Part 30 (1/2)
He handed her the knife and then turned his back full upon the prisoners.
”Quick,” whispered Jeanne. ”Cut your brother's bonds first, and then let me have the knife.”
She ran to her brother's side as she spoke and threw her arms about him.
”d.i.c.k, d.i.c.k,” she said kissing him repeatedly. ”I am going to cut the cords that bind you. Then you must run for your life.”
”Jeanne,” came the amazed voice of the lad, ”how in the name of all that's wonderful, did you come here?”
”I am well and happy,” cried Jeanne hurriedly. ”I cannot tell you more now, but I am going home soon. Don't mind about me. Bob, hurry, hurry, before Johnson turns.”
”There!” said Bob flinging her the knife. Rising to her feet triumphantly she called to her friend. ”Be quick, Jeanne! Johnson is looking at his watch.”
”Run, boys,” panted Jeanne as the keen edge of the blade severed the cord that bound her brother's feet. ”If you value your lives, run like the wind.”
Frank Peyton needed no second bidding. He was off but d.i.c.k Vance hesitated as he glanced at his sister.
”She is safe,” cried Bob, reading his glance aright. ”I will answer for her with my life. Go! Go! Don't look yet, Johnson. One minute more in pity!”
”No;” and Johnson wheeled round. ”Your brother is gone, but not another prisoner goes. I am not beholden to any Federal.” He swung his gun to his shoulder just as d.i.c.k darted away.
With a scream of terror Jeanne threw herself upon him while Bob caught hold of the musket.
”It's my brother,” shrieked Jeanne. ”You must not, you shall not shoot!”
”Well, I'll be switched,” growled Johnson in disgusted tones. ”Does the whole Federal army happen to be related to you two girls? This is a pretty affair! But that Yank doesn't get away if the Colonel's son does.”
Shaking himself free from their clinging hands he fired two shots in the direction that d.i.c.k Vance had taken. As other men came running up they gave chase to the fugitives.
”They dare not follow far,” comforted Bob, as Jeanne gave vent to a flood of tears. ”They won't dare to leave the camp long.”
”Come then,” and Jeanne dashed away her tears as an idea flashed into her mind. ”Let's call them back.”
She took Bob's hand and ran with her to another part of the camp.
CHAPTER XXII
d.i.c.k TO THE FORE
Jeanne uttered an exclamation of joy as she stumbled upon a musket that for some reason had been thrown aside.
”This is the very thing,” she cried.
”What are you going to do?” asked Bob.
”I am going to make the guards think that we are attacked,” answered Jeanne, swinging the gun to her shoulder as she had seen the men do.
Before the other could stop her she had pulled the trigger. There was a flash followed by a loud report, and with a groan Jeanne fell p.r.o.ne upon the earth.
”Jeanne,” shrieked Bob, falling beside her. ”Jeanne, are you hurt? Oh, she's shot! She's shot!”