Part 22 (1/2)
”They will be here to-morrow night, then, without fail?” he heard the lieutenant ask.
”Yes, so the negro says,” replied the deserter.
”Twelve of them, did you say? That will make sixteen, including the negro. There will be none too many of us, for these Yankees will fight like perfect demons. If we fail, our lives will not be worth five minutes' purchase.”
”Do not have any fears,” replied the other. ”I have made 'a.s.surance doubly sure,' and failure is impossible.”
”Well, go back to the cabin now,” said the lieutenant, ”for you might be missed.”
On hearing this, Frank hastily retreated, and regained his post. Presently the lieutenant returned, and, after giving Frank a drink of water from his cup, sought his blanket.
”A pretty piece of business, indeed,” thought Frank, as he commenced walking his beat again. ”It is fortunate I discovered it. I'll keep a lookout for the negro, and learn all I can from him.”
He was not obliged to wait long, for presently a low whistle, that sounded from the opposite side of the bayou, told that the negro was in waiting. Frank answered the signal, when a light canoe shot out from the sh.o.r.e and approached the island. In a few moments the negro walked up the bank, and, depositing a large bag of provisions in the cabin, turned to go back, followed by Frank, who commenced conversation by observing, ”A warm evening, uncle;” but, the moment they were out of sight of the cabin, he inquired, in a low voice:
”Are those twelve men all ready to come here to-morrow night?”
”Sar! what twelve men?” asked the negro, in well-feigned surprise. ”I dunno nuffin 'bout no twelve men.”
”O, now, see here, uncle,” said Frank, ”that story won't do at all, for I know better than that. You see this is the first chance I have had to talk to you, for these Yanks watch me so closely. Now, at what hour are they to be here?”
”I tol' you, ma.s.sa,” repeated the negro, ”dat I dunno nuffin 'bout no men;” and, thinking he had settled the matter, turned to walk away.
But Frank was not yet done with him, and, seeing that he was too cunning to be ”pumped,” determined to try what effect the sight of his weapons would produce. Seizing the negro by the collar, he pressed the muzzle of his revolver against his head, whispering, between his clenched teeth:
”See here, you black rascal! you do know all about the matter, for you have carried orders from these rebels here to their friends. So, confess the whole truth, instantly.”
”I dunno nuffin 'bout no men, I tol' you,” persisted the negro.
”You won't confess, eh?” said Frank, c.o.c.king his revolver. ”Then you're a dead man.”
”O Lor'! don't shoot, ma.s.sa,” exclaimed the now terrified negro. ”What shall I 'fess.”
”Confess the truth,” replied Frank, ”and you shall not be harmed; but, if you try to deceive me, you're a dead darkey. Answer such questions as I shall ask you. In the first place, who are these men who say they are rebel deserters?”
”One of 'em is my ma.s.sa, an' de other is a captain in de army.”
”What are they doing on this island?”
”Dey come here for to cotch young ma.s.sa George Le Dell, 'cause dey knowed he would be sh.o.r.e for to come here.”
”Well, how many men are you going to bring over here to-morrow night?”
”Twelve, sar, an' I fotch 'em in de big canoe.”
”At what hour?”
”Midnight, when de moon hab gone down, an' my ma.s.sa is on guard.”
Having got this important information, Frank released the negro, and regained his post without being discovered. At midnight he called his relief, and then lay down on the ground and fell asleep.