Part 21 (1/2)

”We have already wasted time enough,” said the major, growing impatient. ”Captain, relieve those gentlemen of their weapons.”

The order was promptly obeyed, the rebels offering no resistance.

”Now,” resumed the major, ”we shall take our leave. Good evening.”

”You'll all be in Fort De Russy in less than forty-eight hours,” shouted the general, ”or I am very much mistaken.”

”We'll be dead men, then,” answered George. ”You will never take us there alive.”

The fugitives did not linger to converse, but made all haste to get into the open air. The horses belonging to the rebels, which were found fastened in front of the house, were immediately turned loose, and a thrust from the captain's bayonet sent them galloping up the road.

George silently led the way to the place where they had left their prisoner, and, as soon as he was set at liberty, they bent their steps across the plantation, toward the woods at the rear. Although George had borne up bravely while in the presence of his rebel parents, he could control himself no longer, and tears, which he could not repress, coursed down his cheeks, as ever and anon he turned to take a long, lingering look at the place he could no longer call home. Every emotion he experienced found an echo in the generous heart of Frank, who was scarcely less affected than himself. He could not believe that the scene through which they had just pa.s.sed was a reality. It did not seem possible that parents could address a son in the language that he had heard used toward George.

The unexpected denouement at the house had rendered the major and captain doubly anxious; for now nothing but the most consummate skill and daring could save them from recapture; and, while the former kept close watch on the house to catch the first sign of pursuit that should be made, the latter gave vent to his feelings by railing, in his broken English, first at George for proposing such an expedition, and then by deprecating his own folly for yielding his consent to it. But there was no help now; regrets could not mend the matter, and nothing but rapid flight could save them.

When they reached the end of the field, George became suddenly aroused. Brus.h.i.+ng away the tears that dimmed his eyes, he placed himself at the head of the party, and started on at a rapid pace through the woods.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Almost Betrayed.

Whither he was leading them no one knew, or cared to ask; for, if they had entertained any suspicions in regard to George, the scene at the house had dispelled them; and knowing that he had as much, if not more, cause to dread recapture than themselves, they relied implicitly on him to get them out of their present difficulty.

The woods were pitch-dark, but George seemed to understand what he was about, and, for two hours, not a word was spoken, except, perhaps, now and then a growl of anger, as some one stumbled over a log or bush that lay in his way. Finally, the softness of the ground under their feet indicated that they were approaching a swamp. George now paused, and said:

”Major, with your permission, we will stop here until daylight. It is impossible to go further in this darkness, for it is an ugly road to travel.”

”What makes you take to the swamp?” inquired Frank.

”It is a short cut across the country,” answered George, ”and if we are pursued by blood-hounds we can more easily elude them.”

Between sleeping and listening for the noise of pursuit, the fugitives pa.s.sed the night. As soon as day began to dawn, they made a hasty breakfast on the provisions which they had obtained at the plantation, and resumed their journey. George led the way into the swamp, and, as he seemed to choose the most difficult path, their progress was necessarily slow and laborious. About the middle of the afternoon the swamp became almost impa.s.sable, and the major was about to suggest the propriety of picking out an easier path, when George suddenly halted on the banks of a narrow, but deep and sluggish, stream, and, wiping his forehead with his coat-sleeve, said, with something like a sigh of relief:

”Here we are, at last.”

”I see we are,” said the major, gazing impatiently about on the labyrinth of trees and bushes with which they were surrounded, ”but I had rather be almost anywhere else. You might as well get us out of this swamp by the shortest and easiest path you can find.”

”I will, if you order me to do so,” answered George; ”but we are now at as good a harboring place as can be found in a country filled with enemies, bent upon our capture, and thirsting for our blood. I know my father's disposition too well to think that he will allow us to get off easily. The country is fairly overrun with cavalry by this time, and the best thing we can do is to remain here until the excitement has abated a little, and then push for Red River again. That high bank you see over there,” he continued, pointing across the stream, ”is an island, and all the blood-hounds and negro-hunters in Louisiana would not think of looking for us there. However, I will lead you out of the swamp, if you say so.”

After a short consultation, it was decided that it would be best to accept George's plan, as their pursuers would never think of looking for them so near the plantation; and, after divesting themselves of their clothes, they entered the water and struck out for the opposite sh.o.r.e. Frank, who brought up the rear, had scarcely made half a dozen strokes, when he was startled by a loud splas.h.i.+ng in the water, followed by a noise resembling the bellowing of a bull, and looked up just in time to see the huge, s.h.i.+ning body of an alligator disappear in the muddy water. The utmost horror was depicted on Frank's countenance, as he turned and hastily regained the sh.o.r.e. The others, who were too far out to return, were no less terrified, but they had the presence of mind to retain their hold of their clothing and weapons, and a few hasty strokes brought them to the sh.o.r.e. George and the lieutenant were the only ones who did not seem aware of the danger; for, when the former reached the sh.o.r.e, he proceeded to pull on his clothes, and, seeing Frank standing where he had left him, coolly inquired:

”Why don't you come on? Can't you swim?”

”Yes,” answered Frank; ”but didn't you see that alligator? I almost ran over him before I saw him.”

”O, that's nothing,” answered George, carelessly. ”If alligators were all we had to fear, we would all be safe at the North in less than two months. They are death on darkeys, but they will not touch a white man in the water, if he keeps moving. There's not the slightest danger. Come on.”

Frank was very much inclined to doubt this statement; but, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up his courage to the highest pitch, he stepped into the water again, and struck out. When he reached the middle of the stream, he saw a large, black object rise in the water but a short distance from him, and, after regarding him a moment with a pair of small, sharp-looking eyes, it disappeared, with another of those roars which had so startled him but a moment before. He kept on, however, and, in a few moments, reached the sh.o.r.e in safety.

”Now,” said George, ”there is, or was about five years ago, a cabin on this island, where our negroes used to put up when they came here fis.h.i.+ng. Let us see if we can find it.”