Part 45 (1/2)
”How many soldiers did you meet?”
”Four, sar.”
”This won't do, Somers. How is your arm?”
”It begins to ache. We may as well go forward as back,” said Somers, who was now suffering severely from his wound, which had not been improved by the hard gallop of the horse he rode.
”Who lives in that house?” demanded De Banyan of the negro, pointing to a splendid dwelling a short distance ahead.
”Dr. Scoville, ma.s.sa.”
”Doctor?” replied the captain, glancing at Somers.
”Yes, sar; Dr. Scoville. Dat's a mighty fine mar you rides, ma.s.sa. I reckon dat's Captain Sheffield's mar.”
”Very likely.”
”Don't mind me, ma.s.sa; dis chile's a Union man for sh.o.r.e,” grinned the negro.
”All the negroes are Union men,” replied Somers faintly.
”Dat's so, ma.s.sa!”
”What's Dr. Scoville?” asked De Banyan hopefully.
”Secesh, ma.s.sa--drefful secesh. He done been in de army fur a surgeon.”
”He is a dangerous man, then.”
”Dar, ma.s.sa, dar!” shouted the negro suddenly, as he pointed down the road over which the fugitives had just come. ”Dey's some more arter you.”
De Banyan started his horse again, followed by Somers; but it was evident from the appearance of the latter that the chase was nearly finished for him. He was beginning to feel very faint from the loss of blood, while the pain of his wounded arm was almost unsupportable. The gait of the horse seemed to wrench the bones asunder, and cause the shattered parts to grate against each other.
”Hurry up, Somers, my dear boy,” said his companion, as he glanced back at the pale face of his friend.
”I am afraid I can't go much farther, De Banyan,” replied Somers. ”I am very faint. I feel sick.”
”Cheer up, and make one effort more. The rebels are upon us!”
”I cannot. I shall fall from the horse, I am afraid.”
”Don't do that.”
”I won't if I can help it; but the motion of the horse almost kills me.
Leave me, De Banyan; save yourself if you can.”
”Leave you? I haven't the remotest idea of doing anything of the sort.”
”Better go on, and save yourself. It is all up with me.”
”A mother would sooner leave her baby than I would leave you,” replied De Banyan in tones as tender as a woman's. ”I'll never leave you, Somers. If you go to Richmond, I shall go with you.”