Part 18 (1/2)

”That's all right,” said the little corporal, kindly. ”We were just a-foolin' a bit with you, Johnny.”

”We never meant to hurt you,” said the other. ”You feel better now?”

”Yes, where's w.i.l.l.y?” He was too tired to move.

”He's all right. We'll take you to him.”

”Am I shot?” asked Frank.

”No! Do you think we'd have touched a hair of your head--and you such a brave little fellow? We were just trying to scare you a bit and carried it too far, and you got a little faint,--that's all.”

The voice was so kindly that Frank was encouraged to sit up.

”Can you walk now?” asked the corporal, helping him and steadying him as he rose to his feet.

”I'll take him,” said the big fellow, and before the boy could move, he had stooped, taken Frank in his arms, and was carrying him back toward the place where they had left w.i.l.l.y, while the others followed after with the horses.

”I can walk,” said Frank.

”No, I'll carry you, b-bless your heart!”

The boy did not know that the big dragoon was looking down at the light hair resting on his arm, and that while he trod the Virginia wood-path, in fancy he was home in Delaware; or that the pressure the boy felt from his strong arms, was a caress given for the sake of another boy far away on the Brandywine. A little while before they came in sight Frank asked to be put down.

The soldier gently set him on his feet, and before he let him go kissed him.

”I've got a curly-headed fellow at home, just the size of you,” he said softly.

Frank saw that his eyes were moist. ”I hope you'll get safe back to him,” he said.

”G.o.d grant it!” said the soldier.

When they reached the squad at the gate, they found w.i.l.l.y still in much distress on Frank's account; but he wiped his eyes when his brother reappeared, and listened with pride to the soldiers' praise of Frank's ”grit,” as they called it. When they let the boys go, the little corporal wished Frank to accept a five-dollar gold piece; but he politely declined it.

CHAPTER XVII.

The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation. His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero. w.i.l.l.y also received a full share of praise for his courage.

About noon there was great commotion among the troops. They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.

It was learned that a considerable body of cavalry was pa.s.sing down the road by Trinity Church, and that the depot had been burnt again the night before. Somehow, a rumor got about that the Confederates were following up the raiders.

In an hour most of the soldiers went away, but a number still stayed on. Their horses were picketed about the yard feeding; and they themselves lounged around, making themselves at home in the house, and pulling to pieces the things that were left. They were not, however, as wanton in their destruction as the first set, who had pa.s.sed by the year before.

Among those who yet remained were the little corporal, and the big young soldier who had been so kind to Frank. They were in the rear-guard. At length the last man rode off.

The boys had gone in and out among them, without being molested. Now and then some rough fellow would swear at them, but for the most part their intercourse with the boys was friendly. When, therefore, they rode off, the boys were allowed by their mother to go and see the main body.

Peter and Cole were with them. They took the main road and followed along, picking up straps, and cartridges, and all those miscellaneous things dropped by a large body of troops as they pa.s.s along.