"Yes, I"m here, captain; come along."
The Dutchman soon made his appearance, followed by the major. They had remained in their hiding-place, and heard all that was going on; but, so fearful were they of treachery, that they dared not come out. Frank briefly related to them the circ.u.mstances connected with the capture of the lieutenant, and the release of the two soldiers; after this a consultation was held, and it was decided that it would not be prudent to attempt to reach Red River for a day or two, at least. The major thought it best to remain concealed during the day, and at night boldly follow the road.
This plan was adopted, for the entire party-including the soldiers Frank had just released-were dressed in b.u.t.ternut clothes; besides this, the papers which had been taken from the lieutenant would greatly a.s.sist them, if their plan was carried out with skill and determination. And, in regard to the prisoner-who, of course, had not heard a word of the consultation-it was decided to detain him for a day or two, in order that he might be led to believe that it was their intention to keep as far away from Red River as possible, and then release him.
After their plans had all been determined upon, Frank opened his sack of provisions, when, eating a scanty meal, they again started forward. They kept along on the edge of the plantations until the day began to dawn, and then turned into the woods and encamped.
CHAPTER XVI.
A Friend in Need.
In the evening, at dark, they resumed their journey. They boldly followed the road, and met with no opposition until just before daylight, when a voice directly in front of them shouted, "Halt!"
"Now, boys," whispered the major, "our safety depends upon our nerve. It is so dark they can"t see our faces, so don"t be frightened at any thing that may happen. Captain, take care of that prisoner, and remember and blow his brains out the moment he makes the least attempt at escape."
"Who goes there?" shouted the voice again.
"Scouts!" answered the major, promptly.
"Advance, one scout, and give the counter sign."
The Major accordingly advanced to the place where the sentry was standing, and the captain cautiously c.o.c.king his musket, placed its cold muzzle against the prisoner"s head, whispering, between his clenched teeth:
"I guess you hear what the major did said, ain"t it? Well, then, don"t say somethings."
The laconic captain probably thought this warning sufficient, for he brought his musket to an "order arms," and did not afterward even deign to cast a single glance at the prisoner.
In the mean time, the major was endeavoring to convince the lieutenant of the guard that, although they did not have the countersign, they were in reality Confederate soldiers.
"It may be that you"uns is all right," said the lieutenant, after reading, by the aid of a dark lantern, the papers which Frank had captured. "But, you see, thar"s so many of these yere Yanks running away, that we"uns has got to be mighty careful how we let folks go past."
"I tell you," said the major, speaking as though he considered himself highly insulted, "I tell you, that I am on special service by order of General Taylor. I have been out on a scout to recapture the very prisoners you have just mentioned. I have already caught one of them," he added, pointing to their prisoner, who, let it be remembered, was dressed in Frank"s uniform.
"If you"uns is out on a scout," said a soldier, who had been aroused from his blanket, and pressed up to obtain a glance at the major, "whar"s your hosses?"
"I left them about a mile down the river. I have already been through your lines once to-night, and I might have gone through this time without your knowledge, if I had seen fit to do so."
"Maybe it"s all right," said the lieutenant, shaking his head dubiously; "but I"ll be dog-gone if I don"t think I"ve seen your face somewhere before;" and as he said this he raised the lantern, and allowed the light to shine full upon him. Frank, who had been waiting impatiently for the interview to be brought to a close, gave himself up for lost when he saw a smile of triumph light up the rebel"s face. But the major was equal to the emergency. Meeting the lieutenant"s gaze without flinching, he replied, carelessly:
"Very likely you have. I have been in the service ever since the war broke out. But do you intend to allow us to proceed, or shall I be obliged to report you at head-quarters? Remember, I can say that you do not keep a very good watch, seeing I have already pa.s.sed you once."
This threat seemed to decide the lieutenant, who replied, "I guess it"s all right-you"uns can pa.s.s."
When Frank heard this, it seemed as though a heavy load had been removed from his breast. But the hardest part of the trial, with him, had yet to come. What if he should be recognized? But he had that risk to run; so, summoning up all his fort.i.tude, he marched with his companions by the guards, apparently as unconcerned as though he was entering a friendly camp.
The moment they got out of hearing of the tread of the sentinel, the major turned from the road and led the way into the woods. After walking a short distance, at a rapid pace, he whispered:
"Perhaps we fooled the rascals, but I think not. I didn"t like the way that lieutenant eyed me. I am certain we shall be pursued as soon as he can send for a.s.sistance; and the best thing we can do is to get away from here. So, forward, double-quick. Don"t make too much noise now. Captain, look out for that prisoner."
It was well that the major had adopted the precaution of leaving the road and taking to the woods, for, in less than half an hour after they had pa.s.sed the guards, a squad of cavalry came up, having a full and correct description of Frank and his companions. By some means, the capture of the rebel lieutenant had become known, and a portion of his own regiment-which had followed Frank from Shreveport, but which had given up the chase and returned-had again started in pursuit. The guards were astounded when they learned that the young gun-boat officer (with whose flight and subsequent almost miraculous escapes from recapture every scout in the country was acquainted) had been within their very grasp, and a portion of them joined the cavalry in pursuit; but, as they kept on down the road, Frank and his companions again escaped. They had heard their pursuers pa.s.s by, and knowing that the country would be thoroughly alarmed, and that it would be useless to attempt to reach Red River at present, they directed their course toward Was.h.i.ta River, which lay about thirty-five miles distant, hoping to deceive the rebels as to their real intentions, and thus, by drawing their pursuers into the country, leave their avenue of escape un.o.bstructed.
One clear, moonlight night they halted, as usual, in the rear of a plantation, and were debating upon the best means to be employed in obtaining food, when a man, dressed in a shabby Federal uniform, was discovered coming slowly toward them, on the opposite side of the fence that separated the woods from the plantation.
His sudden and wholly unexpected appearance took them completely by surprise. Frank immediately proposed to challenge him. Perhaps, like themselves, he was a fugitive from a rebel prison, and in need of a.s.sistance. But the captain strongly opposed this, and was in favor of shooting the man, who still continued to advance, as if wholly unconscious of the presence of any one-arguing, in his broken English, and with good reason, too, that the appearance of a Federal uniform in that part of the country boded them no good, but was a sure sign of treachery; and evidently thinking that he had won the day, he was about to put his plan into execution, when the major struck up his musket, and shouted:
"Who comes there?"
The stranger, instead of replying, instantly threw himself on the ground behind the fence, out of sight.
"Gott in himmel, major," exclaimed the disappointed captain, "I pelieve it"s better you shoots that man-purty quick we all gets ketched again;" and as he said this the captain, who, although a very brave man on the field of battle, was very much opposed to fighting an invisible enemy, drew himself behind a tree, as if fully expecting to see a whole army of rebels rush out of their concealments upon them.
"Be quiet, captain," said the major. "You have grown very suspicious lately." Then, raising his voice, he called out: "Whoever you are behind that fence, whether a friend or an enemy to the Union, come out immediately, or you are a dead man."
A deep silence, which lasted for several seconds, followed his words. Then came the ominous click of half a dozen gun-locks, which, in the stillness of the night, could be heard a long distance.
The stranger evidently heard it too, for, without further hesitation, he arose from behind the fence, and came forward.
The major allowed him to approach within a few yards, and then ordered him to halt, and inquired:
"Now, sir! who and what are you? Tell the truth, for you have desperate men to deal with."
"From your language," answered the stranger, in a voice so soft that it was almost feminine, but which, nevertheless, betrayed not the slightest trepidation, "I should judge that you are escaped prisoners; if so, permit me to make one of your number. If not, you will find me as desperate as yourselves; for I have suffered too much in prison to ever allow myself to be taken back alive;" and, as he spoke, he displayed a brace of pistols, which showed that he meant what he said.
"Gott in himmel!" exclaimed the captain, springing out from behind his tree, and forgetting, in a moment, all his suspicions, "vos you captured, too? We been mighty glad to see you, any how."
"Yes," answered the man, "I have been a prisoner for twenty-two months, and it was not until three weeks since that I succeeded in making my escape."
"We"ll take your story for what it is worth, at present," said the major, "for we can not stop to talk. We must first make some arrangements about obtaining something to eat, and then we must be off."
"My haversack has just been replenished," said the stranger, "and we have sufficient to last us for a day or two, at least."
"Well, let us be moving, then."
The major, as usual, led the way, and Frank walked beside the stranger, who firmly, but respectfully, repelled every attempt he made to enter into conversation, a circ.u.mstance which Frank regarded with suspicion.
At length day began to dawn, and the fugitives commenced to cast sidelong glances at their new companion. He was a tall, slimly-built youth, apparently but little older than Frank, and his boyish face wore a look of care and sorrow, which if once seen could never be forgotten, and which showed that, young as he was, his path through life had been any thing but a smooth one. His clothing was reduced almost to tatters; but still there was enough of it left to show that it was "Uncle Sam"s blue;" and, as Frank surveyed him from head to foot, he discovered something hanging to one of the shreds of his coat, which immediately interested him in the silent stranger. It was a navy b.u.t.ton. This was enough for Frank, who, forgetting the manner in which his advances had been received, inquired:
"Are you a naval officer, sir?"
"Yes," answered the youth, in a low voice, "or, rather, I was once."
"So was I. Give us your hand."
The sad, gloomy look gave way to a smile of genuine pleasure, as the stranger grasped the proffered hand, and shook it heartily.
"What vessel were you attached to, and when and how were you captured?" inquired Frank.
But his companion had relapsed into his former state of gloominess and silence, and seemed to be pondering upon something at once painful and interesting.