第15章

VincentrecognizedwithastonishmentintheFederalofficerrushingathimwithupliftedswordhisoldantagonist，Jackson。

Almostinstinctivelyhewhirledthecan，whichwasstillhalffullofliquor，roundhisheadanddasheditfullinthefaceofhisantagonist，whowasknockedoffhisfeetbytheblow。WithayellofragehestartedupagainandrushedatVincent。Thelattersnatchedupashovelthatwaslyingclosebyandstoodhisground。

Theofficersweresosurprisedatthesuddennessoftheincidentandtheoverthrowoftheircompanion，andforthemomentsoamusedatthelatter\'sappearance，coveredashewasfromheadtofootwiththestickyliquorandbleedingfromacutinflictedbytheedgeofthecan，thattheywereincapableofinterference。

Blindedwithrage，andwiththeliquidstreamingintohiseyes，JacksonrushedatVincent。Thelattercaughttheblowaimedathimontheedgeoftheshovel，andthenswinginghisweaponroundsmotehisantagonistwithallhisstrength，theedgeoftheshovelfallingfairlyuponhishead。Withoutacrythetraitorfelldeadinhistracks。Theotherofficersnowdrewtheirswordsandrushedfor-ward。Vincent，seeingthefutilityofresistance，threwdownhisshovel。Hewasinstantlyseized。

"Halloothere!"theseniorofficercalledtothemen，whohadstoppedintheirworkandweregazingatthesuddenfraythathadarisen，"asergeantandfourmen。"Fourofthenegrosoldiersandasergeantatoncesteppedforward。"Takethismanandconducthimtothevillage。Puthiminaroom，andstaytherewithhim。Doyou，sergeant，stationyourselfatthedoor，sothatIshallknowwheretofindyou。Putonyouruniformsandtakeyourguns。"Themenputontheircoats，whichtheyhadremovedwhileatwork，shoulderedtheirmuskets，andtooktheirplaces，twooneachsideoftheprisoner。Theofficersthenturnedtoexaminetheirprostratecomrade。

"It\'salloverwithhim，"onesaid，stoopingdown；"theshovelhascuthisskullnearlyinhalf。Well，Ifancyhewasabadlot。Idon\'tbelieveinSouthernerswhocomeovertofightinourranks；

besideshewasatonetimeintherebelarmy。"

"Yes，hewastakenprisoner，"anothersaid。"Thenhisfather，whohadtoboltfromtheSouth，because，hesaid，ofhisNorthernsympathies，butlikelyenoughforsomethingelse，cameround，madeinterestsomehowandgothissonreleased，andthensomeoneelsegothimacommissionwithus。Healwayssaidhehadbeenobligedtofightontheotherside，butthathehadalwaysbeenheartandsoulfortheNorth；anyhow，hewasalwaysblackguardinghisoldfriends。Ialwaysdoubtedthefellow。Well，there\'sanendofhim；andanyhowhehasdoneusefulserviceatlastbyrecognizingthisspy。Fine-lookingyoungfellowthat。HecalledhimVincentWingfield。Iseemtorememberthenanie；

perhapsIhavereaditinsomeoftherebelnewspaperswegotholdof；likelyenoughsomeonewillknowit。Well，IsupposewehadbetterhaveJacksoncarriedintocamp。"

Fourmoreofthenegroeswerecalledout，andthesecarriedthebodyintothecampofhisregiment。Auofficerwasalsosentfromtheworkingpartytoreportthecaptureofaspytohiscolonel。

"Iwillreportittothegeneral，"thelattersaid；"herodealonghereaboutaquarterofanhourago，andmaynotbebackagainforsomehours。Aswehavegotthespyfastitcannotmakeanydifference。"

AshewasmarchedbacktothevillageVincentfeltthattherewasnohopeforhimwhatever。Hehadbeendenouncedasaspy，andalthoughthelipsthathaddenouncedhimhadbeensilencedforever，themischiefhadbeendone。Hecouldgivenosatisfactoryaccountofhimself。Hethoughtforamomentofdeclaringthatamistakehadbeenmade，buthefeltthatnodenialwouldcounterbalancetheeffectofJackson\'swords。Thefury，too，withwhichthelatterhadattackedhimwouldshowplainlyenoughthathisassailantwasabsolutelycertainastohisidentity，andeventhattherehadbeenapersonalfeudbetweenthem。Thenhethoughtthatifhesaidthathewasthesonofthewomaninthelintshewouldbearhimoutintheassertion。ButitwasnotlikelythatthiswouldbeacceptedasagainstJackson\'stestimony；besides，inquiryamongherneighborswouldcertainlyleadtothediscoverythatshewasspeakinganuntruth，andmighteveninvolveherinhisfateashisabettor。Butmostofallhedecidedagainstthiscoursebecauseitwouldinvolvethetellingofalie。

Vincentconsideredthatwhileindisguise，anddoingimportantserviceforhiscountry，hewasjustifiedinusingdeceit；butmerelyforthepurposeofsavinghisownlife，andthatperhapsuselessly，hewouldnotlie。Hisfate，ofcourse，wascertain。Hewasaspy，andwouldbeshotforit。Vincenthadsooftenbeeninthebattlefield，sooftenunderafirefromwhichitseemedthatnoonecouldcomealive，thatthethoughtthatdeathwasathandhadnotforhimtheterrorsthatpossessthosedifferentlycircumstanced。HewasgoingtodiefortheConfederacyastensofthousandsofbravemenhaddiedbefore，andherejoicedovertheprecautionhehadtakenastothetransmissionofhisdiscoveriesonthepreviousday，andfeltsurethatGeneralLeewoulddofulljusticetohismemory，andannouncethathehaddiedindoingnobleservicetothecountry。

Hesighedashethoughtofhismotherandsisters；butRosehadbeenmarriedinthespring，andAnniewasengagedtoanofficerinGeneralBeauregard\'sstaff。ThenhethoughtofLucyawayinGeorgiaandforthefirsttimehislipquiveredandhischeekpaled。

Thenegroguards，whohadbeenenlistedbutafewweeks，werewhollyignorantoftheirduties，andhavingonceconveyedtheirprisonerintotheroom，evidentlyconsideredthatallfurthernecessityformilitarystrictnesswasatanend。Theyhadbeenorderedtostayintheroomwiththeprisoner，butnoinstructionshadbeengivenastotheirconductthere。Theyaccordinglyplacedtheirmusketsinonecorneroftheroom，andproceededtochatterandlaughwithoutfurtherregardinghim。

UnderothercircumstancesthiscarelessnesswouldhaveinspiredVincentwiththethoughtofescape，butheknewthatitwasoutofthequestionhere。TherewereFederalcampsallroundandashoutfromthenegroeswouldsendahundredmenininstantpursuitofhim。Therewasnothingforhimtodobuttowaitfortheend，andthatendwouldassuredlycomeinthemorning。Fromtimetotimethedooropened，andthenegrosergeantlookedin。Apparentlyhisideasonthesubjectofdisciplinewerenostricterthanthoseofhismen，forhemadenoremarkastotheircarelessness。Presently，whenhelookedin，thefoursoldierswerestandingatthewindowwatchingaregimentpassingbyonitswaytotakeitsshareoftheworkinthetrenches。Vincent，whowassittingatatable，happenedtolookup，andwasastonishedatseeingthesergeantfirstputhisfingeronhislips，thentakeoffhiscap，putonehandonhisheart，andgesticulatewiththeother。

Vincentgazedathiminblanksurprise，thenhestartedandalmostsprangtohisfeet，forintheYankeesergeantherecognizedTonyMorris；buttheupliftedhandofthenegrowarnedhimofthenecessityofsilence。Thenegronoddedseveraltimes，againputhishandonhisheart，andthendisappeared。AthrillofhopestirredeveryveininVincent\'sbody。Hefelthischeeksflushandhaddifficultyinmaintaininghispassiveattitude。Hewasnot，then，utterlydeserted；hehadafriendwhowould，hewassure，doallinhispowertoaidhim。

ItwasextraordinaryindeedthatitshouldbeTonywhowasnowhisjailer；andyet，whenhethoughtitover，itwasnotdifficulttounderstand。Itwasnaturalenoughthatheshouldhaveenlistedwhentheblackregimentswereraised。HehaddoubtlessheardhisnameshoutedoutbyJackson，andhad，asVincentnowremembered，steppedforwardasasortofvolunteerwhentheofficercalledforasergeantandfourmen。

Yes，Tonywoulddoubtlessdoallinhispowertosavehim。

Whetheritwouldbepossiblethathecoulddosowasdoubtful；butatleasttherewasahope，andwithitthefeelingofquietresignationwithwhichVincenthadfacedwhatappearedtobeinevitableatoncedisappeared，andwassucceededbyarestlesslongingforaction。Hisbrainwasbusyatonceincalculatingthechancesofhisbeingorderedforinstantexecutionorofthesentencebeingpostponedtillthefollowingmorning，and，inthelattercase，withthequestionofwhatguardwouldbeprobablyplacedoverhim，andhowTonywouldsetabouttheattempttoaidhimtoescape。

Hadthegeneralbeenincampwhenhewasbroughtinhewouldprobablyhavebeenshotatsunset，butifhedidnotreturnuntiltheafternoonhewouldwouldmostlikelyorderthesentencetobecarriedoutatdaybreak。Inanycase，ashewasanofficer，sometimemightbegrantedtohimtopreparefordeath。Thentherewasthequestionwhetherhewouldbehandedovertoawhiteregimentforsafekeepingorleftinthehandsoftheblackregimentthathadcapturedhim。Nodoubtafterthesentencewaspassedthewhiteofficersofthatregimentwouldseethatamuchstricterwatchthanthatnowputoverhimwasset。

ItwasnotprobablethathewouldstillbeinchargeofTony，forasthelatterwouldbeondutyalldayhewoulddoubtlessberelieved。

Inthatcasehowwouldhemanagetoapproachhim，andwhatmeanswouldheusetodirecttheattentionofthesentriesinanotherdirection？HethoughtovertheplansthathehimselfwouldadoptwereheinTony\'splace。Thefirstthingwouldbe，ofcourse，tomakethesentriesdrunkifpossible。Thisshouldnotbeadifficulttaskwithmenwhosenotionsofdisciplineweresolaxasthoseofthenegroes；butItwouldbenoeasymatterforTonytoobtainspirits，forthesewerestrictlyprohibitedintheFederalcamp。PerhapshemighthelpTonyinthisway。Hefortunatelyhadasmallnotebookwithapencilinhispocket，andashisguardswerestillatthewindowhewroteasfollows:

"IamcapturedbytheYankees。SofarasIcansee，myonlychanceofescapeistomakethesentriesdrunk。Thebearerisabsolutelytobetrusted。Givehimhiscanteenfullofspirits，andtellhimwhatIhavewrittenhere。"

Hetorethispageout，foldeditup，anddirectedittoMrs。

Grossmith，WorleyFarm，nearUnion。PresentlyTonylookedinagainandVincentheldupthenote。Thesergeantsteppedquicklyforwardandtookit，andthensaidsharplytothemen:

"Nowden，disnotkeepingguard。Supposedooropenanddisfellowrunaway。Whatdeysaytoyou？Twoofyoukeepyoureyeond\'sman。SupposeCaptainPearcecomeinandfindyouallstaringoutwindow。Hekickupnicebobbery。"

Thusadmonishedastotheirduty，twoofthenegroestookuptheirmusketsandstoodwiththeirbackstothedoor，withtheireyesfixedontheprisonerwithsuchearnestnessthatVincentcouldnotsuppressasmile。Thenegroesgrinnedresponsively。

"Disbadaffair，youngsah，"onesaid；"berybadaffair。OhcoursewesoldiersohdeUnion，andgottofightifdeytellus；butnolikedisjobohkeepingguardlikedis。"

"Itcan\'tbehelped，"Vincentsaid；"andofcourseyoumustdoyourduty。Iamnotgoingtojumpupthechimneyorflythroughthewindow，andastherearefourofyou，tosaynothingofthesergeantoutside，youneedn\'tbeafraidofmytryingtoescape。"

"Nosah，datnotpossiblenohow；weknowdatberywell。Dat\'swhywenotroubletolookafteryou。Butasdesargentsaywatch，ohcoursewemustwatch。Weberypleasedtoseeyoukilldatwhiteofficer。Datofficerberyhardmanandalldemenhatehim，andwhenyouknockhimdownweshouldliketohabgivencheer。

Weallsorryforyou；stillyousee，sab，wemustkeepwatch。Ifyouweretogetaway，darnosayingwhatdeydotous。"

"That\'sallright，"Vincentsaid；"Idon\'tblameyouatall。Asyonsay，thatwasaverybadfellow。Ihadquarreledwithhimbefore，becausehetreatedhisslavessobadly。"

CHIAPTERXIX。FREE。

ITWASnotuntillateintheafternoonthatawhiteofficerentered，andorderedthesoldierstoconducttheprisonertothegeneral\'stent。

"Whatisyourname，sir，andwhoareyou？"thegeneralaskedashewasbroughtin。"IhearthatyouweredenouncedbyLieutenantJacksonasbeingaspy，andthatheaddressedyouasVincentWingfield。Whathaveyougottosaytothecharge？"

"MynameisVincentWingfield，sir，"Vincentrepliedquietly。"I

amuponthestaffofGeneralWadeHampton，andinpursuanceofmydutyIcameheretolearnwhatIcouldofyourmovementsandintentions。"

Thegeneralwassilentforamoment。

"Then，sir，asyouareanofficer，youmustbewellawareoftheconsequenceofbeingdiscoveredindisguisehere。Iregretthatthereisnocourseopentomehuttoorderyoutobeshotasaspyto-morrowmorning。"

Oneoftheofficerswhowasstandingbythegeneralherewhisperedtohim。

"Ah，yes，Iremember，"hesaid。"Areyouthesameofficer，sir，whoescapedfromElmira？"

"Iam，sir，"Vincentreplied；"andatthesametimeaidedintheescapeofthemanwhodenouncedmeto-day，andwhothendidhisbesttohavefilearrestedbysendingananonymousletterstatingthedisguiseinwhichIwasmakingmywaythroughthecountry。I

wasnotsurprisedtofindthathehadcarriedhistreacheryfurther，andwasnowfightingagainstthemenwithwhomhehadformerlyserved。"

"Hedeservedthefatethathasbefallenhim，"thegeneralsaid。

"Stillthisdoesnotalteryourposition。IregretthatImustordermysentencetohecarriedout。"

"Idonotblameyon，sir。IknewtherisksIranwhenIacceptedthemission。MyonlyregretisthatIfailedinsupplyingmygeneralwiththeinformationtheyrequired。"

ThegeneralthenturnedtotheofficerwhohadbroughtVincentup。

"Thisofficerwillremaininchargeofyourmenforto-night，CaptainPearce。Youwillseethatthesentenceiscarriedintoeffectatdaybreak。Ineednottellyouthatavigilantguardmustbeplacedoverhim。"

Vincentwasagainmarchedbacktothevillage，buttheofficerhaltedthepartywhenhearrivedthere。

"Stophereafewminutes，sergeant，"besaid。"Thatroomisrequiredforanofficer\'squarters。Iwilllookroundandfindanotherplace。"

Inafewminuteshereturned，andVincentwasconductedtoashedstandinginthegardenofoneofthehouses。

"Placeonemanonguardatthedoorandanotherbehind，"hesaidtothesergeant。"Lettheothertworelievethem，andchangethewatchonceanhour。"

Thesergeantsaluted。

"Demenhabbeenondutysincedaylight，sah，andnoneofushabhadanythingtoeat。"

"Oh，Iforgotthat，"theofficerreplied。"Verywell，Iwillsendanotherpartytorelieveyouatonce。"

Intenminutesanothersergeantandfourmenarrivedatthespot，andTonyandhiscompanionsreturnedtothecamp。

AssoonasTonyhaddevouredapieceofbreadheleftthecamp，walkedwithcarelessgaitthroughthecampsbehind，andwentonuntilhereachedavillageinwhichwerecomparativelyfewsoldiers。Hewentuptoawomanwhowasstandingatadoor。

"Missus，"hosaid，"Ihabgotalettertotake，andIain\'tberysureastodename。Willyoukindlytellmewhatisdeaddresswritondispaper？"

Thewomanlookedatit。

"Mrs。Grossmith，WorleyFarm，nearUnion。That\'sabouttwomilesalongtheroad。IfyougoonanyonewilltellyouwhichisMrs。Grossmith\'s。"

Tonyhurriedon，forhewantedtogetbacktothecampbeforeitwasdark。HehadnodifficultyinfindingWorleyFarm。

"Now，then，whatdoyouwant？"itsownersaidsharply，assheopenedtiledoorinreplytohisknock。"There\'snothingforyouhere。Youcanlookroundifyoulike。It\'sbeenallstrippedcleandaysago，soItellyou。"

"Menowantanything，ma\'am。Mehabaletterforyou。"Thewomaninsurprisetookthenoteandopenedit。ShereaditthroughandlookedEarnestlyatTony。

"Hesaysyouaretobetrusted，"shesaid。"Isthatso？"

"Iwouldgibmylifeforhimtwentytimesover，"Tonyreplied。

"Hegotmeawayfromabrutalmasterandboughtmywifeoutobslaveryforme。Whatdoeshesay，ma\'am？FordoLordsaketellme。Perhapshetellmehowtogethimclar。"

Thewomanreadoutthecontentsofthenote。

"Dat\'sit，missus，sureenough；dat\'stheway，"heexclaimedindelight。"Metinkandtinkallday，andnomanagetotinkofanythingexcepttoshootdesentryandfightwiddoodersandgethimout；butdenalldoodorsojerscomerunningdown，andnochancetoescape。Ifmecangetdospiritsdat\'seasyenough。Memakedemalldrunkashogs。"

"Icangiveyouthat，"thewomansaid。"Isthereanythingelseyouwillwant？Whatareyougoingtodowithhimifyengethimfree？

Theywillhuntyoudownlikevermin。"

"Itoughtwemightgetdowntoderiverandgetobersomehow。

Derewillhenogettingtreedercavalry。Deywillhabdemoneveryread。"

"Well，youwantsomeclothes，anyhow；youcan\'tgoaboutinthesesoldierclothes。ThefirstYankyencameacrosswouldshootyouforadeserter，andthefirstofourmenasatraitor。Well，bythetimeyougetbackto-night，thatisifyoudocomeback，IwillgetupachestI\'vegetburiedwithmymen\'sclothesinit。Theydidn\'twanttotakethemawaytothewarwiththem，soIhidthemup。"

Shehadbythistimedugupthekegfromitshiding-place，andnowfilledTony\'scanteen。

"Tankyen，missus；deLordbressyenforwhatyou\'vedone，whederIgetMassaWingfieldofforwhederwebofegetkilledoberdejob。ButImustgetbackasfastasIcan。EfitwasdarkbeforeIgottocampdeywouldwonderwharIhadbeen。"

"Oh，youhaveplentyoftime，"thewomansaid；"itwon\'tbedarktilleighto\'clock，andit\'snotsevenyet。Iwillsettoandboilagoodchunkofporkandbakesomecakes。It\'snousegettingoutofthehandsoftheYanksandthengoingandgettingstarvedintheswamps。

DirectlyTonygotbacktohisregimenthestrolledovertotheshedwhereVincentwasconfined。Twosentinelswereonduty，thesergeantandthetwoothermenwerelyingatfulllengthenthegroundsometwentyyardsaway。Theirmusketswerebesidethem，anditwasevidenttoTonybythevigilantwatchthattheykeptupentheshedthattheirresponsibilityweighedheavilyuponthemandthatCaptainPearcehadimpresseduponthemthatifthepnsonerescapedtheywouldcertainlybeshot。

"Well，SergeantJohnNewson，"Tonybegan，"Ihabjustwalkedobertoseehowyougettingon。Itamamighty\'sponsiblebusinessdis。Ihadsixhoursofhim，anditmakedeperspirationrundownmybacktotinkwhatajobitwouldbeformeifdatfellowwastorunaway。"

"Dat\'sjustwhatdischilefeel，SergeantTonyMorris；Iamzactlylikedat，anddat\'swhatdesemenfeeltoo。Weamallonguard。Decaptainsay，puttwoonguardatdeshedandletdoodorsreliebdemeberyhour。Sodeyshall；butdoseoffdutymustwatchjustthesame。Whenitgetsdarkwegetcloseup，soastobereadytojumpindirectlywehearastir。Disfellownofoolus。"

"Dat\'stheway，SergeantNewson，datamdoway。Nobercloseyoureye，butkeepasharplookondem。It\'sapitydatyounotincampto-night。"

"Howamdat，bowamdat？"thesergeantasked。

"Totellyoudotruf，sergeant，treeorfourobushabsmuggledinsomespirits，andyouareoneofdosewhowouldhabcomeinforashareofitifyouhadbeendere。"

"Golly!"thesergeantexclaimed；"butdatisberyunfortunate。

Can\'tyoumanagetobringmealittlehere？"

"Well，youknow，it\'sdifficulttogetoutobcamp。

"Oh，youcouldgetthrough。Dereisnofearaboutyoubeingcaught。"

"Idon\'tknow，"Tonyrepliedwithanairofreluctance。"Well，Iwillseeaboutit。EfIcancrawltroodesentries，andbringsomeforyouanddeoders，Iwill。Itwillhelpkeepyouawakeandkeepoutdedamp。

"Dat\'srightdowngoodobyou，"theothersaidcordially。"Yougoodman，TonyMorris；andifIcandoasmuchforyouanodertime，Idoit。"

Havingsettledthis，Tonywentroundtothehospitaltentinrearoftheregiment，havingtieduphisfacewithahandkerchief。

"Well，whatisit，sergeant？"thenegro，whoactedasanorderlyandsometimeshelpedthesurgeonmixhisdrugs，asked。"Dedoctoramgoneaway，andIdon\'t\'specthecomebackagainto-night。"

"Datamberybadting，"Tonysaiddolefully。"Can\'tyoudosomethingforme，SamSmith？Itinkyouknowquiteasmuchaboutdomedicinesasdodoctorhimself。"

"Notquitesomuch，sergeant，notquitesomuch；butI\'senofool，andmyoldmothershe\'usedtomakemedicinefordeplantationandknewaheapaboutherbs，soitamnaturaldatIshouldtaketoit。WhatcanIgibyou？"

"Well，Sam，youseesometimesI\'se\'flicteddre\'ffulwiddofaceachehimjustgojump，jump，jump，asefhebustrightup。

MosetimesIfinddebesttingamtoputalittlelaudabuninmymouf，andalittleonbitofragandputhimoutside。Debesttingwouldbeforyoutogibmelittlebottleofhim；denwhendepaincomeonIcouldjesstakehim，andnotbetroublingyoueberyday。

AndSam，jusyouwhisper-Igotholdofalittlegoodstuff。Yougibmetinmug；mesharewhatIhabgotwidyou。"

Thenegrogrinnedwithdelight，andgoingintothetentbroughtoutatinmug。

"Dat\'sallright，Sam；butyouhabnobroughtdebottleoflaudabuntoo。Youjustfetchdat，andIgibyoudospirit。"

Thenegrowentinagain，andintwominutesreturnedwithasmallbottleoflaudanum。

"Dat\'safairexchange，"Tonysaid，takingit，andhandingtothemanhismughalffullofspirit。

"Datamsometinglike，"theblacksaid，lookingwithdelightattheliberalallowance。"Medrinkhimdolasttingatnight，donmegotosloopandnoone\'spectnuffin\'。Whereberyougetdatspirit？"

"Neveryoumind，Sam，"Tonysaidwithagrin。"Dar\'smorewheredatcomesfrom，andmaybeyouwillgetanodertasteobit。"

Thenafterleavingthehospitaltenthepouredhalfthespiritsaway，forhehadnotnowtodependupontheeffectofthatalone；anditworebettornottogiveittoostrong，forthatmightarousethesuspicionoftheguard。Thenhouncorkedthebottleoflaudanum。

"Idon\'tknowhowmuchtogib，"hesaidtohimself。"Nogoodtokilldem。Medon\'t\'spectdiestuffberystrong。Doseroguessellallsortsofstufftodogovernment。Anytinggoodenoughfordosoldier。Deygibhimrottenboots，androttencloth，andbadpowder，andallsortsoftings。Ispectdeygibhimbaddrugstoo。

However，memustriskit。Disbottlenotberybig，anyhow-won\'tholdmoredantwoorthreeteaspoon。Mustriskhim。"

Sosayinghopouredthecontentsofthevialintothecanteen，andthengoingtoawater-cartfilleditup。Howaiteduntilthecampwasquiet，andthen，takingoffhisbootsandfasteninginhisbolthisownbayonetandthatofoneofthemensleepingnear，hequietlyandcautiouslymadehiswayoutofcamp。Therewerenosentriesplacedhere，fortherewasnofearwhateverofanattack，andhohadlittledifficultyinmakinghiswayroundtothebackofthevillagetothespotwhereVincentwasconfined。Homovedsoquietlythathowasnotperceiveduntilhewaswithinafewyardsoftheshed。

"SergeantNewson，amyoudere？"

"Bressme，whatastartyouhabgivenme，forsuah!"thesergeantsaid。"Ididnothearyoucoming。

"Youdidn\'ts\'poseIwascomingalongshoutingandwhistling，SergeantNewson？Don\'tyoutalksoloud。Daramnosayingwho\'sabout。"

"Habyoubroughtdostuff？"

"Youdon\'tsupposeIshouldhabcomealldiswaytotellyouIhabnotgotit。Howamdoprisoner？"

"Oh，he\'sdereallright。Myorderswastolookinatdatlittlewindereberyfiveminutes，anddatwhenitbegantogetdarkmewastotiehimquitetight，andmehabdoneso。Andoneofdosentriesgoesineveryfiveminutesandfeelstoseeifderopesaretight。Heamdar，sureenough。"

"Dat\'squiteright，SergeantNowson。Iknewwhenyoucameto\'hovemeasdocaptainknewwhathowasdoingwhenliechooseyoufordisjob。Hojustpickoutdomanheconsidersdoverybestindoregiment。Now，hereisdospirit；andfuss-ratestuffitam，too。"

"Golly，butitamstrong!"thesergeantsaid，takingalonggulpatthecanteen。"Datwarmdococklesobdeheartinnotime。Yes，itamgoodstuff-justdotingfordisdampair。Ihearasalotofdowhitesoldiersaredownwiddefeveralready，andderewillbelotsandlotsmoreofwestopherelong。Here，youtwomen，takeadrinkofdis；butmind，youmustn\'ttollnoone\'boutit。Disasecretaffair。"

Thetwonegroeseachtookalongdrink，andreturnedthecanteenwithwarmexpressionsofapproval。

"Deodermenareonduty，"thesergeantsaidwiththeairofamanwhoknewhisbusiness；"deymustn\'thabnoneofit，notuntildeycomesoff。Aswearedorelief，itamproperandrightdatwedrinkadropoutofacanteenofwewantit。"

"Quiteso，SergeantNewson，"Tonysaidinatoneofadmiration。

"Dat\'sdowaytomanagedesetings-dutyfirstandpleasureafterward。"

"Itamnearlytimetorelieveguard，"theothersaid；anddendeycanhaveadrink。"

Infiveminutesthetwosoldiersrelievedthoseonguard，andtheyalsotookalongdrinkatthecanteen，towhichthesergeantalsoagainappliedhislips。

NowImustbegoing，"Tonysaid。"Iwillleavethecanteenwithyou，sergeant。Ihavegotsomemoreofthestuffoverthere，andI

daresayyouwilllikeanotherdrinkbeforemorning。"

Sosayinghestoleaway，huthaltedandlaydowntwentyyardsdistant。Intenminutesheheardthesergeantsay:

"IfeelasifIcoulddojustfiveminutes\'sleep。Youkeepyoureyesondeshed，andofyouhearanyofficercominghisroundsyouwakemeup。"

Tonywaitedanotherhalf-hourandthencrawledup。Thesergeantwaslyingonhisbacksoundasleep；thetwomenwithhimwereontheirfaces，withtheirriflespointingtowardtheshed，asiftheyhaddroppedofftosleepwhiletheywerestaringatit。Thenhecrawledontotheshed。Thesoldieronsentryatthebackhadgroundedhismusketandwasleaningagainsttheshedfastasleep，whiletheoneatthedoorhadapparentlysliddowninasittingpositionandwassnoring。

"IhopeIhaben\'tgivenittodemtoostrong，"Tonysaidtohimself；

"butitcan\'tbehelpedanyhow。"

Heopenedthedoorandenteredtheshed。

"Areyouawake，MarseWingfield？"

"Yes，Iamawake，Tony。ThankGodyouhavecome!Howdidyoumanageit？"

"Ihabmanagedit，sah，anddeyareallfastasleep，"Tonysaid，ashecuttheropeswhichboundVincent。

"Now，sab，let\'sbegoingquick。Daramnosayingwhendeymaycomeroundtolookafterdoguards。Dat\'swhatIhabbeenworryingaboutdolastquarterobanhour。"

Vincentsprangtohisfeetastheropesfellfromhim，andgraspedTony\'shand。

"Hereamabayonet，sah。Ihopewesha\'n\'twanttousedem，butdaramnosaying。"

Theymadetheirwaycautiouslyacrossthefieldstilltheyapproachedanothercamp。Afewsentrieswerewalkingupanddowninfrontofit，buttheycrawledroundtheseandpassedthroughthespacebetweentheregimentandthatnexttoit。

Severalothercampswerepassed；andthen，whenVincentknewthattheywerewellinrearofthewholeofthem，theyrosetotheirfeetandstartedforwardatarun。SuddenlyTonytouchedVincent，andtheybothstoodstill。Adistantshoutcamethroughtheair，followedbyanotherandanother。

"I\'spectdeyhabfoundoutwehavegone，sah。Deygoroundtwoortreetimesindonighttosecdatdesentriesareawake。Now，sab，comealong。"

Theywereontheroadnow，andranatfullspeeduntiltheyapproachedUnion。Theyleftthetrackastheynearedthevillage，andastheydidsotheyheardthesoundofahorseatfullgallopbehindthem。

"That\'sanorderlytakingthenewsofourescape。Sheridan\'scavalryarescatteredalloverthecountry，andtherearetwosquadronsatUnionGrove。Thewholecountrywillbealiveatdaybreak。"

MakingtheirwaythroughthefieldstheysoonstruckthetrackleadingtoWorleyFarm，andinafewminuteswereatthedoor。

Thewomanopeneditatonce。

"Ihavebeenwatchingforyou，"shesaid，"andIamrealgladyouhavegotsafeaway。WaitaminuteandIwillstrikealight。"

"Youhadbetternotdothat，"Vincentsaid。"TheyhavegotthealarmatUnionGrovealready，andifanyonecaughtsightofalightappearinginyourwindow，itwouldbringthemdownhereatonce。"

"Theycan\'tseethehousefromUnion，"thewomansaid。"Still，perhapsitwillbebest。Now，sir，Ican\'tdoanythingforyou，becausemymen\'sclothesarethesamesor\'ofcutasyours；buthere\'sasuitforthisman。"

ThankingherwarmlyVincenthandedthethingstoTony。

"Makehasteandslipthemon。Tony；andmakeyour352

WITHLEEINVIRGINIA。

otherthingsupintoabundleandbringthemwithyouforabit。

Wemustleavenothinghero，fortheywillsearchthewholecountryto-morrow。Wewilltakethehorseawaytoo；notthatwewantit，butitwouldneverdoforittobefoundhere。"

"Willyoutakeyourletteragain？"thewomanasked。

"No，Iwillleaveitwithyou。ItwillbenousenowifIgetthrough，butifyouhearto-morrowornextdaythatIamcaught，pleasecarryitaswearranged。Whatisthis？"heaskedasthewomanhandedhimabundle。

"Hereareeightortenpoundsofpork，"shesaid，"andsomecorn-cakes。Ifyouarehidingawayyouwillwantsomething，andI

reckonanyhowyouwon\'tbeabletomakeyourwaytoourpeopleforabit。Now，ifyouarereadyIwillstartwithyou。"

"Youwillstartwithus!"Vincentrepeatedinsurprise。

"CertainlyIwillstartwithyou，"thewomansaid。"Howdoyouthinkyouwouldbeabletofindyourwayadarknightlikethis？

No，sir；Iwillputyouonyourwaytillmorning。But，inthefirstplace，whichlinedoyoumeantotake？"

"Idonotthinkthereismuchchanceofgettingbackthewaywecame，"Vincentsaid。"BymorningSheridan\'scavalrywillhavegotadescriptionofme，andtheywillbescouringthewholecountry。

TheonlychancewillbetogonorthandcrosstheriversomewherenearNorfolk。"

"Ithink，sat，youbettergoonwidyourhorseatonce。Nousewaitforme。Icomealongonfoot，findmyownway。"

"No，Tony，Ishallcertainlynotdothat。Wewilleithergetofforbetakentogether。Well，Ithinkthebestplanwillbetogostraightdowntotheriver。Howfarisitaway？"

"Aboutfifteenmiles，"thewomansaid。

Ifwegottherewecangetholdofaboatsomehow，andeithercrossandthenmakestraightforRichmondonfeet，orgouptheriverintheboatandlandintherearofourlines。Thatwecansettleaboutafterward。Thefirstthingistogettotheriverbank。

Wearenotlikelytomeetwithanyinterruptioninthatdirection。

Ofcoursethecavalryareallontheotherflank，anditwillbesupposedthatIshalltryeithertoworkroundthatwayortomakestraightthroughthelines。TheywouldhardlysuspectthatIshalltaketotheriver，whichiscoveredwiththeirtransportsandstore-ships。"

"Ithinkthatisthebestplan，"thewomansaid。"Therearescarceanyvillagesbetweenthisandtheriver。It\'sonlyjustwhenyoucrosstheroadbetweenPetersburgandWilliamsburgthatyouwouldbelikelytomootasoul，eveninthedaytime。Thereisscarceevenafarmhouseacrossthissection。Iknowthecountryprettywell。JuststopaminuteandIwillrunuptothewoodandfetchdownthehorse。There\'sabigwoodaboutamileaway，andyoucanturnhiminthere。"

Afewminuteslatertheystarted，VincentleadingthehorseandTonycarryingthebundleoffoodandhiscastoffuniform。Thewomanledthembyfarmroads，sometimesturningofftotherightorleft，butkeepingherwaywithacertaintywhichshowedhowwellshewasacquaintedwiththecountry。Severaltimestheycouldhearthedullsoundofbodiesofcavalrygallopingalongtheroads；butthisdiedawayastheygotfurtherintothecountry。Thehorsehadbeenturnedlooseamilefromtheirstartingplace。

Vincentremovedthebridleandsaddle，saying:"Hewillpickupenoughtofeedonheroforsometime。Whenhegetstiredofthewoodhecanworkhiswayoutintoaclearing。"

HereTonyhidawayhisuniformamongsomethickbushes，andthethreewalkedsteadilyalonguntilthefirsttingeofdaylightappearedonthesky。Thenthewomanstopped。

"Theriverisnotmorethanhalfamileinfrontofyou，"shesaid；

"soIwillsaygood-by。"

"Whatwillyoudo？"Vincentasked。"Youmightbequestionedasyougetnearhome。"

"Iamgoingtoputupatthelasthousewepassed，"shesaid，"aboutthreemilesback。Iknowthepeoplethere，andtheywilltakemein。Iwillstopthereforadayortwo，maybe，thenwalkback，soI

shallhaveatruestorytotell。That\'sallright。"

Vincentsaidgood-bytoher，withmanyheartythanksfortheservicesshehadrenderedhim，andhadalmosttoforcehertotakenotesfortwohundreddollarsfromthebundlehohadsewnupintheliningofhiscoat。

"Youhavesavedmylife，"hesaid，"andsomedayIhopetobeabletodomoretoshowmygratitude；butyoumusttakethisanyhowtotideyouoverthehardtimes，andfindfoodforyourhusbandandsonswhentheycomebackfromthewar。"

AssoonasthewomanhadturnedbackVincentandTonycontinuedontheirway。Theformerhad，assoonastheywerefairlyoutfromtheFederalcamp，toldTonyinafewwordsthathiswifewassafeathomeandtheirboyflourishing，andhenowgavehimfurtherdetailsofthem。

"Andhowcameyoutoenterthearmy，Tony？"

"Well，sab，derewasn\'tmuchchoiceaboutit。DoNorthernpeople，deytalkmightyhighaboutderlovefordenegro，butIdon\'tseemuchofitinderways。Why，sab，deyistwiceasscornfulohablackmanasdegentlemanisindeSouf。Ilistindearmy，sah，becausedeysaydeygotoRichmond，anddenIfindDinahanddeboy。"

"Well，Tony，IlittlethoughtwhenIdidyouaservicethatitwouldbethemeansofyoubeingabletosavemylifesomeday。"

"Notmuchindat，sab。Yousabemylife，becausedeywould，forsuab，habcaughtmeandkilledme。Denyousavemywifeforme，denyoupayoutdatJackson，andnowyouhabkilledhim。Icouldhabshoutedforjoy，sah，whenIsawyouhithimoberdeheadwiddeshovel，andIsawdatdistimehegibnomoretroubletonoone。

Ishouldhabdoneforhimberysoon，sah。Ihadmyeyeuponhim，andthefusttimewegointobattlehegetaballinhisback。Luckyhedidn\'tseeme。Henotofficerobmycompany，andmelookquitedifferentindouniformtowhatmewaswhenIworkondeplantation；butIknowhim，andwheneberIseehimpassIhungdownmyheadandIsaytomyself，\'Mytimecomesoon，MassaJackson；mytimecomeberysoon，anddenwegetquits。\'"

"Itiswrongtonourishrevenge，Tony；butIreallycan\'tblameyouverymuchastothatfellow。Still，Ishouldhaveblamedyouifyouhadkilledhim-blamedyouverymuch。Howasabadman，andhetreatedyoubrutally，butyouseehehasbeenalreadypunishedagooddeal。"

"Yes，youknockhimdown，sak。Datberygood，butnotenoughforTony。"

"Butthatwasn\'tall，Tony。Yousee，theaffairsetallmyfriendsagainsthim，aridhispositionbecameaveryunpleasantone。Then，yousee，ifithadn\'tbeenforyouliewouldprobablyhavegotthroughtoourlinesagainafterliehadescapedwithme。Then，yousee，hisfather，outofrevenge，stoleDinahaway。"

"StoleDinah!"Tonyexclaimed，stoppinginhiswork。"Why，sah，youhabbeentollingmedatsheissafeandwellwidMrs。

Wingfield。"

"Sosheis，Tony。Buthestoleherforallthat，andhadhercarrieddownintoCarolina；butImanagedtobringherback。It\'salongstory，butIwilltellyouaboutitpresently。ThentheknowledgethatIhadfoundDinah，andthefearofpunishmentforhisshareoftakingheraway，causedoldJacksontoflyfromthecountry，gettinglessthanaquarterofthesumhisestatewouldhavefetchedtwoorthreeyearsago。ThatwaswhatmadehimandhissonturnUnionists。So，yousee，Jacksonwasheavilypunishedforhisconducttoyou，anditdidnotneedforyoutorevengeyourself。"

Sohewas，sah，sohewas，"Tonysaidthoughtfully。"Yes，itdoesseemasifalldestingscameonkinderoneafterdeoderjustoutobdatflogginghogabome；andnowhehasgotkilledforjustdesamecause，forifhehadn\'tbeenobligedtoturnUnionisthewouldn\'thavebeenindatdarbatteryatdetimeyoucamedere。

Yes，Iseesdatisso，sab；andI\'segladnowIdidn\'thabachanceobshootinghimdown，forIshouldhavedonesoforsuahofIhad。"

Theyhadnowreachedtheriver。Thesunwasjustshowingabovethehorizon，andthebroadsheetofwaterwasalreadyastir。

Steamersweremakingtheirwayupfromthemouthoftheriverladenwithstoresforthearmy。Littletugswerehurryingtoandfro。

Vesselsthathaddischargedtheircargoworedroppingdownwiththetide，whilemanysailing-vesselslayatanchorwaitingfortheturnoftidetomaketheirwayhigherup。Norfolkwas，however，thebasefromwhichtheFederalarmydrewthelargerportionofitsstores；asthereweregreatconveniencesforlandinghere，andarailwaythenceranuptotherearoftheirlines。ButtemporarywharfsandstageshadbeenerectedatthepointoftherivernearesttotheircampsinfrontofPetersburg，andherethecattleandmuchofthestoresrequiredforthearmywerelanded。AtthepointatwhichVincentandTonyhadstrucktheriverthebanksworesomewhatlow。Hereandthereweresnugfarms，withthegroundcultivateddowntotheriver。Thewholecountrywasopenandfreefromtrees，exceptwheresmallpatcheshadbeenloft。ItwasinfrontofoneofthesethatVincentandTonyworenowstanding。

"Idonotthinkthereisanyriskofpursuitnow，Tony。

Thisisnotthefineonwhichtheywillbehuntingus。Thequestionis-howarewetogetacross？"

"It\'stoofartoswim，sah。"

"Ishouldthinkitwas，"Vincentsaidwithalaugh。"It\'sthreeorfourmiles，Ishouldsay，ifit\'safoot。Thefirstquestionis-wherearewetogetaboat？Ishouldthinkthatsomeofthesefarmhousesaresuretohaveboats，butthechancesaretheyhavebeenseizedbytheYankeeslongago。Stilltheymayhavesomelaidup。TheYankswouldnothavemademuchsearchforthose，thoughtheywouldnodoubttakeallthelargerboatsfortheuseofthetroopsorforgettingstoresashore。Anyhow，Iwillgotothenextfarmhouseandask。"

"ShallIgo，sah？"

"No，Tony，theywouldprobablytakeyouforarunaway。No，Iwillgo。Therecanbenodanger。Themenareallaway，andthewomenaresuretobeloyal。IfancythefewwhoweretheotherwaybeforewillhavechangedtheirmindssincetheYankslanded。"

Theyfollowedthebankoftheriverforaquarterofamile，andthouVincentwalkedontoasma]lfarmhousestandingontheslopefiftyyardsfromthewater。Twoorthreechildrenwhowereplayingaboutoutsideatonceraninuponseeingastranger，andamomentlatertwowomencameout。TheyweresomewhatreassuredwhentheysawVincentapproachingalone。

"Whatisit，stranger？"oneofthemasked。"Doyouwantameal？

Wehavegotlittleenoughtoofferyou，butwhatthereisyouarewelcometo；theYankshavedrivenoffourcowsandpigsandthetwohorses，andhaveemptiedthebarns，andpulledupallthegardenstuff，andstolethefowls，andcarriedoffthebaconfromthebeams，sowehavegotbutanemptylarder。Butasfarasbreadandmolassesgo，youarewelcome。"

"Thankyou，"Vincentsaid；"Iamnotinwantoffood。WhatIaminwantofisaboat。"

"Boat!"thewomenrepeatedinsurprise。

"Yes，Iwanttogotacrosstotheotherside，orelsetogetuptheriverandlandbetweenPetersburgandBermuda。"

"Sakesalive!"thewomanexclaimed；"whatdoyouwanttodothatfor？"

"Iwilltellyou，"Vincentreplied。"IknowIcantrustmylifetoanywomanintheConfederacy。IamoneofGeneralWadeHampton\'sofficers，andIhavecomethroughtheirlinestofindoutwhattheyaredoing。Ihavebeencaughtonce，butmanagedtoslipthroughtheirhands，butthereisnopossibilityofmakingmywaybackacrossthecountry，fortheYankeecavalryarepatrollingeveryroad，andtheonlychanceIhaveisofgettingawaybyboat。"

"Steprightin，sir，"thewomansaid。"It\'sarealpleasuretoustohaveoneofourofficersunderourroof。"

"Ihaveafriendwithme，"Vincentsaid；"afaithfulnegro，whohashelpedmetoescape，andwhowouldbehunglikeadogiftheycouldlayhandsonhim。"

"Bringhimin，sir，thewomansaidhospitably。"IhadfourorfiveniggerstilltheYankscame，buttheyallranaway\'causetheyknewtheywouldeitherbesettoworkormadetofight；sotheywent。

Theysaidtheywouldcomebackagainwhenthetroubleisover；

maybetheywillandmaybetheywon\'t。AtfirsttheniggersabouthereusedtolookfortheYankscoming，butasthenewsgotaboutofwhathappenedtothosetheytookfromtheirmasters，theyconcludedtheywerebetteroffwheretheywere。Callyourboyin，sir；callhimin。"

Vincentgaveashout，andTonyatoncecameup。

"Thankyou，wedon\'twantanythingtoeat，"Vincentwentonasthewomanbegantoputsomeplatesonthetable。"Wehavejusthadaheartymeal，andhavegotenoughfoodforthreeorfourdaysinthatbundle。Butwewantaboat，or，ifwecan\'tfindthat，somesailors\'clothes。IfIhadthemIwouldkeepalongtheriverdowntoNorfolk。Theplacewillbefullofsailors。Weshouldnotbelikelytobenoticedthere。"