Part 33 (1/2)

The rebels had seen them, however, and giving vent to their terrible yell, they dashed in pursuit.

”Surrender,” cried the leader as they drew near the hapless pair.

”Surrender!”

”Never!” cried d.i.c.k, furiously urging his horse to greater speed. A shower of bullets fell about them. The horse stumbled and then swayed heavily.

d.i.c.k leaped from the animal's back and swung Jeanne to the ground just as the poor brute fell. Throwing his arms about his sister the boy faced the men defiantly.

”You are our prisoner, Yank,” yelled the leader as they surrounded them.

”My sister,” came from the lad's lips. His face was very pale and a despairing look came into his eyes. He tottered and fell as he spoke.

”d.i.c.k!” shrieked Jeanne, frantically flinging herself beside him. ”d.i.c.k, d.i.c.k!”

”Wounded,” was the terse remark of the Captain as he made a brief examination. ”By George, but he showed pluck to face us as he did! Look here, boys.”

Turning back the lad's s.h.i.+rt he showed a gaping wound in his chest. With a cry of agony at the sight, the world turned dark to Jeanne, and she fell prostrate across the form of her brother.

CHAPTER XXIV

VICKSBURG

When Jeanne recovered consciousness she knew by the rumbling and roaring that she was on board a train. The riding was very rough, and hardly realizing where she was she began to feel about her for the cus.h.i.+ons, weakly wondering where the lights were. It came to her with a sudden shock as her fingers touched nothing but wood that she was lying p.r.o.ne upon the floor of some sort of a car with not even a blanket under her.

The knowledge brought back the full remembrance of what had happened, and she sat up quickly and tried to peer about her.

”d.i.c.k,” she called. ”d.i.c.k!”

A low moan was the answer. Guided by the sound Jeanne groped her way in its direction, and soon came in contact with the prostrate form of the boy.

”d.i.c.k,” she cried again. ”d.i.c.k, is it you?”

”Jeanne,” came the reply, in weak tones, ”are you safe? I called but you did not answer. I did not know you were here. What has happened? Were you asleep?”

”I think I must have fainted, d.i.c.k,” answered Jeanne, as steadily as she could, for the thought of d.i.c.k's wound sickened her, and she was still weak from her swoon. ”But I am all right. How do you feel, brother? Are you suffering much pain?”

”It is terrible,” groaned the boy. ”It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the jolting.”

”It must be dreadful,” said Jeanne, with aching heart. ”Let me see if I can't help that a little.”

She crawled close to his side, and seating herself with the side of the car for a brace, gently lifted his head and shoulders into her lap.

”Is that better?” she asked, as d.i.c.k settled back heavily.

”Yes, dear; but I am afraid that it will be hard on you.”

”Oh, no! It makes me feel so much better to be able to do something for you. It breaks my heart to have you suffer. Didn't those people do anything for you?”