. This is exactly +what General Lee believed would be done, because it was what he himself +would have decided upon if he had been in his opponent's position. + +When General Halleck decided to leave these garrisons in the Valley, Lee +instantly decided that they must be taken, and he believed also that +they could be captured easily. + +It was essential for the plans he had formed that his own communications +with his base of supplies should not be threatened by such a large +garrison as had been placed in Harper's Ferry. + +Acting promptly, as he usually did, General Lee now decided to divide +his army and reunite the divisions west of the mountains before a +decisive battle could be fought. + +With this purpose in his mind the commander of the Confederate troops +issued his orders on the 9th of September, and on the following day +General Jackson, in command of three divisions, after he had crossed +the mountains, was to ford the Potomac at some place west of Harper's +Ferry and then move upon the little garrison at Martinsburg. + +His companion, General McLaws, with two divisions was to take possession +of the heights which overlooked Harper's Ferry and the Potomac, while +another division under General Walker was to cross the Potomac east of +Harper's Ferry, and secure the Loudon Heights. This last-named position +would enable the Confederate soldiers to command Harper's Ferry from the +east bank of the Shenandoah. By this plan the little body of troops in +Harper's Ferry would be surrounded and absolutely cut off from every +hope of escape because General Jackson, just as soon as he had obtained +possession of Martinsburg, was to march swiftly toward Harper's Ferry +and block every road that led westward. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +LONG JOHN + + +Startled by the change in the attitude of the band of Confederates, Noel +in a loud whisper said to Dennis, "Come, we must get out of this right +away!" + +"Not yit, sor," said Dennis. + +"But we must!" + +"Not before I drop one of the Johnnies." + +"Don't do that!" cried Noel, as he grasped the barrel of his companion's +gun. "Don't do it! We must n't let them know any more about us than they +do now. We've got to take our chances and run down the hill to the +woods! I don't believe they will follow us if we once can get inside the +border. It's going to be a hard chase for us, though, to cover those +yards ahead of us. I would give every dollar I own if I was only there." + +"Niver you fear me, lad. 'Fortune favors the brave.' Have you niver +heard that?" + +"I have," answered Noel, as he glanced again at the men who were seen in +the distance. "The sooner we start the better. Come on, Dennis!" + +Acting upon his own suggestion, the young soldier led the way, and +crouching low ran swiftly toward the shelter of the woods. His heart +seemed to be beating so loudly and rapidly as almost to interfere with +his efforts. He was afraid, but his fear only served to increase his +speed. + +Part of the distance had been covered before the flight of the two young +soldiers was discovered by their enemies. At the sight there was a loud +cry which served to increase the speed of both fugitives. + +"Spread out!" whispered Dennis hoarsely. "Spread out!" + +Instantly acting upon the suggestion, as far as it was possible for two +to "spread out," Noel ran swiftly toward a low oak tree, which stood on +the border of the woods, while his companion with equal speed was +striving to gain the shelter of another tree, the name of which Noel did +not know, which stood conspicuously about twenty yards distant from the +one that he was seeking. + +Before the boys could gain the shelter, the report of guns was heard, +but fortunately neither of the young soldiers was hurt. + +To Noel it seemed as if the few intervening yards were almost endless. +His feet seemed to be held back, as if heavy weights were attached to +them. His feeling was not unlike that which he had experienced when he +had suffered from an attack of nightmare. + +In spite of these things, however, both young soldiers were making +excellent time, and in a brief interval successfully gained the refuge +they were so eagerly seeking. + +Instantly dodging behind the protecting tree, Noel peered out at the +approaching men. The dusk was rapidly deepening, and the outlines of the +approaching band could be only indistinctly seen. + +He was tempted to act upon the suggestion which Dennis had made and fire +at his enemies, but his fears for his own safety were so strong that he +hesitated. In a brief time he decided to abandon the attempt, in order +not to reveal his exact hiding-place. + +Strong in the hope that the men would not venture to follow within the +woods, Dennis crept speedily toward the tree which his comrade had +gained, and for a moment was startled when he beheld a man also +approaching him. It proved, however, to be Noel, and then, acting upon a +common impulse, both turned and ran farther within the sheltering +woods. + +As they advanced, their progress became more difficult. The ground +beneath their feet was soft and yielding. It was manifest that they were +approaching a swamp. + +Noel wondered if his enemies were aware of the character of the land. If +they were the pursuit might be continued, as they would be certain to +catch the fugitives between the swampy ground and the border where they +had entered. + +"Here!" suddenly called Dennis; "here's a road." As he spoke the young +Irishman ran swiftly toward what seemed to be a road, as he had said, +and as Noel followed him he soon discovered that Dennis was correct. A +rough and partly decayed corduroy road had been made years before, but +now it provided no very secure footing. Though they were unaware where +the road might lead, both entered upon it and even increased the speed +at which they were running. + +Not a word was spoken until several minutes had elapsed, and then to the +consternation of both, a man was seen not far before them, who plainly +was approaching. + +Abruptly leaping from the road into the swampy ground at its side both +boys strove to hide themselves behind the protecting vines and trees. +Only a few moments had passed, however, before they were aware that the +approaching stranger was a negro. He was of unusual height and his long +strides were indicative of his haste. As the black man came still +nearer, Noel thought he never had seen a taller man. In the dusk his +long figure appeared to rise almost to the lower branches of the +overhanging trees. + +Lost as they were, or at least ignorant of the region, Noel suddenly +decided to hail the approaching negro. + +"Sambo, is that you?" he said as the negro came opposite the place where +he was hiding. + +Instantly the negro halted, and even in the dim light his terror was +manifest to the young soldier. + +"No, suh! No, suh! I isn't Sambo. I'se Long John." + +"Is there anybody with you?" + +"No, suh! No, suh! I'se all alone." + +Confident that he might rely upon the statement, Noel instantly returned +to the corduroy road and approached the waiting black man. To Noel the +eyes of the startled negro seemed almost to protrude like saucers. For +an instant it was plain that he was tempted to flee from the spot, +but as he glanced behind him, Noel suspected that he was in greater fear +of what threatened from that direction than he was at the discovery of +the strangers who had hailed him. + +"Who's yo'? Who is yo' all?" he asked, unable to prevent his teeth from +chattering as he spoke. + +"We are a couple of Union soldiers, Long John, and we want your help." + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh! Bress de Lor'! I'se heerd a heap 'bout yo' all. Dey +say yo' hab hawns. Ole mass' done say dat yo' be'rd com' clar down to +heer." As he spoke the negro placed one of his big hands upon his right +hip. "Dey shorely is so feared o' yo' dat if dey heer yo' name er +hundred miles away, dey's scared des' de same." + +[Illustration: "DEY SAY YO' HAB HAWNS"] + +In his dilemma Noel turned once more to the colored man and hastily +said, "Where are you going?" + +"Noware. Noware, suh." + +"But the rebel soldiers are ahead of you." + +"Dey's mo' o' 'em behind me," declared Long John promptly. + +"Do you know the way out of this swamp?" + +For a moment the tall negro gazed intently down at Noel. In spite of his +indifference, Long John was possessed of more intelligence than a first +impression warranted. Noel was made somewhat uneasy by the intentness of +the negro's inspection. + +Apparently satisfied by what he had discovered in his own way, Long John +said, "Yas, suh! I reckon I knows dis yeah swamp." + +"Do you know where this corduroy road leads?" Noel inquired, as he +pointed in the direction from which the negro had come. + +"Yas, suh!" + +"How long is it? How far shall we have to go before we can be out on the +firm road again?" + +"I reckon it's a right sma't way," replied Long John slowly. "And if +dere's some ob the rebel sojers up ahead, dere's certainly mo' ob dem +back yonder," he added, nodding his head to emphasize the strength of +his conviction as he spoke. + +"Have you seen any?" inquired Noel, as he once more glanced behind him +to discover whether or not there were any signs of continued pursuit. + +"Yas, suh! I'se done seen some." + +"How many are there?" + +"I recken dere's a right sma't lot ob dem." + +"Are they infantry or cavalry?" + +"Yas, suh." + +"Which are they?" demanded Noel. + +"Dere's some sojers on horseback. I see Massa Little Ben Fowler--" + +"Are there twenty of them?" broke in Noel impatiently. + +"Yas, suh." + +"Where are they?" + +"Dey's right by de end on de cord'roy road. I recken dey was goin' toe +follow me, but dey all des' shouted and laughed. Dey say I can beat de +Yanks at runnin'." + +"Dennis," said Noel, turning to his companion, "don't you believe that +these men have been stationed there to cut off anybody who might come +through here on this road?" + +"That's it, me lad! Yis, sor! That's it," replied Dennis. + +"Then we can't go ahead and we can't turn back. We're caught right here +between these two bodies. What can we do, Dennis?" + +"I recken I know what yo' all 'll have to do," spoke up Long John in a +whisper, as he spoke peering intently in the direction from which the +two young soldiers had recently come. + +Noel glanced in the direction indicated by the negro and in a brief +time he, too, was convinced that some men were approaching. Even Long +John was alarmed, and for a moment appeared to be on the point of +darting into the swamp. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CAUGHT + + +Sharply bidding the black man remain where he was Noel again peered into +the road behind him and listened intently. There was no disguising the +fact that men were approaching. Doubtless a part of the force which had +been stationed in the road were aware of the corduroy way and had +ventured to follow the fugitives, confident that they could find no +escape from the place. + +The venture on the part of the Confederate soldiers was one that tested +their courage. The darkness had deepened, and it was well-nigh +impossible to distinguish the body of a motionless man from the trunk of +one of the near-by trees. There were strange noises in the swamp, too. +There was the flapping of unseen wings and the scurrying and calls of +unseen birds, but in spite of all these things there was no doubt now in +the mind of Noel Curtis that some men were approaching from the rear. + +"Dat's de only way," whispered Long John excitedly. "Dere's no oder way +outen de swamp. We des' got toe go back. Maybe Massa Little Ben Fowler +isn't dere any mo' now." + +Influenced by the positive manner of the grotesque negro, without a +protest both Noel and Dennis followed him as he led the way in the +direction from which he himself recently had come. + +Striving to move noiselessly, at the same time the young soldiers did +their utmost to advance rapidly. Occasionally some decayed log broke +under their feet, but there was no other sound to reveal their presence. + +Repeatedly the three fugitives glanced behind them, and then fearful of +what might be before them glanced frequently in that direction. Long +John was the only member of the band who apparently was unmoved by the +excitement, a fact which was difficult for Noel to understand, inasmuch +as when first he had seen the tall, awkward slave, it was the terror of +the black man at his unexpected presence that had most impressed him. +The flight had continued not more than ten minutes before the young +soldiers arrived at the end of the road. + +"There's somebody here," whispered Noel, as he grasped Dennis by the +arm and all three fugitives halted. + +"Yis, sor, that's true for shure," replied Dennis in a whisper so loud +that Noel warningly again grasped his arm. + +It was too dark to enable the boys to determine just how many were in +the waiting band. It was believed, however, that there were at least +twenty. Perhaps there was another little force also approaching. The two +boys in blue were caught between the two bands, and their only way of +escape was through the swamp. A hasty inspection, however, convinced +both boys that escape in that way was impossible. Even in the dim light +they were able to see the water which covered the soft ground, and it +was plain that if either of them should step upon the perilous footing +he might be in greater danger than he would be compelled to face if he +should be caught between the two little bands of their enemies. + +Abruptly the lanky negro broke in upon the silence by calling loudly, +"Is dat yo', Massa Little Ben Fowler?" + +There was silence for a moment, and then the reply came from some one +whom the boys could not distinguish from the body of the men. "Is that +yo' all, Long John?" + +"Yas, suh. Yas, suh." + +"Are yo' alone?" + +"No, suh. No, suh. Dere's two gen'lmen with me." + +"Bring them out." + +"Yas, suh. Yas, suh," repeated Long John, though he made his way so +speedily to the more solid road that under other circumstances Noel +might have laughed. + +As it was, however, both boys were aware, or at least they now +suspected, that the negro had been sent out by the rebels either to gain +information or to serve as a decoy for any of the straggling soldiers. + +There was, however, apparently no way of escape. In front of them was +the band of which Little Ben Fowler undoubtedly was a member; while from +behind was approaching part of the force which had followed them into +the swamp after the two young soldiers had gained the corduroy road. + +Noel heard a smothered exclamation of anger from Dennis and he knew that +the feeling of his companion was not unlike his own. However, it was +impossible now, after the loud warning which Long John had given, for +them to expect to escape. + +Suddenly some one called to them from the border of the swamp, "Come +out of there, Yanks! There isn't any use in trying to get away. The +corduroy is the only safe spot you'll find on either side of the road; +so come out and give yourselves up." + +"All right," responded Noel, although, as he spoke, Dennis grasped him +roughly by the shoulder as if he was protesting against the surrender. + +"You keep still, Dennis," whispered Noel to his companion. "You leave +this to me and I'll see what can be done. We can't get away, and we +might as well make the best of a bad bargain. We're coming," he again +called aloud. + +"Don't try any of your Yankee tricks here," called the voice which had +spoken before. + +Noel made no response, and in silence the two young soldiers advanced +and in a brief time found themselves in the presence of a score of men. +They saw that every one was clad in uniform, but it was impossible at +first to determine to which side the men belonged. However, Noel was +convinced that the words of Long John had explained who the men were, +and in spite of the treachery of the negro he at once decided that he +and Dennis must give themselves up. + +"Who are you, Yanks?" demanded a man, speaking in a voice which the +boys recognized as the one by which they had been addressed before. +"Step up yere and give an account of yo'selves." + +Obediently, Noel and Dennis advanced, and even in the dim light they +were able to see that the man who addressed them wore the uniform of an +officer. + +"We are two boys who belong to one of the New York regiments." + +"Glad to see you," said the young officer laughingly. "I wish you were +back home where you belong, but as you're down here, I'm glad you met +us. We'll see that you go with the rest of the Yanks, and that you don't +do any more damage to our country. I'm surprised the Yankee soldiers +don't fight better." + +The tone in which the officer spoke was almost bantering. Noel's anger +was aroused, but by an effort he restrained himself and said in a low +voice, "You talk very bravely! You'll get over your surprise pretty +soon." + +"It will have to be 'pretty soon,' I reckon," said the officer +good-naturedly. "The Yanks have been running so fast and so far that +they haven't gotten their breath yet. About all we have to do nowadays +is to chase the Yankee soldiers. They didn't make a stand at Manassas +either time. They ran from General Lee on the Peninsula, and now, though +they have been running after him up here, they will dodge and run in the +other direction the minute he turns around." + +Noel Curtis was unable to reply to the bantering of his captor. It was +true that thus far in the struggle the Army of the Potomac had not +covered itself with glory. In Tennessee and Kentucky, too, at the time, +the Federal forces were meeting with disaster after disaster, and to +many of the faint-hearted supporters of the North it seemed almost as if +the end had come. + +"We sure are going to march straight to Philadelphia, and then you won't +be able to stop us before we get into New York and Boston. If we ever +get inside Boston, we'll show some of those fellows a trick or two that +will teach them some things they don't know now. If it hadn't been for +that city I don't believe there would have been any war." + +"You don't?" demanded Noel, and in spite of his predicament, he was +interested in what the young officer was saying. + +"No, sir! No, sir! There certainly would not have been any war. The +trouble was that Boston thought she not only could attend to her own +business, but that she could direct the business of all the rest of us. +It's a great thing, my son, for a man or for a city to be able to mind +its own business. That's what I say; the cocksureness of the Yanks is so +great that they think they can tell all the rest of the world how to +act." + +Noel was listening only in part to the words of the leader of the little +band, from which already wild thoughts of escaping had presented +themselves. + +As neither of the young soldiers had been asked to give up his gun, +there were thoughts in Noel's mind of suddenly darting to one side of +the road and trying to flee before the men were aware of his attempt. +But the folly of such an effort was so marked that Noel abandoned every +such suggestion. + +"You'll come with us," said the young officer at last, his voice still +not unfriendly. + +Under other circumstances Noel knew that he would have been strongly +attracted to the young officer, whom Long John had called "Massa Little +Ben Fowler." + +That officer now turned to three of his men, and in a voice so low that +Noel was unable to hear what was said gave them instructions as to what +was to be done with the prisoners. Then, turning once more to the young +soldiers, the leader said, "We'll have to have yo' guns, Yanks. Yo' all +are our prisoners, yo' know, and I cannot permit yo' to retain yo' +weapons. Yo' 'll follow these men," he added, indicating the three who +had been detailed for the duty, "and they'll take yo' where yo' all will +be safe for the night, anyway. The rest of us will stay right yere by +the corduroy road and see if we can't catch some more Yanks in our +trap." + +Without a word Noel and Dennis, obediently giving up their rifles, +turned and followed the men who had been detailed to conduct them to +what the young officer had described as a "place of safety." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +UNDER GUARD + + +Directly back to the road over which the young soldiers had come their +conductors led the way. Both Noel and Dennis were silent, and the +disappointment which had seized upon the young Irishman was so manifest +that even in the dim light Noel was aware of the depression of his +comrade. + +Deprived of their weapons and conducted by three armed men, there was no +chance likely to be given for escape, although wild thoughts of trying +to break away were still in the mind of each of the prisoners. + +Not a word was spoken by their guard until about a quarter of a mile had +been covered, when one of the Confederates halting, said to the boys, +"We'll turn in here." + +As he spoke he pushed some bushes apart, and in a brief time Noel was +able to see that a corduroy path, or roadway, narrower than the one over +which they recently had come was before him. One of the guards now +advanced, while the other two took a position in the rear, and as soon +as the directions were given the entire band began to make its way over +the rough pathway. + +Once more silence returned, not to be broken until what Noel assumed +must have been a half-mile had been covered and again they were +approaching more solid ground. + +A rough stretch of land lay before them, which was without trees and +apparently without a roadway. Without hesitation their conductors at +once led the boys across the intervening sandy stretch and soon arrived +at a low house, whose walls gleamed almost ghostly in the moonlight. +Whitewash had been applied to the exterior of the rude building and also +had been used upon the farm buildings and the fences that inclosed them. + +Advancing to the low, covered piazza, which extended across the entire +front of the house, the approach of the band was speedily discovered by +the inmates, and in a moment a dozen or more soldiers came running out +of the building. + +Noel was able to see that every one was clad in the Confederate uniform +and also was armed. At first the house seemed too small to contain so +many men, but when several more emerged from the interior he suspected +that there might be accommodations in the little building which did not +appear upon the surface. + +"Here we are, Captain!" called one of the leaders. "We've got two." + +"Is that all?" + +"Yes, sir. But we'll soon have more. We've got a trap down in the Hedge +Swamp road. It's the only way the men can get through the swamp, and we +have stationed a few of the cavalry at the farther end. Some of the boys +are on the watch on the other side of the swamp, and are doing their +best to drive what Yankees there may be hiding anywhere around here on +to the corduroy road and then they feel safe to leave them. The poor +fools keep right on the road and run directly into the trap Lieutenant +Fowler set fo' them. He is waiting there with about twenty men." + +"Is this the first batch you have taken?" + +"Yes, sir. We have sent out Long John to help draw the Yankees into the +trap." + +The Confederate officer was unaware of the gleam which appeared for a +moment in the eyes of Dennis, and he said lightly, "We'll be ready for +all you can bring us, Tom. We'll put these two fellows in the pen until +we have enough to make it worth while to send them on to Libby." + +As he heard the name of the well-known prison in Richmond, Noel's heart +was heavy. Stories were current of the sufferings of the Union prisoners +who had been confined in the famous old warehouse, which had been +transformed early in the war into a prison for the Northern soldiers. +There had come many a tale of daring attempts to escape as well as of +the almost indescribable sufferings of its inmates. Perhaps it was all a +part of the struggle, and yet with the bitterness of the time so keen, +few were in a condition to look with calmness upon the sufferings of the +prisoners of either side in the struggle. + +To be sent to Libby Prison! For a moment Noel's thoughts ran back to his +home on the banks of the far-away St. Lawrence. He could see the little +house sheltered by the overhanging maples. There were the red barns just +beyond, and for an instant Noel seemed to catch a glimpse of the line of +cattle slowly moving up the lane toward the barnyard. In the distance +occasional glimpses of the waters of the St. Lawrence, gleaming in the +light of the afternoon sun, were had. His mother was moving quietly +about the kitchen preparing the evening meal. Frank was lying as he +was, when he had last seen him, on the couch in the room where his +mother was busy. His father, perhaps, was singing at his task as he +milked the cows. Even the thought of the stirring words and tunes which +his father best loved to sing failed now to find any response in the +mind of Noel. It was one thing to sing of the glory of war, but it was +another and far different thing to be held as a prisoner in southern +Maryland and to be threatened with confinement in the old prison-house +at Richmond. + +However, there was no possibility of evading, at least for the present, +the problem which must be confronted. Soon both Noel and Dennis were +searched and every loose possession was taken from them, to be held +until such a time as the war should cease or the prisoners should be +exchanged. There was another alternative in the thoughts of Noel, but he +did not refer to it. What that was became manifest after several days +had elapsed. + +As Noel now glanced about him he was able to discover that very few +negroes were in the house. He was eager to discover the presence of Long +John, but he soon concluded that the treacherous black man had retraced +his way over the corduroy road, and doubtless now was trying to lead +some others of the unfortunate Union soldiers into the same trap in +which he and Dennis had been caught. + +A half-hour after they had entered the house, Noel and Dennis were +conducted to a room on the first floor and thrust into it. The evening +was warm and the door was left open, but the guard was stationed +directly in front of it, so that any attempt on the part of the +prisoners to escape would be instantly known. + +Noel looked cautiously out of the window in the room, and was aware that +a full guard had been established to patrol the place. At least four of +the Confederate soldiers were assigned to this task, and each one was +responsible for only one side of the house. + +The guard that was inside and had charge of the door was good-natured +and looked at his Yankee prisoners with undisguised interest. It was +plain that he did not have any fear of the young prisoners attempting to +escape. Such an effort would be worse than useless, for at least twenty +men were in the band, and the prisoners themselves now were unarmed. + +"Whar yo' from?" inquired the guard. + +"From New York State," answered Noel quietly. + +"I always heard that was a right sma't State. How many Yanks might there +be in it?" + +"Enough to put an end to this war if they all would turn out," said +Noel. + +"That can't be so, sir," said the guard solemnly. + +Noel in the dim light looked more closely at the soldier. He was more +than usually stout and his good nature was apparent, not only in the +tones of his voice, but in the friendly way in which he regarded his +charges. + +"Daggone! I don't believe the Yanks can fight, and yet I saw one the +other day who was a great sight and had all gone to pieces." + +"Who was he? What about him?" inquired Noel, aware that he was expected +to follow up the implied question of the good-natured guard. + +"Why, he had lost one hand; one leg had been shot away; he had only one +eye; he had broken some bones, and a part of his liver had been cut out +of him, and yet he was ready to fight to the last." + +"I should n't think he would know who he was," said Dennis. "Faith! An' +ye say he had only one arm, one leg, one eye? An' how about his ears?" + +"They were both all right," replied the guard. "His nose looked, though, +as if he dragged it along the ground." + +"How did it all happen?" inquired Noel. + +"Why, he had been in two battles, and the surgeons had been at work at +him. What our men did not do the surgeons thought they would finish. The +poor chap had to leave the army, but he was game all the way through. +What do you suppose will happen to him in the Resurrection?" + +"I haven't looked quite as far ahead as that," said Noel. + +"'Tis strange," broke in Dennis, "how much a man can lose of himself, +and still be the same man. Faith! I wouldn't know, if I lost me arm and +me leg and me head and me eyes, whether I was Dennis O'Hara or somebody +else." + +"The fellow was game all through, as I said," continued the guard. "I'm +a sharpshooter," he added abruptly. + +"Are you?" inquired Noel quickly, though he endeavored to conceal his +interest in the simple statement. Did the man know anything concerning +the skill of Dennis and himself with the rifle? His gun, of which Noel +had been exceedingly proud, had been taken from him. Whether or not the +guard had any suspicions concerning his skill, the fact remained that +without any kind of a weapon those suspicions mattered little. + +"Yes," continued the guard. "I was in the pit firing at some Yanks over +there on the Peninsula one time last June. There was a fellow firing +away at me, and he was so good that he made me keep out of sight, too, +most of the time. I thought I had him at the same minute when he thought +he had me. We fired at the same time, and what do you think happened?" + +"You both missed?" suggested Dennis. + +"No, we didn't; at least both of us didn't miss. The strangest thing +happened." + +"What was it?" inquired Noel, apparently still more eagerly. + +"Why, would you believe it?" said the soldier, "the bullet of that +Yankee sharpshooter had gone right down the muzzle of my gun. It struck +perfectly square and went into the muzzle the whole length of it." + +"And did your bullet do the same thing with his rifle?" inquired Dennis +solemnly. + +"I don't know. I never have heard. I did not know but that you might +have heard something about the affair and could tell me what happened +to that Yank. Were you ever down on the Peninsula?" + +"Yes, sor," said Dennis promptly. + +"Maybe you were down there helping McClellan get away as fast as his +legs could carry him. You made good time!" laughed the guard. + +"Faith, and we did," said Dennis, "but not as good as we might have made +if the Johnnies had followed us up. They were so afraid that we would +turn on them and take their little tin capital away from them that they +ran as fast as they could go back to Richmond." + +"We weren't running in that direction," said the soldier, unmoved by the +bantering of Dennis. "Don't forget about Manassas. And now we have all +yo' Yanks bottled up right here in Maryland." + +"How's that?" asked Noel. + +"Why, we'll soon have the garrisons of Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, and +every other body except McClellan's army, and we have thrown out +Stuart's cavalry so that there won't be a Yank able to get through +either way. It won't do him any good even to try." + +"Wait a little while before you say that," suggested Noel, aware that +Dennis was pulling him by his sleeve. + +"Whist," whispered Dennis in one of his most penetrating tones. "Don't +talk anymore with the Johnnie. I have something to say to ye that is of +a good deal more importance." + +"I'm not interested," replied Noel. "I haven't had any supper, and I'm +hungry, and I want to sleep. Are we going to be fed here?" he asked, +turning to the guard. + +"I reckon you will be. When I am relieved I'll see what can be done." + +Conversation for a time ceased between the prisoners and their guard, +but the excitement of Dennis was not to be repressed. + +When at last he had induced his companion to withdraw from the door, he +drew him into one corner of the room and renewed his whispering. At his +companion's request his voice at last was lowered so that the guard was +unable to hear what was said, and then, in spite of his weariness, in a +moment Noel was eagerly listening to what the young soldier was telling +him. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE PLOT + + +"Whist!" said Dennis. "I'm tellin' ye, lad, we must get out o' this +place." + +"That's very easy to say." + +"Faith, and it's almost as aisy to do." + +"Don't talk so loud, Dennis." + +"'T is only whispering I am." + +"Yes, but you're whispering like a steam-engine letting off steam." + +In the dim light the actions of the young soldiers were not clearly seen +by the good-natured guard. In spite of the easy-going manner of the +Confederate in charge of them, Noel was aware that the utmost care must +be used. The man himself had said that he was one of the sharpshooters, +and that he would quickly act if an attempt to break away was made, he +had no doubt. + +"'T is silent entirely I am," said Dennis, for a moment dropping his +voice lower. "But have you noticed what there is in the wall above us?" + +"No," replied Noel. "What is it?" + +As he spoke he looked quickly in the direction indicated by his +companion, but his action was abruptly ended when Dennis roughly seized +him by the shoulder and said almost savagely, "What are you doin', lad? +Don't look there, whatever else you do! Kape your eyes on the floor. +Now, listen to what I am sayin' to ye. In the ceilin' there's a small +slide, leastwise I think it's a slide, though I'm not sure. It may be a +trapdoor that will lift up or somethin' of that kind." + +"Yes! Yes! Go on," said Noel eagerly, as his companion stopped a moment. + +"Me own thought," continued Dennis, after he was satisfied that the two +prisoners were not observed by their guard, "is that it won't be long +before we'll have a chance to go up into that loft. We'll push back the +door, or the slide, or whatever it is, and if we can do that without +makin' any disturbance, we'll drop it back into place and hold it so +that nobody can get up there. Probably they won't think we have gone up +above, anyway." Dennis laughed lightly as he spoke. + +"Just where is that door, Dennis?" inquired Noel. + +"Shure, and it's right above your head." + +"How are we going to get through it? I mean how will you open it?" + +"That remains to be seen," answered Dennis, "but it's shure I am that it +will be aisy." + +"But how will you do it?" demanded Noel once more. + +"When the time comes," said Dennis, "I'll inform you, but for a spell +we'll have to be careful not to wake the suspicions of the guard." + +Walking abruptly from his companion, Dennis approached the soldier and +said lightly, "Aren't you goin' to feed your prisoners pretty soon? Why, +'t is night comin' on and we haven't had a bite of any kind since +mornin'." + +"I'll see what can be done when I'm relieved," said the soldier. "Now +don't talk to me any more and be on your good behavior, too. I don't +think it will be wise for you and the other Yank to do much whispering, +either. I'm always afraid of Yanks when they get off in a corner, +especially if it's in the dark." + +"All right," laughed Dennis. "I'll put the lad over in the other corner +of the room and I'll stay right here by you." + +"I don't care where you stay if you'll only keep still. You mustn't talk +to me, because if you do you are likely to get both of us into trouble. +When we get the room full of Yanks, then we'll enforce a little +different discipline." + +It was dark when the guard was relieved, but soon after his place had +been taken by one of his companions he returned with some corn-bread and +some "coffee" made of toast. Humble as the fare was, it was eagerly +received by the young prisoners, and when the scanty meal was ended +Dennis said to the guard, "Shure, and you 're goin' to give us a blanket +or somethin' to sleep on, aren't ye?" + +"Don't speak to me!" ordered the soldier. + +"All right for yez," said Dennis good-naturedly. "If we have to slape on +the floor, we might as well begin to learn how to do the trick now as +any time. Come on, Noel," he called to his companion. + +Convinced that their actions were keenly watched by the guard, Dennis +simply dropped upon the floor and bade his companion take his place +beside him. "'Tis hard slapin' here, Noel," he whispered, "but I'm +thinkin' that it won't be long that we'll have to tarry here. I'll tell +ye a bit more about me plans now." + +"Don't let the guard hear you whispering," warned Noel. + +"Niver a bit," said Dennis, his voice becoming so piercing that Noel +seized his companion's arm as a warning. + +"I'm that still," continued Dennis, "that I can hear the mice holdin' a +pow-wow down under the floor. Now listen to me, lad. We can't do +anything to-night, but if the Johnnies don't put too many men in here +with us, it may be that to-morrow night or the night after that we can +begin our escape." + +"How?" inquired Noel eagerly. + +"Well, I was tellin' ye about the trapdoor, or the slide. I'm a bit +fearful o' this fellow on guard now, so that we won't try that out +to-night, but lave it to some other time. And I'm hopin' that to-morrow +night will be the darkest ever known. I'll get you to hold me up on your +shoulders, and then if you brace yoursilf against the wall, I'll see if +the door cannot be pushed back. I fancy that will be all we'll be able +to do the first night, but if I find that the thing works, then within a +night or two we can try it over again, and I'll push the door back with +me hands and then I'll climb up and hide in the loft." + +"And leave me down in the room below, I suppose?" + +"Not a bit of it, lad! Not a bit of it! I'll take hold of your hands and +lift you clear up where I am. Then we'll let down the door, and put it +back in its place and put a bar across it, or hold it with our hands, so +that no one can get up there, though I'm thinkin' no one will ever +suspect us of havin' gone up through the roof." + +"What good would it do you to be in that room instead of in this?" +inquired Noel. "You won't be able to get away." + +"Indade, an' I will, if the night is dark enough," said Dennis. "Did you +notice the magnolia tree growin' close to the side of the house?" + +"Which side?" + +"The one toward the barn." + +"No. What about it?" + +"Well, it's growin' close up, right under the eaves of the house. 'T is +big enough and strong enough to hold a man, and if the night is as dark +as we hope it will be, we'll slide out of the window, for there is a +window right by the tree, and if we are still enough we'll be able to +slip down it without disturbin' anybody." + +"I'm afraid the loft will be the first place the men will search after +they find we are gone." + +"Don't you belave it!" whispered Dennis positively. "I've got a bit o' +string in me pocket, an' if I can find a small sthick I'll fix the +window in the room here so that the sthick will let down the window an' +in the racket they will think we have gone straight through the bars." + +Dubious as Noel was about the outcome of the proposed plan of escape, he +nevertheless was inclined to share in this project of his companion. +Whatever might be the peril, and that it would not be slight he was well +aware, it was to be preferred to being sent to Libby Prison. + +Outside the windows were heavy oak bars that could neither be broken nor +removed. If the window was raised, so confident were the soldiers in +charge that their prisoners would not be able to escape, it might be +lowered in such a manner as Dennis had described, and the clatter which +would surely follow might distract the attention of the guard if the +loft once could be gained by the two soldiers. + +The "sthick" to which Dennis had referred might be tied by a string that +he would attach to it and then drawn up to the loft before the door was +replaced, and before the guard was fully aware of what had occurred. + +The same night two more prisoners were received and were placed in the +room in which Dennis and Noel were confined. The men, however, were +strangers to the boys, and Dennis declared that they could not be +sharers in his project unless the attempt necessarily should be delayed +several days. By that time they might be able to learn more of the +character of their fellow prisoners. + +There were thoughts at times in Noel's mind that it might be well for +him or his companion to make the first attempt to escape alone. The +peril was so great and the chance of success so slight that to him it +seemed to be folly to divide the risk. If success should crown the +efforts of one, it would be a small matter for the other to follow. The +thought, however, that it would be impossible for any one without aid to +secure an entrance into the loft caused him to banish the suggestion +from his mind. By common consent the two new prisoners slept on the +opposite side of the room. + +Dennis and Noel had retained the place which they at first took for +their resting-place, directly beneath the slide in the ceiling. + +"To-night we must make a try of it," whispered Dennis on the evening +which followed the arrival of their companions. "I'll see what can be +done with that door, anyway." + +There was no light in the room, but the dull glow that came through the +door opening into the hallway enabled them to see that the guard was +sitting quietly in his chair in a position from which he could, if +necessary, see much that was occurring within the room. + +Cautiously withdrawing from the direct line of vision, Dennis and Noel +crawled nearer the wall. Dennis had removed his shoes before either of +the boys had stretched themselves on the floor for the night. Not a word +was spoken. Acting promptly Noel braced himself against the side wall +and assisted his companion to mount to his shoulders. + +Dennis, who was a powerful lad, at once scrambled to the position, and, +hesitating only an instant to discover whether or not his action had +been seen, cautiously lifted his hands and tried the slide in the +ceiling directly above him. + +In a moment the two young soldiers again took their position upon the +floor, each greatly excited and both relieved when after a few moments +had passed they were convinced that their actions had not been seen by +the guard. + +"'T is all right, Noel," whispered Dennis. "The door up there slides +back. I can slide it open without any trouble. Now if we can find a +piece of sthick, we'll rig our trick for to-morrow night." + +It was difficult for Noel, throughout the hours of the following day, to +repress the excitement under which he was laboring. His uncertainty at +times and his fears lest the guard should discover their attempts almost +caused him to decide to protest against the adventure. The thought, +however, of what freedom would mean was sufficiently strong to overcome +his fears and every time his decision became stronger. + +With Dennis, there was no hesitation. Indeed, it almost appeared as if +the perilous attempt had no danger at all for the young Irish soldier. +He watched the clouds and beamed upon his companion when the guard was +changed, and said, "It looks like we're goin' to have a big rain +to-night. It's too early for the equinox, but I reckon we all will have +to take it when it comes. I reckon, too," he added, "that we all shan't +stay here much longer. We'll be sending you Yanks on to Richmond to join +your friends." + +The prophecy of the guard in part was fulfilled as the day drew to its +close, and when the light disappeared the rain was falling heavily. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +INTO THE STORM + + +When darkness fell over the land the violence of the storm increased. +The whistling of the wind and the swaying of the branches could be heard +within the building. + +"This is just what we want," whispered Dennis. + +"Yes," replied Noel, though his fears were not allayed by the confidence +of his comrade. "You must wait a while, Dennis," he added. + +"Indade, and I'll wait," replied the young Irishman. "We want to be +shure that every wan is aslape before we begin." + +As the hours passed and the fierceness of the storm increased, and the +sound of the pelting raindrops was heard as they struck the sides of the +building, the monotony of it all served as an inducement for sleep. It +was not long before the sounds which came from their fellow prisoners +convinced both the young soldiers that the men were sleeping soundly. +The guard in the hallway was plainly within sight seated in a chair +which was tipped back against the wall. A lighted candle was shining in +each end of the hall, and though the light was dim every movement of a +person near by could be plainly seen. + +Fortunately the light of the candles did not fall directly upon the +ceiling in the room where the prisoners were confined. + +"It must be eliven o'clock," whispered Dennis. "Don't you think so, +Noel?" + +"Yes." + +"It's time for us to begin." + +"Yes," again assented Noel. + +"Kape still now, while I take off me shoes again. You'd better take +yours off, too." + +"We'll want them if we ever get out of this place," suggested Noel. + +"That's right. Shure we will. You'll have to pass them up to me after I +have climbed into the loft." + +Noel made no further protests, and Dennis at once prepared to carry out +the plan which he had so carefully devised. + +Silently both young soldiers removed their shoes, and then, without +delaying a moment, as soon as Noel had braced himself against the side +of the wall, Dennis clambered to his shoulders and then waited a brief +instant to discover whether or not the guard was aware of any unusual +activities among his prisoners. + +The silence was unbroken, and Dennis, as soon as he was convinced that +the suspicions of their guard had not been aroused, slowly and +cautiously began to slide back the opening into the loft. + +More time was consumed in this endeavor than either of the boys had +expected. Several times the door seemed to stick in its place, and only +by the utmost care was the young Irishman able to push it past the +obstacle without making any noise. At last, however, his effort was +crowned with success and a narrow opening above him was cleared. + +To Noel, who was upholding his burden, the efforts of his friend +appeared to be unduly prolonged. It seemed to him that he could not +longer maintain his position and that he must let Dennis fall to the +floor. + +Aware, however, that such an action on his part would certainly arouse +the guard, he braced himself once more and did his utmost to stand +steadily in his place. + +His relief was great when Dennis, firmly grasping with a hand each side +of the floor above him, quickly raised himself and crawled into the +loft. Noel instantly stooped and taking the heavy shoes held them +toward the ceiling. + +In the darkness it was with difficulty that Dennis at last was able to +see and seize them, and then, as soon as he had placed them carefully on +the floor of the loft, he reached down to grasp the uplifted hands of +Noel. + +Securing a firm hold upon each of Noel's wrists, Dennis, bracing +himself, slowly and steadily lifted his companion. In a brief time Noel +was able to grasp the sides of the floor and thereby assist his +companion. The slightest noise might mean the death of either of the +escaping soldiers, and yet, dire as was the peril, Noel's heart seemed +somehow almost to be numb at the time. He did not even consider the +possibility that confronted him. His main endeavor was to clamber into +the loft noiselessly and thereby avoid arousing the Confederate guard. + +At last Noel was standing beside Dennis, and with the utmost caution the +latter at once pushed back the slide into its place. + +The falling of the raindrops on the roof, which was directly above them, +helped drown any noise that the guard might make below. The whistling of +the wind as it swayed the branches of the near-by tree was weird. Even +the beating of their hearts seemed to sound so loudly that each was able +to share in his companion's feelings. + +Both young soldiers were listening intently for any disturbances that +might be made in the room below them. A faint light entered the room +through the one window, which was near the tree. This, however, was +sufficient, after the lapse of a few minutes, to enable both boys dimly +to discern the outlines of the room in which they were standing. + +"Whist!" whispered Dennis. "They haven't heard us. 'T is a fine day for +us." + +"Wait," said Noel. + +"No, I'm not goin' to wait," retorted Dennis. "What we want to do is to +lave at once. The more we wait, the longer we'll have to stay. Every +minute here means a month in Libby Prison." + +The window was closed, but one of the small panes was broken, and +without much difficulty the boys succeeded in removing the sash. + +A heavy downpour of rain and a fresh shriek from the storm served to +cause both boys to pause once more and listen for further sounds of +discovery from the room below. Apparently, however, their escape had +not as yet been discovered, and eagerly both prepared to descend by the +way of the tree to the ground. + +In order to gain a more secure foothold and at the same time avoid +making any noise, each of the boys had tied his shoes together and hung +them about his neck. + +Dennis first peered out of the window, and when he withdrew his head he +whispered to Noel, "I cannot see the guard anywhere. I guess the +Johnnies don't like the rain and have gone in out of the wet." + +Noel was too excited to respond to the suggestion and eagerly said, "Go +on, Dennis! Go ahead! Don't wait a minute." + +"Here I go, then!" said Dennis, as, leaning from the window, he grasped +the extended branches of the tree which reached to within a few inches +of the side of the house. + +Noel breathlessly watched his companion, at the same time seeking to +discover whether the descent of Dennis was known to any one below. The +young soldier had no conception of the minutes that passed, but it +seemed to him a long time before the young Irishman at last disappeared +from sight, evidently having successfully gained the ground. + +Without hesitating longer, Noel instantly prepared to follow. As he +seized the extended branch his hands for a moment slipped, and it was +only with difficulty that he retained his hold and prevented himself +from falling to the ground. The branch creaked ominously and the alarm +of the young soldier was increased by his fear that it would fail to +sustain him. Noel was strong and nimble, however, and soon secured a +firmer grip, and convinced that his departure from the building as yet +had not been discovered, he rapidly made his way to the ground, and then +without delaying a moment ran swiftly in the direction of the barn. + +All the time he was fearful of a shot from the guard in or about the +house. Perhaps fear gave him additional speed. At all events, in a brief +time he gained the shelter he was seeking, and at once, keeping well +within the lee of the barn, peered anxiously at the place from which he +had fled. + +The noise of the storm was the only sound to be heard. The faint light +that was shining from the window of the hall where the guard had been +stationed was the only bright spot in the midst of the surrounding +darkness. There were no indications of pursuit and no sound which +indicated that his flight had become known. + +But where was Dennis? For the first time Noel became aware that he and +his friend had not made any plans as to their meeting in case both were +successful in escaping from the house. + +Eagerly the boy looked all about him, but there was no sign of his +friendly comrade. For a moment Noel was undecided. Should he remain +where he was and wait the possible coming of Dennis? Or should he at +once depart from the place, now that he had succeeded in gaining the +shelter of the barn, and strive to make his way as best he might to the +road which joined the one that led through the swamp? + +Noel Curtis was too highly wrought up to hesitate long. Safely making +his way toward the opposite side of the barn, he then started swiftly in +the direction in which the longed-for road was to be found. He had only +a faint recollection of the direction, however, and the night was too +dark to enable him to discover any familiar signs. + +Before he had fled twenty yards he was drenched with the downpour. That +fact, however, was of minor consequence, and in his eagerness, although +he frequently was slipping and sliding as his feet failed to gain a firm +foothold in the slippery mud, it was not long before Noel found himself +at the place he was seeking. He had believed that no guard would be +stationed there in such a night. Not only was the storm so violent as to +make it well-nigh impossible for a man and his horse to remain outside, +but the darkness would enable any Northern soldiers who might have +crossed the corduroy road to escape the vision of the waiting +Confederate. + +Noel's surprise and pleasure were great when he discovered that the road +over which he was running was a plank road. When he had fled about one +hundred yards, almost breathless he halted to discover whether or not +there were any signs of pursuit. + +Convinced that his escape as yet was unknown, the lad seated himself on +a plank in a small bridge and donned the shoes which he had been +carrying about his neck. Then he resumed his flight through the driving +storm. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +NICK + + +The brief respite had so restored the strength of the young soldier that +he ran swiftly over the loose planks until he had gone several yards +from the place where he had stopped. + +Compelled then to slacken his pace, he glanced anxiously about him as he +moved on through the unfamiliar country. The storm was still severe, +though heavy, broken clouds now were to be seen in the darkened sky. + +Noel was fleeing through a country with which he not only was not +familiar, but which also provided many perils of its own. Fortunately, +as he believed, there were few people whom he was likely to meet at such +a time and in a pouring rain. The thought of Stuart's cavalry, however, +caused him to be doubly watchful, for he knew of the report that +horsemen had been thrown out to intercept any stragglers that might be +striving to make their way to the army of General McClellan. + +An hour or more elapsed, and as yet Noel had not discovered any one on +the old roadway. Once when he had passed a humble cabin the barking of +the dogs had caused him to hesitate. He was defenseless and was unaware +of the sympathies of the inmates of the little house. The uncertainty, +however, caused him to resume his flight, although he still was ignorant +of his destination. + +His chief thought was that, by placing the greatest possible distance +between him and the enemies whom he had left behind him, he might then +be able to obtain help or find a place in which he could hide throughout +the day and resume his flight when night again came. Even in his alarm +and perplexity, he smiled as he recalled the statement of Dennis, when +the young Irishman had outlined his plan for escape, "that he didn't +know where he was going, but he knew he wanted to go there mighty quick, +and he wanted to go mighty bad." + +The night now was almost gone. Noel was aware of this from the slight +change that appeared in the eastern sky. There was as yet no promise of +the passing of the storm, though its violence had markedly decreased. + +It was strange, the young soldier thought, that all through the hours of +his flight he had not discovered any of his enemies. At that moment, +however, Noel saw coming from a lane at the left of the road a man who +was carrying a burden in each hand. Around his neck hung a yoke the +cords of which were attached to bundles. + +It was too dark to enable Noel to determine whether or not the man was a +soldier. He halted abruptly, and, prepared to flee instantly if occasion +should demand, eagerly watched the approaching stranger. As yet he +apparently was unaware of the presence of Noel in the road. Suddenly, +however, he glanced in the direction of the young soldier. + +The man's alarm was so manifest at his discovery that under other +circumstances Noel would have laughed heartily. The light was +sufficiently strong to enable him to see now that the man was not a +soldier, and a moment later, when the stranger spoke, the young +soldier's fears were relieved when it became manifest that he was a +negro. + +"Who dat? Who dat?" asked the colored man as he stopped abruptly. + +"Where did you come from?" demanded Noel, striving to speak sternly. + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "Is yo' all come from--" +Whatever the place from which the negro thought he came, he did not +complete his sentence, and consequently Noel was left in ignorance. + +"Who lives here?" demanded Noel. + +"Massa Hilton." + +"Is he home?" + +"No, suh. Yas, suh. I don' jest 'member whether he's home or not," +stammered the negro. + +Noel's experiences with Long John had made him somewhat suspicious of +the colored people of the region. He decided that he would be extremely +cautious, and at once said, "In which direction are you going?" + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. + +"Come on, then," said Noel. "I'm going in the same direction." + +The colored man hesitated a moment, and then as he moved nearer he was +convinced that he did not need to fear the young stranger and obediently +joined him. + +As soon as they had advanced beyond the point in the road which hid the +little house from their sight, Noel turned to his companion and said, +"What are you doing--leaving home at this time of night?" + +"I don' lib dar," replied the negro promptly. "I b'long to Massa Frost." + +"Where does he live?" + +"Fo' or five miles up yonder," replied the negro, pointing ahead of him +as he spoke. + +"What are you doing down here, and what are you leaving at this time in +the night for?" + +"Is yo' all a Union sojer?" asked the negro abruptly. + +"Do I look like it?" + +"Yas, suh; though yo' clothes is so covered with mud I dess can't tell +'xactly what you are." + +"What would you say if I was?" + +"I want to know whether yo' is or yo' isn't befo' I answers dat ar +question." + +"All right," laughed Noel, who was convinced now that in no event should +he have to fear his colored companion. + +The house had been safely passed and the negro apparently was +inoffensive and harmless. Noel was still watchful for the appearance of +any of Stuart's men, for whom he entertained a feeling of most wholesome +respect. + +"What's your name?" he asked again as he turned to his companion. + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "My name's Nick." + +"Are you related to 'Nicodemus, a slave, of African birth,' and did you +call your friends to 'meet you down by the swamp and wake you up for +the great jubilee'?" The young soldier was speaking in apparent +seriousness and his companion stopped abruptly and stared at the man who +had asked him these strange questions. + +"No, suh," he said. "I never kno' nuthin' 'bout no swamp. Wha's dat yo' +all is tellin' 'bout anyway?" + +In a low voice Noel began to sing the song which was familiar even in +his far-away home on the St. Lawrence,-- + + "Nicodemus, the slave, was of African birth, + And he died years ago very old. + Wake me up was his plea--" + +"Yas, suh," said the negro, "but it's not dis yere Nick. Dat's some oder +Nick. I know milliums of darkies named Nick." + +"Nick," demanded Noel abruptly, "do you know any men around here who are +friends of the Union?" + +"Yas, suh. I sho'ly does," replied the negro, so promptly that the young +soldier at once decided that he might rely upon his friendship. + +"Are any of the men at home now?" + +"Yas, suh. Yas, suh. Massa Hilton, back yonder; I reckon he mought be er +Union man." + +"Is your master?" + +"Yas, suh. Massa Hilton's brother Sam, he's fo' de South. I reckon it +almost comes to blows when dey talks about de war." + +"Isn't either of them in the army?" + +"Yas, suh; Massa Sam Hilton, he's in de 'fed'ate a'my." + +"But this Mr. Hilton who lives back in the house we passed, he's not a +soldier, you say?" + +"No, suh. No, suh." + +"You're sure he's a good friend of the Union men?" + +"He sho'ly am." + +"Then I'm going back there," said Noel, stopping as he spoke and turning +abruptly about. + +Nick in surprise also stopped and looked at his companion. "Is yo' all a +Union sojer?" + +"I am, and I want to go where I can find somebody who will be good to me +for a day or two. You say you're sure Mr. Hilton will be glad to see +me?" + +"I can't jes' say as how he will be glad to see yo'," replied the negro, +shaking his head slowly. + +"But you said he would," interrupted Noel. + +"No, suh; 'scuse me. What I done say was dat he would be good to yo'. I +don' know as Massa Hilton will be _glad_ to see a Union sojer des' +now." + +"Why not?" + +"Dar's some special reasons what I don't recomember," replied Nick, +speaking in such a manner that Noel's suspicions again were aroused. + +"But you say he's a Union man?" + +"Yas, suh. Yas, suh, he sure am." + +"Why won't he be glad to see me?" + +"I done tell yo', suh, des' now dat dere's all dis yere trouble what am +goin' on. I reckon dey isn't nobody what's glad to have a sojer come to +his house des' now." + +"Oh, I see," said Noel slowly; "but if I do come he will take care of me +for a day or two? Then I'm going back there. What have you got in your +bundle, Nick?" + +"Nothin' much. Des' some stuff what Massa Frost done tol' me fo' toe git +at Massa Hilton's." + +"Why do you call for it in the night? Why don't you go out in the +daytime?" + +"I'se feared some of the sojers mought see me if I start after sunup--" + +"You're more afraid they will take away from you what you have in those +bundles." + +"Dere ain't nuthin' in dis yere bundle. I mus' be goin' on," Nick added +excitedly. "I mus' git toe Massa Frost's befo' sunup." + +"Well, good luck to you," laughed Noel. "I hope you won't fall in with +any of Stuart's cavalry, and I hope a good deal more that I shan't, but +I'm going back to that house." + +The young soldier was aware that he was incurring great risk in his +venture, but he was wet and weary, and it had been long since he had +tasted food. He might be hidden about the place somewhere and fed for a +day or two, when matters might so shape themselves that he would be able +to join the main army of McClellan, which he knew could not be very far +away. + +Acting at once upon his decision, Noel rapidly retraced his steps and +soon arrived at a place from which he was able to see the house and the +few low outbuildings that were in the rear. He stopped a moment and +listened intently. The rain had almost stopped, though the air was heavy +with mist. Not a sound broke the silence. + +Cautiously approaching the house, Noel turned from the roadside and +started toward the building. He was watchful, for not only was there +peril from men who might be within, but also from the huge dogs which +he knew were common in the region. + +When at last he approached the grounds of the house he stopped once more +and again listened intently. Still the silence was unbroken and there +was no appearance of danger. + +He decided to go to the door, which he believed would be in the rear of +the house and that opened into the kitchen. Perhaps he might there find +a shelter or some place of refuge which would protect him in a measure +from the night. If such a place should be found, he planned to wait +there until daylight before making his presence known to the inmates of +the house. + +To his great delight Noel discovered a lean-to or shed in the rear of +the house. The floor was of brick, and though it was too dark to enable +him to see what was inside, the fact that no dogs had challenged his +coming encouraged him to enter. Stepping inside, he turned to look once +more out into the night and make certain that his movements had not been +seen. + +The young soldier was startled when, appearing around the corner of one +of the low buildings, he saw a man, who in the dim light seemed to loom +head and shoulders above the height of an ordinary human being. At first +Noel almost believed that it was the negro, Long John, by whom he had +been led into the trap set by the Confederate soldiers. Certainly the +man was as tall as the negro, but there was something in his movements +which convinced the watching boy after a brief interval that this man +was not colored. + +Suddenly it occurred to him that the proprietor of the place, the man of +whom Nick had spoken as "Massa Hilton," might be the one who was +approaching, though why he should be out of the house at such a time and +in such a night the lad could not understand. Boldly advancing from his +hiding-place, Noel approached the startled stranger, and in a low voice +hailed him. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE GIANT + + +"Who's that? Who's that?" demanded the man in a voice which did not +betray any alarm. Indeed, the huge form seemed to loom even larger +before Noel in the dim light. It was plain that the man was not in any +fear, and his deep, guttural voice produced a peculiar effect upon the +listening young soldier. + +Noel glanced hastily about him, somehow fearful now of others +approaching from the barns. He had heard numerous stories concerning the +bowie-knives with which it had been reported many of the Southern +soldiers were armed. To the imagination of the young soldier not only +did the size of the man who had halted before him seem to increase, but +now he was fearful of enemies approaching from the rear. With all his +heart he wished that he had never listened to the words of Nick. In his +alarm it seemed almost as if his cap was being lifted by his hair and +cold chills were passing up and down his spine. + +The strange man slowly advanced, and in a manner which still betrayed +more of curiosity than of fear came closer to the frightened young +soldier and looked intently into his face. + +"Who are you, sir?" he demanded coolly. "What are you doing out here at +this time of the night?" + +"That's just what I was going to ask you," spoke up Noel, determined to +be as bold as circumstances permitted. + +"Oh!" the giant replied in unchanged tones. "I thought I heard some +disturbance among the cattle and I came out to see if anything was +wrong." + +When the man spoke, he advanced as if he was about to pass the young +soldier and enter the house. He was walking with a slow, calm, and +almost measured stride. + +He had, however, gone but a few yards before he halted once more, and +turning again toward the young soldier remarked in an indifferent way, +"'T is a pretty evening, sir." + +Noel was well aware that the evening was being far from "pretty." The +darkness still was intense and the dampness which had followed the storm +had produced a chill under which the lad was shivering. + +Taken aback by the cool assurance of the giant, when the man resumed +his walk, he had advanced halfway to the house before Noel again hailed +him. "Look here, my friend," he called; "I'm sorry to detain you, but +the captain might wish to see you." + +"Well?" inquired the giant in a drawling tone. + +"Who lives in this house?" demanded Noel. + +"I do." + +"Is this house frame or brick?" + +"I don't know why it concerns you, but it's a frame house, not a brick." + +"Are you the owner of this house?" + +"I reckon I am." + +"What are you doing out here this time of night?" + +"I told you, sir, that I went out to quiet a disturbance among the +cattle." + +"Can you tell me where Mr. Hilton lives?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Where does he live?" + +"He lives here." + +"Are you Mr. Hilton?" + +"I reckon that's what my neighbors sometimes call me." + +"Are you a Union man?" + +"How does that concern you?" demanded the man, still without betraying +any signs either of fear or interest. + +"Because I'm a Union soldier myself." + +Still the interest of the man apparently was not aroused. Calmly he +asked, "And what may you want of me if you're what you say you are?" + +"If you'll take me into the house I'll explain to you." Noel glanced +about as he spoke, for the fear of men stealing upon him through the +darkness was still strong upon him. + +"I reckon we can talk where we are," said the man at last. + +"Well," said Noel, determined, now that he had revealed his identity, +that he would venture to tell the rest of his story. "I came through the +valley from Harper's Ferry and was taken prisoner by some of the +Johnnies, but managed to get away. I have been traveling all night long +and am soaked through and tired and hungry, and if you're what I +understand you are, a friend of the Union cause, I hope you'll take me +into your house and let me dry my clothes and give me something to +eat--" + +"And bring a dozen bands of Confederates around me like hornets," broke +in the man, though still he was not excited and was speaking in the +calm, deliberate tones which he had before used. "I have had trouble +enough with my secesh neighbors. How do I know who you are or that you +are what you tell me you are?" he demanded once more. + +"You can see for yourself when we go where there is a light." + +"I reckon you can come in," said the man at last; and eagerly Noel +followed him as he led the way into the house. + +As soon as they entered, the stranger seated himself near the door and +bade Noel take a chair near him. A candle had been lighted and placed +upon a rude table, and its beams enabled the young soldier to see more +clearly the strange man before him. In spite of his apparent +indifference Noel was suspicious that he was more excited than he cared +to have his visitor know. + +"What's all this rumpus?" + +Noel looked up as he heard the words shrilly spoken and saw a woman +standing in the doorway of a room which adjoined the kitchen. + +"Who's this yo' have brought home, Jim?" she asked of Noel's host. Her +words plainly were disturbing. She was a short, stout woman. Her hair +was hanging down her back, and around her shoulders was a shawl which +reached almost to her knees. + +Startled as Noel had been by the sound of her voice, he hastily +concluded, as soon as he was aware of the response which the tall man +made to her words, that if he was supposedly the head of the house, +evidently she controlled the head. + +"That's just like yo'," she said tartly. "I've got all the mouths I want +to feed now, and yo' keep bringing people in here--" + +"Sh-h-h, Sairy Ann. This yere man is a Union soldier--" + +"How do yo' know he is?" + +"He told me so." + +"Yo' can't believe everybody," said the woman. "Ever since all this +trouble with the secesh began, nobody can trust his best friend. If I +had my way about it, I would put somebody in command of the Union +soldiers that would do something. They wouldn't be runnin' at Bull Run +the way they did, and I reckon Pope led the way, too, and probably made +better time than any of them. Before McClellan gets his eyes open, I +reckon the whole o' Maryland and Harper's Ferry, too, will run to join +Lee's army. Pretty kind of men we have fighting for the Union! How do +yo' know he is a Union soldier?" she repeated. + +"If you'll hold the candle you can see for yourself, if there's any of +the cloth of my uniform that will show through the mud," said Noel +good-naturedly. + +In spite of her apparent harshness, the young soldier was convinced that +she was not so unfriendly as her words at first implied. + +Taking him at his word, the woman advanced, and holding the candle above +her head looked keenly at the intruder. "Yo' don't look so dreadful +deceitful," she admitted, "but a body never can tell. Fine feathers +sometimes make fine birds, and maybe yo' put on those clothes because +yo' want to get into our house. Jim has the name of being a friend of +the Union, but he's just about as lively as McClellan. I had to make him +go out to see what was the matter with the cattle. They are all right, +are they, Jim?" she demanded, turning once more to the man who plainly +was her husband. + +"Yas, Sairy Ann," he replied; "I reckon they got a bit restless endurin' +the storm." + +"Yo' didn't see any signs of men being around?" + +"This is the only man I saw." + +"Well, they will be here pretty quick, I reckon," she declared. "If the +secesh find out that there is a cow left on the place they will come for +it. I reckon they have been here already. Jim isn't much of a +protection, except to look at," she added, turning again to her visitor. + +Under other circumstances Noel would have laughed at her words, for the +huge Jim plainly was in full subjection to the little woman who was +talking so volubly. + +"What did yo' stop here for?" she abruptly demanded. + +"I have been running almost all night," explained Noel, "and I found a +negro out here. He said that Mr. Hilton was a friend of the Union. I +thought morning would be here pretty soon and I didn't know just where +to go. I'm a stranger in this part of the country." + +"Whare yo' from?" asked the woman. + +"New York State." + +"I reckon that's a right sma't way from here. Well, I won't turn yo' out +if yo' are the first cousin to Beelzebub such a night as this. Are you +hungry?" + +"I am. But I won't disturb you. If you'll let me lie down here on the +floor, I'll wait until you have your breakfast." + +"Yo'll do nothin' of the kind," said the woman brusquely. + +"Do you want me to leave now?" + +"Who said anything about your leavin'?" she demanded sharply. + +"I did," said Noel. + +"Well, I'm goin' to dry yo' out first. Yo' 're one mass of mud from head +to heels. Yo' all go into that room," she added, pointing as she spoke +to another little room that opened out of the kitchen, "and put your +clothes outside the door. I reckon I'll have to bake 'em, before I ever +can get 'em clean." + +The woman's friendliness was so manifest that in spite of his suspicions +Noel promptly decided to obey. + +"Don't yo' be afraid," continued the woman, when Noel at last had +carried out her directions, and had thrown his soaked and muddy uniform +outside the door, as she had suggested. "I'm goin' to look out for yo'. +Yo' aren't much more 'n a baby, anyway. I wonder that your mother should +ever let yo' come so far away from home. Much good yo' can do, fighting +these secesh! Now, yo' get into bed and when I have your breakfast +cooked I'll set it here by the door. Yo' can help yourself then, and +after yo' have had all yo' want, yo' get back into bed an' stay there +until I tell yo' to get up. I'm thinkin' the bed is about as safe a +place as yo' can find in these days. It's been nothin' but soldiers +marchin' up and down, back and forth, in and out, to and fro, for the +past week! They seem to be goin' about like old Satan and roarin' like a +lion seekin' whom they may devour." + +The tall host whom Noel had followed into the house had remained seated +near the door throughout the interview. In spite of his indifferent +manner, the young soldier was startled when several times he was +suspicious that the man was listening for the approach of some one. He +glanced frequently toward the door, and there was an air of anxiety or +expectation in every movement he made. However, Noel had been so tired +and now was so refreshed by the simple food which the woman soon +provided for him that he dismissed his fears from his mind and soon was +sleeping soundly. + +He was awakened by the sound of voices in the adjoining room. It was +daylight now and his bedroom was flooded with sunshine. It was, however, +the conversation in the kitchen that chiefly interested the young +soldier, and in a brief time he was keenly excited by what he heard. He +looked about the room for his uniform, but it was nowhere to be seen. + +Meanwhile from the parts of the conversation which he overheard, he was +convinced that the visitor was a soldier in the Confederate army. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +FRIENDS OF THE UNION + + +Noel's excitement gave place to alarm as he listened to the conversation +in which the two men were engaged. + +The lack of his uniform prevented him from trying to leave his room, and +as yet he was uncertain whether or not the visitor even was aware that a +young soldier of the Union was in the house. + +For a time Noel listened intently, striving to discover something which +would give him the information he desired; but the words of the visitor, +whose part in the conversation was much greater than that of his tall +host, did not imply that he was suspicious. + +There were moments when snatches of the conversation almost convinced +Noel that the man was a spy. It was plain that he was more or less +familiar with the conditions existing in the Union army, but how he had +obtained such detailed information was something the listening young +soldier was unable to explain. + +"Where is McClellan now?" inquired Jim. + +"Up near Frederick City." + +"What's he doin' there?" + +"What has he been doin' ever since he has been made commander?" laughed +the visitor. "He's waitin', that's what he is, and if he keeps it up a +little longer he won't have any more waitin' to do." + +"Why not?" + +"Because our army will snap him up between its jaws. I reckon there +weren't many men in the whole army of General Lee who thought it was a +good thing to divide his forces as he did when he sent McLaws and Walker +after Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry. Why, man alive, Lee split his army +right in two, and then put a good bit of distance between the two parts! +If McClellan knew enough about it, and if he is very much of a general +he would know, he would throw his whole force against either of these +divisions and smash it to pieces, before the other could come to its +help. As it is, he's still tryin' to make up his mind, I reckon, and the +result is that he's goin' to be caught between these two divisions just +like a mouse is caught between the jaws of a cat. We have got him just +as shore as you are born." + +"I don't believe it," said Jim slowly. + +"It doesn't make any difference whether you believe it or not, that's +what's going to happen," laughed the visitor. + +"Now you say that Stuart's cavalry has been thrown out in such a way +that little Mac can't get any information about what Lee's plans are?" + +"That's true enough, and yet, if McClellan had even a few men like those +that are gettin' information for General Lee, he ought to know about +it." + +Noel fancied he could detect an importance in the words just spoken +which confirmed him in his belief that the man in the other room was a +spy from Lee's army. His excitement increased as his conviction gained +in power, and he almost groaned as he realized how helpless he was. +Deprived of his uniform, without any weapon of defense, he was powerless +to interfere with the man or his plans. + +"I reckon Little Mac will give a good account of himself befo' long," +said Jim positively. + +"He'll have to make haste about it, then. He left Washin'ton with an +army of nearly eighty-five thousand men. He ought to do something with +such a body as that. Why, only last night, if he had made a night +march, he mought have got in possession of both Gaps--" + +"What Gaps?" + +"Why, Crampton's Gap and Turner's. He's lost his chance, though." + +"You know a right sma't lot, don't you?" inquired Jim. + +"That's my business." + +"Well, I haven't any curiosity about this thing," said Jim, shaking his +head slowly as he spoke. "I'm satisfied to stay right here and be true +to the old flag. There comes Sairy Ann," he added, as Noel heard the +sounds of the voices of women approaching from the stairway, which the +night before he had seen was on the opposite side of the room. It was +manifest now that Sairy Ann also had her visitor, and as the two women +entered the room both men became silent. + +"I done tole yo' how it is," Sairy Ann was saying. "I've said to yo' +many times, 'Liza, that I wouldn't stand for no sech foolishness. I don' +like the secesh. I never did and I never shall, and if yo' 're +determined to be secesh yourself, then yo' 'll have to take the +consequences! I don't mind tellin' yo' all as how I hev made my will." + +"Hev ye?" inquired the other woman, the tones of her voice implying +that she was at once deeply interested. + +"Yes, I hev, and instead of leaving yo' all the money I promised yo', +I've willed yo' a pair o' my shoestrings." + +"I don' believe yo' hev done any sech thing, Sairy Ann!" protested the +other woman. + +"I don't care whether yo' believe it or not. That's jest exactly what I +hev done. I hev set it down pertic'lar,--'To my oldest sister, 'Liza, I +give, bequeath and leave and likewise devise one pair of shoestrings.'" + +"Well, I'd rather hev a pair of shoestrings and be loyal to my State +than I would to hev all your money and be a Yank." + +"Of course, _you_ would, 'Liza," snapped Sairy Ann. "That's because yo' +don't know no mo'. If yo' knew mo', yo' wouldn't talk sech nonsense." + +Whether or not the woman's argument was deemed sufficient, at all events +the conversation abruptly ceased when the visiting man said, "Now, I hev +come fo' yo' yere, 'Liza, and I don't intend to stay very long. You hev +got to make up your mind right sma't whether yo' 're goin' to come with +me, or whether yo' 're going to stay here with your sister." + +"That's right," sobbed Eliza. "That's right. First Sairy Ann picks on me +and then my own husband he picks on me, too. I'm jest distracted. I +don't want to stay and I don't want to go." + +"Yo' 're as bad as McClellan," broke in her husband. "I've come ten +miles out o' my way just toe get yo' and take yo' home, if yo' don't +want toe stay yere. If yo' think yo' 'll be safer along with these +Yankee sympathizers, why jes' say so and stay yere. It doesn't matter +very much toe me either way. The only Yanks I can put up with are Jim +and Sairy Ann, and I wouldn't put up with them very long if we all +weren't members of the same family." + +"I expect to be shot by the secesh, anyway," broke in Sairy Ann, "and I +hope yo' 'll go because I don't want to get shot by any o' my folks." + +"We're goin' toe go," said the man. + +To Noel's great relief preparations for departure were at once made. + +It was not until the man and his wife had left, however, that the +mistress of the house brought the waiting young soldier his uniform. +Tossing it inside the room, she called out in a voice, which in spite of +its sharpness was not unfriendly, "There's yer soldier clothes. Yo' all +can put them on and come out and get your breakfast." + +Only a brief time had elapsed before the summons had been obeyed by +Noel, and refreshed by the rest of the night and the clothes which Sairy +Ann had made thoroughly presentable, he entered the kitchen. + +The tall form of the gaunt head of the house seemed to Noel to be even +taller than when he had first seen it in the dim light of the preceding +night. The expression of the man's face was so doleful that the young +soldier felt a fresh sympathy for the sharp-toned woman for whom her +husband's slow and undecided ways were a constant source of irritation. +As for Sairy Ann herself, Noel saw that her hair was of the tinge which +is sometimes associated with certain warlike propensities and also that +she was cross-eyed. Indeed, the young soldier decided that never before +had he seen any one whose eyes to all appearances might each serve the +duty and the place of the other. He was uncertain when she spoke to him +whether or not she was looking at him, and he was somehow aware that the +woman was keenly aware of the impression which she made upon him. + +However, his feeling of hunger was now supreme, and as soon as he was +bidden to take his place at the table, he began to do ample justice to +the simple fare which was provided. The manifest curiosity of the woman +was to have no occasion for gratification until the meal was more than +half done. Then, unable longer to restrain her feelings, she abruptly +inquired, "Now, then, what yo' all doin' here?" + +"Just now I'm doin' my best to get ready to leave." + +"Did yo' all hear any voices this mornin'?" inquired Jim slowly. + +Aware that the interest of the woman in his reply was keen, Noel said, +"Why, I heard some talk. Was there anything of special interest?" + +"Naw. I reckon nothin' what would be interestin' to yo' all," said Jim. + +"Hey!" exclaimed Sairy Ann suddenly. "Here comes the Jew peddler. He was +here day before yesterday. I told him then I didn't want anything, and I +don't see what for he comes around here pestering us again." + +Noel looked up quickly as she spoke, and saw the peddler standing in the +doorway of the kitchen. + +Instantly he recognized the trader as Levi Kadoff, the sutler whose +experiences in the camp had been of such a trying nature that he had +departed with many threats for the mischievous soldiers who had +tormented him. + +He was positive that the peddler also recognized him, although not a +word was spoken by either. + +Entering the room, Levi whiningly begged the woman to make some +purchases. + +"I don't want nothin'," declared Sairy Ann. "I told yo' so yesterday and +day befo' when yo' were here. Yo' ought to take better care of yo'self +than to be here where there's so many soldiers so near. Suppose yo' got +caught right in the middle of the fight?" + +"Dere vill be no fight," said Levi positively. + +"How do yo' know there won't?" + +"Because dere vill not be any." + +"But how do yo' know?" protested the woman. + +"Dot is vat der men says." + +"What men?" + +"All kinds of men. Now, please, mine goot voman, let me show you vat +fine spectacles that I have?" + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Sairy Ann, abruptly rising from +her seat and facing the little peddler. "Yo' ain't gettin' personal, be +ye? What makes yo' think I need glasses?" + +"Spectacles is all der styles now. I sells more glasses to young vimmins +than I do to der old vimmins." + +Appeased by the explanation, the hostess resumed her seat, and a few +minutes later, when the little Jew displayed certain ribbons in his +wares, Sairy Ann hesitated and was lost, much to the disgust of the +elongated Jim. She invested some "real Yankee money" in several strips +of bright yellow ribbon, doubtless selecting this particular color +because she fancied it would match both her hair and her eyes, for now +Noel was aware that even her eyes shared in the tawny color of her hair +and skin. + +By the time the trading was completed, Noel had finished his breakfast +and was eager to be gone. He was desirous also of having some +conversation with Levi, when later the little peddler, after one +searching glance at the face of the young soldier, left the place and +Noel abruptly decided to go with him. + +Thanking his hostess for her kindness in receiving and caring for him, +he shook hands with her and her husband and taking his cap left the +house. + +Calling to Levi to wait for him to join him, he soon was in the road +where the sutler was standing. Advancing to his side, Noel prepared to +accompany the little peddler on his way, a decision which within a short +time he had cause deeply to regret. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SUTLER AS A GUIDE + + +"Vat you do here?" inquired Levi suspiciously as the two departed down +the road. + +"That's just what I was going to ask you." + +"You see. You see for yourself," repeated the sutler, pointing as he +spoke to the pack which he was carrying upon his back. + +"What have you in that pack?" + +"Somedings to sell." + +"What?" + +"Many dings." + +"I shouldn't think you would have anybody to sell these things to, now +that both armies are so near." + +"It is von beeg drouble," said Levi, shaking his head. "Dere vas no +chance. Eferybody cares not for mine laces--" + +"'Laces!' I should think this would be the last place in the world where +you could sell such things as that," broke in Noel. "What do people down +here want of laces, especially when they are likely to be caught between +the two armies any time?" + +"I lose money efery day," said Levi, disconsolately. + +"Why do you stay, then?" demanded Noel. "If you cannot make any money, +you certainly don't stay here for pleasure, do you?" + +"But," protested Levi, spreading both hands as he spoke, "a man has to +live, ain't it?" + +"Levi, I believe you have lots of money," said Noel soberly. + +"Nein! No! Not von penny." + +"Then how can you live if you are losing money every day? You must have +something on which to draw." + +"But I must live," protested Levi. "I must get some money. Perhaps I +don't got it to-day, maybe I gets it to-morrow." + +"Where have you been, Levi, since you left camp?" + +"I haf been just vere you sees me. I haf been to efery house, but nobody +buys mine laces. I dinks vot I haf to go North pretty soon. Nobody here +has any money." + +"Have you seen anything of Stuart's cavalry?" + +The quick side glance which Levi gave him, although the eyes of the +little Jew were instantly turned away again, was not lost upon Noel. +Always suspicious of the little sutler, he had now become sure that +there were more than suspicions upon which his fears rested. + +"Who vas Stuart's cavalry?" + +Noel laughed, but did not reply to the question. + +"Haf you seen somedings of dot Irishmans?" inquired the peddler. + +"What Irishman?" + +"Dot young Irishmans vot tormented me. He upsets mine tent. He makes der +poys turn over mine trunks. He steals vot is mine, vot is mine!" + +The fierce anger of the little Jew was almost pathetic, and despite his +declaration, Noel was aware that much justice, perhaps, was in his +complaint, in spite of the fact that he had charged the boys of the +regiment exorbitant prices for his poor and cheap supplies. + +"Do you mean Dennis O'Hara?" asked Noel quickly. + +"Dat vas it. Dat vas his name,--Dennis. Haf you seen him maybe?" + +"No, I haven't. Have you?" + +"How should I see him?" inquired Levi. "I haf leave der camp. I haf +nodings more to do mit der soldiers. I goes now from house to house." + +"Have you seen him?" again asked Noel. + +"I'm telling you," protested the sutler. "I don't go vere de Yankee +soldiers be." + +"If you don't look out the Yankee soldiers will come where you are." + +Noel spoke indifferently, but he was keenly watching the face of his +companion. The quick, shifting glance which Levi instantly gave him +somehow served to strengthen the conviction in the heart of the young +soldier that the little peddler was playing a suspicious if not a double +part. + +"You didn't tell me," he said, "whether or not you have seen Dennis +O'Hara anywhere." + +"I vould like mooch to see him. I vould like to see him mit a rope +around his neck. I vould like to be der von to pull on der rope. I vill +do so to him," he added in his excitement, as he stretched forth both +hands and pulled vigorously upon an imaginary rope. + +"Here, where are you going?" demanded Noel abruptly, as his companion +turned from the road to enter a lane which led toward a house partly +concealed by magnolia trees far back from the road. + +"To der house," answered Levi. "To der beeg house." + +"Why are you going in there?" + +"I vill sell somedings." + +"It doesn't look as if anybody is home," suggested Noel. + +The young soldier was striving to lead his companion on and draw from +him information which he suspected the little Jew possessed. As he spoke +he was keenly observant of the house and grounds, but as yet had not +seen any signs of life about the place. + +"Der vas only vimmins dere." + +"How do you know?" + +"Because I vas dere de oder day. Dey vas tolt me dey vill buy somedings +ven I comes back. So now I'm comes back and I shall sell somedings." + +"You say there are no men there?" + +"Der men vas all gone mid der army." + +"Which army?" + +"How should I know?" demanded the peddler irritably. "I sells to der +vimmin." + +"Do you want me to go with you?" + +"Yes. You come. It vill interest der vimmins. You come mit me and I vill +go on mit you and show you der way to Frederick City." + +Noel was unarmed, but he saw no reason to doubt the words of his +companion. If the place was deserted by the men he would be in no +danger, and, on the other hand, he might be able to obtain some food, +even if the women were sympathizers with the Southern cause. He was +aware that from many such people the sight of a man clad in the uniform +of the Union army was not likely to bring a cordial response. On the +other hand, he was unknown, and it might be that he could obtain food +and supplies that would help him through the day. He was confident that +if he went much farther on his way, he might have experiences that would +compel him to remain in hiding part of the time. + +Slowly the two young men approached the great house. The house itself +was not so large, but the expression was one which was applied to many +homes, perhaps to distinguish the dwelling-place of the master from the +quarters of the negroes. + +As he drew near, Noel saw in the rear of the house the quarters of the +servants. There were little huts that had been whitewashed, and about +the place were several little pickaninnies, whose presence indicated +that some of the blacks at least were at home. + +The approach of the boys was apparently unobserved, and even when they +followed the winding pathway toward the rear of the house no one greeted +them. + +Suddenly, however, Noel stopped, and looked in consternation at the +sight before him. Tied to the hitching-rail in the rear of the house he +saw a half-dozen horses. + +Every horse was saddled and bridled, and in an instant Noel was aware +that he had come upon a small band of cavalry. + +Startled as he was by his discovery he instantly stopped and, after +listening intently, turned back over the road which he and Levi had +come. As he did so, Levi suddenly dropped his pack and seizing the young +soldier by his coat began to shout in his loudest tones. + +Frightened by the unexpected attack, Noel struck desperately at his +tormentor, and did his utmost to free himself. The little Jew, however, +apparently unmindful of the blows, clung desperately to his coat, and +before Noel was able to escape he saw a half-dozen men run out of the +house and start swiftly toward him. + +One glance was sufficient to convince the desperate boy that he was in +the presence of some of the rebel cavalry. The men were armed, while he +himself was powerless to make any defense. + +"What's this, Levi?" demanded the leader. + +"Who is this man with you? Didn't I tell you not to let any one come +here?" + +"Dis man is von Union soldier. He helps tear mine tent. He vas von vat +steals mine goots. He vas bad. I dinks dat you vill be glad to haf a +Yankee soldier here, maybe?" + +"We'll take all the Yanks we can lay our hands upon," said the man with +a laugh. + +It was plain that he was relieved by the discovery that there was only +one soldier near and he only a boy. The impression, however, produced on +Noel's mind by the action of the man was that there were Union soldiers +not far away. And yet, he thought bitterly, what advantage would that be +to him now? He was here, helpless to defend himself and really a +prisoner in the hands of the rebel cavalry. There were momentary visions +of Libby Prison, which he knew was the destination of most of the Union +soldiers taken by the Confederates in their recent campaigns. + +The leader now turned to one of his men and good-naturedly said, "Tom, +we don't want to take this fellow into the house. I am afraid he would +scare the babies. I'll leave him out here with you. Don't let him get +away from you." + +It was useless to protest, and Noel obediently followed his guard as he +led the way to the rear of the house near the place where the horses +were tied. The young soldier looked hastily about him to discover what +had become of the little sutler, but could not see him anywhere. Levi +must have entered the house, he concluded. + +Noel's thoughts were bitter as he recalled how easily he had been +trapped. The sutler, without doubt, was in the employ of the +Confederates. Whether or not he had been, at the time when he held his +place in the Union camp at Harper's Ferry, Noel had no means of knowing; +but it was plain that he himself had been led by his guide into a place +from which apparently there was no escape. + +When the soldiers reentered the house Noel seated himself on the ground +with his back against the post that upheld the rail to which three of +the horses were tied. In spite of his fear he looked with interest at +the mounts of the men. Every horse manifestly was fleet-footed, and in +better condition than one naturally would expect such horses to be at +such a time. + +Little black faces began to appear, as the pickaninnies, led on by their +curiosity, slowly and cautiously advanced from their quarters to +discover for themselves what the meaning of the excitement was. At +another time Noel would have been interested, but now he gave slight +heed to his approaching visitors. + +About fifteen feet from the place where he was seated there was a row of +beehives. The warmth of the September day had caused the busy little +creatures to resume their labors of the summer. + +The sight of them recalled to the mind of the troubled boy the beehives +near his father's house and his thoughts naturally wandered from bees to +the people who were in the far-away home. He wondered if Frank had yet +returned to the army. He had been assigned to a different corps, and it +might be that he already was with McClellan. Would he see him at +Frederick City? The question received its own answer when Noel glanced +about him and saw the guard and the horses waiting for their riders. +There was slight prospect that he would see his brother very soon. Libby +Prison doubtless was to be his destination. + +A half-hour had elapsed since Noel's arrival, and in spite of his fear +the droning of the bees sounded so monotonously in his ears that it +would not have been difficult for him to close his eyes and fall asleep. + +Abruptly he sat erect and, facing his guard said, "How long are these +men going to be here?" + +"I reckon yo' 'll have to ask the lieutenant, sir." + +"How long have they been here?" + +"I can't just say, sir." + +"Do you know where they are going?" + +"No, sir, I don't." + +"Do you know what they will do with me?" + +"I reckon I might suspect, sir. There have been a right sma't lot of +Yanks who have had free transpo'tation to Richmond. I reckon there will +be some mo', and it may be yo' will have a chance to ride along with +them, sir. It won't cost you a cent, sir. No, sir, not one cent." + +"Do you belong to Stuart's cavalry?" asked Noel. + +"I wonder what's the matter with the Yanks. They seem to be so full of +questions that the minute one of them opens his mouth they begin to pop +out the way corn pops in a popper." + +Noel abruptly ceased his questioning, but, as he glanced once more about +the quarters, suddenly a scheme suggested itself to him, by which he +might be able to escape from his captors. If the plan was to be tried, +he must act at once, he decided, and, striving not to arouse the +suspicions of the guard, he slowly arose. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WARLIKE BEES + + +Slowly, and striving to appear indifferent, although he was keenly +observant of every action of his guard, Noel began to pace back and +forth behind the row of horses. He was well aware that, in spite of the +apparent carelessness of his guard, he was watching his every action. +Any attempt on the part of the young prisoner to escape would at once +bring a shot from the soldier. + +However, the guard did not interfere with the actions of his prisoner, +and a half-dozen or more times Noel slowly paced back and forth as if he +was simply striving to relax his muscles and was ignoring his +surroundings. + +Not more than twenty feet away from the rail was the row of beehives to +which reference has been made. Several times the young prisoner stopped +and watched the busy little insects that were buzzing about the hives. +Glancing each time at the guard, he was convinced that any suspicions of +any plan his charge might have in mind as yet had not been aroused. +Apparently the soldier was so confident in his ability to meet any +sudden act that some of the time he was not even looking at the young +prisoner. + +Noel's excitement became keener. He glanced toward the house to see +whether or not any of the Confederates who had entered were now to be +seen. Slowly he turned his head and looked once more at his guard. The +man was seated on the grass, and still to all appearances was +indifferent to the actions of his charge. + +Suddenly Noel stumbled over the projecting root of a huge magnolia tree +and fell directly against the nearest hive in the row. With both hands +he struck and with such force that it was thrown against the hive next +to it. + +"Better look out there!" called the guard, when Noel arose. "Some of +those bugs 'll bite you, if you don't watch out!" + +Whether or not the "bugs would bite," the anger of the bees instantly +became manifest. In clouds they poured forth from the hives and the +sounds of their buzzing became louder. + +Darting in every direction they soon discovered the disturber of their +dwelling-places, and, aware of their intentions, Noel hastily ran +toward the guard and the rail to which the horses were hitched. To all +appearances he had done this simply to avoid the pursuit of the little +tormentors. That he was acting on design, the guard did not even +suspect. The cloud of bees, however, did not all abandon the pursuit, +and as Noel halted near the horses, the furious little insects, without +rhyme or reason, began an attack upon the innocent animals. + +Pandemonium instantly followed. The horses were rearing, plunging, +squealing, and kicking in every direction. The actions seemed to incite +the attacking insects to still greater anger. Nor was the guard himself +free from the onslaught. With muttered exclamations of anger and pain, +he was striving to ward off the little pests from his face or prevent +them from stinging him on his hands and wrists. + +Noel was doing his utmost to bear up under the suffering he himself was +compelled to undergo. One bee had stung him on the very tip of his nose. +Another had attacked him under his right eye, while still another had +inserted his sting near a corner of the young soldier's mouth. + +Noel could feel his face swelling, but he heroically strove to bear his +suffering, and, although he did his utmost to drive away his +tormentors, he nevertheless was relying upon the very attack that had +been made to assist him in the plan which he had formed. + +In the midst of the confusion one of the horses broke loose, and with +many snorts of fear and rage started swiftly toward the lane. + +The example was contagious and a moment later two more horses freed +themselves by breaking the straps by which they were tied and followed +in the direction in which the leader had disappeared. + +"Catch them! Catch them! Help me! Catch them!" called the guard +excitedly. "Why don't somebody come out of the big house? I can't do +everything myself! Help me! Never mind the stings! Don't let those +horses get away! Rouse yourself, Yank!" + +"I'll do my best," called Noel loudly, as he seized the bridle of one of +the remaining horses and apparently strove to quiet the terrified +animal. + +The horse with which Noel was struggling was the one in the line which +he had noted as being undoubtedly the swiftest and best of them all. + +"Whoa, there! Keep quiet! Be still, can't you?" he called as he slapped +the plunging horse on its neck and then on its flank as if he was +protecting it from the angry bees. Meanwhile, however, Noel had untied +the horse and was holding the animal by its bridle. + +At that moment some of the Confederate soldiers, who had entered the +house, appeared at the door. Noel glanced anxiously at the men and then +looked at the guard, who was doing his utmost to prevent one of the +remaining horses from escaping. + +The moment for which he had been waiting had arrived, the young soldier +decided, and whatever he did he must do instantly. There was no time to +be lost. + +Looking once more toward the house, he saw the men call to those who +still were inside, and then turn as if they were about to run swiftly to +the place where the commotion was occurring. A single glance at the +guard showed him that the man's rifle had been laid upon the grass and +that he was still struggling with one of the frantic animals. Pulling +upon the bridle of his horse Noel quietly had worked the animal away +from its companions. His horse had been squealing and kicking more +frantically than any of the others. To all appearances Noel was having a +severe struggle to prevent him from breaking away and running in the +direction in which the other horses had disappeared. + +The shouts of the men, who now were advancing from the house, increased +the confusion. Doubtless they were unaware of the source of the trouble +and might visit their anger upon him, thought Noel. + +The time, however, did not permit of delay. He had now worked his horse +nearer the corner of the house. Suddenly the young soldier, placing one +foot in the stirrup, leaped lightly into the saddle, and shouting into +the ears of his horse, turned around the corner of the house before the +startled band were fully aware of what had taken place. + +The bees were no longer in pursuit. The terrified animal, however, was +still making many frantic leaps, and Noel was compelled to exert the +utmost of his strength to retain his seat. His disappearance was +followed by a shout from the man, and only a brief time elapsed before, +glancing behind him, he saw that two of the men were mounted and now +were in swift pursuit. + +His hopes now were dependent upon the speed of his horse and the +possible inability of his pursuers to shoot. + +"Stop, you Yank!" called one of them. "Stop where you are! Stop, or +we'll shoot!" + +Bending low upon the neck of his horse, Noel gave no heed to the demands +and continually urged the beast into greater efforts. With long and +powerful leaps the horse was bounding forward. The entrance from the +lane into the highway was now only a few yards distant. Out in the road, +Noel saw the horses which had already broken their halters and had fled +when the bees first had attacked them. He would have been glad to secure +either of them, but now his main purpose was to escape, and success +depended much upon the endurance of the horse he was riding. + +As yet the men behind him had not shot at the escaping young soldier. +Grimly Noel thought they were more fearful of injuring the horse than +they were of harming him. However, there was inspiration in the thought +that thus far he had succeeded, and almost with a feeling of rejoicing +he turned into the road and urged his terrified steed into still more +frantic efforts. The pursuit was not abandoned, and he was aware that +the mounted Confederates evidently were as determined as was the fleeing +young soldier. + +The speed of the running horse increased under the continued demands of +his rider. It was a powerful animal on which he was mounted, as Noel +was now aware, and if his endurance was equal to his strength there was +a possibility of escaping from the region. + +A glance behind him showed that he was gaining upon his two pursuers, a +fact which was as manifest to them as it was to him. Suddenly one of +them fired. Noel heard the bullet as it whistled above his head. + +[Illustration: NOEL HEARD THE BULLET AS IT WHISTLED PAST] + +The pursuit, however, was not abandoned, and, leaning forward, Noel drew +himself closer to the neck of his panting steed, and then as he looked +hastily behind him he saw that both men were again about to fire. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A HELPER + + +The moment was critical in the flight of the young soldier. It seemed to +him as if his heart for a moment almost ceased to beat. Resolutely he +leaned still farther forward on the neck of the running horse, and +shouting into the ear of the animal caused the frightened beast to bound +to the opposite side of the road just as both of his pursuers fired. + +Grateful as soon as he was aware that neither he nor his horse had been +hit, the young soldier gave his undivided attention for a moment to +controlling the terrified steed. + +Noel's long experience on his father's farm on the banks of the St. +Lawrence River, where he and his brother Frank many a time as little +lads had ridden the colts bareback, now came in good stead. The saddle +was uncomfortable, but he had no difficulty in retaining his seat. + +In a brief time the nervous animal once more was under control and was +speeding forward at a pace which the rider was confident would soon +leave his pursuers far behind him. + +In his flight Noel hastily glanced over his shoulder to discover whether +or not the Confederate soldiers had abandoned the chase, or were still +determined to overtake him. + +He plainly saw that they were not gaining upon him, although they still +held doggedly to the pursuit. Just why they should do this, now that +several miles had been covered, the young soldier was unable to +understand, nor was it until afterward that he came to know the reason +why the men, in spite of their failure to gain upon him, were unwilling +to turn back. + +Noel was unarmed. His rifle had been taken from him when he had first +been made prisoner. Although he had a place, as we know, among the +sharpshooters of McClellan's army, it had not been until after his +return from his furlough that he had found himself fully able to do the +required work. + +Now with all his heart he longed for a rifle. If it were only in his +hands he was convinced that the two men who were so doggedly hanging to +the pursuit would abandon their efforts. + +The mud in places in the road was thrown up in lumps by the hoofs of his +horse as he thundered on his way. As yet the animal was not displaying +any marked signs of distress, and in the hope of wearing out his +pursuers, Noel still kept him at his full speed. + +The splotches of mud and the heat of the warm September day soon made +the appearance of the young rider as distressing as that of the animal +upon which he was mounted. The great black flanks of the latter were now +reeking with sweat and discolored by the red-brown mud of the road. As +far as Noel himself was concerned, his most intimate friend might have +had difficulty in recognizing, in the perspiring, dirt-covered young +soldier the Noel Curtis whom they had known. Streams of perspiration had +poured down his face and left furrows in the coating of Maryland mud and +dirt. The exertion was telling upon the rider as well as upon the horse, +and he was well aware that such violent efforts could not long be +continued. + +Glancing once more anxiously behind him, Noel was unable to see his +pursuers. He was aware, however, that it was only the bend in the road +that hid them from his sight and that not yet was he freed from his +peril. + +Slackening the pace at which he was riding, the young soldier removed +his coat and folding it placed it in front of him on the pommel. The +relief was instant and again speaking encouragingly to his horse, which +now was breathing loudly, he continued his flight. + +It became manifest in a brief time that the pursuit was still +maintained, although the distance between the young soldier and the two +Confederates comparatively was unchanged. Why they should continue to +follow him became increasingly a perplexing problem. There were no +prospects of his being overtaken, and now that five or six miles must +have been covered in his flight Noel was unable to understand why the +men did not turn back and join their comrades. He himself was not of +sufficient value to warrant their severe labors. Of that fact he was +well assured. Why, then, did they still follow him? + +The mystery was unsolved, but there was no delay on the part of the +young soldier to meditate long upon possible explanations. The fact +remained that he was in a country with which he was unfamiliar, mounted +upon the back of a horse with whose ways he was unacquainted, although +he was aware of his many excellent points, and was being pursued +relentlessly by two men who doggedly held to their task. + +Suddenly Noel, as he emerged from a small body of woods, beheld a group +of men directly in the road before him and not distant more than fifty +yards. Glancing keenly at the bank he saw that the men were repairing a +bridge over a little stream. A second look convinced him that the men +were all clad in the uniform of the Confederate soldiers. + +For a brief moment Noel's courage seemed to depart. He could not turn +back without running directly into his enemies, while if he advanced it +was equally plain that there were many more still to be passed. + +Unaware of the perplexing thoughts of his rider, his horse did not relax +his speed and with long and steady lopes was still advancing. Whatever +the young soldier was to do must be done quickly. + +Almost before he was aware of what occurred Noel found himself close +upon the band. His coat, as has been said, was discolored and his +trousers were so covered with mud that their original color, in a +measure, at least, was concealed. + +Suddenly the young soldier decided to try to make his way through the +band. He recalled an incident which he had read in the life of Mad +Anthony Wayne, who, with his men, in the swamp near Yorktown, found +himself face to face with a division of red coats that far outnumbered +his followers. The consternation produced by the discovery was banished +as Mad Anthony resolutely called to his men and dashed forward. The +daring man was relying upon the fact of his bold advance to convince the +enemy that there must be more men behind him. No man in his senses would +ever think of attacking such a superior force. After the British lines +had broken and fled, Mad Anthony turned and said to one of his comrades, +"The best way to overcome any difficulty is to drive straight through +it." This incident came back to Noel's mind as the trees and fields +seemed to be racing past him. + +His confident approach, too, for he was waving his hand as he drew +nearer, seemed to confuse the band of Confederates. Instead of forming +across the road and stopping his flight, they divided and did not even +question him, although his appearance must have been such as to arouse +their curiosity at least. + +Only partly checking the speed of his horse, Noel leaned low on his neck +and as he drew near the men, he shouted, "Don't stop me, boys! How far +ahead is the captain?" + +Even as he asked the question Noel was aware that his own apparent +confidence had had its effect, for the men drew back from the roadside, +and one of them in reply to his query, shouted, "I reckon he's about +three miles up the road, sir." + +"Good! That's fine!" shouted Noel in response. "There's some men coming +behind me and they'll stop to give you their message. They have a word +for you." + +The ruse had succeeded, and the young soldier had accomplished more than +in his excitement he had dared to hope. He knew that his pursuers in a +very short time would be informed of his bold trick and perhaps would be +more determined than ever to secure him. But for a time, at least, he +had not been checked in his flight and he was not without hope also that +the two mounted men might be delayed long enough by the band, through +which he had successfully made his way, to enable him to gain still +more. + +Noel had not advanced far beyond the sight of the bridge before his +sudden feeling of exhilaration vanished. He had been astonished at the +very success of the trick he had played. It was his first lesson that if +a man is to succeed he must be bold. + +His rejoicing now abruptly departed, when, running and breathing +heavily, his horse suddenly stumbled and fell in the road. The young +soldier had been riding with too loose a rein and his moment of elation +had made him somewhat careless of the need of constant attention to his +steed. + +Fortunately Noel was able to free his feet from the stirrups and was not +caught by the body of the horse as he fell. He was thrown to one side of +the road, but although he was bruised and for a moment almost stunned by +the sudden fall, he quickly rose. + +Quick as his action was, however, that of his horse had been quicker. +After two efforts the fallen animal at last succeeded in leaping to his +feet, and, disregarding the frantic calls of its recent rider, started +forward, running even more swiftly than when he had been carrying the +young soldier. + +In the midst of the fresh trouble which had arisen, Noel was aware that +his pursuers in a brief time would be upon him. Instantly turning to one +side of the road where some large trees were growing he darted into +their midst and soon discovered one tree sufficiently large to enable +him to hide behind it. + +Scarcely had Noel succeeded in gaining his hiding-place before he heard +the sound of the approaching horsemen. Instead of two horses now, +however, there were five. The ruse which he had used upon the men at +the bridge had been discovered, and doubtless chagrin was added to the +natural desire to retake the daring man who had escaped through their +midst. + +Would they pass the place or would they discover the mark in the road +left by his horse when it fell? Upon the decision of this question much +of his success depended. Breathlessly Noel watched the pursuing +soldiers, and a great sigh of relief escaped his lips when he saw that +they had not even glanced at the spot where the accident had befallen +him. + +He deemed it unwise now to resume his flight in the road. He decided +that he would make his way from tree to tree, and as he peered out at +the road, which he could see extended far in the distance, he was +rejoiced to discover that the woods also spread out far on either side. +His plan was not to reenter the road until he had gone a distance which +would be sufficient to insure his safety from discovery by the men who +had recently passed him in their wild chase. + +By this time the afternoon sun was low in the western sky. Not a +mouthful of food had passed the lips of the young soldier since his +early breakfast at the house of Jim and Sairy Ann. His strenuous efforts +also had wearied him, and thirst, as well as hunger, was now making its +demands felt. + +An hour had elapsed when Noel, from another hiding-place far up the +road, saw the band of five returning. He was positive that he recognized +them as his recent pursuers from the fact that one of the horses was +strangely marked, a fact which he had noticed when he had first +discovered the animals tied to the rail in the rear of the house to +which the treacherous Levi had conducted him. + +When at last the band had passed beyond his sight, and Noel, with fresh +courage, was about to reenter the road, he was startled when he saw a +young colored man approaching from the direction in which the riders had +disappeared. + +Loud and long sang the negro and repeated the same stanza of the song +until Noel, who was interested as the black man came nearer, almost felt +that in spite of his difficulties he would join in the tune,-- + + "Then I sot right down and felt very blue-- + Glory hallelujah, bress de Lord! + Says I, O Lord, what shall I do? + Glory hallelujah, bress de Lord!" + +When the young black man came opposite the place where Noel was hiding, +the latter suddenly decided to hail him. + +"Hello!" called the young soldier. + +The negro stopped abruptly and peered about him in a manner which +betrayed to Noel that in intelligence he seemed to be far above the most +of his race. + +"Who dat callin' me?" inquired the negro. + +"I am," said Noel, as he stepped forth from his hiding-place. + +The young soldier now was in his shirtsleeves, his coat having been lost +when he had been thrown from his horse. His uniform was so discolored by +mud that it was impossible for an observer to determine to which side he +belonged. However, convinced that his plight was so distressing that he +must trust some one, Noel had decided that he would cast in his lot with +the negro, and trust him to provide some way of escape. + +"Have you seen any Union soldiers around here?" he called as he came +nearer. + +Before he replied, the negro looked quickly into the face of Noel, and +then with a smile said, "No, suh. I wish I had. I would like toe be +inside the Union lines at dis bery minute. I reckon, too, yo' all would +like toe be in there, too." + +"That's what I would!" said Noel enthusiastically. "And you'll have to +show me how to get there." + +The black man hesitated a moment, and then said cordially, "The bes' +thing fo' yo' will be fo' me toe take yo' all toe Aunt Katie." + +"'Aunt Katie'?" inquired Noel, as he glanced once more apprehensively up +and down the road. "Aunt Katie? Who is she?" + +"Yo' come er long wif me and I'll done show yo'," replied the negro. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE GUEST ROOM + + +The young negro at once led the way from the road, evidently fearing +more for the safety of his companion than for his own. + +Noel followed obediently and did not speak until his guide had led him +far within the sheltering woods that were growing on each side of the +road. + +The young soldier was not yet altogether convinced that his companion +was to be relied upon. His experience with Long John had made him +suspicious of the blacks. Throughout his boyhood he had never seen a +colored man, and it had not been long before the time of his enlistment +when he had beheld one for the first time. + +The action of the powerful young negro with whom he was journeying, +however, in a measure relieved his fears, and his plight was so +desperate that he was aware that he must trust somebody for help. Night +would soon be at hand and in the darkness his perils might be greatly +increased. + +At last, when a quarter of a mile or more had been covered by Noel and +his companion, the young soldier stopped, and said, "What's your name?" + +"Nigger Sam." + +"Did you ever hear of Long John?" + +"Yas, suh!" replied Sam, glancing suspiciously at his companion as he +spoke. "What fo' yo' ask 'bout Long John?" + +"I saw him back yonder." + +"What fo' yo' see him?" + +"Why, he led me into a trap. I thought I could trust him, but he took me +along a corduroy road to the very place where a lot of the rebel +soldiers were stationed." + +"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" said Sam, manifestly relieved. "Dat's des' what +Long John is er doin'. He's playing tricks on the Yankee soldiers all de +time. Little Ben Fowler des' used him lak I use de decoy when I shoots +ducks." + +"How do I know you are not another one like Long John?" + +"Because I'se a Yankee." + +"You're a what?" demanded Noel. + +"I'se workin' wif de Yankees. I des' made up my mind dey was de bes' +friends what I got. When a lot ob men leave home and come 'way off down +yere jes' toe set de niggers free, I done make up my min' dat I'd des' +do all I could fo' 'em." + +"Where are you going now?" + +"I reckon I'm goin' toe tote you toe Aunt Katie's." + +"You know I'm a Union soldier, don't you?" + +"I reckon I does. Leastwise I suspected so when I first heerd yo' talk. +If yo' all will tell me how yo' says de word ob dat animal what gibes +milk, den I'll sho'ly know." + +"What do you mean?" inquired Noel sharply. + +"I mean dat animal what we spell c-o-w. How yo' all done say dat name?" + +Noel laughingly pronounced the word, and instantly his dusky companion +was satisfied with the claim which the young soldier had made. + +"Yas, suh. Yo' all sho'ly is er Yankee. What I cain't understan', suh, +is what yo' all is doin' yere. The nearest place war dey is any Union +sojers is Frederick." + +"How far is that from here?" + +"Not so very far, but I reckon hit's too far away fo' yo' all toe try +fo' toe git dere to-night. De sojers is scourin' de country an'--" + +"Do you mean Stuart's cavalry?" + +"Yas, suh, and some mo' men besides dem. Hit's gittin' dreadfully hard +toe find yo' way in times like dese." + +"Where are you going now?" suddenly Noel inquired. + +"I'se goin' toe take yo' all toe Aunt Katie's an'--" + +The young negro hesitated and again searchingly looked at his companion. + +"What's the trouble?" inquired Noel quickly. "Are you afraid of me?" + +"No, suh, I isn't 'fraid," grinned the negro. "Sho'ly not as long as I +hab a frind lak dis wif me," he added as he drew from a pocket inside +his coat a long narrow knife which was at least ten inches in length. +"Dis yere," grinned Sam, "is one ob de bes' friends what I got." + +"What is it?" inquired Noel, extending his hand as he spoke. + +"No, suh. I don' let dis friend of mine eber go out ob my hands. Not +eben fo' Gene'al Bu'nside." + +"Where is General Burnside?" asked Noel. + +"I reckon he isn't far 'way from Frederick City." + +"Are you going to see him?" demanded the young soldier, suddenly +inspired by a new thought. + +"Well, suh, I cain't jes' say 'bout dat," replied Sam as he thrust his +knife back into its receptacle. "I mought and then again I moughtn't." + +"I believe you're going there," said Noel sharply. + +"Dat's des' as may be," again responded Sam. "I mought and den I +moughtn't. Now, we hab been talkin' here long er 'nuff. If we all is +goin' toe get yo' toe Aunt Katie's we mus' be movin' along. I haven't +much time to stay yere any longer." + +"How far is Aunt Katie's from here?" + +"Not so very far," again responded the negro. "But I des' cain't lose de +time." + +"Where did you come from?" abruptly inquired Noel. + +"I des' came from down de road a spell." + +"And you say you're going to Frederick City to report to General +Burnside?" + +"No, suh. No, suh. I didn't say any such thing," replied Sam with a +grin. "I des' said that I mought see him." + +"I believe you're taking word to him from some one down in this part of +Maryland." + +Sam grinned, but made no reply. + +The practice of using the blacks as spies or as means of obtaining +information was more prevalent than the young soldier was aware. Some of +the black men were keenly intelligent, and their stealthiness enabled +them to avoid many dangers to which the white soldiers were often +exposed. It was plain, too, that Nigger Sam, as he called himself, was +thoroughly familiar with the region; and he had said and done enough to +cause his companion to suspect that the purpose of his journey was more +than had appeared upon the surface. + +Conversation ceased when the journey was resumed. Weary as Noel was by +the experiences of the day, it was with difficulty that he was able to +keep up with his companion, who swiftly led the way through the field +and across the occasional swamps. + +The sun had disappeared from sight and darkness was creeping over the +land when at last Noel and his black guide arrived on the border of a +long stretch of woods. + +"Yo' all stay right yere, suh," said Sam, "while I done go toe see if +Aunt Katie will take yo' in fo' de night." + +"I don't want to stop at Aunt Katie's," declared Noel. "I want to go +with you. I'm sure you're on your way to Frederick City--" + +"Hush!" said Sam sternly. "Yo' all don't know who may be hidin' in dese +yere trees." + +The negro spoke in a whisper, but it was manifest to his companion that +his fears had been aroused and perhaps not without reason. + +"Yo' all do des' what I says toe yo'," continued Sam. "Set right yere +behin' dis yere tree while I go toe see if Aunt Katie kin take yo' in +fo' de night." + +There was nothing else to be done except to obey the directions of Sam. +Reluctantly Noel seated himself on the ground behind one of the large +trees, and the negro at once started across the field that intervened +between the woods and the little cabins, a faint outline of which could +be seen in the distance. Doubtless the little whitewashed structures +were the quarters of the negroes of the large plantation, Noel +concluded. + +The weary young soldier leaned forward and watched the departing Sam as +long as he could be seen. In a brief time the young negro passed beyond +the nearest of the cabins. + +A half-hour or more elapsed before Sam returned. Noel's anxiety +meanwhile had been increasing, and he was on the point of departing from +the vicinity, as he had become fearful that his guide might play him +false and report him to his enemies instead of to the colored woman to +whom he had referred as the friend of escaping whites and blacks alike. + +The dim outlines of the approaching guide soon became more clearly +defined, and it was with a feeling of relief that Noel heard Sam say, +"Hit's all right, suh. Aunt Katie done say as how she will take yo' in. +Dere's one white man dere now, but she done say she can always find room +fo' one mo'." + +When the two men approached the humble cabin, which Sam explained was +Aunt Katie's abode, there were no lights to be seen, and consequently, +when the black woman whispered to the guide, Noel was unable to +distinguish her face. + +The whispering between the two continued several minutes, and then Sam +once more turned to Noel, who had been bidden to enter the cabin and +seat himself on a rude bench near the rear door, and said, "Is yo' all +hongry." + +"Yes, I'm hungry," whispered Noel. "But never mind that. What I want is +to find some place where I shall be safe; that is, if you 're not going +to take me with you to--" + +Noel abruptly ceased when he felt the grip of his companion on his arm +and was aware that he must not speak aloud concerning any of the men or +places he was seeking. + +"Aunt Katie will feed yo' all an' then show yo' whar yo' kin stay 'til +mo'nin'. Yo' do des' what she done tells yo' toe do." + +"I shall," whispered Noel; for his confidence in his dusky friends had +now been fully restored. He could not explain the change in his +feelings, but it had been manifest by the very tones of Aunt Katie's +voice that she was one upon whom he might depend. + +"Yas, suh," continued Sam. "Maybe I'll done see yo' all some time soon." + +Unaware of the direction in which Sam had departed, Noel's attention and +efforts were soon devoted to the corn-bread and molasses which his sable +hostess speedily provided. + +Watchful as Noel was, his hunger nevertheless was so keen and he was so +busily engaged in the task of disposing of Aunt Katie's viands, that the +occasional chuckle of the black woman was wonderfully comforting. She +seldom spoke, but the young soldier was aware that his hostess was a +woman of ample proportions and capable of exerting herself physically if +occasion should require in a manner that would portend no good for her +enemies. + +"Yo' all come 'long wid me and I'll take yo' toe de gues' room," said +Aunt Katie calmly, when her visitor's hunger had been appeased. + +Puzzled by her words, Noel nevertheless followed the woman as she led +the way outside the little cabin. He was mystified by her actions and +was wondering where the "gues' room" might be. However, he wisely held +his peace, and cautiously following Aunt Katie soon was conducted to a +large stack of cornstalks standing near a corner of the barn. + +Here the black woman stopped and, keenly peering about her to make sure +that their actions were not observed, turned to Noel and whispered, +"Inside dat er stack is whar yo' all is toe go. Dere am plenty ob room +in dere. Yo' all will find another sojer in dere, too, I reckon. I'll +show yo' all how yo' git in. Come er 'long." + +Near the ground on the farther side of the stack Noel crawled into the +opening which Aunt Katie disclosed. In spite of the darkness he was +aware that the ground within was covered with cornstalks and that it was +possible for him to stand erect. Instantly he concluded that the stack +was more or less of a deception and was designed merely to cover and +conceal a small room. + +His thoughts, however, were speedily interrupted by the voice of the +other occupant. In amazement Noel listened, scarcely daring to credit +the evidence of his own ears, and then convinced that he was not +mistaken, he instantly crawled toward the place from which the voice had +come. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE FIRE + + +"Dennis! Dennis! Is that you?" whispered the young soldier, as he gained +the place where the other occupant of the hiding-place was seated. + +"Shure, and it's Noel! It's Noel, me lad!" exclaimed Dennis in high +glee. + +"Hush! Don't talk so loud, Dennis! Somebody will hear us. What are you +doing here? Where did you come from? Are you going to try to go on to +the army to-night? Who brought you here? How long have you been here?" + +"Listen to the lad!" exclaimed Dennis, delightedly, in one of his +loudest whispers. + +Noel was more afraid of Dennis when he whispered than he was when he +spoke in a low tone. Accordingly he grasped his comrade's arm and said, +"Don't make so much noise, Dennis." + +"Noel's the lad for me! He can ask more questions in a minute than any +man from the old sod could ask in five. Well, lad, I have been here +about two hours." + +"Where did you come from?" + +"You'll have to ask the people what brought me. I can't tell you, I'm +shure. I niver was in such a country and I hope I'll niver be again. I +wasn't so troubled about mesilf as I was about you, Noel, me lad. Tell +me about yoursilf." + +"Hush!" repeated Noel. "Be still!" he whispered excitedly. "Do you hear +those voices?" + +"Shure, I hear them." + +"Well, keep still and see if we can find out what they are saying." + +It was plain to both the listening young soldiers that a man, who, from +his tones and speech was undoubtedly white, was talking to a negro lad +standing near the stack within which the two young soldiers were hiding. + +In a moment Noel recognized the voice of the little negro lad as that of +the son of Aunt Katie. The little urchin, not more than ten years of +age, had impressed the young soldier by the intensity with which he had +looked at him from the time of his arrival until he was conducted by +Aunt Katie to the place of his concealment. + +Noel grasped fiercely the arm of Dennis as he heard the man outside +ask, "Have you seen any Yanks around here?" + +"No, suh! No, suh!" said the small negro. "I ain't seen no Yankees +aroun' hyer." + +"You are sure, are you?" repeated the man, not ill-naturedly. + +"Yas, suh. Yas, suh." + +"Do you think you would know a Yank if you should see one?" + +"I shore would," replied the dusky child confidently. "Yo' all done tole +us dat de Yanks hab hawns. I ain't seen nary a man wif hawns 'round +yere." + +"Have you looked for them?" laughed the man. + +"Yas, suh." + +"Well, if you find any you must be sure to report to me. Sometimes you +have to look right smart to find the horns on some of the Yankees." + +"Does dey grow right out of dere haid like dis?" + +"That's what they do, and their horns are sharp, too." + +"Glory!" exclaimed the little negro. "I reck'n I don't want to see no +Yanks wif hawns. Is yo' all thinkin' dat dey is comin' yere sometime?" + +"I think some of them have been here." + +"What dey wan' hyer?" + +"You ask Aunt Katie about that. I reckon she knows more about it than I +do. Are you sure, Little Jake, you haven't seen any Yankees that didn't +have any horns?" + +"How would I know dey was Yankees if dey didn't hab any hawns? Yo' all +don' tole us dat de Yankees hab hawns, so when I sees a man what I don' +know I allus looks to see if he hab any hawns." + +"If he does have horns, then you make up your mind he is a Yankee, do +you?" + +"Yas, suh. Dat's what yo' all don' tole us, so I looks fo' de hawns." + +"Well, the next time you find anybody in Aunt Katie's cabin whom you +don't know, you come and tell me, whether he has horns or not. I'm +expecting somebody to be in her cabin pretty soon. You're sure, are you, +there isn't anybody there now?" + +"Yas, suh. You come 'long wif me," said the negro lad confidently, "and +I'll show yo' all dat dere ain't nobody in dat cabin 'tall, 'ceptin' +mammy." + +"I'll take your word for it. Now, Little Jake, don't you forget to come +straight to the big house and tell me if you ever find any strangers +there, whether they have horns or not." + +The conversation ceased, and with a sigh of relief Noel turned once more +to Dennis and said, "When do we move from here?" + +"About midnight." + +"Is Sam going to be our guide?" + +"I don't know whether he is or not, but Aunt Katie told me that somebody +would come for us about that time." + +"Do you know how far the Union lines are from here?" + +"No, I don't," replied Dennis. "I think the best thing we can do is to +lie down here on these cornstalks and take a nap." + +"But you haven't told me where you came from nor how you got here." + +"'Tis a long story, lad, and I'm afraid to tell you here for fear +somebody outside will hear our voices." + +"All right," responded Noel. "You can tell me after we leave. I think +we'd better do what you say." + +Accordingly the boys stretched themselves on the earth which was covered +with cornstalks and in a few moments both were sleeping soundly. + +Just how long Noel had been asleep he did not know, but he was awakened +by a vague feeling of uneasiness. Somehow he felt as if he were being +smothered, and for a brief time he was unable to decide just where he +was or why he was there. + +The voice of Dennis in a hoarse whisper recalled to him the incidents +which had preceded the finding of the shelter within the strange +hiding-place. + +"What's that?" whispered Dennis. + +Noel saw that his Irish friend was alarmed, although as yet he was +unable to determine the cause. + +"What is what?" responded Noel. + +"'Tis smoke, I tell you!" said Dennis once more. "This place is on +fire." + +"You have been dreaming," protested Noel, although even as he spoke he +was aware of the odor of burning wood. + +"If I have been dreaming, I'm awake now," declared Dennis. "And the only +thing for you and me to do is to get out of this place." + +"It isn't midnight yet." + +"It's time to get up. The sooner we get out of here the safer it will be +for us both." + +All this time Noel was sharing the alarm of his comrade. Not merely was +there an odor of burning wood, but there was no concealing the fact +that smoke was penetrating their hiding-place. + +To add to his alarm, at that very moment there were sounds of men +running about near the shack, and then abruptly above the noise was +heard the voice of some one shouting, "Fire! Fire!" + +The danger of meeting the owner of the plantation was not so great in +the mind of the young soldier at the time as that of being burned or +suffocated in the place where he and Dennis had been concealed. + +"Come on, Dennis! Come on!" he called in a low voice, as instantly he +crawled toward the opening. + +The place, however, had been closed after the entrance of the two boys +and in the darkness it was impossible at first for Noel to find the +exit. By this time his fears had been greatly increased and the sounds +of confusion outside were much more alarming. + +Men were shouting and running about, and in the midst of it all were +heard the screams of the terrified children. + +"Lad," whispered Dennis, "we can't wait to find the door. We must make a +break for it anywhere we can." As he spoke the young Irishman threw +himself with all his strength against the side of the little room. + +Instantly the partition gave way and to the consternation of Noel the +entire structure collapsed. Both boys were buried beneath the +cornstalks, but it was only the work of a moment for them to free +themselves. + +As they leaped to their feet they discovered that one of the little +whitewashed cabins, which they had seen the preceding evening, was on +fire. Surrounding it were crowds of colored people, and among them Noel +saw a tall white man, who he instantly concluded was the man whose voice +had been overheard by him and Dennis. Without question the man before +him was the owner of the plantation and the one who had warned Aunt +Katie's little boy against the "terrible Yankees with hawns." + +Fortunately the collapse of the rude structure, within which a +hiding-place had been made for the escaping soldiers, apparently was not +noticed by the people on the plantation. It was evident by this time +that only the little cabin was doomed and that the fire without +difficulty would be prevented from spreading to the adjoining buildings. +Men in lines were passing buckets of water from hand to hand and the +flames promised to be under control in a brief time. + +Convinced that there was no immediate danger now to be feared from the +spread of the fire, Noel turned to Dennis and in a low voice said, "We +must get away from this place before that chap sees us." + +Even as he spoke, however, the man turned and instantly discovered the +presence of the two young soldiers. + +As he advanced toward them both boys turned and fled from the place, +running swiftly, and hoping that the surrounding darkness would soon +hide them from the sight of the man whom they believed to be a friend of +the Confederate cause. + +Unmindful of the direction in which they were running Noel and Dennis +fled at their highest speed, keeping well together until they came to +what seemed to be an abandoned cabin on the border of the plantation. + +"We'll stop here and abide until mornin'," suggested Dennis, who was +laboring hard and breathing heavily under the exertion. + +"No! No!" replied Noel. "We must not stop a minute. The only hope we +have is in getting as far away from the plantation as possible in the +shortest time." + +"I can't go any farther," said Dennis; "I'm winded." + +"What's that?" demanded Noel suddenly as he turned and looked toward the +plantation, which now was far behind them, but from which the glow of +the fires still could be faintly seen. + +"'Tis nothin', lad. What is it you think you hear?" + +"I thought I heard the dogs. If they set the dogs on us, we shall have +more troubles than we ever had before, Dennis," said Noel, speaking +rapidly and excitedly. + +"I can't help it if they do set the dogs on us," muttered Dennis +sturdily. "I can't go any farther. My wind is gone, and my side is +thumpin' as if--" + +"Here!" said Noel excitedly; "here's a well! I don't know whether +there's any water in it or not, but the thing for you to do is to hide +there. You can do it," he added abruptly as he stretched himself on the +ground and, peering into the depths, found that the old well was lined +with rough stones that projected unevenly from the sides. "Go down a few +feet and wait until the excitement is over." + +"Will you come with me?" + +Noel hesitated and then said, "No, I'll not stay here. There will be +more danger if both of us try to hide in the same place. I'll keep on, +and after a while you follow me and I'll be on the lookout for you, and +not very far ahead." + +"See that you are," said Dennis, as he at once prepared to make his +descent into the forbidding hole which his companion had discovered. + +Without waiting to discover what success attended his comrade's efforts, +Noel Curtis instantly turned and resumed his flight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +AT THE FORK + + +Noel ran swiftly forward in the darkness until at last he was compelled +to stop to recover his breath. As he looked behind him he saw that the +fire on the plantation manifestly was dying down. There was one spot of +dull red yet to be seen against the dark horizon, but the flames had +ceased. + +For a moment he was tempted to turn and bid Dennis join him in his +flight; but his uncertainty as to the exact direction in which to return +to the old well, and his confidence that somehow the young Irish soldier +would be able to make his way through the surrounding difficulties +caused him to decide to continue his own flight. + +The young soldier soon found himself in a road with which he was, of +course, unfamiliar. He also was ignorant alike of the location of his +friends and his enemies. For a brief time Noel tried to discover some +signs which would indicate the presence or the passing of bodies of +troops, but his efforts were unavailing, and at last he turned to his +left and started resolutely along the roadway. + +Frequently the young soldier stopped to convince himself that he was in +no immediate peril. To his listening ears, however, no sounds of danger +came. The silence of the night was unbroken, and from the occasional +plantations not even the dogs betrayed any alarm at his passing. + +Two hours or more had elapsed, and Noel now was beginning to feel the +effects of his labors. Only in a general way did he know where he wanted +to go, but his very ignorance had strengthened his nervous fear and he +increased his efforts to make haste. + +Suddenly the young soldier was aware that a dense fog was settling over +the land. Almost like raindrops the heavy mist rested upon his face and +clothing. He was able to see but a short distance before him. What fears +or hopes might be concealed by the enfolding mist he did not know, but +his senses were alert, and he was keenly watchful as he moved forward in +the darkness. + +He had not advanced far, however, when he came to a fork in the road. +Almost at right angles a road branched which plainly was traveled as +frequently as the one over which he had journeyed. Near the fork the +young soldier discovered a little cabin, about which he was striving to +make some investigations that would enable him to decide which road to +follow. The little building was near the side of the road, and as Noel +saw it he abruptly halted and listened intently for any sounds that +might betray the presence of people within it. + +It was almost morning by this time, and though the fog was not +scattered, the light of the coming day presented a new aspect to his +surroundings. Cautiously the young soldier approached the little cabin. +The door was open, and as he came nearer he saw that there was no window +in the room. Apparently the place was deserted. + +At last with renewed caution Noel approached the door and hastily +glanced within the building. In spite of the darkness he was convinced +that he was the only one in the place. His impression was strengthened +when he entered and found that apparently the room had not been occupied +for a long time. + +So tired was Noel by the efforts which he had made in his flight that +the place appeared almost inviting. At all events, it was quiet and +peaceful and he flung himself on the ground and soon was sleeping +soundly. + +The young soldier was awakened suddenly, and as he opened his eyes, at +first he was unable to say where he was. Rays of the early sunlight were +streaming through the open spaces in the walls, but stronger than the +impression produced by the morning was that of the sounds which he heard +from the road. + +It was plain that horses and men were outside the building, and if he +could judge from the noise there were many of both. + +Alarmed as Noel was by what he heard, he nevertheless quickly arose and +cautiously looked through the place where the window had been. + +The sight which greeted his eyes was one which might well have startled +a bolder man than the young soldier. A troop of cavalry had halted at +the fork in the road and were preparing their breakfast. There were at +least fifty men in the band, and from their actions Noel concluded they +were in no immediate fear of discovery or attack. The men were not +noisy, but they were joking with one another, and plainly were +interested in the preparations which were being made for their morning +meal. Indeed, the odor of the bacon which was being broiled over the +several fires which had been kindled, made him aware that he, too, had +eaten little since he had fled from his pursuers early the preceding +day. + +Occasional words were overheard, and it was not difficult for the young +soldier to conclude that the men before him belonged to a troop of +Stuart's cavalry, and that apparently they were in no immediate fear of +the Federal troops. + +As the young soldier looked about him in the morning light he saw that +the building in which he had slept was old and dilapidated. One corner +of the roof had fallen, and the place was so small that no one passing +would believe that many could be concealed within its walls. At all +events, its appearance of desolation undoubtedly was his strongest +protection, he thought. Not one of the cavalrymen would think of +inspecting a place around which the bushes and weeds were growing and +within which no one was likely to seek refuge. + +His admiration for the men before him became stronger as he continued to +watch their activities. Not only were they well trained, but their +horses were wonderful animals. Some of them showed the effect of the +labors of the campaign, but it was clear that both men and horses made +up a carefully selected body. + +Noel, as has been said, was peering anxiously from one corner of the +little window. An exclamation of surprise almost escaped his lips when +suddenly he discovered two men approaching from the branch road, and he +was convinced that one was Levi, the former sutler in the camp at +Harper's Ferry, and the other was the husband of Sairy Ann's sister. + +It became evident to the young watcher that the arrival of both men was +expected. At all events, an orderly ran forward to meet them, and it was +plain from the conversation which followed that neither of the newcomers +was a stranger to him. + +Noel's desire to see and hear more became intense. Soon after the +arrival of the sutler and his companion, patrols were established in the +three roads. The chief comfort that Noel had at the time was the +conviction that his hiding-place, in view of the interest which the +arrival of the two men had created, was not likely to receive the +attention of the cavalrymen. + +Except for a few faint snatches of the conversation of the soldiers, +Noel, despite his efforts, still was unable to overhear much of what was +said. + +Occasionally words came to him, but for the most part they were +meaningless. The impression, however, which he received was that the +newcomers had brought information which was considered of importance, +for the men soon were hastily preparing to leave the place, although +they had not yet finished their breakfast. + +By this time the fog largely had been burned away by the rays of the +rising sun. When a few minutes later the bugle sounded, the men mounted +their horses and in a body departed swiftly, leaving behind them both +Levi and his strange companion, whom Noel had first seen in the house of +the elongated Jim, the husband of Sairy Ann. + +The two men sat on the ground near one of the fires which was still +burning, and over it was some of the food still cooking which the +soldiers had abandoned in their sudden departure. The conversation +between the two could be overheard more plainly, and as Noel listened +his interest became more intense. + +"Here, don't yo' all want some of this yere bacon?" inquired Levi's +companion. + +"I do not eat bacon." + +"Why don't you eat it?" + +"Because it vas unclean." + +"It's as clean as anything you're likely to get in the next week or +two," laughed the man. "Now, then, Levi, what did you find out?" + +"Just vat I tells you." + +"Yo' 're perfectly sure about that, be yo'?" + +"Yes," snapped Levi. "Now you tells me vat you haf found." + +"Not very much. I was back here on the major's plantation, and he said +there were some Yanks at the nigger hut last night, but that they +couldn't find any trace of them this mo'nin'. One of the cabins burned +up last night, and the major thinks the men got away while all hands +were busy puttin' out the fire." + +"How many did you say der vas?" inquired Levi. + +"How many of what?" + +"How many Yankees vere dere. How many got avay?" + +"I don't know anything about that. I heard the major say he was sure +two, anyway." + +"Yah, I knows dose men, I vas sure. Dey are de two men what robbed me of +mine goots. Dey push over mine tent. Dey say I charge too mooch. Dey +steals mine goots. Dot is vy I am no more some Yankee." + +"A Yankee!" exclaimed his companion as he threw back his head and +laughed loudly. "A Yankee! Yo' 're about as much Yankee as yo' are +nigger." + +"Not too far, mine friend. Not too far. You forget dot the brains of the +Confederacy is Jew brains--" + +"That's a good one! That's a good one!" broke in Levi's companion. "Now, +then," he added more soberly, "are yo' all comin' on with me, or am I +goin' with yo' all? The captain said yo' all were to come with me. Do +yo' know where we're goin'?" + +"I know vere ve vas going to try to go," said Levi. "Ever since dose men +push over mine tent and steals mine goots, I--" + +"Well, if we're going, why don't we start? I have had all I want to +eat," broke in the other man. + +Noel could see that neither of the men was clad in the uniform of the +Confederate army. His suspicions were confirmed that both were being +used by the rebel troops to secure information concerning the presence +and the actions of McClellan's army. + +Noel was desirous of hearing the men speak more concerning their +immediate plans, but, although it was plain that neither was suspicious +that any one was near, almost instinctively they both lowered their +voices whenever they spoke concerning the immediate task which +confronted them. + +An interruption was provided, however, by Noel himself. A sudden impulse +to sneeze became almost uncontrollable. In spite of his efforts to +repress the impulse Noel soon found that he was unable to do so, and +after several attempts a prolonged and agonizing sound came from the +hut, which instantly caused the two men outside to leap to their feet +and gaze anxiously at the little building. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE STACK OF STRAW + + +The little sutler was unarmed, but his companion carried a rifle, which +Noel had no difficulty in concluding was of unusual excellence. Grasping +the weapon in his hand, the man instantly stood leaning forward prepared +for the appearance of an enemy from the place from which the unexpected +sound had come. + +The action caused Noel at once to draw farther back from the window, +although he still was watching the movements of his enemies outside. The +expression of consternation that appeared on their faces, as well as the +manifest fear of Levi, at another time would have caused the young +soldier to laugh heartily. As it was, however, unarmed, and wearied by +the labors of the preceding night, and facing one, at least, who would +not hesitate to use his rifle, there was no expression of mirth on the +young soldier's face. + +"Vat's dat?" Noel heard Levi demand of his companion. The expression of +alarm on the face of the little sutler became more marked and he +glanced fearfully about him as if the sound might be repeated from some +other direction. + +"Why don't yo' all go into the shanty and find out what it is?" drawled +Levi's companion. + +"I haven't any gun." + +"Well, I shan't let yo' have mine. I should not dare to trust myself a +minute here with my gun in your hands. Bad enough to be shot by the +Yanks, but if I should be hit by one who is neither fish, fowl, nor good +red herring, I think I would feel worse about it." + +"You go and see who vas in dere." + +"I'm a-goin' to," said the man in a low voice. "That's just what I'm +thinkin' of. I reckon yo'll find it's some nigger who's crawled in there +and gone to sleep." + +As if in answer to the implied question there came at that moment from +the hut a sound not unlike the sneeze which had preceded it. This time, +however, the report was suddenly broken as if the guilty party had +stifled the rising sounds. + +Terrified as Noel was by the action over which he had no control, the +young soldier nevertheless peered quickly from the corner of the window +at his enemies, whose consternation, he saw, was much more marked at +the repetition. + +Both men were keenly observant of the little building, and it was +manifest now that Levi's companion was no longer hesitating. + +Advancing boldly several yards nearer the little building he stopped and +in a loud voice said, "Who's in there? Come out and show yourself!" + +[Illustration: "WHO'S IN THERE?"] + +As no response was given his hail, the man waited a brief time and then +repeated his summons. + +"Come along out o' that! It will be easier for yo' now than it will be +if I come in there toe get yo'. It's either fo' yo' toe come out +yo'self, or be dragged out by some one else." + +Noel was preparing to obey the command when to his surprise he was +suddenly aware that both men outside were no longer looking toward the +building, but were eagerly watching somebody or something down the road. +Almost instinctively the young soldier followed their action, and his +fears were increased when he saw approaching from the distance a body of +troops. It was impossible, from the place where he was watching, to +determine whether the men belonged to the Confederate army or to his +own. There were several horses in the band, but whether or not it was +a cavalry troop that he saw he was unable to determine. + +The men were approaching steadily, and Noel, aware that the attention of +Levi and his comrade had been diverted, at least for the moment, +suddenly darted through the little door, and without once glancing +behind him, at full speed started to cross the open field in the rear of +the hut. + +He knew he would not long be hidden from the view of the men, but every +yard he gained not merely provided an additional incentive for effort, +but increased his possibility of escaping. + +Without once glancing behind him Noel ran at his utmost speed, leaping +over the low rail fence as he came to the border of the field and then +heading directly for a stack of straw which stood in the middle of the +neighboring field. + +As he drew near the weather-beaten pile of straw and glanced behind him, +it seemed to him that some of the men had started in pursuit. + +He was, however, not positive, but his fears were sufficient to cause +him to run quickly to the opposite side of the stack and when he was +once more beyond the vision of his enemies he hastily climbed the heap +which was not more than fifteen feet in height. + +The task was difficult because it was well-nigh impossible for him to +gain any firm foothold, but at last he succeeded and did not cease his +endeavors until he had gained the summit of the pile. Once there he +hastily tore the straw apart, which to his surprise was somewhat loose, +and burrowing into the depths soon made a hiding-place large enough to +receive him. + +Noel's next effort was to tear away the straw which prevented him from +obtaining a view of the field over which he had fled, and when he had +succeeded in obtaining a peep-hole he saw that his fears were confirmed +and that some of the men were approaching from the road. + +It was impossible for the troubled boy to know whether the approaching +men were searching for him or were planning to pass his hiding-place +without giving him any heed. The men were coming in an orderly manner, +holding well together, and there were many things to make the excited +young soldier hope that he was not the object of their search. + +Tremblingly he watched the men as they came nearer and nearer, and when +at last a part of the body halted and began an inspection of the +straw-stack in which he was hiding, his alarm became great. + +In the midst of these men he saw the little sutler, Levi, who was +pointing excitedly, first, back toward the road from which they had +come, and then toward the intervening distance between the place where +he was standing and a house far away. + +In response to his appeals a hasty search of the straw-stack was made, +the soldiers moving in opposite directions until they had encircled the +place. An investigation then was made around the bottom of the pile, +apparently no one thinking of looking to the top where the young soldier +was concealed. It was evident that the men were in haste and in spite of +Noel's fear he was hopeful that they would not remain long. + +His expectation was fulfilled, for, after the soldiers had circled the +stack and some of their number had tried to discover any possible +hiding-places around the base of the pile, the leader shouted, "Come on, +boys! We must not waste any more time here. We shan't get to the Gap +befo' every Yank has surrendered." + +Noel was afraid to lift his head far above the place where he was +concealed. Nevertheless, when he heard the sounds of the hoofs of the +departing horses, he did venture to look out on the scene before him. + +In a body the soldiers were speeding swiftly across the intervening +field without once glancing behind them. So interested was Noel in the +sight that the presence of the little sutler, for the moment, was +forgotten. Levi was not with the soldiers, and when Noel once more drew +down into his place of concealment his thoughts were chiefly concerned +with the departing enemy. + +For a time the young soldier remained quietly in his hiding-place, +peering out through the peep-hole he had formed between the straws. He +was watching the road near the place where the little hut in which he +had hidden was standing. All the time he was fearful of the coming of +more men. + +His fears were not without foundation, for within a few minutes another +band was seen approaching. + +Tremblingly the boy watched them as they rode swiftly down the road, but +as they did not halt at the fork a feeling of intense relief swept over +his heart. It was manifest now that the men who had investigated the +straw-stack had turned aside from the regular course which the main +body was following. + +The thought caused Noel once more to look in the direction in which the +men had disappeared. He was unable to discover their presence, however, +even the distant house toward which they had been speeding now being to +all appearances as harmless as the little cabin in which he had sought +refuge. + +As we know, Noel's coat was gone and the remaining parts of his uniform +had been so discolored by his flight along the muddy roads that he was +not without hope that even if he were discovered his clothing would not +betray him. The boy was hungry and intensely thirsty. His mouth was +parched, and at the time it almost seemed to him that he could endure +his torment no longer. + +The nearest place where he was likely to obtain relief was the farmhouse +in the distance toward which the investigating party had fled. Noel +convinced himself that he would incur no risk if he should follow in the +same direction, for doubtless the soldiers would not remain about the +place; at least, their conversation implied that they were in haste to +arrive at some "Gap." The location of any such place was entirely +unknown to him. + +After he had waited several minutes more, Noel finally decided that he +could endure his sufferings no longer. His eyes, ears, and nose seemed +to be filled with the dust that had accumulated for months in the +neglected stack. His muscles were cramped and sore from remaining so +long in one position, as he had not dared to move, for fear of causing +some of the straw to slide from its place. + +At last he decided that he would attempt to find relief at the far-away +house. Slowly and cautiously he climbed from the hole in the stack, +frequently pausing to look up and then down the road and make sure that +his actions were not observed. As soon as he was convinced that the road +was free from his enemies he quickly slipped over the side. As he struck +the ground an exclamation escaped him when his fall was broken by the +body of a man directly beneath him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE CARPET-BAG + + +Noel was conscious of a low cry from the man upon whom he had fallen, +and then instantly each savagely clutched the other. There was a +struggle, which was short and violent, and Noel found himself holding to +the ground the body of Levi, the sutler. + +"Father Abraham!" ejaculated Levi. "Father Abraham! Let me up! Let me +up!" + +The surprise of Noel, when he discovered who his captive was, did not +detract from his inclination to laugh as he heard the exclamations of +the little sutler. + +Without rising and still holding his prisoner fast to the ground, Noel +said, "What are you doing here, Levi?" + +"You vill let me up and I vill leave so quick you shall not see me." + +"Before you go I want to know what you're doing here. Were you spying on +me?" + +"Not von leedle bit. I deed not know you vas here. Father Abraham! Vot a +pinch you gif mine arm!" + +"You want to be thankful it was only your arm, Levi. Now you tell me +what you were doing here!" + +"I vas chust stopping for to see vich vay the men vas going." + +"What men?" + +"Der men vot vas soldiers for the Johnnie Rebs." + +"Did you find any of them?" + +"Yes, I see some going up mit der road. Dey vas all gone, and den I +starts for der house over yonder for to sell somedings vot I carry in +mine bag." + +"I believe you knew I was here all the time." + +"Nefer did I know you vas here. Father Abraham! I vish you vere not here +now. If you vill be gone I too vill go so fast you shall not see me in +two minutes." + +Aware of the perils which recently had threatened him, Noel was not +inclined either to prolong the interview or to compel his prisoner to +remain longer on the ground. Grasping the little sutler by his shoulder +Noel quickly yanked him to his feet, but without relaxing his grasp. + +"Levi, what have you got in that bag?" he demanded. + +"Somedings vot I sells to the vimmins ven der men vas gone off to the +var. Dot vos all. You shall belief mine vord. I chust carry somedings +vat cannot be had ven the armies vas so near by." + +"Let me see what you have," suggested Noel, as, compelling his prisoner +to advance with him he moved toward the bag which Levi had left on the +ground near the base of the straw-stack. + +"No, I shall not do so!" screamed the little sutler. "You shall not open +mine bag. It vas mine." + +Noel's suspicions, greatly increased by the manifest alarm of the +sutler, were almost strong enough to induce him to send his prisoner +away and appropriate the bag. From the expressions he already had heard, +he was aware that Levi was playing a dual part, or at least he believed +him now to be in the employ of the Confederates. + +Before he acted, however, he turned once more to his prisoner and said +sharply, "How long since you have been inside our lines?" + +"I do not go in der lines of der Yankees," protested Levi. "Dey vas +steal mine goots. Dey vas take vat vas not theirs. I lose more nor two +hundred dollars ven you and dot Dennis tear mine tent and tip ofer mine +goots." + +The expression of hatred which appeared upon the sutler's face when he +referred to Dennis strengthened the conviction in the heart of Noel that +his prisoner certainly did not entertain any cordial feelings for the +boys in blue. + +Noel, boylike, unmindful of the justice of the little sutler's +complaints, was greatly angered at the treachery of his comrade. + +"How long since you have been in the Confederate lines?" he demanded +sharply. + +"I do not go dere either. I have tolt you vat mine peesness vas. I sells +mine goots to the peoples vat may be at home." + +"All right, then," said Noel. "You let me see what is in your bag, and +I'll believe you." + +"I shall not trust von Yankee soldier!" screamed Levi. "You shall not +open mine bag. I haf already had mine droubles mit der Yankees. Dey +tears mine tent and tips ofer mine goots and steals vot vas mine. I +shall not open mine bag for you yet von leedle bit." + +"Too bad," said Noel, more soberly. "Then I shall have to open it +myself, I suppose." + +"No! No!" screamed Levi in tones still shriller. "Father Abraham! +Father Abraham! I shall call for some helps!" + +"Levi," said Noel abruptly, "I think I shall send you away and take your +bag myself." + +"You shall not do so!" protested the sutler noisily. "You shall not take +mine bag! It vas mine, I dells you! It vas not yours. You shall not have +it." + +"Then let me see what there is in there." + +"If I open mine bag von leedle bit, you vill take vot is not yours. I +haf known you. You are von of dose Yankee soldiers. Dey tears mine tent +and tips ofer mine goots and takes vat vas not theirs. I shall not gif +you von chance, not even one leedle bit of a chance." + +"I'm sorry," said Noel, "but I'm afraid, then, that I shall have to take +it myself." As he spoke Noel moved as if he was about to seize the bag, +and instantly the little sutler, rushing savagely upon him, began to +kick and strike, and before Noel was prepared to resist the sudden +onslaught Levi bit him severely on the hand. + +Aroused by the sudden attack and maddened by the pain which Levi's bite +had caused, Noel flung the little sutler far from him and eagerly +watched him as he rolled over upon the ground. + +Almost as nimbly as a monkey the sutler leaped to his feet, and instead +of trying to run from the place started once more fiercely at his enemy. + +Noel was prepared for the attack now, and as Levi ran savagely upon him +he thrust out his right foot and, at the same time giving him a hard +push, sent him once more sprawling upon the ground. This time he did not +wait for the sutler to recover from his fall but at once advanced and +seized his carpet-bag. + +The sight of his possessions in the hands of Noel again proved too much +for Levi's feelings. In a thin, piping voice he screamed, "Father +Abraham! Father Abraham! You shall not steal from mine bag. It vas not +yours. You vas like some of dose Yankee soldiers. Dey tears mine tent +and tips ofer mine goots and takes vot vas not theirs. I shall shoot!" + +Startled by the threat, Noel glanced keenly at Levi, who was almost +beside himself with rage, to see if any weapons were upon his person. He +had not thought of the sutler as one who would carry firearms of any +kind. The man was undersized and was lacking in physical strength. Noel +had never thought of him other than as a weakling and one who might +obtain his way by deception rather than by force. The thought that he +might be armed was startling, and before the man could act Noel leaped +forward and, seizing him again, threw him upon the ground, where he +satisfied himself that no pistols were in his possession. + +"You go back from here the way you came," ordered Noel as he swung his +prisoner in his arms and, giving him a violent push, sent him in the +direction he had indicated. + +But Levi was not to be so easily turned aside from his purpose. Once +more he leaped toward his tormentor, who now had taken the carpet-bag in +his hands and stood facing him. Screaming, chattering, lamenting, Levi +would have been a pathetic object under other circumstances. But Noel +was so thoroughly convinced that in the bag which he held in his hands +he would find something of value to the leaders of his army that he was +determined now to investigate the contents and compel the little Jew to +give it over. + +Levi's screams of impotent rage and his childish attempts to compel Noel +to relax his hold upon the bag were alike without avail. At last the +young soldier said more sternly to the angry sutler, "Levi, if you know +when you are well off you'll leave this place as I told you. Now, go!" + +There was something in Noel's voice that caused Levi to heed the +command. Tears were coursing down his cheeks and his two little fists +were working very much after the manner of a pump-handle when he saw the +expression on the face of his captor, and, aware that further efforts +would be useless, he abruptly turned away and, without once glancing +behind him, sped swiftly toward the fork in the road from which he had +come. + +For a brief time Noel watched the man as he sped across the field, and +then suddenly, aware that his own problems were sufficient to demand his +entire attention, he turned toward the house in the distance. + +He had expected to learn from Levi the direction in which the Union +troops might be found, but his sudden determination to investigate the +carpet-bag, as soon as he discovered that it was not heavy, had changed +his plans. Levi was gone and if he possessed the desired information he +had taken it with him. + +And yet Noel Curtis was aware that his own predicament was such that if +other bodies of the Confederate cavalrymen should soon pass along the +road, Levi would be able to inform them of what had occurred. If his +suspicions were correct, that the contents of the carpet-bag were of +considerable value, there would be an added incentive for the little +sutler to rescue them. + +Perhaps Noel's decision to start toward the house which he saw in the +distance was formed simply because it was the only place within sight +which indicated the presence of people. His own plight now was such that +he keenly felt the need of food and drink. No little streams were near +him, and as for food there were no indications that the shallow soil +itself had produced any of late. + +His determination once fixed, Noel, with the carpet-bag firmly grasped +in his hand, moved swiftly across the field toward the distant house. + +Twice he stopped and looked back to see whether or not Levi had held to +his course. Once he saw the little sutler, but he was moving steadily +toward the fork in the road. The second time Noel looked he was unable +to see the man anywhere. Concluding that Levi had sought the little +building in which he himself had found shelter a short time before, +Noel's efforts increased, and he ran swiftly toward the place he was +seeking. + +When Noel drew nearer the house he was aware of the aspect of neglect +and even of dejection that was manifested by every living object within +his sight. The two dogs, which came out of the building as soon as they +were aware of his approach, were mangy and spiritless. Even the few +chickens in the yard seemed to be affected by the general air of +desolation. The fence was broken in many places, the gate was lying flat +upon the ground, and as for paint or whitewash, it had been long since +the house or barns had seen anything of that kind. + +The young soldier halted a moment to make certain that no enemies were +near the plantation. Satisfied that his fears for the time were without +foundation, and still holding firmly to the carpet-bag which he had +taken from the little sutler, Noel boldly approached the kitchen door. +His purpose now was merely to obtain food, and then to push forward on +his way to rejoin the army from which he had been separated so long. + +Advancing boldly, he rapped loudly upon the door, which sagged like +everything else about the place. All these things were forgotten, +however, when he looked into the face of the person who answered his +summons. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A MYSTERY + + +Before him stood the sister of Sairy Ann, whom he had heard the latter +address as 'Liza Jane. That her sympathies were not with the side for +which he was fighting Noel well knew, but his great fear as he saw the +woman was that her husband might not be far away. + +Noel recalled the contempt with which Sairy Ann had referred to her +sister as one of the "secesh," and, in spite of his alarm at the +discovery of her presence, he smiled as he recalled the sharp +declaration of Sairy Ann that in her will she had left her shoestrings +to her "beloved sister, 'Liza Jane." + +Before he spoke Noel quickly decided that he would try to find out +whether or not the woman recognized him. He did not believe that she had +seen him when he had been in her sister's house, and yet it was +impossible for him to determine whether his confidence was well founded +or not. + +To all appearances no man was near. What he had taken for the "big +house" of a plantation when he had seen the place in the distance, he +now saw was only a bare habitation, and the "plantation" had decreased +to a few uncultivated and unfruitful acres. The appearance of the woman +herself was not unlike that of her surroundings. + +"Well," demanded Eliza Jane, "who be yo'? Whar do yo' all come from? +What be yo' all doin' here?" + +"Is your husband at home?" inquired Noel. + +"No; he ain't to home. What do yo' want toe see him fo'?" + +"Oh, I don't want to see him; I just wanted to know whether he was here +or not. In fact I don't want to see anybody just now," continued Noel, +smiling in such a way that the suspicions of the questioner were +apparently relieved in part. + +"Has Levi been here lately?" asked Noel abruptly. + +"Maybe he has and maybe he hasn't," said the woman. "I can't keep track +of Sam Tolliver's doin's. He has all kinds of men here. Who is Levi?" + +"Why, he is a little sutler that used to be in the Yankee army and now +is doing what he can for--" + +"I reckon he's been here," spoke up the woman promptly. "What might yo' +all want o' him?" + +"I don't want anything of him just now," said Noel, his face again +lighting up with the smile which won him friends on every side. "What I +want now is something to eat. I'm as hungry as a bear and almost as +thirsty as I am hungry. Can you help me? I shan't be able to pay you--" + +"Who said anything about payin'?" broke in the woman. "I ain't got much +fo' toe eat, but I reckon pa't of what I has is fo' yo' all. Come in and +set ye down at the kitchen table and I'll see what I can do fo' yo'." + +Too hungry and thirsty to delay, Noel promptly accepted the invitation, +and after he had washed his face and hands, he eagerly took his place at +the table as the woman directed. + +The young soldier was well aware that he was in the midst of perils. If +the husband of his hostess should return or Levi should come, his +position was not one to be envied. Not that he was afraid of either of +the men in a personal encounter; but he was unarmed, while the man whom +Eliza Jane had called Sam Tolliver was doubtless thoroughly armed and +desperate. Besides, if he was playing the part which Noel suspected, and +was obtaining information concerning the plans and movements of the +Federal troops and reporting the knowledge to the leaders of the +Confederates, he was well aware that the man was one to be feared. + +Noel's meditations were interrupted by the approach of his hostess who +placed some corn-bread and a small jug of molasses upon the table before +him. + +"'Tis about the best pore folks can have these days," she said. "I don't +know how I happened to save that ther' molasses, but Sam never likes his +co'n-bread unless he can po' molasses over it, and we had a barrel put +in the cellar before the Yanks started all this trouble." + +"I don't want to rob you," said Noel. + +"Who said anything about yo' robbin' me? I reckon I haven't got much +that would pay any robber toe take. If yo' all don't like that molasses, +why, jest say so." + +"I do like it," said Noel, "and I am grateful to you for giving it to +me." + +Without further delay the young soldier at once began his breakfast, all +the time aware that the woman was watching him with an expression which +gave evidence that her feeling was more than mere hospitality. + +Finally, unable to resist her curiosity longer, she broke in: "What pa't +of the No'th do yo' all come from?" + +"How do you know I am from the North? What makes you think that?" + +"Jest as soon as I heard yo' all talk," said the woman, "I knew yo' was +a Yank. Strange how queer th' Yanks talk." + +Noel laughed and did not give expression to his own feeling that the +dialect that he had heard in the South had impressed him much the same +way as his hostess had been impressed by the voices and words of the +Northern soldiers. + +"I reckon," she continued, "that yo' all are one of McClellan's men, +though what yo' all are doin' over yere is more than I can understand. +Yo' all are not looking fo' my man, Sam, are yo'?" + +"I assure you that I am not," said Noel promptly. And the young soldier +spoke honestly, for of all men Sam Tolliver was the one he least desired +to see at the time. + +"Run away from the army?" inquired the woman. + +"No." + +"Well, then, what are yo' all doin' out yere? I see yo' ain't got no +coat, but in spite of the dirt I can see that yo' pants is the same as +all th' Yankee soldiers wear." + +"How far is the Northern army from here?" inquired Noel, without +answering her question. + +"That's more than I can say. Sometimes they say it's in one place and +then again they say it's in 'nother. If Sam was here he could tell yo'. +Sam knows more than any man I ever see." + +Noel did not explain his suspicions that Sam's knowledge included some +things which he knew and some things which he did not know. + +"I don't suppose you see very much of him now," he said aloud. + +"Not as much as I used toe," said the woman, "though befo' the war Sam +used to go out with houn' dogs and be gone days at a time huntin' +rabbits. He was a pow'ful good shot." + +"He must have kept you pretty well supplied with rabbits," suggested +Noel. + +"Sometimes he did and sometimes he didn't," replied Eliza Jane. +"Sometimes the pesky little varmints would get away befo' Sam had a +chance toe fire. They seemed toe know that he was a dead-sure shot." + +Noel's suspicions as to the prowess of the wonderful Sam once more were +not voiced. He was content if only the woman would feed him and permit +him to depart without further trouble. + +"Sam says," continued the woman, whose readiness to talk was manifest, +"that there isn't goin' toe be much left o' the Yanks pretty quick. He +thinks there is goin' toe be some fightin' befo' long and the Yanks will +get whipped worse 'n they were at Manassas. I would jes' like toe see my +sister, Sairy Ann. I wonder what she'll think of the secesh then. She +can keep her old shoestrings if she wants 'em! You know she's my own +sister and she's worth a lot of money. Befo' the war she had nigh on toe +two hundred dollars. Think of Sairy Ann leaving me in her will nothin' +but her shoestrings! I believe she joined the Yanks jest a purpose so +she could turn ag'in her own relations. Shoestrings!" snapped the woman, +whose recollection of her sister's generosity renewed her feeling of +anger. + +By this time Noel's hunger had been appeased in a measure and he was +eager to be gone. Before he arose from his seat at the table he turned +again to his hostess and said simply, "Do you know where the Northern +army is? + +"I done tole yo'," she replied tartly, "that sometimes 'tis said toe be +in one place and sometimes in another." + +"Where is it reported to be now?" + +"I can't say. Now, if Sam was home--" + +Without waiting for further enlightenment as to the knowledge and +ability of the missing Sam, Noel said, "Well, if you cannot tell me +where the army is, you can tell me the road to take." + +"No, I can't. Yo' all might take mos' any road an' the first thing yo' +know yo' would run right into McClellan's troops, an' then ag'in yo' +might run intoe General Lee's." + +"At all events," said Noel, "I'm grateful to you for your kindness to +me. You have taken me in, and though I was a stranger--" + +"But I ain't been entertainin' no angel unawares," snapped the woman. +"You don't look to me very much like a angel, with that mud on yo' +pants. I am thinkin', too," she added, as she glanced out of the window, +"that it might be well fo' yo' toe start right soon, that is if yo' 're +goin' toe go." + +"What's the trouble?" demanded Noel, leaping to his feet and running to +the side of the woman, where he looked anxiously out of the window. + +The statement of Eliza Jane was correct, for a small body of men was +moving in an orderly manner up the road. Noel watched them with keen +interest, and at first was unable to determine to which side in the +conflict they belonged. + +His interest changed to alarm when he saw the men abruptly halt, and +then, at the command of their leader, turn into the yard leading +directly to the house. + +The woman by his side had not spoken, but when she exclaimed, "Them's +Yanks," Noel also made the discovery at the same moment. The approaching +men belonged to his own army, and in the thought of being once more +among his friends and comrades the heart of the young soldier suddenly +was lightened. Rushing to the door he ran across the yard to meet the +boys in blue. + +To his consternation as he drew near, he discovered that Dennis was +among the number, and also that he was a prisoner. Just what this meant, +Noel was unable to conjecture, but his interest in his comrade was +speedily banished when to his amazement he saw Levi, the little sutler, +also in the company, talking eagerly to the captain and pointing +excitedly toward Noel as he spoke. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE GUARD-HOUSE + + +The subject concerning which the little sutler and the captain were +conversing soon became manifest to Noel. The officer turned sharply to +him, and as he did so the young soldier was no longer able to discover +the presence of Levi in the band. + +"There's no use in your trying to get away now," exclaimed the officer. + +"'Get away!'" responded Noel, astounded by the suggestion. "That's the +last thing in the world I want to do! I have been looking for you or +some of the boys in blue for more than--" + +"That's a likely story!" interrupted the young captain. "You can explain +that to the colonel after we are back in the lines." + +"I'm perfectly willing to explain it to the colonel," declared Noel. +"And I'll explain it to you now." + +"There's no use in that. I'm afraid your explanations won't do you any +good." + +"What do you think I am?" demanded Noel angrily. + +All the men in the band now were listening intently, and Noel was aware +that he was under a cloud that might not easily be dispelled. + +"I know what you are. You are a deserter." + +In spite of the charge Noel laughed, but he was sobered instantly when +he saw that every man before him firmly believed him to be what the +officer had charged. + +"I'm no deserter!" declared Noel hotly. "I happened to be outside the +lines at Harper's Ferry and the Rebels took me. I have been doing my +best to get to the army ever since." + +"You look as if you had been trying," sneered the officer. "Come on. +There's no use in talking any more. You come with us and we will turn +you over to the colonel." + +"Is that man a deserter, too?" inquired Noel as he pointed to Dennis. + +"He is. 'Birds of a feather flock together,' I guess that's why we found +two of you to-day. There must be a baker's dozen of them altogether. I +don't know what will be done with you, but I can tell you one thing, you +aren't going to lie on any bed of roses to-night after we get back." + +"What makes you think I'm a deserter?" said Noel persistently. + +"I don't 'think'; I know. We have absolute proof. Your name is Noel +Curtis, isn't it?" + +"Yes," replied the young soldier in surprise. + +Instantly, however, he concluded that Levi must have revealed his name +and the source of the officer's knowledge, therefore, was not unknown. + +"We cannot stay here any longer," continued the officer emphatically. +"Take your place in the ranks with your friend. Do you know who he is?" + +"Indeed, I do!" said Noel, somewhat defiantly. "He and I both belong to +the sharpshooters of the --th. You ask Colonel Crawford about us and +he'll tell you all you want to know. 'Deserters'! Why, man, we 're no +more deserters than you are. We have been trying ever since we left +Harper's Ferry--" + +"You don't seem to have made very good time even if you did try," +sneered the officer again. "Your story sounds fine, but when the colonel +listens to what you have to say and then compares your story with the +one Levi has to tell, he may have something to say about it himself." + +Apparently it was useless longer to try to persuade the captain. When +Noel saw the expression on the face of Dennis and was aware that the +young Irishman also had failed to plead his cause successfully, he was +somewhat heavy-hearted. + +"I'll go with you," he said quietly. + +"That's mighty good of you," laughed the officer. "You might take your +place in there with the other deserter and we'll try to see to it that +you don't get very far away again. My advice to you is not to try any +more of your tricks." + +For a moment Noel looked steadily into the eyes of the sneering young +officer. He was furiously angry, and withal was more seriously troubled +than he was willing to acknowledge even to himself. Because the men +under whom he had served were not now in the vicinity it would be +difficult for him to find any one who could recognize him. His father +had once met General Hooker, a fact which Mr. Curtis frequently enlarged +upon in talks with his boys, but even if admittance could be had into +the presence of the general, which was not at all probable, it would not +identify the young soldier who was charged with deserting. + +Obediently Noel advanced to take the place which had been assigned to +him, and as he did so he glanced back at the house, and saw Eliza Jane +standing in the doorway and watching with manifest interest the +activities of the soldiers whom she professed to hate. + +Noel was quite certain that he had a momentary glimpse of Levi standing +behind the woman, but of this he could not be positive, as the face +speedily vanished and did not again appear. At all events, the +treacherous little sutler was not to accompany the men on their way back +to camp and, fearful alike of his absence and presence, Noel was in dire +straits when at last the command to advance was given and by the side of +Dennis he obediently fell into step and marched with the men. + +A sound like distant thunder caused Noel to look up hastily. He had +heard the sound several times, but as the sky was clear and there were +no thunder clouds anywhere to be seen, he had been somewhat puzzled by +the rumbling in the distance. + +"I guess the boys are up and at it ag'in," suggested Dennis in one of +his hoarse whispers. + +Startled by the suggestion, Noel glanced sharply at his companion and +said, "Fighting?" + +"That's what it sounds like." + +"Silence in the ranks!" ordered the captain sharply, and both young +soldiers became silent as the little band marched forward. + +The threatening sound was occasionally repeated, and then after a +half-hour or more had elapsed it died away and was not heard again. +Ignorant of its cause, Noel's fears were not relieved. The suggestion of +Dennis that the sounds came from cannon was undoubtedly correct, and in +that event an engagement not far away was even now taking place. + +Puzzled as well as alarmed, it was not difficult for the young soldier +to decide that the two armies now must be near each other. He had no +knowledge of the region through which he was moving, the only place of +which he had heard in the vicinity being Frederick City. Just where this +was situated, and what the sympathies of its inhabitants were, he did +not know. + +Noel was aware also that his companion was manifestly in very low +spirits. Never before had he seen Dennis so cast down. The sight was +depressing, and in spite of his efforts to convince himself that his +fears were groundless Noel's confidence was rapidly vanishing as the men +advanced. + +How far away the main body was lying was another matter of which he was +in ignorance. + +Refreshed by the food that Eliza Jane had served him he was in better +condition to endure a long march, if such a demand should be made upon +him, than he had been at any time since he had escaped the attack at +Harper's Ferry. It was the unconcealed depression of Dennis that +influenced him now. + +When he had first been charged with being a deserter he had looked upon +the matter as a joke. He was fearful by this time, however, as has been +said, that with his friends all in another division of the army or +prisoners of the Confederates, it might be impossible for him to prove +his identity, at least for a time. + +That he was then a regularly enrolled sharpshooter, and in his small way +had done faithful service in the Peninsula campaign, was true. But could +he convince the captain that his record was clean? + +There was no delay in the march. When two hours had elapsed, Noel was +surprised to find that they were approaching a camp. This camp, however, +was so manifestly only a temporary affair that he easily conjectured +that the men practically were under marching orders. Perhaps they had +come a considerable distance that very day. + +Without waiting for any instructions the young captain directed that +Noel and Dennis should be sent to the guard-tent, into which both were +somewhat roughly thrust. + +To Noel's surprise he found within the tent a half-dozen unfortunate +men, and in a brief time, from the confessions which followed, he was +aware that every one there was facing a charge of desertion. Indeed, one +of the men was describing the treatment which was measured out to those +who had deserted from the ranks. + +"Most generally," he was saying, "if a man deserts, and is caught again, +they make him serve out all the original time of his enlistment without +any pay or allowance." + +"For instance," suggested another man, "if a soldier has enlisted for +four years and deserts at the end of six months, if they should catch +him they would bring him back and make him serve three years and six +months more without pay, would they?" + +"That's it," said the first prisoner. "Sometimes they send the deserters +off to Dry Tortugas." + +"They might as well banish them from everywhere as to send them there." + +"That's right." + +"Where is this Dry Tortugas you're talking about?" inquired another. + +"It's a group of islands that belong to the United States down near the +entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. It's about one hundred and twenty miles +southwest of Cape Sable." + +"And where is Cape Sable?" + +"That's the southern part of Florida. Where is your geography, man? +These islands of the Dry Tortugas are very low and swampy, and they are +covered with mangrove bushes." + +"What are they?" + +"Oh, they are something like the banana. Sometimes the deserters there +are made to serve a term of years with ball and chain." + +"What do you think is going to happen to us?" + +"That's not easy to tell. There have been so many men trying to get away +that I'm afraid that it will go hard with us." + +Noel was listening intently to the conversation, but its effect upon him +was not so marked as it was upon Dennis. The fear in the heart of the +young Irishman was great, if it could be estimated by the expression +which appeared upon his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A FRUITLESS INTERVIEW + + +As conversation ceased for a time Noel and Dennis withdrew to a part of +the tent where they were by themselves. The face of every man in the +tent betrayed his feeling of anxiety. Even Noel, the youngest of the +soldiers, was becoming alarmed at the outlook. Far removed from his own +regiment, among those who were strangers to him and who knew nothing of +his record or even of his presence in the army, the young soldier +desperately tried to think of some one to whom he might appeal for aid. + +If he had been left free to follow his own wishes he would immediately +have sought the colonel and stated his case to that officer. As it was, +however, he was not only prevented from seeing the leader, but also was +in a position in which his statements would not be accepted without +further proof. His anger at the little sutler, who had brought the +trouble upon him, became keener, but his very helplessness tended only +to increase his anxiety. + +The anxiety of the young prisoners would have been much greater if they +had known that at this very time Harper's Ferry was about to be taken +and the soldiers of the garrison made prisoners. The two great divisions +of the Southern army, as we know, had been planning to cross the +mountains and reunite at Hagerstown or Boonesborough. + +General Jackson, energetic and prompt, successfully carried out the task +which had been assigned to him. Indeed, he was as prompt in his actions +as was his great commander. On the first day of his advance he marched +fourteen miles and that same night decided to cross the Potomac River. +The following day he was only four miles west of Martinsburg, and in the +morning when he moved upon the little place, to his surprise he found +that the garrison already had abandoned the post. + +The general quickly resumed his march and on the following day, after +his troops had covered more than sixty miles in the four days, he came +within sight of the Federal forces. + +There was a slight delay now, but on the 13th of September General +McLaws reached the hills known as Maryland Heights and at the same time +General Walker, who was meeting with no resistance at all, occupied +Loudon Heights above Harper's Ferry. + +All that night General Jackson was awake, receiving frequent reports +from both of his subordinates, and before the morning came he had made +all his plans for a combined attack upon Harper's Ferry by all the +divisions under his command. + +Right at the angle formed by the junction of the Potomac and the +Shenandoah Rivers lies Harper's Ferry. To the south were heights which +were strongly held by the Union troops. It was in the afternoon of +September 14, when at the command of General Jackson the Confederate +batteries began to pour a heavy artillery fire upon the Union troops on +the heights, and when night fell he had worked his army into such a +position that it really commanded both flanks of the Bolivar Heights +where these Union soldiers were stationed. + +The following morning there was a brief interval of quiet and then +General Jackson prepared to assault the heights. But before the attempt +was made the Union garrison capitulated. + +Not only were more than twelve thousand prisoners secured (for the +garrisons which had been stationed at Winchester and at Martinsburg had +retired previously to Harper's Ferry), but there also were seventy-three +great guns and something like thirteen thousand small arms that became +the prizes of the victors. + +"Whist!" whispered Dennis, speaking for the first time since the boys +had been consigned to the guard-tent. "'Tis a black day for us, I'm +thinkin'. 'Tis a foine way, too, to treat the boys that niver thought of +desartin'." + +"We'll get out of this all right," said Noel, speaking with a confidence +he was far from feeling. "They'll have to find out first whether or not +we're really deserters before they punish us." + +"If I had that little spalpeen, Levi, here, I'd get some satisfaction, +anyway! What for do you suppose he told the captain that we were +desarters?" + +"There's fifty dollars reward offered to any one who will help in the +return of a deserter; at least, that's what I have been told," said +Noel. + +"That explains it, thin," said Dennis confidently. "That explains it +all. For fifty dollars that Levi would sell his mother and his whole +family." + +"Fifty dollars is a good deal of money, Dennis." + +"So it is. So it is," acknowledged the young Irish soldier, "but it's a +lot more than Levi is worth." + +"How much more?" + +"Just fifty dollars, to a cint." + +The attempt to speak lightly of their troubles, however, was almost +pathetic. Both boys were exceedingly anxious and their feelings were not +relieved by the manifestly increasing fears of their companions. + +It was now early in the afternoon and the guard as yet had not come with +their food. Noel had decided that he would await the coming of this man +and beg him to obtain permission for him to see the colonel. The boy +felt that, if only he could be admitted to the presence of that officer, +he would be able to state some things which would lead to the prompt +release both of himself and his companion. + +There was a long interval, however, before a soldier came to bring their +dinner, if hard-tack and water could be dignified by such a term. +Neither Dennis nor Noel ate of the food thus provided. Not only were +their appetites gone, but their anger had increased as they thought of +the way in which they were being treated after their difficult and +perilous services all through the campaign on the Peninsula. + +The feeling of Dennis frequently found voice in his expressions of anger +and disgust. Noel, however, was more controlled in his manner and seldom +spoke except in reply to the questions of his comrade. + +Noel eagerly had begged the soldier who had brought their dinner to +report to the colonel that one of the men was innocent and most +earnestly begged permission to explain to him how he had been falsely +accused. + +He was by no means confident that the soldier would bear his request to +the colonel and still less was he hopeful that the colonel would grant +him an interview. + +He was, therefore, the more surprised when an hour later an orderly came +to the tent and said, "Who is the man that asked to see the colonel?" + +Instantly three of the inmates replied that they had made this request. +To the surprise and consternation of Noel Curtis the orderly simply +said, "There will be time for only one and he will have to be quick. I +don't see why the colonel waits, anyway. The only place for a deserter +is at the end of a rope that's tied so that his feet will be about three +feet above the ground. That's the way one of the deserters was served +this morning." + +"What!" demanded Noel, his face turning pale in spite of his effort to +be calm. "Do you really mean to say that a deserter was hanged to-day?" + +"That's exactly what I mean to say," said the soldier lightly. "So many +men have tried to break loose lately that it has been decided to use +stricter measures. Perhaps they will be better to you, though, and +instead of hanging you, they will just let you be shot. That's a better +way. Leastwise, that's what I would want if I had to take my choice." + +"I'm the one," said Noel hastily, "who sent word to the colonel asking +for permission to see him." + +"He isn't the man!" shouted the other three in unison; and each added, +"I'm the man!" + +"How will I ever know?" said the orderly as he gazed in confusion first +at one prisoner and then at another. + +"I'll tell you," suggested Noel. "Ask each man to tell how he sent his +message, and the one that gives it right is to be the one who shall have +a chance." + +"Good!" said the orderly. "How did you send word?" he asked, turning to +Noel as he spoke. + +"Ask these other men first," suggested Noel. "I was the last one to put +in a claim that I had sent word, so let me be the last one to explain +how I sent it." + +"All right. Now, go ahead, you tell how you sent your word," the orderly +demanded as he looked keenly at the oldest of the trio. + +"I don't just remember," stammered the soldier. "It seems to me I sent a +letter." + +"That's what I did, too," said the second. "I wrote a note and sent it +by one of the boys." + +"And how did you get word to him?" the orderly inquired as he turned to +the third man. + +"I give it up. I'll own up, too, that I didn't send any word at all, +though I wanted to. Perhaps I took the wish for the deed." + +"Now explain how you sent your message," said the soldier as he again +turned to Noel. + +"I sent it by the man who brought us our dinner to-day." + +"That's right. You're the boy. You come with me." + +Without any delay Noel was conducted by the orderly to the tent of the +colonel, and soon was admitted. + +He remained standing near the table upon which the officer was writing. +The colonel did not even glance at his visitor for a time as he +continued his task. At last, however, he looked up and said abruptly, +"Well, what is it?" + +"I have come to tell you," said Noel, somewhat embarrassed in spite of +his determination to be self-controlled, "that I have been accused of +being a deserter." + +"Oh, you're the man who sent word by Dan Tague." + +"I don't know the man's name," said Noel respectfully. + +"Well, he brought your message. And you say you are not a deserter?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"But you cannot prove it?" + +"I can and I will if you'll give me a little time." + +"But I have positive information here," said the colonel, taking a paper +from his pocket, "that you _are_ a deserter. It states that you and +another man named Dennis O'Hara both deserted at Harper's Ferry and were +discovered not far from here this morning by Captain Blowers." + +"I don't know the captain's name, Colonel," said Noel. "I did not +desert at Harper's Ferry. I was outside the lines--" + +"What were you doing outside the lines?" interrupted the colonel. + +"I was foraging." + +"Was any one with you?" + +"Yes, sir. Dennis O'Hara." + +"Ah, ha! Then the story is true that you both were outside the lines?" + +"Yes, sir! that's true, although it isn't true that we deserted." + +"To what regiment do you belong?" + +"To the --th." + +"To which company?" + +Noel gave the number of his company. + +"Who was your colonel?" + +"Colonel Crawford." + +"That's correct," said the officer. "All these things tally. I have a +statement here that you and--your name is Noel Curtis, is it not?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Well, I have a statement here that Noel Curtis and Dennis O'Hara, both +belonging to Company ---- of the --th regiment deserted just before the +attack on Harper's Ferry." + +"Colonel, may I ask you who made that statement?" + +"The sutler is the one who informed us." + +"Did any one else tell you?" + +"I think so. I haven't all the papers here and I have no time to go into +details about this. Have you served long?" + +"We enlisted last spring, my brother and I. We were both in the +Peninsula campaign. My brother was sick and went home on a furlough." + +"Where is your home?" + +"In New York State, on the border of the St. Lawrence River. My brother +and I were both sharpshooters." + +The colonel smiled incredulously as he looked at the young soldier, but +all he said in reply was, "I have nothing but your unsupported word for +this, while I have the testimony of others against you. The fact that +you were outside the lines at Harper's Ferry is against you, and it's +just about as black when Captain Blowers reports that he was informed by +reliable witnesses that you are a deserter and were seen several times +skulking about the region. We are compelled to make examples of these +men right now, or we shan't have anybody left to stand against Lee. +You'll have to find better reasons for convincing me than you have given +this afternoon." + +"Will you make some investigations, Colonel?" + +"No, not now. There is no time. Do you hear those guns?" he demanded as +the roar of distant cannon was heard. "We may be ordered to advance at +any time. Meanwhile I must give my men a good lesson, and I cannot do it +in a better way than by making an example of such men as you." + +"Don't you believe what I have told you?" + +"I don't," said the colonel tartly. "Your story is just about as +plausible as the one young Naylor told me before I had him hanged." + +Noel's face became pale as he heard the statement lightly repeated by +the colonel that some one had been hanged that very day for desertion. +He was aware, however, from the attitude of the officer and the abrupt +manner in which he turned again to his writing that there was little use +in trying further to plead his cause. Turning about, Noel, still under +the guard of the orderly, left the tent and was conducted back to the +place where he had been confined with his companions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE EXECUTION + + +Depressed as Noel was by his recent interview with the colonel, he +nevertheless was surprised when he approached the tent to find that the +guards had been changed. The young soldier was not yet aware that when +deserters were put under guard certain selected men were stationed with +loaded muskets about the tent of those who had been condemned. Every two +hours the guard was relieved. + +Nor was any soldier ever compelled to stand guard over a deserter from +his own company or regiment. Naturally it was very difficult for one +comrade to be compelled to enforce so severe a rule as that which was +applied to men who deserted, when the guilty comrade, perhaps, was a +schoolmate, a relative, or even a brother. Besides, there was the +continual fear of the officers that if such men were placed in charge +there would naturally be the danger of a plot or a plan for the escape +of those who were condemned. It was for this reason that Noel and +Dennis, in any event, would have been assigned to a guard-tent in some +company in which they were not likely to have any acquaintances, or +even any friends among its members. + +As soon as Noel entered the tent, Dennis was aware from the expression +of his face that his mission had not been successful. + +"What is it, lad?" he whispered as he drew the young soldier to one +side. + +Noel shook his head as he replied, "The colonel wouldn't believe a +word." + +"The colonel is as bad as that little spalpeen, the sutler!" + +"I wouldn't mind it so much," said Noel, "if they would first really +find out what the truth of the charge is, but it seems that they have +taken the word of Levi, and now anything we can say doesn't seem to +count for much against it." + +"But they'll give us a trial. They'll hold a court-martial before +anything is done," protested Dennis. + +"I hope so," said Noel. "I don't know how it will be held, or how fair a +show we'll have. It's the only square way, though, and if it's possible +I am going to try to make an appeal. I have thought of sending for the +chaplain. I think he might be able to do something for us if any man in +the regiment can." + +"Who is the chaplain?" + +"I don't know who he is, but we'll be able to find that out later." + +A low conversation which followed between the inmates of the tent +revealed the fact that several of the men already had been tried and +condemned by court-martial for desertion. Every one was bitter against +those who had passed sentence upon him. Noel was surprised to find that +the men were all claiming, what he himself had asserted as the cause for +the mistake in his arrest, that some one had brought a false charge +against them. + +Not unnaturally both the young soldiers were depressed when darkness +came on, and Noel was unable to sleep. Mortified by the charge as well +as anxious, he lay with wide-open eyes staring in the dim light at the +top of his tent and wondering what the following day would bring forth. +The sound of guns in the distance, the restlessness that was manifested +among the soldiers, the evident interest with which the colonel was +reading some dispatches that he had received, as well as the severity +with which the so-called deserters were being treated, all combined to +make the young soldier confident that stirring action was speedily +expected. + +The following morning dawned wonderfully clear. When Dennis awoke the +sun was shining brightly and the morning air was soft and still. + +When the boys first arose they were startled at the presence of two +ambulances in front of their tent. In each of these ambulances there was +a rough coffin of wood. That these gruesome objects should have been +brought to the place where the prisoners under the charge of desertion +were confined at first had not been suggestive to Noel. He was soon +aware, however, what the explanation was, and his face became pallid +when he heard two of his companions ordered to advance and each man to +take his seat on a coffin. A detail of soldiers had been assigned to +draw these two ambulances and in solemn silence were awaiting the coming +of the condemned men. + +Noel Curtis shuddered when one of the prisoners, stepping lightly into +the ambulance, seated himself upon the long box, and, rapping upon the +wood, turned to some of the watching soldiers and flippantly said, +"Boys, can't you put some shavings or something a little softer in my +box? It looks as if it might be a pretty hard nest to rest in." + +Instead of laughter or applause greeting his coarse remarks, the +silence and disgust of the assembled soldiers seemed to react with +solemn force upon the condemned man. At last the word was given and the +cavalcade departed, leaving the remaining prisoners in the guard-tent +dumb with the horror of the event. + +Difficult as Noel Curtis had found it, in his previous experiences in +the campaign on the Peninsula, to control his feelings when he found +that he was actually shooting at a human being, that experience was by +no means equal to the suffering which he now was undergoing. + +There might be some justification for men making targets of one another +when some great issue had been raised, but the young sharpshooter was +now fully aware that war was no holiday game. His heart rebelled against +many of the things which he saw, and yet the supreme issue of it all and +the fact that war had been declared and accepted, and that there was no +relief or release until one side or the other in the great conflict had +won its victory, could not be ignored. + +His thoughts now were centered upon the men who had been taken away from +the tent for their execution. The presence of the detail implied that +both men were to be shot, a method of execution not quite so revolting +as that by hanging. + +Some of the men under sentence in the guard-tent seemed to be dumb with +fear, while others more stolidly expressed their complaints over the +outcome of the court-martial which had been held for the two condemned +men the preceding day. + +Several times when shots were heard near the place where the division +was in camp, Noel fancied that the report was that of the guns of the +men who had been detailed to shoot the two deserters. + +In his interview with the colonel the young soldier had been informed +that desertion was becoming so frequent in the army at this time that +orders for the sternest measures to break it up had been issued. No man +now might expect any mercy who should flee from his post of duty. + +Sometimes homesickness had been the cause of the men leaving their +comrades. The thoughts or recollections of family and friends in the +far-away North had produced a longing in the midst of the monotony of +the camp work and of the army life that had been too strong for some to +resist. Others, however, had become tired of the service when the +novelty of the first days was gone and had fled simply to evade the +difficulties and drudgery which are a part of the campaign of any army. +Whatever the cause may have been, the fact could not be denied, and Noel +Curtis understood fully the reasons for the sterner measures which now +were being used. Perhaps they might be justified, he thought, although +the unspeakable horror which had appeared in the expression on the faces +of the two condemned men, when at last they were taken from the tent, +was something which he was positive he never would be able to forget. + +Somehow the morning passed. The guards were changed more frequently, and +it was evident to the waiting men that they had not been forgotten in +the midst of the excitement of the army in the knowledge that the enemy +was not far distant. + +"I thought you were going to send for the chaplain?" suggested Dennis to +Noel when an hour or more had elapsed. + +"So I am," said Noel promptly. "I had not forgotten it. It doesn't seem +to me, though, that any man will be able to help us much, when the +colonel is not willing even to hear what we have to say for ourselves. +It seems to me that they ought to give us credit first of all for being +honest. But his plan apparently is to believe a man guilty and then let +him prove his innocence, if he is able." + +"Niver you fear, lad. The chaplain will be able to help us out." + +"We'll ask to see him, anyway," said Noel. + +Accordingly, when the guard next was called, Noel succeeded in +attracting the attention of the sergeant and made known his desire to +receive a visit from the chaplain. Such a visit, he was aware, was +permitted, and he was not without hope that the coming of this man might +be of assistance to him and his hardly beset comrade. + +Nearly an hour elapsed before the chaplain appeared. He was a young man, +and in his face there appeared an expression of friendliness. Noel was +drawn to him at once, even before he heard the somewhat abrupt and loud +tones of his voice. + +"What can I do for you?" asked the chaplain, not unkindly, as he entered +the tent and was informed that Noel was the inmate who had requested the +visit. + +"I wanted to see you and tell you my story," said Noel quietly. "I am +here under a false charge." + +The interest of the chaplain instantly became less keen, as Noel +discovered to his dismay. + +"That's what every man says," responded the chaplain quietly. + +"Well, it's true in my case. Did those poor fellows who were taken out +this morning say they were not to blame?" + +"They surely did," said the chaplain. "I wish I was able now to forget +the horror of that scene. A hollow square was formed and the two coffins +were placed in the open part. I shall never forget the moment when the +adjutant-general stepped out into a position a little in front of the +center of the square. He's a strong man and not much given to sentiment, +but his voice trembled, although it was clear and strong, when in the +presence of all the soldiers he read the finding of the court-martial." + +"It must have been hard for the men who had been detailed," suggested +Noel in a low voice. + +"It was. You understand, however, that the guns used by the provost +guard on occasions like that are always loaded by men who have been +appointed for that special purpose. It never would do in the world to +let the soldiers load their own guns." + +"Why not?" + +"Why, it's more than likely that they would use blank cartridges. No one +wants to be responsible for the death of a man even if he is under +sentence. That's the reason why the guns never are loaded by those who +are to do the shooting. However, they all know that a blank cartridge +has been placed in one of the guns, but they are never told which one it +is. This plan makes every man believe that his gun contained the blank +cartridge and that it was not his shot which killed the prisoner. While +the adjutant-general was reading the finding of the court-martial the +two men had to stand up. As soon as the officer had finished reading, +both men were ordered to kneel on their coffins and a paper heart was +pinned on the coat of each." + +"What is a 'paper heart?'" asked Noel. + +"Why, it's just a quarter of a sheet of ordinary notepaper. It's white, +you know, and provides a mark for the men who are usually selected +because they are good shots. One of these poor fellows, after he had +been blind-folded, shouted, 'Boys, shoot me here,' as he put his hand +upon his heart. 'Don't make any mistake, either!' I don't know whether +the rest of the men heard the final order of the provost guard or not. +His voice sounded to me as if it might have been a quarter of a mile +away, it was so indistinct, but somehow he managed to call out--'Ready!' +'Aim!' 'Fire!'" + +"Did they find the paper hearts?" inquired Noel, almost in a whisper. + +"Yes, both the poor fellows fell forward on their faces and never +breathed again." + +Dennis O'Hara, who had been listening to the words of the chaplain, +although he had not taken part in any of the conversation, could +restrain his fears no longer. + +"But, yer Riverence," he said, "why should they treat an innocent man +like that? I'm tellin' ye that we're the most loyal boys in Little Mac's +army. We're both sharpshooters and we both did our part down on the +Peninsula. Now to be set up here and shot down like a couple of dogs! +Why, instead of desartin', we just were doin' our best to escape from +the Johnnies. 'Tis pretty hard! The colonel won't listen to a word! We +can prove it to him, everything we say." + +"Is that so?" inquired the chaplain, turning to Noel for confirmation. + +"It is, sir," replied Noel. + +"I don't know that anything can be done," said the chaplain. "It would +be horrible to make such a mistake as that. You are entitled to a trial, +anyway. Where is the man who made the charges against you?" + +"I don't know," said Noel, "but I don't think he's here. My belief is +that he is a spy, anyway, and part of the time is in the other army." + +"Let me take the number of your company and regiment and I shall very +gladly see what can be done. I don't want you to build your hopes too +high, but you may rest assured that I shall do for you all that is in my +power." + +As soon as their visitor had jotted down in his notebook the few facts +and figures which he asked for, he at once left the tent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE TEST + + +The sufferings of Noel and Dennis were increased by the feeling of +suspense which followed the departure of the chaplain. Rumor had been +busy in the camp and had reached even the men in the guard-house +concerning the execution of the deserters and the penalty which now +might be visited upon the men who were still under guard. + +The feeling in the heart of Dennis was more one of anger than of alarm. +With Noel, however, uncertainty and fear combined to make the young +soldier much cast down. When Dennis occasionally tried to arouse his +spirits, the effort of the young Irishman was so manifest that the +effect sometimes was the exact reverse of what he had intended. + +More and more Noel became alarmed as the hours passed. When the chaplain +returned, as he did a few hours later, not even his cheery words could +disguise the fact that as yet he had not received any information +concerning the two young sharpshooters which would justify the colonel +in making an exception of their cases. + +When Noel awoke early the following morning he was surprised to find +Dennis already busily engaged in writing a letter. And such a letter! + +When Noel drew near, he saw that Dennis had taken sheets of foolscap, +cutting them lengthwise and had pasted the half-sheets together so that +he had a continuous roll that must have been at least thirty feet in +length. + +"What are you doing?" demanded Noel in surprise. + +"Shure, lad, and I'm writin' a letter." + +"But to whom are you writing such a letter as that? Do you write on both +sides of the paper? It would take more money than you have saved in a +month to pay the postage. What are you trying to do, anyway, Dennis?" + +"Shure, lad," said Dennis quietly, "I had a letter from me sister in +which she says as how I have niglicted the family and niver write a +word, so I'm goin' to sind her one letter that she can't say is too +short. I'm gettin' near the end of it, though. If you'll wait a minute, +lad, I'll read to you the last sintence." + +Before Noel could protest Dennis began glibly, "And now, me dear +Bridget, I can tell you that I am very happy because the assurance is +dawning upon me mind that I am gettin' near the end of my paper. I have +only to say that after I have been through the regular number of +pitched-battles and hair-breadth escapes and have walked a few hundred +miles and chased the Johnnies up and down the hills, perhaps by that +time I shall have come really to the ind of this letter and be able to +sign me name. If you still think that I'm not writin' long enough +letters to you and to mother and the girls, I'll come home just as soon +as our business at the front is finished, and from the appearances at +the prisent time somethin' is going to happen before I shall have a +chance to sign my name." + +Dennis looked up from his paper and said, "There, lad, I'm not +explainin' to thim what it is that may happen. It'll be time enough for +thim to find out that when they have to. But what do you think of me +epistle, anyway?" + +"Very good." + +"What there is of it," replied Dennis, smiling in spite of the fears +which held him. + +"It's a sort of last will I'm writin', too," added Dennis. "I niver have +written a will whin I was goin' into battle the way some o' th' boys +do, but whin I have to face the sintence of bein' shot as a desarter, +which I niver was, and if the Saints will presarve me, I niver shall +be--" + +"I heard of a woman back here," broke in Noel, "who made a will and left +her shoestrings to her sister." + +"Bedad," said Dennis, "I niver thought o' that. 'Tis a good suggestion! +I'm goin' to leave mine to Levi Kadoff. There ought to be enough of them +to hang him with. Faith, and if I had him here now--" + +The conversation of the two young soldiers was interrupted once more by +the return of the chaplain. Still he had not received any information +and the messenger, who he assured the boys had been dispatched, had not +as yet returned. + +In spite of the desire of the good man to encourage the boys, and his +apparently unshaken confidence that in the end all would be well, the +feeling of uncertainty and injustice still possessed both Noel and +Dennis. They had been forgotten, they assured themselves, by the men who +knew them best and at such a time as this could bring them aid. Of what +good was it that they had been selected for positions of danger and had +been among the sharpshooters, doing their part in holding back the +enemy around Williamsburg and at Malvern Hill? + +Even if the desire had been in the minds of the young soldiers, the +opportunity to escape was gone. The guard was changed every hour now, +and there was no question that the muskets of the marching soldiers were +loaded. There was no blank cartridge here. + +Noel's strong desire was to receive word from those who knew him. But +just where that division of the army now was located he did not know, +nor was he positive that there would be an opportunity in the presence +of threatening events for an investigation to be made which would +relieve him from the charge which was hanging over him. + +A third visit from the chaplain still failed to bring the desired news. +The depression of the boys was so manifest that the chaplain apparently +made a special effort to cheer them. + +"There was a little fellow back here near the colonel's tent who somehow +made me think of you two boys. You have told me about the little sutler. +Let me see, what did you say his name is?" + +"Levi. Levi Kadoff," answered Noel. + +"Well, this little fellow by the colonel's tent may be the same one. He +was a little Jew, who had been shot. A ball had just grazed the tips of +two of his fingers and he was howling so loudly that I think you might +have heard him here, if you had listened." + +"Was he yelling with pain?" + +"Oh, no!" laughed the chaplain. "He was crying for a pension. In fact, +he was screaming for one. Yes, he wanted two pensions. When I saw him he +was holding up the two fingers that had been scratched, and was whining, +'Oh, Scheneral! Oh, Scheneral! how much pensions I gets for heem? I dink +I gets two pensions, maybe. One for each finger vat I lose.' A lot of +the boys had gathered around the little fellow and they were having a +good time as they listened to his complaints." + +"Did he say where he was when he was shot?" + +"No, I didn't hear anything about that." + +"Maybe he is Levi. If he is, and you'll bring him here, Dennis and I +soon can tell. Did he have shining black eyes?" + +"Yes." + +"And curly black hair?" + +"Yes." + +"And did he weigh about ninety pounds?" + +"Not more than that." + +"Well, that's Levi; that's Levi, all right," broke in Dennis. "Just +bring him here to me, and I'll make him forgit his fingers and his +pinsions." + +"You may make him forget his fingers, but you never can make him forget +his pensions," laughed the chaplain. "That seemed to be the chief thing +in his mind. I think I'll try to find out if his name is Levi Kadoff." + +"If it is," suggested Noel, "bring the fellow here, but don't tell him +what you are bringing him for or that we are here." + +"I'll see what I can do," said the chaplain, and a moment later he +departed from the tent. + +The fact that the kind-hearted officer had made three visits that day to +the boys showed his interest in their welfare, but somehow Noel was +unable to shake off his conviction that their friend was powerless to +aid them. Accordingly he was surprised when an hour afterward the +chaplain returned. + +"No word yet," he said quietly, as he smiled and shook his head, "but I +have some other good news for you. You understand there is nothing to +back up the statement which you have made that you were sharpshooters +in the Peninsula campaign. Personally, I believe what you tell me. I +have at last secured permission for you both to go with an orderly and +four men to a place outside the camp where you may show what skill you +possess." + +"That's the way to talk," spoke up Dennis quickly. His hope had now +returned with full force. Indeed, as he afterward explained, he looked +upon their discharge as already having been accomplished. + +To Noel, however, the privilege was not one which was unmixed with +anxiety. In his own skill, in his quiet way, he felt confident, but to +make such skill a test of the truth of what he had spoken was another +matter. A gun with which he was unfamiliar would be thrust into his +hands and the very excitement of the test of itself might be sufficient +to prevent him from doing himself full justice. + +The chaplain, aware of what was passing in the mind of the young +soldier, smiled encouragingly and did not speak. + +Dennis, whose joy rapidly increased, had now arrived at a point where +his enthusiasm seemed to pass all bounds. + +"I'll tell you what to do, yer Riverence," he said to the chaplain. +"Just put Noel and me tin yards apart. Let one of us fire and then the +other and you'll find Noel's bullet lodged in the barrel of my gun and +my bullet in his. That is, if we don't fire at the same time. If we +should fire at the same minute the bullets would meet midway and you +wouldn't find anything but two flattened pieces of lead." + +"Do you often have an experience like that?" inquired the chaplain with +a smile. + +"Oh, yis, very oftin," answered Dennis solemnly. "Sometimes Noel says to +me,' Dennis, me boy, I'm a bit tired this mornin'. Just put a bullet in +my gun, please'; and it's easier to shoot one in than it is to have to +go through the whole process o' loadin'." + +The chaplain said no more, but at once conducted the two young soldiers +to the guard which was waiting outside the tent. + +No word was spoken as the little band fell in, and at the word of the +orderly started in the direction which to Noel's surprise led over the +way by which he had come when he had been brought to the camp. As yet he +had not been able to obtain from Dennis a connected story of the mishaps +of the young Irish soldier, nor of the way by which he had avoided his +enemies and at last had been taken as a deserter and confined in the +guard-tent. + +Noel somehow believed that not even Dennis would have been able to +escape from the well in which he had been hidden unless he had received +help from outside. But to all inquiries Dennis made evasive replies, and +Noel was still unable to understand the mystery with which he had +shrouded his doings. + +The little band now was on the borders of the place where the division +was encamped. The entire region was unfamiliar to Noel, but as he +glanced at a low house on the side of the road over which they were +passing he was startled when he beheld Levi standing by the little +cabin. The little sutler's fingers were bandaged, and as Noel recalled +the story which the chaplain related to him and the pleadings of the +little Jew for two pensions because he had received a wound in the tips +of two fingers, he smiled in spite of the seriousness of the errand upon +which he and his companion were going. + +Suddenly Levi recognized the two young soldiers in the midst of the +little band, and with a scream of rage instantly started toward them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE SHARPSHOOTERS + + +"I shall see dem hanged," screamed the little sutler; "I shall see dem +hanged. Dey steals mine goots. Dey tip ofer mine tent. I shall see dem +hanged." + +Levi's voice, usually shrill, in his rage now became almost a childish +treble. Even his wounded fingers were forgotten for the moment, and he +was gesticulating with both hands. + +"Shure," exclaimed Dennis, pretending to have difficulty in recognizing +the little Jew, "shure, 'tis Levi! My friend, it's lucky for you it's +not cold here. You talk so much wid your hands they might be frozen +stiff." + +Unmindful of the declaration, Levi became still more excited and his +hands were moving still more rapidly. + +"Yah, I shall see you hanged!" he shouted. "You shall no more steal mine +goots! It shall cost you more nor you vould haf paid for mine goots, vot +vas so cheap. You shall no more tip ofer mine tent!" + +"Levi," said Dennis solemnly, "how many pinsions are you drawin'?" + +"I draw no pensions yet," shrieked Levi. + +"I understand," said Dennis, "that you are trying to draw two pinsions, +one for the scratch you got on each finger." + +"I did not scratch mine finger. I haf been shot mit der fingers. I shall +draw more pensions, but I shall have mooch joy in seeing you hanged." + +The soldiers, under whose charge the boys were being conducted to the +place where they were to display their skill with the rifles, were +laughing heartily at the impotent rage of the little sutler. + +Dennis, in spite of his bantering, did not betray a trace of a smile on +his face. As solemnly as if the errand upon which he was going was the +sole purpose in his mind, he looked reprovingly at Levi as if his heart +was moved by sorrow more than by anger. + +"Are you coming with us, Levi?" he inquired. + +"Yah, I vill surely come. I shall mit great pleasure see you hanged. You +shall no more tip ofer--" + +"I say, sergeant," said Dennis, "what are we to have for a target?" + +"I don't know," replied the soldier good-naturedly. "We'll find +something." + +"If you haven't any target ready, I would like to suggest one." + +"What is it?" + +"I think it would be a great scheme to have this little sutler come +along with us and stand him up at a distance of seventy-five yards. +Noel, here, can clip one ear an' thin I'll take the other. Thin we'll +cut off a part of his nose, though he will have enough left even thin to +satisfy any two or three living men--" + +A cry of rage, not unmingled with fear, from Levi, interrupted the young +Irishman. + +"I shall not be von target! you shall be von target!" + +"Yes; but, Levi," suggested Dennis, "think what it will mean for you! If +Noel cuts off one ear, there's another pinsion. That will be pinsion +number three. If I trim your other ear, that will be pinsion number +four, and if both of us cut down your nose a little that will be worth +more yet. Why, Levi, you'd be a rich man before you would be able to get +home. Of course, there may not be very much of you left, but what there +is will have a good time to the end of your days." + +Perhaps it was the expression which Levi discovered on the faces of the +soldiers that caused him to halt abruptly. At all events, he stared for +a moment at the young sharpshooters, and then, as the soldiers laughed +loudly, he turned quickly and without once glancing behind him ran from +the place. + +Even the chaplain had not been unmoved by the bantering of Dennis. He +was proving himself a friend, indeed, to the two boys, and it had been +largely through his solicitation that the opportunity had been gained +for them to show whether or not their claims to have been sharpshooters +in the Peninsula campaign were trustworthy. + +"There comes that little spalpeen ag'in!" cried Dennis suddenly, as he +looked back and saw that Levi was following discreetly in the distance. +"'Tis well for him he stays behind us, though I think I could put me gun +over me shoulder and shut both eyes and not miss the little rascal." + +Noel had not taken any part in the badgering of Levi. He was far too +anxious concerning his own safety. It is true he was not without hope +that before he should be tried by the court-martial his statements +concerning his enlistment and service would be obtained and verified and +he would be free. But there was so much confusion in the army, and the +presence of the enemy was so well known, that he understood an advance +was to be speedily ordered, and at such a time it was inevitable that +some mistakes should be made and certain duties should be neglected. The +greatest danger was that in the midst of such confusion it would be +impossible for him to free himself from the charge of desertion which +had been brought against him. + +At last a position outside the camp was gained, where the little company +halted. An improvised target was made of an old and battered white hat +which was found in a corner of the fence, whither it had been driven at +some time by the wind. This hat was securely fastened to a stake which +was driven into the ground at a distance of seventy-five yards from the +place where the two young soldiers were stationed. + +"Who shall shoot first?" inquired Dennis, who was carefully examining +the rifle which had been placed in his hands. + +"If you don't care, I should like to," said Noel. + +"Go ahead, me lad," assented Dennis. "They won't have the execution +until I'm ready to go along with ye." + +Noel found the rifle which had been given him a trifle heavier than the +one to which he had been accustomed. It was a little more difficult for +him to raise it to his shoulder and gain the sight which he desired. +However, after testing his gun several times and looking carefully to +its loading, he abruptly raised the rifle to his shoulder and apparently +without taking careful aim fired at the target in the distance. + +"Hold on!" called Dennis, when some of the young soldiers started toward +the hat. "Wait until I have my shot." + +"If one of you hits the hat, we shall not be able to tell which one did +it unless we examine it after each shot," suggested one of the soldiers. + +"Just wait a minute," called Dennis, "and you'll see two holes. That +will mean that both of us hit it." + +Good-naturedly the men consented, and Dennis, whose methods were far +different from those of his comrade, brought his gun to his shoulder and +took long and careful aim before he fired. + +In a moment a part of the little band started swiftly toward the hat, +and their exclamations of surprise were loud and many when they +discovered that Dennis's promise had been fulfilled. Two balls had +pierced the crown of the hat within an inch of each other. + +"Just put up that hat again," said Dennis. "And if you like, Noel and me +will put some eyes and ears on the old hat until it will look as if some +old man's face was peering out of it. This is just to show you that +there wasn't any luck in it," he added, as he turned quickly to Noel, +who was about to fire the second time. + +Again the report of the rifle rang out, and then Dennis speedily +followed the example of Noel. When the hat was examined two more holes +were found in the crown each about an inch from the place which had +marked the spot where the preceding bullets had hit the mark. + +"I guess the boys are all right," said the orderly. + +"Wait a minute," said Dennis. "We have made a square there now, haven't +we?" + +"Yes," replied the soldier. + +"Well, with three more shots Noel and I will turn the square into a +circle and cut out a round piece of the old hat itself." + +The suggestion of the young Irishman was followed, and true to his word +when three more shots had been fired by each it was discovered that a +circle in the crown had been completed by the bullets. + +"If the rest of your story is as true as the part which has to do with +your shooting, then I guess both you boys are all right," said the +orderly cordially. "We haven't a better shot in our regiment." + +"Shure, you haven't," said Dennis heartily. "Didn't I tell you that Noel +was the best shot in Little Mac's army? Now, if you'll just say the +word, sergeant, I would like to have him turn around and fire at the +ground under the foot of that little Jew. He paid the piper and he ought +to have his dance." + +Every man in the group at once turned to look at Levi Kadoff, who in +spite of his fears had been creeping nearer, and as the voice of Dennis +had not been either low or soft, the effect was magical. Levi prepared +to depart without further delay. + +Turning to the orderly Dennis said, "Take my gun, sergeant, and just let +me catch the little spalpeen, will ye?" + +As the chaplain nodded assent in response to the implied question of the +sergeant, Dennis laughingly started in swift pursuit of the sutler. + +For one moment Levi stared blankly at the approaching young Irishman. +Manifestly what he saw was not pleasing, for with a shriek he turned and +at his utmost speed tried to escape from the place. + +His efforts, however, availed little, for with his longer strides Dennis +swiftly gained upon his victim, and in a brief time laid his heavy hand +upon the shoulder of the screaming, shrieking Levi. Kicking and striking +like an angry child, the sutler did his utmost to break the firm hold +which his captor secured upon him. Apparently unmoved and unmindful, +Dennis dragged his helpless prisoner back to the place where the +soldiers were awaiting him. + +"Now, then," said Dennis when he had rejoined his comrades, "we'll make +the little spalpeen speak up. What for did you say that Noel and me was +disarters?" + +"Because you vas deserters!" shouted Levi. "You steals mine goots, you +tips ofer mine tent, you--" + +"There! there! That will do," said Dennis soothingly. "I'm thinkin' what +you need is what Paddy gave the drum." + +Helpless in the powerful grasp of Dennis, Levi still shrieked and +protested. But in spite of all his efforts, Dennis, seating himself +upon a stump, stretched Levi across his lap and soundly spanked him. + +When this task had been completed, the howlings of Levi were redoubled. +Apparently irritated by the failure of the little sutler to profit by +his experience, Dennis lifted his victim from the ground and shook him. +As he did so a paper fell to the ground from Levi's pockets, at the +sight of which the excitement of the little sutler instantly increased. + +"And what's that?" said Dennis as he roughly pushed Levi from him and +picked up the paper, which he discovered was an envelope containing a +letter. + +"It was not for you," screamed Levi. "It vas mine! It vas mine! You +steals mine goots. You tips ofer mine tent, but you shall not haf mine +letter. It vas from mine moder." + +"Wait a minute and I'll see whether it's from your mither or from +General Lee," said Dennis tauntingly, as he drew forth the paper from +the envelope. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION + + +An expression of surprise appeared upon the face of Dennis which quickly +changed to one of consternation. Every one in the little band was +silent, watching the young Irishman. What at first had been looked upon +simply as a rough and not altogether good-natured joke, now seemed to be +taking upon itself certain other phases that interested every one +present. Even Levi was speechless in his rage. Several times he made as +if he was about to flee from the spot, but every time he came back, +either fascinated by the action of Dennis, or eager to secure the paper +which the young Irishman was holding in his hand. + +"Here, sergeant," said Dennis at last, "I think 'tis likely this is for +you." + +"What is it?" replied the officer as he advanced. + +"It looks as if it might be mighty important. 'Tis my opinion that the +little spalpeen has been seein' some things he ought not to see and is +reportin' what no Johnnie ought to know. Just look at that, will ye!" +and Dennis placed the tip of his huge forefinger upon some figures which +were written upon the paper. + +Taking the sheet from Dennis's hand the sergeant looked keenly at it, +and in a moment it was seen that he was as startled and alarmed as had +been the young Irish soldier. + +Turning quickly about, he saw that Levi manifestly was aware of what was +going on in the mind of the officer and was stealthily working toward +the woods in the distance. + +"Stop that fellow!" ordered the sergeant. "Don't let him get away, not +for a minute!" + +"Shall we try to catch him?" inquired Noel. + +"No, there will be men enough without you. You go after him," he added, +turning to some of the others in the band. + +Instantly obeying the command a half-dozen men started in swift pursuit +of the little sutler, who now was running at his utmost speed. The +pursuit was not long continued, however, for just before Levi gained the +refuge of the woods he stumbled and fell to the ground. Before he could +rise his pursuers were upon him, and in spite of the efforts of the +biting, kicking, striking, howling little sutler he was picked up +bodily and carried back to the place where the other members of the band +were awaiting their return. + +"I suspict," said Dennis, as he tauntingly grinned at the helpless +prisoner, "that the little spalpeen has some other papers somewhere +about him. Maybe he has put thim in the heel of his boot. 'Tis my +opinion that he ought to be sarched from head to feet." + +"We'll attend to that," said the officer, as he thrust into his pocket +the letter which Dennis had secured and at once gave the word to return +to the camp. + +It was manifest to Noel that the test which had been made of the skill +of himself and Dennis, had been a source of deep satisfaction to the +chaplain, who now was advancing by his side. Naturally the officer did +not make any comment, but his face was beaming, and it was plain that he +was almost as pleased as were the boys themselves. + +When the party arrived at the guard-tent, and Dennis was free to express +his opinions once more, he was not slow to embrace the opportunity. + +"'Tis no use at all, at all," he said, "in kapin' Noel and mesilf here. +Think of a little spalpeen like Levi Kadoff comin' into the camp and +gettin' all he wants to find out and goin' back with it among the +Johnnies!" + +"That's what he was doing," said Noel. "I wondered what Levi could have +to do with Sairy Ann's brother-in-law. He made no bones of the fact that +he was a spy, but I never suspected Levi of doing anything of the kind +from his own wish. We knew he would sell anything he possessed, whether +it was information or clothes, but I never believed that he would go +back and forth between the armies and carry news from one to the other." + +"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the little imp had been bringing +information here, too." + +"Of course he has!" said Noel. "He got paid at both ends of the journey +and he wasn't very slow to make much of the chance. I wonder how much he +had." + +"He hasn't had as much as he will get!" said Dennis positively. "Just +listen to that, will ye!" + +The roar of great guns in the distance again was distinctly heard, and +so threatening was the sound that it did not seem possible to the +startled listeners that the men who were engaged in the combat could be +far away. + +"Listen to that!" repeated Dennis. "That means that we're goin' to be +busy just as soon as they take us out of this guard-house." + +"I think I would rather be there than here," said Noel, "although I +confess that ever since Malvern Hill I have not been eager to go into +the sharpshooters' pit." + +"You'll be in no sharpshooters' pit here. They don't know enough to +count you for what you're worth. If we're fortunate enough iver to get +back to the --th, where we belong, there we'll pass for just exactly +what we are. The most I want here is just to get out of the guard-tent. +I think I can take care of the rest of it mesilf." + +The conversation of the young soldiers continued in spite of the +repeated sounds of the distant firing. Two hours or more had elapsed, +and still no word was brought them, nor had the chaplain returned. +Eagerly the boys had talked over the possibilities of Levi being a spy, +Dennis firmly contending that there was not "spunk enough in the little +spalpeen to do anything for himself." Noel, however, claimed that the +former sutler was not without a form of courage of his own. + +"There comes the chaplain," said Dennis, after a few minutes more had +elapsed. "From the look of him I think he has got something he would +like to say to us." + +Nor was the young Irishman disappointed. When the chaplain entered the +tent his face was beaming and his satisfaction over what he was about to +say was so manifest that every one of the inmates was confident good +news of some kind had been brought. + +"We have just heard from Washington!" said the chaplain eagerly. "We +sent a message to President Lincoln informing him just what had been +done here,--the number of deserters, who had been hanged, and who had +been shot, and how many were on hand, and asked what we should do next." + +"Did you tell him about us?" broke in Dennis. + +"Yes, we told him about you and the others, too." + +"Well, what word did you get? Why don't you out with it, yer Riverence?" + +The kind-hearted chaplain laughed and said, "I was just about to say, +when you interrupted me, that after we had sent our message to +Washington we did not expect to receive word in reply so soon. But the +message has just come that the President has received our communication +and--" + +"The Saints presarve us!" broke in Dennis. "Won't you please tell us +what's happened?" + +"That's what I am telling you," continued the chaplain. "If you wouldn't +interrupt me so frequently you would find out what I have come to say." + +"Well, tell us, then!" said Dennis. And although every inmate was +silent, the face of every one gave evidence of the eagerness with which +he was waiting for the visitor's word. + +"We have just received our message," began the chaplain once more, "and +I confess that I have a feeling toward the President such as I never +cherished before." + +"But what did he say?" broke in Dennis. + +"Be silent and I'll explain," said the chaplain. "We were not looking +for an answer for several hours yet, but to our surprise the messenger +has returned and has brought us word that President Lincoln has decided +to--" + +As the chaplain paused again, Dennis impatiently broke in, "For the love +of the Saints in heaven tell us what he has decided to do! I can't stand +much more o' this. It isn't the spache we want. It's to know what the +Prisident said." + +"He has decided to pardon every one of you." + +A shout went up from the guard-tent. In their enthusiasm several were +for leaving the place at once. + +"Hold on," warned the chaplain. "I have no right to let you go. I was +permitted to come and bring you the word. You will have to wait until +orders come from the colonel before you will be free. It won't hurt you +very much to wait a little while because you know you will not have to +stay long. It's a great message and I'm glad I am the one to bring it to +you. Are you pleased, both of you?" + +"In course I'm pleased," said Dennis. + +"And how is it with you, Noel?" asked the chaplain keenly as he turned +to the other young soldier. + +"I didn't want any 'pardon'," declared Noel quietly. "I haven't done +anything for which I ought to be pardoned. I have been charged with +being a deserter, by a man whose word was taken instead of ours, and, +too, he is now said to be a spy. I don't feel like taking a pardon +because I haven't done anything which deserves a pardon." + +"Don't be foolish, lad," suggested the chaplain. "This matter will all +be straightened out. If there is time you may be sent back to the +division where you belong, but if there isn't and we have to advance +now, there will be plenty of work for you to do before many hours have +passed. Don't stand on a little thing like that." + +"I don't want to," said Noel, "and perhaps I shall not stay in the +guard-tent. I am not made of the stuff of which they used to make +martyrs. I appreciate what President Lincoln intended to do, but at the +same time I don't want to stay here as one who has been pardoned for +something which he never did." + +"That will be fixed all right," said the chaplain soothingly. "And just +as soon as you receive word from the colonel that you are free, I hope +you won't stay here any longer." + +"Niver a bit will we stay here any longer," declared Dennis. "You watch +me, if you want to! You'll see some dust, but not me nor me feet when I +get word to lave this tent." + +True to the promise of the chaplain, word was brought in a brief time +that a message from the President had been received and that all the +deserters had been pardoned on the condition that every man should +resume his place in the army and do his duty. + +Nor had they been long released before another and more startling +experience came. The heavy firing of cannon in the distance had now +increased, and it was manifest throughout the camp that preparations for +an advance were rapidly being made. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE BATTLE + + +Noel Curtis was standing in front of the colonel's tent listening to the +word of that anxious officer, who in response to the request of the +chaplain was showing the young soldiers the pardon received from the +President. + +It was in Noel's mind to inquire concerning the fate of Levi. His own +feeling about accepting the pardon which had been offered was unchanged, +but in company with Dennis he had gone to the colonel's tent at the +suggestion of the chaplain, and with interest was listening to the words +of that officer. + +Suddenly the clatter of hoofs was heard, and as the men turned sharply +about to ascertain the cause, they saw an orderly approaching with the +information that the division at once was to advance. + +Hastily positions were assigned to Dennis and Noel, who were to report +with one of the New York regiments, and the marching orders speedily put +other thoughts from their minds. + +Almost before the men realized what had taken place, they found +themselves marching along a dusty road with the air cool and the +confidence of the leaders manifest in many ways that appealed to the +boys in blue. Naturally there were rumors of the battle which was +expected, but so many similar reports had been current that some of +their power to arouse the interest of the army was gone. + +Several times the excitement of the advancing troops was increased by +the sight of little squads of rebel prisoners that had been taken by the +cavalry skirmishing in advance. + +One picture appealed with special force to Noel. The horses of the +officers of late had fared poorly at the hands of the quartermaster, and +now, as the troops halted near a barn, Noel saw several of the +half-starved animals within the building enjoying the first oats they +had received for days. + +As Noel glanced behind him he saw a long column of troops winding around +the summit of the mountain over which he and his comrades had just +passed. The muskets of the men were glistening in the sunlight. The +lines resembled a mighty coil of armed men extending far down the side +of the mountain. Indeed, far beyond the place where Noel was standing, +it could be seen, and was lost to view only by the winding of the road +in the distance. It was the finest view of a marching army he had ever +had. + +In the loft of the barn were a score or more of Confederates. Some of +these unfortunate men were sick, others had been wounded in the recent +cavalry skirmishes, and had been left by their comrades as they had +fallen back before the advance of the boys in blue. A guard or two was +attending to their wants, but every man as he peered out of the windows +seemed wan and pale, and the marks of the many privations and the heavy +fatigue to which they had been exposed were plain on every side. + +The farmer, near whose barn the line had halted, explained that a large +body of the rebels had passed his house not long before. The men were +ill-clothed and seemed to be in want, he explained. The report of the +man, however, did not deceive any of the Yankee soldiers. They were well +aware that the "Johnnies" were fierce fighters, and in spite of their +scarcity of food and clothing were standing up bravely and persistently. +It was Dennis one time who made the remark that "these men might not be +inspired of God, but they certainly were possessed of the divil." + +Neither of the young soldiers dreamed of the fearful events which were +soon to follow. Whether prejudice or ignorance, truth or falsehood, were +behind the struggle, there was no question about the tremendous +earnestness of both armies. + +The Union army, when it entered the little city of Frederick, was +surprised as well as delighted at the ovation which it received from +many of the people. Shouts and songs and cheers greeted their arrival +and continued during their march through the city. + +In the doorways of some of the houses girls and young women stood with +pails of clear, sparkling water. Many of these enthusiastic girls held +glasses in their extended hands inviting the thirsty and dust-covered +soldiers to drink. + +It was Dennis who said glibly to Noel, when a halt was made beyond the +limits of the town, "I can't for the life of me tell what made me so +thirsty this afternoon. I think I must have stopped a dozen times for a +drink of water." + +"Yes, I noticed it," said Noel demurely. "I have never seen anything +like this dust. No, and it doesn't seem as if the dust was all that was +new, either." + +"There's one thing I don't see, though," said Dennis. + +"What's that?" + +"I don't see any of the big bugs, like the others, standing in the +doorways and giving water to our boys as they passed." + +"I'm not surprised at that. I don't suppose the people who have money or +own slaves can be very enthusiastic over our coming down here to set +their slaves free or destroy their property." + +"Indade, and I niver once thought o' that," said Dennis. + +Near sunset the army halted again, and, wearied by their long march, +many of the men flung themselves upon the dust-covered grass by the +roadside or underneath the projecting branches of some large trees, and +sought a short respite from their labors. + +The day was Sunday the 14th of September, 1862. To Noel, his thoughts at +such a time naturally recalled the manner in which the day was spent in +his far-away home. There all was peace and quiet. About him now, +however, were armed men and officers riding past and cannon were being +dragged up the dusty road. All these things presented a striking +contrast to his vision of peace and quiet. + +Noel saw that every one of his comrades was sleeping, not even being +aroused by the passing of a body of cavalry or by the stamping of the +horses of their officers. + +He, too, was about to place his knapsack upon the ground for a pillow +when, glancing up the road, to his surprise he saw Dennis running toward +him, dragging in his hand a large fallen branch of a tree. + +That the young Irishman was about to perpetrate some prank Noel was +convinced. Dennis was simply irrepressible. The fatigues of the day, or +the thoughts of the battle, in which it was commonly believed the army +was about to enter, did not seem to check the exuberant spirits of +Dennis O'Hara. + +As he approached the place where Noel was seated, suddenly the young +Irishman swiftly entered the road and, stamping loudly upon the ground, +began to run close to the place where many of the soldiers were +sleeping. + +Adding to the confusion, Dennis began to shout, "Whoa! Whoa, there! +Whoa!" He did not check his own advance, however, and running swiftly, +dragged the branch he was carrying over the bodies and faces of some of +the sleeping men. + +Instantly every one of the soldiers who had felt the touch of the +sweeping branch or heard the sound of Dennis's voice sat erect, and +then, convinced that a body of horsemen were trampling upon them, +quickly leaped to their feet and ran from the place. In spite of their +weariness a shout greeted the prank of Dennis and caused the young +Irishman to laugh loudly. + +"They make me think," said Dennis, "of the old sport who took his gun +and traveled two days over the brakes and ferns and up and down the +mountains huntin' for a bear. Just at the close of the second day he +found the footprints of the old fellow and pretty soon afterward he +heard a growl from a rocky ledge that was too close to him for comfort. +The man stopped and scratched his head, and turnin' to his brother, who +was close behind him, he said, 'Now, look out! These tracks are gettin' +a little fresh! I believe I don't want any bear after all, so I'll go +back home.' It's a lot of brave men we have been hearin' talk about +comin' up to the front and drivin' the Johnnies through every gap in +these mountains, but whin a poor harmless boy comes along and shakes a +branch of a tree over thim, they are all so scared they don't even stop +to find out whether 'tis a Yank or a Reb that's chasin' thim." + +It was not long before the march was resumed. The turnpike over which +the soldiers moved was broad and smooth, and as the men passed through +the rolling country its contrast with that which they had seen in their +campaign in the Peninsula was marked by every one. + +At the next halt the chaplain, who had proved himself such a warm friend +to both of the young soldiers, approached the place where the two boys +were seated by the roadside. + +"That's General Burnside and his staff over yonder," he explained to +Noel. "General Hooker is to lead our division." + +"There's going to be a battle surely, isn't there?" inquired Noel. + +"I think there is no doubt of it," replied the chaplain, "and I have a +strange feeling about this engagement. I know I shall be shot." + +"Nonsense!" protested Noel. + +"But I shall be. I was shot when I was on the Peninsula almost the first +chance I got. I was only slightly wounded there, but this time I shall +be killed. I know it." + +"Shure, 'tis only a foolish notion that's got into your head," protested +Dennis. "Get rid of it, yer Riverence! Cheer up! Shure, you'll come out +all right." + +"I wish I might think so. If I fall I shall fall doing my duty." + +"Niver a doubt about that. Every man of us knows that you won't be shot +in the back." + +The kind-hearted man soon passed on, but the impression he had made upon +the mind of Noel was one which the boy was unable to shake off. He, too, +was fearful of the coming contest. He was doing his utmost to repress +the feeling and was striving hard to hold himself to the line which had +been mapped out for him. + +Apparently there were no rebel battalions now threatening the passage. +No cannon warned the advancing army from the narrow entrance between the +hills which they were approaching. These hills on either side of the +pass now were crowned with the glories of the approaching sunset. A few +clouds were seen in the sky, and in the distance occasional quick rushes +of smoke-puffs arose just above the trees and then the sight was +followed by the sound of a heavy boom. + +Far to the left there were other puffs, and as they were faintly seen in +the distance there were quick responses from the Union artillery. + +"Shure," muttered Dennis, "the artillery is beyond and with the help of +the infantry they'll drive the Johnnies out o' the way." + +A rattle of musketry only faintly heard confirmed the words of the young +Irish soldier. + +Above them and beyond were forests. Unseen foes without doubt were +lurking within the shelter of the great trees. Even now the opposing +armies might be preparing to rush madly against each other. Somehow the +smooth white turnpike began to lose its peaceful aspect in the eyes of +Noel Curtis. + +The toiling soldiers, climbing a steep ascent now, were soon aware that +between them and the main ascent of South Mountain was an extensive +valley. + +There were sharp calls from the officers, the line of march was changed +from the open turnpike, and the men approached a cornfield upon the +hillside. + +In the midst of the passage through the field suddenly the great guns of +the Confederates opened upon the line with solid shot. Down the hill +dashed the army, then swiftly crossing the little valley, began the +steady climb of the mountain-side. + +A few yards from the base of the mountain was a fence. Below the fence +the ground was cleared, while above it the face of the mountain was +covered with rocks and trees. + +Steadily and surely the boys in blue advanced, and when they had arrived +within fifty yards of the place they were seeking, a rapid fire of +musketry was opened upon them by the Confederates, who lay concealed +behind the fence. + +Bullets whistled about their ears. There were shouts and calls from the +leaders and loud and prolonged cheers from their willing followers. With +a wild shout the men dashed forward. Indeed, their course was almost +upward, so steep was the ascent. Volley after volley was poured in upon +them, but as yet the brave boys did not heed them and still rushed madly +forward. + +The Confederates, astonished by the recklessness and the apparent +disregard of their bullets, began to give way. Successfully the +advancing soldiers gained the fence and then instantly sprang over it. +To their surprise, however, their enemies re-formed among the rocks and +renewed the fight with unshaken determination. + +It was at this time that the chaplain, who had shown his friendship for +the boys, accompanied by a young lieutenant, was just springing over the +fence when a bullet struck him and he fell back upon the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE FOLLOWING DAY + + +To the horror of the young soldier he saw that the chaplain was +lifeless. The expression upon the face of the dead man was as peaceful +as that of one who has fallen asleep in his own home. + +The strange declaration which the chaplain had made, that he expected to +fall in the fight into which he was about to enter, came back to Noel +now and strongly impressed him. It was strange, he thought, that such a +premonition should have taken hold upon a man who was so sane and +thoughtful. + +There was little time, however, for consideration of matters of +sentiment. The struggle was not yet ended, and it was plain that the +Confederates desperately were holding their ground. + +Meanwhile the success which had been won stimulated the Union soldiers, +and with shouts and shots they again pressed forward. + +Not far before him Noel saw a line of men in gray who were loading and +firing steadily, and soon afterward he saw the line begin to waver. +Directly in front of his own regiment the men gave way, and several +companies from the right pressed forward at one side and in this manner +became separated from the regiment itself. + +Looking hastily behind him, Noel saw that he and his companions were +thirty or forty paces in advance of the main line and now were within +twenty or thirty steps of the Confederate soldiers who were on their +left. It was plain, too, that the Southern soldiers were not as yet +aware of the approaching force. + +In a brief time, however, they were dropping as grain falls before a +sickle. As Noel watched them a great wave of pity rushed over him. He +saw that they were falling by scores. + +Suddenly, at the extreme end of the line, he saw a tall man in gray +hastily loading his gun. There was no regular command to fire now, and +instantly, hardly daring to hope that he was in time, Noel raised his +gun to his shoulder and fired. He saw the soldier pitch forward and fall +into a crevice between the rocks. + +Unable to stop, step by step Noel Curtis with his companions pushed up +the steep side of the mountain. It was a marvelous sight to see the +determination of the boys in blue and the steady resistance which their +opponents offered in such a place. + +There was a halt made soon, and then Noel ran swiftly to the place where +he had seen the man, at whom he had fired, fall. + +When the young soldier arrived at the crevice, he saw the wounded +soldier sitting erect, and somehow a feeling of gratitude swept over +Noel's heart that the man was not dead. + +"Are you wounded?" he inquired hastily, as he stopped a moment. + +Without speaking the man mournfully nodded his head in reply. Noel saw +that there was a wound in the neck of the soldier and also one in his +arm. + +"Same bullet," said the Confederate briefly. "I was just ramming a +bullet home and had my arm reaching out this way." As he spoke, he rose +to his feet and Noel was delighted to find that he was able to walk. + +"You understand," said Noel, "that you are a prisoner?" + +"I reckon I do," said the Confederate. + +"I'll find some one to take charge of you and take you to the rear, +where you will be out of danger and where the surgeon can attend to +you." + +"That's good of you. I reckon you don't know who I am." + +The man's face was discolored by smoke and powder, but as he spoke Noel +instantly recognized him as the husband of Sairy Ann's sister. + +There was no time, however, for further conversation, and as soon as he +saw that the prisoner had been placed in charge of one of the boys, Noel +threw himself upon the ground and crawled back among the rocks to a +position where he was about fifteen paces in advance of his company. His +intention now was to act as a sharpshooter, although he had received no +orders to that effect. + +Cocking his gun he rose abruptly from his position behind the rock, and +there, directly in front of him and not ten paces away, he beheld a grim +rebel just bringing his gun to aim. His dark eyes seemed to flash fire +as they scowled fiercely from beneath the broad brim of a large, ugly +hat. He was aiming directly at the young soldier, too, and there was +slight chance of escape. + +It was impossible for Noel to take careful aim under such circumstances. +More quickly than ever before he brought his gun to his shoulder and +blazed away, as it seemed to him almost at random, and then dropped +instantly behind the protecting rock. He hardly dared to breathe during +the excitement. Every part of a second seemed like a long time. There +was a fear that the fire of the rebel would reach him before he could +gain the protection of the rock, and, just as Noel dropped, the bullet +tipped the edge of the stone above his head. + +Step by step the enemy now were retiring. Without venturing from the +position of safety which he had found, Noel waited until his line +advanced. + +The enemy still were falling back and the boys in blue still pressed +steadily forward. More prisoners were secured and were regularly being +conducted to the rear. The bodies of those who had fallen and the +wounded were lying among the rocks. + +For the first time Noel became aware that night was almost at an end. A +feeling of indescribable weariness swept over him. Even the bodies of +the fallen men, some of which were within ten feet of the place where he +was standing, seemed to be vague and unreal. + +The hospitals had been established about halfway down the hill. To them +the wounded wherever they were found were still being carried. +Gradually the sound of the guns off to the left had been dying away. +Ricketts's men were holding the fence, while the regiment in the midst +of which Noel Curtis and Dennis had been struggling was resting on its +arms. No mounted orderlies could be found, as they had all been +withdrawn to other parts of the army. Such horses as were left were +secured by being tied to the trees. + +After the necessary dispositions for the night had been made, the men, +wrapped in their cloaks or having donned their heavier coats, in utter +weariness threw themselves upon the ground. + +Noel was far from feeling easy in his mind. With his comrades he was +fearful that the enemy might make a night attack and was afraid of what +might follow in the darkness and confusion. + +The issue of the battle on the left was still uncertain and with this +feeling of uneasiness still prevalent throughout the regiment the men +sought to rest. + +In spite of the excitement through which they had passed and in spite of +the near-by presence of the dead, not many minutes elapsed before +everything was forgotten and every man was asleep. + +Awake early the following morning, Noel was surprised to find that his +nearest sleeping comrade was Dennis. He had seen but little of the young +Irishman thus far in the engagement and, indeed, he had seldom thought +of his friend. + +Discovering that Dennis was awake, Noel in a low voice said to him, +"Dennis, how is it that any of us are left alive?" + +"Indade, 'tis a wonder," answered Dennis. + +"Not so great, after all," remarked another soldier who was lying near +the boys and had heard Noel's question. "The waste of ammunition in a +battle is something marvelous. Our colonel told us that it takes almost +a man's weight in lead to kill one soldier." + +"It doesn't seem so," said Noel thoughtfully, "when you hear the volleys +shrieking above your head or flying close to your ears, and when men, +all excited and anxious, are trying to fire just as fast as they are +able. It doesn't seem possible that so many can come alive out of a +fight." + +"You must not forget," said the soldier, "that most of the men make no +pretense at taking aim." + +"And I guess," suggested Dennis, "that most of them don't. They act +like they were aiming at nothin' and trying to hit it." + +"It is strange," said Noel, "how still the wounded men were. I didn't +hear many who were groaning or making any cry. The most of them were +either limping off, or being carried to the rear, or they were lying +down where they fell, all quiet and still." + +"The worst shock I got," suggested Dennis, "was when I stumbled over the +bodies of some of the dead boys. That shook my nerves and made me +tremble like a leaf." + +By this time the army was stirring once more and preparations for the +approaching day were being made. The great matter for rejoicing with +Noel and Dennis was the fact that there had been no attack by the enemy +during the preceding night. + +Hasty arrangements were made for the burial of the dead. The young +soldier was marvelously impressed by the peaceful expression of most of +the upturned faces which he saw. + +The first question among the living, however, was, "Where is the enemy?" + +In front of the fence which General Ricketts's troops were still holding +there was no sign of the Confederates. Indeed, a strange, almost +unnatural, silence rested over the entire region. The little stretch +between the men and the cornfield seemed to be entirely free from the +presence of soldiers. There was a slight mist resting on the +mountain-side and through this could be dimly seen the fallen dead of +the enemy. + +With others Noel had been designated to care for the bodies of his +comrades who had been killed in the fight. As he was moving about among +the rocks and stumps, suddenly, a slight, boyish form without any weapon +and clad in the customary gray uniform of the Confederate soldiers, was +seen by Noel kneeling over the body of a fallen man. To his +inexpressible horror Noel saw that the man was using his knife and +trying to remove a ring from the finger of the dead soldier. + +Startled by the approach of Noel, the man suddenly looked up, and, +instantly rising, said quickly, "Don't shoot! Don't shoot me! I vas your +prisoner." + +The feeling of rage and disgust which had seized upon Noel's heart +quickly gave way when to his surprise he saw that the approaching man +was none other than the little sutler, Levi Kadoff. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ANTIETAM + + +Startled as Noel Curtis was by the sight of the little sutler, whom he +believed to be true to neither side, his feeling speedily gave way to a +great rush of anger. Almost unmindful of what he was doing, Noel rushed +upon Levi and seizing him by his shoulders shook the little sutler until +both he and his prisoner were nearly breathless. + +"You rascal! You little villain! What do you mean by this work? It's bad +enough for you to be false to the living, but when you try to rob the +dead! I'll try to see that you receive your just deserts!" shouted Noel. + +"But--" + +"Don't talk!" roared Noel, again shaking his prisoner. "What are you +doing here? How did you come?" + +Unmindful of the fact that Noel had forbidden his prisoner to speak, and +yet at the same time had told him he must explain his presence and +actions on the battle-field, he glared into the face of the breathless +and frightened Levi in a manner that increased the latter's terror. + +"I'll tell you," shouted Noel, "what I'm going to do with you! I'm going +to turn you over to the boys after I have told them that you were trying +to cut the ring from the finger of one of the dead soldiers! I'll leave +you with them. I guess they'll know what to do with you." + +"Oh, do not! Please do not! Dey vill be very angry mit me." + +"Do you really think so? Maybe so. At all events, I'll turn you over and +we'll see what comes." + +Securing a firmer hold upon the shoulder of his little prisoner, Noel +speedily withdrew from the place and soon placed the miscreant in the +hands of the proper authorities. + +Only a partial explanation was given by the young soldier, and as he +hastened back to his place on the field his anger against the little +sutler soon was in a measure forgotten in the task that still confronted +him. + +The division in which Noel and Dennis were fighting was on the flank of +the Union army. Because of this fact they were not among the first to +start in pursuit of the Confederates that Monday morning. It was +necessary for the greater part of the army to cross South Mountain by +one road, the turnpike. + +Noel, who had been greatly depressed by the struggle through which he +had gone the preceding day, was surprised to find that Dennis and many +of his comrades were highly elated. They had succeeded in driving the +rebels from the strong position which they had held on South Mountain, +and up its steep and rocky sides they had forced their way against +fearful odds. If they could do so well where rocks and steep ascents had +to be overcome, what might they not be able to do in the valley beyond +the mountain? + +A spirit of confidence at this time, indeed, of overconfidence, as later +events proved, possessed the soldiers. They had jumped to the conclusion +already that General Lee had been beaten, and therefore the overwhelming +defeats suffered by the Union army at Bull Run now were balanced. + +The rejoicing which had come to the army was modified somewhat when the +men found that no response was given to their inquiry as to the +whereabouts of the enemy. They were not aware that the Confederates at +this time had withdrawn beyond South Mountain. + +In the task in which Noel had been engaged he had discovered how +closely together the desperate charges had brought the men of the two +contending armies. There were cases where not more than ten paces +intervened between the fence and the place where some of the poor +fellows were lying in their last sleep. + +In the presence of such scenes the bitterness of the struggle was almost +forgotten, and the eyes of the dead, that were staring upward so fixedly +in the gray of the morning hour, neither expressed nor aroused any +emotion except sorrow. + +Unaware of the cause, the young soldier's feelings were somewhat numb +from the tension of the preceding hours. Even Levi now was almost +forgotten and the husband of Sairy Ann's sister had faded from his +thoughts. + +At last about ten o'clock, after many protests and much growling on the +part of the boys in blue over what they were pleased to call an +unnecessary delay, orders were received for the division to be marched +toward Boonesborough. + +Noel and Dennis were marching side by side, but the most of their +comrades were unknown. + +As the men advanced, Noel saw that the turnpike far ahead was filled +with troops, artillery and wagons that were hurrying up the pass. The +fields on either side were white with army wagons and far down the road +that extended toward Frederick City a moving, living, advancing tide of +men was pushing steadily forward. + +Suddenly some one broke into a song, and in a moment "Maryland, My +Maryland" was taken up by the soldiers, although the words frequently +changed to suit the feelings of the different singers. Even Noel, +heavy-hearted as he was, smiled as he heard Dennis shouting, "_My_ +Maryland," with special emphasis upon the "My." + +"Dennis, what are you doing?" inquired Noel as the line halted for a +brief respite. + +"Singin', sor." + +"You call that singing, do you?" + +"Shure, and what is it, if it isn't singin'?" + +"That's what I wanted to find out. That was the reason why I asked my +question. If you call it singing, why, I suppose I shall have to take +your word for it." + +"'Tis a beautiful country," said Dennis as he surveyed the scene which +extended far on either side. Fertile fields and a rolling plateau that +terminated in the distant hills appeared doubly beautiful in the soft +light of that September day. + +At their next halt, which was at the home of a family that proved to be +loyal to the Union cause, the good woman of the house brought forth all +the food she possessed and divided it among the soldiers. + +Laughingly she was telling some of the boys in blue of one of her own +relatives who had been in her home two days before the battle of South +Mountain. Apparently all that he feared was that the demoralized army of +the North, which had been driven from the Peninsula and out of Virginia, +could not now be induced to enter into a contest. + +"We are going to wipe them out this time, once and for all," the man had +said. "And then for Philadelphia and New York! These Yankees will find +out for the first time what war means when we get into their country! As +for Maryland, we'll lose the last man before we'll retreat." + +Before day broke that morning this woman had been aroused by a band of +half-starved and weaponless men, clad in suits of ragged gray who +stopped near her residence begging for food. A panic apparently had +seized upon the men. She had heard one of these soldiers say that if he +could only be taken prisoner he would be happy. In this crowd she had +discovered the relative who confidently and positively had foretold the +dire results of the coming battle for the Yankees. + +"Why, John, is that you?" she had inquired. "I thought you were going to +Philadelphia." + +"It's no use talking about that, aunt," he replied foolishly. "We have +been badly whipped, and I don't know where a single man or a single gun +of my battery can be found to-day." + +At this time a small body of men was seen approaching bearing a flag of +truce. At its head rode a Confederate surgeon in a gray uniform which +had been highly ornamented. On the end of a stick, which he held high, +was a white handkerchief. The surgeon was accompanied by four soldiers +carrying a blood-stained stretcher, while in charge of the little band +was one of the boys in blue. Upon its arrival the leader requested to +see the ranking official. + +In response to his expressed wish the surgeon was taken to General +Hooker and by him was granted permission to secure and bear off the body +of one of the rebel colonels, who supposedly had fallen in the fight. + +The long waiting by the division continued. Hunger as well as thirst now +tormented the men. When the division at last moved forward, it was +discovered that the advance then was to be to Keedysville, about six +miles distant. + +The little hamlet presented a strange appearance upon the arrival of the +soldiers. The few stores and hotels were filled to overflowing with men +clad in uniform. When night fell it seemed as if the train of wagons +that steadily was moving past was almost unending. On the following day, +when the men reached Keedysville, their progress was halted by a +counter-current of cavalry and artillery moving to the right of what +later proved to be a great battle-field. + +At this time no one seemed to be positive as to just the position the +enemy were occupying. Many of the boys in their enthusiasm believed that +they had fled across the Potomac. Such opinions, however, were met by +those who believed that the armies were on the eve of a desperate +conflict. + +When daylight came the following morning (Wednesday September 17, 1862), +a frequent discharge of artillery, apparently about two miles to the +right, soon gave place to a roar that was incessant, and then every one +in the army knew that a battle already was beginning. The straggling +little village was filed with orderlies and officers rushing hither and +thither on various duties. + +The division advanced until it was on the east side of the Antietam +Creek. Beyond, were the enemy, flanked by the Potomac River. It seemed +at first like an unfavorable position and one filled with deadly peril +for the men in gray. + +At this time Noel was not able to see any indication of a hidden force +in the fields and woods opposite the position where his division had +taken their stand. As yet, too, very few missiles had come as far as the +place which he and his comrades were occupying. Ambulances could now be +seen carrying off the more desperately wounded, or on their way back to +the field for their new freights of agony. + +The fighting seemed to be going on mostly on the right. The roar of the +artillery and of the infantry became louder and more terrifying. As Noel +advanced with his comrades he passed improvised hospitals sheltered in a +little valley. Farmhouses and barns were all occupied now, and still the +stretcher-bearers brought in from the front a constant and fresh +addition of suffering men. + +It was no time for faint-heartedness, however. Into the smoke and the +din of battle, out of which the bleeding forms had come, Noel and Dennis +must enter. + +So many were the stragglers from the field that the cavalry was brought +up and stationed on the Hagerstown Turnpike and with drawn sabers +prevented the withdrawal of any more. + +On his right Noel saw troops drawn up in line of battle. On his left +were other troops in a grove near the road. To his surprise as they +advanced he saw some of the troops apparently falling back. A cry passed +through the ranks that General Hooker, who was in command of the +division, had been wounded and that the right wing had been compelled to +fall back. There were rumors also that the enemy far outnumbered the +right wing and that there was great danger also for the left. + +Beyond all that, Stonewall Jackson, a name that every Yankee soldier had +come to respect, had sheltered his reserves behind some rocky ledges and +had thrown up long lines of fence-rail breastworks. + +A feeling of intense and bitter disappointment now took possession of +the Union men. The division was sent ahead and drawn up in line of +battle on both sides of the Hagerstown Turnpike. It seemed at that +moment as if the Confederate soldiers were about to break through the +army of the North and repeat the successes which they had won on the +field of Bull Run. + +One of the batteries in Noel's division had lost thirty-eight officers +and men and twenty-eight horses. Two of his comrades had tried to +appease their desperate feeling of hunger by a hoe-cake which they had +taken from the haversack of a dead rebel soldier. One general in the +division had leaped forward in a critical moment and personally sighted +the guns when the enemy was almost upon him. Another general, of a +different division, had ordered his brigade to advance, but he himself +had remained behind. + +Apparently matters once more were moving well, but just as Dennis and +Noel were pushing with their comrades into some woods, they found +themselves with others confronted by fresh troops who instantly stopped +them with volleys so terrible that a retreat was unavoidable. Neither +Noel nor Dennis knew at this time that the battle of Antietam really was +nearly over. As yet, to both boys there seemed to have been set only +the first act of the tragedy. + +On the left the din of battle had long been heard and out in front the +cannon thundered, and every moment an attack was expected on the +division where Noel and Dennis were. + +The cavalry now rested upon the ground in long lines. Its ranks were +somewhat broken and thin. Steadily in their rear, the various reserves +were being stationed to aid in resisting the attack which was expected. +The men of each brigade in turn were stacking their arms and then were +lying down. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +CONCLUSION + + +Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in +long lines. They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel +and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of +the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, +were thin. At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were +seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like +some of the Yankee soldiers. + +The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were +numbered. One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, +said, "Look here, captain! This is the allowance of pork for my men. I +guess I shall have to eat it all, as I am the only one left." + +At such a time many wild rumors have full swing. About four o'clock +General McClellan, with his staff, rides along the lines and is greeted +with great enthusiasm by his men. The report now is that the Union +soldiers have been partly successful, the Confederates having been +driven back, although they are still holding firmly the new position +which they have taken. + +An orderly stops for a word with Dennis and Noel. He shows a loaf of +bread which he has obtained from a near-by farmhouse and a little piece +of butter which he ingeniously has put in a hole cut in the loaf. All +three, upon their comrade's invitation, sit down to enjoy the rare +treat. The pleasure is increased by a cup of coffee, for the men now +have been permitted to light fires by which to cook their rations. It +looks very much as if the fighting for the day, at least, is ended. + +Suddenly, about five o'clock, as abruptly as thunder is heard under a +clear sky, a volley of shot and shell begins to strike or pass over and +about the place where the men are gathered. + +Before the officers are fairly able to mount their horses the thirty +great guns, which have been waiting for this opportunity for hours, +begin to sweep the woods and the cornfield with their deluge of shot and +shell. The roar of the artillery soon is almost deafening. The thirty +guns are being discharged one by one as rapidly as the men are able to +load them. The little hillside actually shakes under the force of the +shots. Dennis murmurs, "Faith! 'Tis not only the hill, but the whole +planet that's shaking like a leaf now." + +It is supposed that the fire of the rebels is introductory to an attack +by their infantry. In view of this fact, the troops in front are +notified to hold themselves in readiness, while those in the rear are +called upon to fall in and to take their arms and advance closely to the +crest of the hill and also to lie down there and to be ready for action +at any moment. All the reserves are prepared and ready. The wagons now +are drawn by galloping horses. The right wing is believed to be ready. + +General Meade, who, after the wounding of General Hooker, succeeds to +the command of the corps, rides up to the crest of the hill on which +Noel and Dennis are stationed and studies the position of the batteries +of the enemy almost as coolly as if he were at a review. Already there +is a bullet-hole in his cap, but the quietness of the great leader in +the midst of the confusion and peril is most impressive. He gives his +orders to make ready for the storm. + +Noel saw shots strike so close to his own comrades as to fling the dust +over them. The heavy cannonading by the enemy continues for at least +ten minutes, and it is with a great feeling of relief that Noel, as he +glances about him, is unable to see that any men had been killed or +wounded. Such artillery firing at long range is terrific to hear, but is +seldom fatal. + +Later it was learned from some of the prisoners that General Jackson's +plan had been to attack with his infantry after the heavy cannonading. +Just before sunset was his favorite hour for such an order. The +tremendous fire of the Union batteries, however, plainly showed him how +well prepared his enemies were, and in a brief time his cannon ceased to +play and the Union guns also became silent. + +Fighting by the right wing ceased when the cannonading stopped. When the +officers were convinced that there had been an end to the immediate +attempt, they permitted every man to bring from the neighboring farms +bundles of straw with which beds were made, and, still in line of +battle, all soon stretched themselves upon these improvised +resting-places. + +The weary gunners tried to make themselves comfortable alongside their +guns. The pickets were standing, with every sense alert, close to the +rebel lines, and prepared to give instant warning should a night attack +by the Confederates be attempted. Not an officer removed even his sword. +The horses, tied to near-by fences, were standing saddled and ready for +instant use. + +There was no tree above the heads of Noel and Dennis, and as they lay +looking up at the stars, for the first time in twenty-four hours the +tired boys were able to think of the experiences they had undergone. +Within a space of four square miles two hundred thousand men were lying. +Some of them were stiff and stark and with sightless eyes were looking +up into the pitying heavens. Some were stretched on beds in the +improvised hospitals or lying wounded and bleeding under the trees. +Others, even in their sleep, are clasping the deadly weapons with which +on the morrow they are expecting to renew the awful scenes of the day. + +It was long before daylight the following morning when the little hill +upon which Noel and Dennis had been sleeping was alive with men +preparing their simple breakfasts and getting ready for the fighting of +the coming day. + +Somehow there was a feeling of confidence among the soldiers that the +day was to be marked with victory. They now had every opportunity to +drive the rebels into the Potomac, or perhaps to capture their entire +army. + +But when sunrise came and hour after hour passed without any orders to +advance, gradually a feeling of bitter disappointment took possession of +the men. The day dragged on, the batteries still remained in position, +and the infantry still were resting on their arms. In the position held +by the enemy silence brooded throughout the day. It was nearly dark when +orders came to be ready for action at sunrise on the morrow. + +With such information the growlers ceased their complaints and there was +a common hope that the enemy would not escape. + +"'Tis only put off one day," said Dennis. "We'll either drive the +Johnnies into the Potomac or carry them with us back to Washington." + +The following day the men were aroused at three o'clock in the morning. +There was no haste in the orders or in the movements of the men. They +ate their breakfast and drank their coffee, and then all made ready for +battle. But again the hours passed and there was no decisive action. At +eight o'clock it was learned that the Confederates had slipped away and +had withdrawn across the Potomac, and doubtless by this time were safely +in Virginia. + +The river into which the Union soldiers had believed they would drive +their enemies had now become the best defense of Lee's army. The battles +of South Mountain and Antietam were robbed of any decisive significance. +It is true that Lee's advance into the North was blocked, and that he +was compelled to turn back to defend the rebel capital, but he had shown +his skill by successfully evading his foes and at the same time +protecting his army as he withdrew. + +The following day was Sunday. All signs of storms had passed, and not +since the Union army had departed from Washington had finer marching +weather been seen. + +The sound of distant cannonading once more revived the hope that General +McClellan would follow the retiring Confederates and that another battle +would soon be fought. The roar of the great guns, however, was merely a +harmless artillery duel across the river. + +The hours of the long day dragged on and still the men were not ordered +to advance. The lack of action was beginning to tell strongly upon their +spirits and there were many complaints to be heard now on every side +over the meaningless, or at least the misunderstood, delay. + +It was eleven o'clock at night before it was reported that orders had +been received for the corps to advance to Harper's Ferry the following +day. But the following day came and went, and in turn was followed by +other days until a month had passed and the advance still was postponed. +The battle-field was still the scene of the camp, and it was only after +some time had elapsed that the soldiers understood that they had been +left to help guard the Potomac so that General Lee might not attempt to +cross it again and try another battle. + +The terrible excitement and fatigue, the privations and the continued +strain upon the nerves and feelings of the men were followed now by a +calm and monotony that was most deadly. Once a week each soldier was on +guard, taking his turn as a sentinel. Part of each day was given to +drill. At sunset there was a brief parade, but the rest of the day was +largely his own. + +Because of such conditions the soldiers were exposed to many +temptations, and in spite of the sorrow which followed the battle of +Antietam there were many pranks being played. + +One day, which was unusually warm, Noel had been sent to the +quartermaster's office on some errand for his colonel. He was standing +behind an improvised desk and consequently was partly hidden from the +sight of any one who entered. + +In the midst of his task of copying certain details which his colonel +desired he was startled by the sound of a familiar voice. Without being +seen he peered from behind his stand and saw that Levi Kadoff had +entered the quartermaster's place. + +"Ish dis de quartermaister's office?" inquired the sutler timidly. + +"It is," replied the officer in charge. + +"Vell, Mr. Quartermaister, I chust got mine sutler's goots and I vant +von place vere I shall sell dose dings to the soldiers. You gife me von +place, hey?" + +"It is against my orders, sir, to give permission to anybody to put up +tents or houses for the sale of goods of any kind." + +"I vill not take mooch room for dese leedle dings," pleaded Levi. + +"Come back and see me later." + +"Ven I comes?" + +"About an hour." + +"Vell, captain, I comes chust as you say. I send you some of mine fine +goots." + +True to his word not long afterwards a basket, with a card attached +bearing the following address, was received,-- + + "_To Captain Vesh, + Qr. Maister._" + +Levi had departed before Noel had been able to make any protest. +Confident that he would return, however, he explained to Captain Vesh +what Levi's former dealings had been and also expressed his surprise +that the little sutler had not been hanged. + +In a brief time Levi again appeared, and as he entered the office he +said smilingly, "Vell, captain, I comes to look at dot leedle place vot +ve spoke about dis morning." + +"What place, sir?" + +"Vy, dot place vat you give me to put up von leedle dent vere I sells +mine goots." + +"You must be mistaken, sir. I told you distinctly that we did not grant +any such privileges." + +"Vell, now, captain, look at dis. Dis morning I sends you von fine +basket which costs me sixteen dollars mit de wholesale." + +"You thought you would bribe me, did you?" replied the quartermaster in +apparent anger. "Now, I'll give you two hours to get out of this place." + +As Levi turned to depart, he obtained a glimpse of Noel's face and fled +precipitately. + +Nor was Noel afterward able to learn the fate of the little sutler. +Apparently each side had taken him as friendly to itself, or else the +crafty little trader had persuaded both that the charges against him +were untrue. Whether he was hanged as a spy, shot as a deserter, or was +able to continue his nefarious trading with the soldiers was a mystery +which never was made clear. + +The husband of Sairy Ann's sister, Noel later discovered among the +wounded prisoners, and in return for the help which he himself had +received, he was able in many ways to aid the wounded man. + +The continually repeated question among the men, "When do we move?" was +not answered until a month or more had elapsed. Then, when the army was +moved to Harper's Ferry, Noel there learned that his brother Frank had +been among the prisoners taken by the Confederates and sent to Libby +Prison. Disheartening as the information was, it did not decrease the +interest of Noel when late in October his division was ordered to move +toward Virginia. + +It was plain now that the campaign was to be transferred again to the +State in which Noel and Frank had had their first experiences in the +army. The enthusiasm of Dennis was great, and in his loudest tones he +joined in the song of the men when they departed from Harper's Ferry,-- + + "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, + His soul is marching on." + +The boys in blue were somewhat cast down, but not despairing. The Union +army had outnumbered the Confederates nearly two to one in the recent +battle of Antietam. + +Among the subordinate Union commanders there had been great energy +displayed, but no one was able to escape the conclusion that on the +Federal side the battle had been badly fought and many great +opportunities had been neglected. + +In the battle of Antietam the Federals had lost more than twelve +thousand men and their enemies ninety-five hundred. All the troops of +the latter had been engaged in the fight, but only about two thirds of +the Union army had seriously entered into the struggle. + +In a measure the friends of the Union were content that Lee's +threatening invasion of the North had been thwarted. The great Southern +general had fought a pitched battle, but had not destroyed his foe. +There was no escape, however, from the conclusion that Lee's plan to +invade the North had failed, and that the struggle now was to return to +Virginia soil, a fact which Dennis O'Hara and Noel Curtis and his +brother soon were to learn. + + +THE END + + * * * * * + + +Dr. Tomlinson's Books + + +The American boy will never tire of reading tales of the early colonial +days and especially of the desperate encounters and struggles of the +colonists with the natives of the forest. + +Dr. Tomlinson has read widely and has collected a mass of incident +through family tradition and otherwise, which he has skillfully +incorporated in the historical frameworks of several exceedingly +interesting and instructive stories. He has the knack of mixing history +with adventure in such a way as to make his young readers absorb much +information while entertaining them capitally. His historical tales are +filled with an enthusiasm which it is well to foster in the heart of +every healthy-minded and patriotic American boy. + +The plots are all based upon events that actually occurred; and the boy +heroes play the part of men in a way to capture the hearts of all boy +readers. Dr. Tomlinson shows scrupulous regard for the larger truths of +history, and the same care that would naturally go into a book for older +readers. + + +The Boys of Old Monmouth + +A story of Washington's campaign in New Jersey in 1778. + + +A Jersey Boy in the Revolution + +This story is founded upon the lives and deeds of some of the humbler +heroes of the American Revolution. + + +In the Hands of the Redcoats + +A tale of the Jersey ship and the Jersey shore in the days of the +Revolution. + + +Under Colonial Colors + +The story of Arnold's expedition to Quebec; of war, adventure, and +friendship. + + +A Lieutenant Under Washington + +A tale of Brandywine and Germantown. + + +The Rider of the Black Horse + +A spirited Revolutionary story following the adventures of one of +Washington's couriers. + + +The Red Chief + +A story of the massacre at Cherry Valley, of Brant, the Mohawk chief, +and of the Revolution in upper New York state. + + +Marching Against the Iroquois + +An exciting story based on General Sullivan's expedition into the +country of the Iroquois in 1779. + + +Light Horse Harry's Legion + +A stirring story of fights with marauding Tories on the Jersey Pine +Barrens. + + +The Camp-Fire of Mad Anthony + +This story covers the period between 1774 and 1776 and follows the +adventures of the Pennsylvania troops under "Mad Anthony" Wayne. + + +Mad Anthony's Young Scout + +A story of the winter of 1777-1778. + + +The Champion of the Regiment + +An absorbing story of the Siege of Yorktown, with Noah Dare, so well +known to Tomlinson readers, for hero. + + +The Young Minute-Man of 1812 + +The young hero joins the garrison at Sacket's Harbor, is sent on an +expedition down the St. Lawrence, and takes part in McDonough's victory +on Lake Champlain. + + +The Young Sharpshooter + +The experiences of a boy in the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, under +McClellan. + + +The Young Sharpshooter at Antietam + +Deals with Lee's invasion of Maryland in 1862, relating further exciting +adventures of Noel, the young sharpshooter. + + +Young Americans In The British Isles. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG SHARPSHOOTER AT ANTIETAM*** + + +******* This file should be named 39473.txt or 39473.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/4/7/39473 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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