Part 12 (1/2)

”Been in the army?”

”Ahn--hahn.”

”What did you desert for?”

Darby looked at him leisurely.

”'D you ever know a man as 'lowed he'd deserted? I never did.” A faint smile flickered on his pale face.

He was taken to the camp before the commander, a dark, self-contained looking man with a piercing eye and a close mouth, and there closely questioned as to the roads, and he gave the same account he had already given. The negro guide was brought up and his information tallied with the new comer's as far as he knew it, though he knew well only the road which they were on and which Darby said was stopped up. He knew, too, that a road such as Darby offered to take them by ran somewhere down that way and joined the road they were on a good distance below; but he thought it was a good deal longer way and they had to cross a fork of the river.

There was a short consultation between the commander and one or two other officers, and then the commander turned to Darby, and said:

”What you say about the road's being obstructed this way is partly true; do you guarantee that the other road is clear?”

Darby paused and reflected.

”I'll guide you,” he said, slowly.

”Do you guarantee that the bridge on the river is standing and that we can get across?”

”Hit's standing now, fur as I know.”

”Do you understand that you are taking your life in your hand?”

Darby looked at him coolly.

”And that if you take us that way and for any cause--for any cause whatsoever we fail to get through safe, we will hang you to the nearest tree?”

Darby waited as if in deep reflection.

”I understand,” he said. ”I'll guide you.”

The silence that followed seemed to extend all over the camp. The commander was reflecting and the others had their eyes fastened on Darby. As for him, he sat as unmoved as if he had been alone in the woods.

”All right,” said the leader, suddenly, ”it's a bargain: we'll take your road. What do you want?”

”Could you gi'me a cup o' coffee? It's been some little time since I had anything to eat, an' I been sort o' sick.”

”You shall have 'em,” said the officer, ”and good pay besides, if you lead us straight; if not, a limb and a halter rein; you understand?”

A quarter of an hour later they were on the march, Darby trudging in front down the middle of the muddy road between two of the advance guard, whose carbines were conveniently carried to insure his fidelity.

What he thought of, who might know?--plain; poor; ignorant; unknown; marching every step voluntarily nearer to certain and ignominious death for the sake of his cause.

As day broke they saw a few people who lived near the road, and some of them recognized Darby and looked their astonishment to see him guiding them. One or two of the women broke out at him for a traitor and a dog, to which he said nothing; but only looked a little defiant with two red spots burning in his thin cheeks, and trudged on as before; now and then answering a question; but for the most part silent.