Part 40 (1/2)

”I hope I haben't given it to dem too strong,” Tony said to himself; ”but it can't be helped anyhow.”

He opened the door and entered the shed.

”Are you awake, Ma.r.s.e Wingfield?”

”Yes, I am awake, Tony. Thank G.o.d you have come! How did you manage it?”

”I hab managed it, sah, and dey are all fast asleep,” Tony said, as he cut the ropes which bound Vincent.

”Now, sah, let's be going quick. Dar am no saying when dey may come round to look after de guards. Dat's what I hab been worrying about de last quarter ob an hour.”

Vincent sprang to his feet as the ropes fell from him, and grasped Tony's hand.

”Here am a bayonet, sah. I hope we sha'n't want to use dem, but dar am no saying.”

They made their way cautiously across the fields till they approached another camp. A few sentries were walking up and down in front of it, but they crawled round these and pa.s.sed through the s.p.a.ce between the regiment and that next to it.

Several other camps were pa.s.sed; and then, when Vincent knew that they were well in rear of the whole of them, they rose to their feet and started forward at a run. Suddenly Tony touched Vincent, and they both stood still. A distant shout came through the air, followed by another and another.

”I 'spect dey hab found out we have gone, sah. Dey go round two or tree times in de night to see dat de sentries are awake. Now, sah, come along.”

They were on the road now, and ran at full speed until they approached Union. They left the track as they neared the village, and as they did so they heard the sound of a horse at full gallop behind them.

”That's an orderly taking the news of our escape. Sheridan's cavalry are scattered all over the country, and there are two squadrons at Union Grove. The whole country will be alive at daybreak.”

Making their way through the fields they soon struck the track leading to Worley Farm, and in a few minutes were at the door.

The woman opened it at once.

”I have been watching for you,” she said, ”and I am real glad you have got safe away. Wait a minute and I will strike a light.”

”You had better not do that,” Vincent said. ”They have got the alarm at Union Grove already, and if any one caught sight of a light appearing in your window, it would bring them down here at once.”

”They can't see the house from Union,” the woman said. ”Still, perhaps it will be best. Now, sir, I can't do anything for you, because my men's clothes are the same sort of cut as yours; but here's a suit for this man.”

Thanking her warmly Vincent handed the things to Tony.

”Make haste and slip them on. Tony; and make your other things up into a bundle and bring them with you for a bit.

We must leave nothing here, for they will search the whole country to-morrow. We will take the horse away too; not that we want it, but it would never do for it to be found here.”

”Will you take your letter again?” the woman asked.

”No, I will leave it with you. It will be no use now if I get through, but if you hear to-morrow or next day that I am caught, please carry it as we arranged. What is this?” he asked as the woman handed him a bundle.

”Here are eight or ten pounds of pork,” she said, ”and some corn-cakes. If you are hiding away you will want something, and I reckon anyhow you won't be able to make your way to our people for a bit. Now, if you are ready I will start with you.”

”You will start with us!” Vincent repeated in surprise.

”Certainly I will start with you,” the woman said. ”How do you think you would be able to find your way a dark night like this?

No, sir; I will put you on your way till morning. But, in the first place, which line do you mean to take?”

”I do not think there is much chance of getting back the way we came,” Vincent said. ”By morning Sheridan's cavalry will have got a description of me, and they will be scouring the whole country.