The brief respite had so restored the strength of the young soldier that he ran swiftly over the loose planks until he had gone several yards from the place where he had stopped.
Compelled then to slacken his pace, he glanced anxiously about him as he moved on through the unfamiliar country. The storm was still severe, though heavy, broken clouds now were to be seen in the darkened sky.
Noel was fleeing through a country with which he not only was not familiar, but which also provided many perils of its own. Fortunately, as he believed, there were few people whom he was likely to meet at such a time and in a pouring rain. The thought of Stuart's cavalry, however, caused him to be doubly watchful, for he knew of the report that horsemen had been thrown out to intercept any stragglers that might be striving to make their way to the army of General McClellan.
An hour or more elapsed, and as yet Noel had not discovered any one on the old roadway. Once when he had passed a humble cabin the barking of the dogs had caused him to hesitate. He was defenseless and was unaware of the sympathies of the inmates of the little house. The uncertainty, however, caused him to resume his flight, although he still was ignorant of his destination.
His chief thought was that, by placing the greatest possible distance between him and the enemies whom he had left behind him, he might then be able to obtain help or find a place in which he could hide throughout the day and resume his flight when night again came. Even in his alarm and perplexity, he smiled as he recalled the statement of Dennis, when the young Irishman had outlined his plan for escape, "that he didn't know where he was going, but he knew he wanted to go there mighty quick, and he wanted to go mighty bad."
The night now was almost gone. Noel was aware of this from the slight change that appeared in the eastern sky. There was as yet no promise of the passing of the storm, though its violence had markedly decreased.
It was strange, the young soldier thought, that all through the hours of his flight he had not discovered any of his enemies. At that moment, however, Noel saw coming from a lane at the left of the road a man who was carrying a burden in each hand. Around his neck hung a yoke the cords of which were attached to bundles.
It was too dark to enable Noel to determine whether or not the man was a soldier. He halted abruptly, and, prepared to flee instantly if occasion should demand, eagerly watched the approaching stranger. As yet he apparently was unaware of the presence of Noel in the road. Suddenly, however, he glanced in the direction of the young soldier.
The man's alarm was so manifest at his discovery that under other circumstances Noel would have laughed heartily. The light was sufficiently strong to enable him to see now that the man was not a soldier, and a moment later, when the stranger spoke, the young soldier's fears were relieved when it became manifest that he was a negro.
"Who dat? Who dat?" asked the colored man as he stopped abruptly.
"Where did you come from?" demanded Noel, striving to speak sternly.
"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "Is yo' all come from—" Whatever the place from which the negro thought he came, he did not complete his sentence, and consequently Noel was left in ignorance.
"Who lives here?" demanded Noel.
"Massa Hilton."
"Is he home?"
"No, suh. Yas, suh. I don' jest 'member whether he's home or not," stammered the negro.
Noel's experiences with Long John had made him somewhat suspicious of the colored people of the region. He decided that he would be extremely cautious, and at once said, "In which direction are you going?"
"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro.
"Come on, then," said Noel. "I'm going in the same direction."
The colored man hesitated a moment, and then as he moved nearer he was convinced that he did not need to fear the young stranger and obediently joined him.
As soon as they had advanced beyond the point in the road which hid the little house from their sight, Noel turned to his companion and said, "What are you doing—leaving home at this time of night?"
"I don' lib dar," replied the negro promptly. "I b'long to Massa Frost."
"Where does he live?"
"Fo' or five miles up yonder," replied the negro, pointing ahead of him as he spoke.
"What are you doing down here, and what are you leaving at this time in the night for?"
"Is yo' all a Union sojer?" asked the negro abruptly.
"Do I look like it?"
"Yas, suh; though yo' clothes is so covered with mud I dess can't tell 'xactly what you are."
"What would you say if I was?"
"I want to know whether yo' is or yo' isn't befo' I answers dat ar question."
"All right," laughed Noel, who was convinced now that in no event should he have to fear his colored companion.
The house had been safely passed and the negro apparently was inoffensive and harmless. Noel was still watchful for the appearance of any of Stuart's men, for whom he entertained a feeling of most wholesome respect.
"What's your name?" he asked again as he turned to his companion.
"Yas, suh! Yas, suh!" replied the negro. "My name's Nick."
"Are you related to 'Nicodemus, a slave, of African birth,' and did you call your friends to 'meet you down by the swamp and wake you up for the great jubilee'?" The young soldier was speaking in apparent seriousness and his companion stopped abruptly and stared at the man who had asked him these strange questions.
"No, suh," he said. "I never kno' nuthin' 'bout no swamp. Wha's dat yo' all is tellin' 'bout anyway?"
In a low voice Noel began to sing the song which was familiar even in his far-away home on the St. Lawrence,—
"Nicodemus, the slave, was of African birth,And he died years ago very old.Wake me up was his plea—"
"Nicodemus, the slave, was of African birth,And he died years ago very old.Wake me up was his plea—"
"Yas, suh," said the negro, "but it's not dis yere Nick. Dat's some oder Nick. I know milliums of darkies named Nick."
"Nick," demanded Noel abruptly, "do you know any men around here who are friends of the Union?"
"Yas, suh. I sho'ly does," replied the negro, so promptly that the young soldier at once decided that he might rely upon his friendship.
"Are any of the men at home now?"
"Yas, suh. Yas, suh. Massa Hilton, back yonder; I reckon he mought be er Union man."
"Is your master?"
"Yas, suh. Massa Hilton's brother Sam, he's fo' de South. I reckon it almost comes to blows when dey talks about de war."
"Isn't either of them in the army?"
"Yas, suh; Massa Sam Hilton, he's in de 'fed'ate a'my."
"But this Mr. Hilton who lives back in the house we passed, he's not a soldier, you say?"
"No, suh. No, suh."
"You're sure he's a good friend of the Union men?"
"He sho'ly am."
"Then I'm going back there," said Noel, stopping as he spoke and turning abruptly about.
Nick in surprise also stopped and looked at his companion. "Is yo' all a Union sojer?"
"I am, and I want to go where I can find somebody who will be good to me for a day or two. You say you're sure Mr. Hilton will be glad to see me?"
"I can't jes' say as how he will be glad to see yo'," replied the negro, shaking his head slowly.
"But you said he would," interrupted Noel.
"No, suh; 'scuse me. What I done say was dat he would be good to yo'. I don' know as Massa Hilton will begladto see a Union sojer des' now."
"Why not?"
"Dar's some special reasons what I don't recomember," replied Nick, speaking in such a manner that Noel's suspicions again were aroused.
"But you say he's a Union man?"
"Yas, suh. Yas, suh, he sure am."
"Why won't he be glad to see me?"
"I done tell yo', suh, des' now dat dere's all dis yere trouble what am goin' on. I reckon dey isn't nobody what's glad to have a sojer come to his house des' now."
"Oh, I see," said Noel slowly; "but if I do come he will take care of me for a day or two? Then I'm going back there. What have you got in your bundle, Nick?"
"Nothin' much. Des' some stuff what Massa Frost done tol' me fo' toe git at Massa Hilton's."
"Why do you call for it in the night? Why don't you go out in the daytime?"
"I'se feared some of the sojers mought see me if I start after sunup—"
"You're more afraid they will take away from you what you have in those bundles."
"Dere ain't nuthin' in dis yere bundle. I mus' be goin' on," Nick added excitedly. "I mus' git toe Massa Frost's befo' sunup."
"Well, good luck to you," laughed Noel. "I hope you won't fall in with any of Stuart's cavalry, and I hope a good deal more that I shan't, but I'm going back to that house."
The young soldier was aware that he was incurring great risk in his venture, but he was wet and weary, and it had been long since he had tasted food. He might be hidden about the place somewhere and fed for a day or two, when matters might so shape themselves that he would be able to join the main army of McClellan, which he knew could not be very far away.
Acting at once upon his decision, Noel rapidly retraced his steps and soon arrived at a place from which he was able to see the house and the few low outbuildings that were in the rear. He stopped a moment and listened intently. The rain had almost stopped, though the air was heavy with mist. Not a sound broke the silence.
Cautiously approaching the house, Noel turned from the roadside and started toward the building. He was watchful, for not only was there peril from men who might be within, but also from the huge dogs which he knew were common in the region.
When at last he approached the grounds of the house he stopped once more and again listened intently. Still the silence was unbroken and there was no appearance of danger.
He decided to go to the door, which he believed would be in the rear of the house and that opened into the kitchen. Perhaps he might there find a shelter or some place of refuge which would protect him in a measure from the night. If such a place should be found, he planned to wait there until daylight before making his presence known to the inmates of the house.
To his great delight Noel discovered a lean-to or shed in the rear of the house. The floor was of brick, and though it was too dark to enable him to see what was inside, the fact that no dogs had challenged his coming encouraged him to enter. Stepping inside, he turned to look once more out into the night and make certain that his movements had not been seen.
The young soldier was startled when, appearing around the corner of one of the low buildings, he saw a man, who in the dim light seemed to loom head and shoulders above the height of an ordinary human being. At first Noel almost believed that it was the negro, Long John, by whom he had been led into the trap set by the Confederate soldiers. Certainly the man was as tall as the negro, but there was something in his movements which convinced the watching boy after a brief interval that this man was not colored.
Suddenly it occurred to him that the proprietor of the place, the man of whom Nick had spoken as "Massa Hilton," might be the one who was approaching, though why he should be out of the house at such a time and in such a night the lad could not understand. Boldly advancing from his hiding-place, Noel approached the startled stranger, and in a low voice hailed him.
"Who's that? Who's that?" demanded the man in a voice which did not betray any alarm. Indeed, the huge form seemed to loom even larger before Noel in the dim light. It was plain that the man was not in any fear, and his deep, guttural voice produced a peculiar effect upon the listening young soldier.
Noel glanced hastily about him, somehow fearful now of others approaching from the barns. He had heard numerous stories concerning the bowie-knives with which it had been reported many of the Southern soldiers were armed. To the imagination of the young soldier not only did the size of the man who had halted before him seem to increase, but now he was fearful of enemies approaching from the rear. With all his heart he wished that he had never listened to the words of Nick. In his alarm it seemed almost as if his cap was being lifted by his hair and cold chills were passing up and down his spine.
The strange man slowly advanced, and in a manner which still betrayed more of curiosity than of fear came closer to the frightened young soldier and looked intently into his face.
"Who are you, sir?" he demanded coolly. "What are you doing out here at this time of the night?"
"That's just what I was going to ask you," spoke up Noel, determined to be as bold as circumstances permitted.
"Oh!" the giant replied in unchanged tones. "I thought I heard some disturbance among the cattle and I came out to see if anything was wrong."
When the man spoke, he advanced as if he was about to pass the young soldier and enter the house. He was walking with a slow, calm, and almost measured stride.
He had, however, gone but a few yards before he halted once more, and turning again toward the young soldier remarked in an indifferent way, "'T is a pretty evening, sir."
Noel was well aware that the evening was being far from "pretty." The darkness still was intense and the dampness which had followed the storm had produced a chill under which the lad was shivering.
Taken aback by the cool assurance of the giant, when the man resumed his walk, he had advanced halfway to the house before Noel again hailed him. "Look here, my friend," he called; "I'm sorry to detain you, but the captain might wish to see you."
"Well?" inquired the giant in a drawling tone.
"Who lives in this house?" demanded Noel.
"I do."
"Is this house frame or brick?"
"I don't know why it concerns you, but it's a frame house, not a brick."
"Are you the owner of this house?"
"I reckon I am."
"What are you doing out here this time of night?"
"I told you, sir, that I went out to quiet a disturbance among the cattle."
"Can you tell me where Mr. Hilton lives?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where does he live?"
"He lives here."
"Are you Mr. Hilton?"
"I reckon that's what my neighbors sometimes call me."
"Are you a Union man?"
"How does that concern you?" demanded the man, still without betraying any signs either of fear or interest.
"Because I'm a Union soldier myself."
Still the interest of the man apparently was not aroused. Calmly he asked, "And what may you want of me if you're what you say you are?"
"If you'll take me into the house I'll explain to you." Noel glanced about as he spoke, for the fear of men stealing upon him through the darkness was still strong upon him.
"I reckon we can talk where we are," said the man at last.
"Well," said Noel, determined, now that he had revealed his identity, that he would venture to tell the rest of his story. "I came through the valley from Harper's Ferry and was taken prisoner by some of the Johnnies, but managed to get away. I have been traveling all night long and am soaked through and tired and hungry, and if you're what I understand you are, a friend of the Union cause, I hope you'll take me into your house and let me dry my clothes and give me something to eat—"
"And bring a dozen bands of Confederates around me like hornets," broke in the man, though still he was not excited and was speaking in the calm, deliberate tones which he had before used. "I have had trouble enough with my secesh neighbors. How do I know who you are or that you are what you tell me you are?" he demanded once more.
"You can see for yourself when we go where there is a light."
"I reckon you can come in," said the man at last; and eagerly Noel followed him as he led the way into the house.
As soon as they entered, the stranger seated himself near the door and bade Noel take a chair near him. A candle had been lighted and placed upon a rude table, and its beams enabled the young soldier to see more clearly the strange man before him. In spite of his apparent indifference Noel was suspicious that he was more excited than he cared to have his visitor know.
"What's all this rumpus?"
Noel looked up as he heard the words shrilly spoken and saw a woman standing in the doorway of a room which adjoined the kitchen.
"Who's this yo' have brought home, Jim?" she asked of Noel's host. Her words plainly were disturbing. She was a short, stout woman. Her hair was hanging down her back, and around her shoulders was a shawl which reached almost to her knees.
Startled as Noel had been by the sound of her voice, he hastily concluded, as soon as he was aware of the response which the tall man made to her words, that if he was supposedly the head of the house, evidently she controlled the head.
"That's just like yo'," she said tartly. "I've got all the mouths I want to feed now, and yo' keep bringing people in here—"
"Sh-h-h, Sairy Ann. This yere man is a Union soldier—"
"How do yo' know he is?"
"He told me so."
"Yo' can't believe everybody," said the woman. "Ever since all this trouble with the secesh began, nobody can trust his best friend. If I had my way about it, I would put somebody in command of the Union soldiers that would do something. They wouldn't be runnin' at Bull Run the way they did, and I reckon Pope led the way, too, and probably made better time than any of them. Before McClellan gets his eyes open, I reckon the whole o' Maryland and Harper's Ferry, too, will run to join Lee's army. Pretty kind of men we have fighting for the Union! How do yo' know he is a Union soldier?" she repeated.
"If you'll hold the candle you can see for yourself, if there's any of the cloth of my uniform that will show through the mud," said Noel good-naturedly.
In spite of her apparent harshness, the young soldier was convinced that she was not so unfriendly as her words at first implied.
Taking him at his word, the woman advanced, and holding the candle above her head looked keenly at the intruder. "Yo' don't look so dreadful deceitful," she admitted, "but a body never can tell. Fine feathers sometimes make fine birds, and maybe yo' put on those clothes because yo' want to get into our house. Jim has the name of being a friend of the Union, but he's just about as lively as McClellan. I had to make him go out to see what was the matter with the cattle. They are all right, are they, Jim?" she demanded, turning once more to the man who plainly was her husband.
"Yas, Sairy Ann," he replied; "I reckon they got a bit restless endurin' the storm."
"Yo' didn't see any signs of men being around?"
"This is the only man I saw."
"Well, they will be here pretty quick, I reckon," she declared. "If the secesh find out that there is a cow left on the place they will come for it. I reckon they have been here already. Jim isn't much of a protection, except to look at," she added, turning again to her visitor.
Under other circumstances Noel would have laughed at her words, for the huge Jim plainly was in full subjection to the little woman who was talking so volubly.
"What did yo' stop here for?" she abruptly demanded.
"I have been running almost all night," explained Noel, "and I found a negro out here. He said that Mr. Hilton was a friend of the Union. I thought morning would be here pretty soon and I didn't know just where to go. I'm a stranger in this part of the country."
"Whare yo' from?" asked the woman.
"New York State."
"I reckon that's a right sma't way from here. Well, I won't turn yo' out if yo' are the first cousin to Beelzebub such a night as this. Are you hungry?"
"I am. But I won't disturb you. If you'll let me lie down here on the floor, I'll wait until you have your breakfast."
"Yo'll do nothin' of the kind," said the woman brusquely.
"Do you want me to leave now?"
"Who said anything about your leavin'?" she demanded sharply.
"I did," said Noel.
"Well, I'm goin' to dry yo' out first. Yo' 're one mass of mud from head to heels. Yo' all go into that room," she added, pointing as she spoke to another little room that opened out of the kitchen, "and put your clothes outside the door. I reckon I'll have to bake 'em, before I ever can get 'em clean."
The woman's friendliness was so manifest that in spite of his suspicions Noel promptly decided to obey.
"Don't yo' be afraid," continued the woman, when Noel at last had carried out her directions, and had thrown his soaked and muddy uniform outside the door, as she had suggested. "I'm goin' to look out for yo'. Yo' aren't much more 'n a baby, anyway. I wonder that your mother should ever let yo' come so far away from home. Much good yo' can do, fighting these secesh! Now, yo' get into bed and when I have your breakfast cooked I'll set it here by the door. Yo' can help yourself then, and after yo' have had all yo' want, yo' get back into bed an' stay there until I tell yo' to get up. I'm thinkin' the bed is about as safe a place as yo' can find in these days. It's been nothin' but soldiers marchin' up and down, back and forth, in and out, to and fro, for the past week! They seem to be goin' about like old Satan and roarin' like a lion seekin' whom they may devour."
The tall host whom Noel had followed into the house had remained seated near the door throughout the interview. In spite of his indifferent manner, the young soldier was startled when several times he was suspicious that the man was listening for the approach of some one. He glanced frequently toward the door, and there was an air of anxiety or expectation in every movement he made. However, Noel had been so tired and now was so refreshed by the simple food which the woman soon provided for him that he dismissed his fears from his mind and soon was sleeping soundly.
He was awakened by the sound of voices in the adjoining room. It was daylight now and his bedroom was flooded with sunshine. It was, however, the conversation in the kitchen that chiefly interested the young soldier, and in a brief time he was keenly excited by what he heard. He looked about the room for his uniform, but it was nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile from the parts of the conversation which he overheard, he was convinced that the visitor was a soldier in the Confederate army.
Noel's excitement gave place to alarm as he listened to the conversation in which the two men were engaged.
The lack of his uniform prevented him from trying to leave his room, and as yet he was uncertain whether or not the visitor even was aware that a young soldier of the Union was in the house.
For a time Noel listened intently, striving to discover something which would give him the information he desired; but the words of the visitor, whose part in the conversation was much greater than that of his tall host, did not imply that he was suspicious.
There were moments when snatches of the conversation almost convinced Noel that the man was a spy. It was plain that he was more or less familiar with the conditions existing in the Union army, but how he had obtained such detailed information was something the listening young soldier was unable to explain.
"Where is McClellan now?" inquired Jim.
"Up near Frederick City."
"What's he doin' there?"
"What has he been doin' ever since he has been made commander?" laughed the visitor. "He's waitin', that's what he is, and if he keeps it up a little longer he won't have any more waitin' to do."
"Why not?"
"Because our army will snap him up between its jaws. I reckon there weren't many men in the whole army of General Lee who thought it was a good thing to divide his forces as he did when he sent McLaws and Walker after Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry. Why, man alive, Lee split his army right in two, and then put a good bit of distance between the two parts! If McClellan knew enough about it, and if he is very much of a general he would know, he would throw his whole force against either of these divisions and smash it to pieces, before the other could come to its help. As it is, he's still tryin' to make up his mind, I reckon, and the result is that he's goin' to be caught between these two divisions just like a mouse is caught between the jaws of a cat. We have got him just as shore as you are born."
"I don't believe it," said Jim slowly.
"It doesn't make any difference whether you believe it or not, that's what's going to happen," laughed the visitor.
"Now you say that Stuart's cavalry has been thrown out in such a way that little Mac can't get any information about what Lee's plans are?"
"That's true enough, and yet, if McClellan had even a few men like those that are gettin' information for General Lee, he ought to know about it."
Noel fancied he could detect an importance in the words just spoken which confirmed him in his belief that the man in the other room was a spy from Lee's army. His excitement increased as his conviction gained in power, and he almost groaned as he realized how helpless he was. Deprived of his uniform, without any weapon of defense, he was powerless to interfere with the man or his plans.
"I reckon Little Mac will give a good account of himself befo' long," said Jim positively.
"He'll have to make haste about it, then. He left Washin'ton with an army of nearly eighty-five thousand men. He ought to do something with such a body as that. Why, only last night, if he had made a night march, he mought have got in possession of both Gaps—"
"What Gaps?"
"Why, Crampton's Gap and Turner's. He's lost his chance, though."
"You know a right sma't lot, don't you?" inquired Jim.
"That's my business."
"Well, I haven't any curiosity about this thing," said Jim, shaking his head slowly as he spoke. "I'm satisfied to stay right here and be true to the old flag. There comes Sairy Ann," he added, as Noel heard the sounds of the voices of women approaching from the stairway, which the night before he had seen was on the opposite side of the room. It was manifest now that Sairy Ann also had her visitor, and as the two women entered the room both men became silent.
"I done tole yo' how it is," Sairy Ann was saying. "I've said to yo' many times, 'Liza, that I wouldn't stand for no sech foolishness. I don' like the secesh. I never did and I never shall, and if yo' 're determined to be secesh yourself, then yo' 'll have to take the consequences! I don't mind tellin' yo' all as how I hev made my will."
"Hev ye?" inquired the other woman, the tones of her voice implying that she was at once deeply interested.
"Yes, I hev, and instead of leaving yo' all the money I promised yo', I've willed yo' a pair o' my shoestrings."
"I don' believe yo' hev done any sech thing, Sairy Ann!" protested the other woman.
"I don't care whether yo' believe it or not. That's jest exactly what I hev done. I hev set it down pertic'lar,—'To my oldest sister, 'Liza, I give, bequeath and leave and likewise devise one pair of shoestrings.'"
"Well, I'd rather hev a pair of shoestrings and be loyal to my State than I would to hev all your money and be a Yank."
"Of course,youwould, 'Liza," snapped Sairy Ann. "That's because yo' don't know no mo'. If yo' knew mo', yo' wouldn't talk sech nonsense."
Whether or not the woman's argument was deemed sufficient, at all events the conversation abruptly ceased when the visiting man said, "Now, I hev come fo' yo' yere, 'Liza, and I don't intend to stay very long. You hev got to make up your mind right sma't whether yo' 're goin' to come with me, or whether yo' 're going to stay here with your sister."
"That's right," sobbed Eliza. "That's right. First Sairy Ann picks on me and then my own husband he picks on me, too. I'm jest distracted. I don't want to stay and I don't want to go."
"Yo' 're as bad as McClellan," broke in her husband. "I've come ten miles out o' my way just toe get yo' and take yo' home, if yo' don't want toe stay yere. If yo' think yo' 'll be safer along with these Yankee sympathizers, why jes' say so and stay yere. It doesn't matter very much toe me either way. The only Yanks I can put up with are Jim and Sairy Ann, and I wouldn't put up with them very long if we all weren't members of the same family."
"I expect to be shot by the secesh, anyway," broke in Sairy Ann, "and I hope yo' 'll go because I don't want to get shot by any o' my folks."
"We're goin' toe go," said the man.
To Noel's great relief preparations for departure were at once made.
It was not until the man and his wife had left, however, that the mistress of the house brought the waiting young soldier his uniform. Tossing it inside the room, she called out in a voice, which in spite of its sharpness was not unfriendly, "There's yer soldier clothes. Yo' all can put them on and come out and get your breakfast."
Only a brief time had elapsed before the summons had been obeyed by Noel, and refreshed by the rest of the night and the clothes which Sairy Ann had made thoroughly presentable, he entered the kitchen.
The tall form of the gaunt head of the house seemed to Noel to be even taller than when he had first seen it in the dim light of the preceding night. The expression of the man's face was so doleful that the young soldier felt a fresh sympathy for the sharp-toned woman for whom her husband's slow and undecided ways were a constant source of irritation. As for Sairy Ann herself, Noel saw that her hair was of the tinge which is sometimes associated with certain warlike propensities and also that she was cross-eyed. Indeed, the young soldier decided that never before had he seen any one whose eyes to all appearances might each serve the duty and the place of the other. He was uncertain when she spoke to him whether or not she was looking at him, and he was somehow aware that the woman was keenly aware of the impression which she made upon him.
However, his feeling of hunger was now supreme, and as soon as he was bidden to take his place at the table, he began to do ample justice to the simple fare which was provided. The manifest curiosity of the woman was to have no occasion for gratification until the meal was more than half done. Then, unable longer to restrain her feelings, she abruptly inquired, "Now, then, what yo' all doin' here?"
"Just now I'm doin' my best to get ready to leave."
"Did yo' all hear any voices this mornin'?" inquired Jim slowly.
Aware that the interest of the woman in his reply was keen, Noel said, "Why, I heard some talk. Was there anything of special interest?"
"Naw. I reckon nothin' what would be interestin' to yo' all," said Jim.
"Hey!" exclaimed Sairy Ann suddenly. "Here comes the Jew peddler. He was here day before yesterday. I told him then I didn't want anything, and I don't see what for he comes around here pestering us again."
Noel looked up quickly as she spoke, and saw the peddler standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
Instantly he recognized the trader as Levi Kadoff, the sutler whose experiences in the camp had been of such a trying nature that he had departed with many threats for the mischievous soldiers who had tormented him.
He was positive that the peddler also recognized him, although not a word was spoken by either.
Entering the room, Levi whiningly begged the woman to make some purchases.
"I don't want nothin'," declared Sairy Ann. "I told yo' so yesterday and day befo' when yo' were here. Yo' ought to take better care of yo'self than to be here where there's so many soldiers so near. Suppose yo' got caught right in the middle of the fight?"
"Dere vill be no fight," said Levi positively.
"How do yo' know there won't?"
"Because dere vill not be any."
"But how do yo' know?" protested the woman.
"Dot is vat der men says."
"What men?"
"All kinds of men. Now, please, mine goot voman, let me show you vat fine spectacles that I have?"
"What do you mean by that?" demanded Sairy Ann, abruptly rising from her seat and facing the little peddler. "Yo' ain't gettin' personal, be ye? What makes yo' think I need glasses?"
"Spectacles is all der styles now. I sells more glasses to young vimmins than I do to der old vimmins."
Appeased by the explanation, the hostess resumed her seat, and a few minutes later, when the little Jew displayed certain ribbons in his wares, Sairy Ann hesitated and was lost, much to the disgust of the elongated Jim. She invested some "real Yankee money" in several strips of bright yellow ribbon, doubtless selecting this particular color because she fancied it would match both her hair and her eyes, for now Noel was aware that even her eyes shared in the tawny color of her hair and skin.
By the time the trading was completed, Noel had finished his breakfast and was eager to be gone. He was desirous also of having some conversation with Levi, when later the little peddler, after one searching glance at the face of the young soldier, left the place and Noel abruptly decided to go with him.
Thanking his hostess for her kindness in receiving and caring for him, he shook hands with her and her husband and taking his cap left the house.
Calling to Levi to wait for him to join him, he soon was in the road where the sutler was standing. Advancing to his side, Noel prepared to accompany the little peddler on his way, a decision which within a short time he had cause deeply to regret.
"Vat you do here?" inquired Levi suspiciously as the two departed down the road.
"That's just what I was going to ask you."
"You see. You see for yourself," repeated the sutler, pointing as he spoke to the pack which he was carrying upon his back.
"What have you in that pack?"
"Somedings to sell."
"What?"
"Many dings."
"I shouldn't think you would have anybody to sell these things to, now that both armies are so near."
"It is von beeg drouble," said Levi, shaking his head. "Dere vas no chance. Eferybody cares not for mine laces—"
"'Laces!' I should think this would be the last place in the world where you could sell such things as that," broke in Noel. "What do people down here want of laces, especially when they are likely to be caught between the two armies any time?"
"I lose money efery day," said Levi, disconsolately.
"Why do you stay, then?" demanded Noel. "If you cannot make any money, you certainly don't stay here for pleasure, do you?"
"But," protested Levi, spreading both hands as he spoke, "a man has to live, ain't it?"
"Levi, I believe you have lots of money," said Noel soberly.
"Nein! No! Not von penny."
"Then how can you live if you are losing money every day? You must have something on which to draw."
"But I must live," protested Levi. "I must get some money. Perhaps I don't got it to-day, maybe I gets it to-morrow."
"Where have you been, Levi, since you left camp?"
"I haf been just vere you sees me. I haf been to efery house, but nobody buys mine laces. I dinks vot I haf to go North pretty soon. Nobody here has any money."
"Have you seen anything of Stuart's cavalry?"
The quick side glance which Levi gave him, although the eyes of the little Jew were instantly turned away again, was not lost upon Noel. Always suspicious of the little sutler, he had now become sure that there were more than suspicions upon which his fears rested.
"Who vas Stuart's cavalry?"
Noel laughed, but did not reply to the question.
"Haf you seen somedings of dot Irishmans?" inquired the peddler.
"What Irishman?"
"Dot young Irishmans vot tormented me. He upsets mine tent. He makes der poys turn over mine trunks. He steals vot is mine, vot is mine!"
The fierce anger of the little Jew was almost pathetic, and despite his declaration, Noel was aware that much justice, perhaps, was in his complaint, in spite of the fact that he had charged the boys of the regiment exorbitant prices for his poor and cheap supplies.
"Do you mean Dennis O'Hara?" asked Noel quickly.
"Dat vas it. Dat vas his name,—Dennis. Haf you seen him maybe?"
"No, I haven't. Have you?"
"How should I see him?" inquired Levi. "I haf leave der camp. I haf nodings more to do mit der soldiers. I goes now from house to house."
"Have you seen him?" again asked Noel.
"I'm telling you," protested the sutler. "I don't go vere de Yankee soldiers be."
"If you don't look out the Yankee soldiers will come where you are."
Noel spoke indifferently, but he was keenly watching the face of his companion. The quick, shifting glance which Levi instantly gave him somehow served to strengthen the conviction in the heart of the young soldier that the little peddler was playing a suspicious if not a double part.
"You didn't tell me," he said, "whether or not you have seen Dennis O'Hara anywhere."
"I vould like mooch to see him. I vould like to see him mit a rope around his neck. I vould like to be der von to pull on der rope. I vill do so to him," he added in his excitement, as he stretched forth both hands and pulled vigorously upon an imaginary rope.
"Here, where are you going?" demanded Noel abruptly, as his companion turned from the road to enter a lane which led toward a house partly concealed by magnolia trees far back from the road.
"To der house," answered Levi. "To der beeg house."
"Why are you going in there?"
"I vill sell somedings."
"It doesn't look as if anybody is home," suggested Noel.
The young soldier was striving to lead his companion on and draw from him information which he suspected the little Jew possessed. As he spoke he was keenly observant of the house and grounds, but as yet had not seen any signs of life about the place.
"Der vas only vimmins dere."
"How do you know?"
"Because I vas dere de oder day. Dey vas tolt me dey vill buy somedings ven I comes back. So now I'm comes back and I shall sell somedings."
"You say there are no men there?"
"Der men vas all gone mid der army."
"Which army?"
"How should I know?" demanded the peddler irritably. "I sells to der vimmin."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"Yes. You come. It vill interest der vimmins. You come mit me and I vill go on mit you and show you der way to Frederick City."
Noel was unarmed, but he saw no reason to doubt the words of his companion. If the place was deserted by the men he would be in no danger, and, on the other hand, he might be able to obtain some food, even if the women were sympathizers with the Southern cause. He was aware that from many such people the sight of a man clad in the uniform of the Union army was not likely to bring a cordial response. On the other hand, he was unknown, and it might be that he could obtain food and supplies that would help him through the day. He was confident that if he went much farther on his way, he might have experiences that would compel him to remain in hiding part of the time.
Slowly the two young men approached the great house. The house itself was not so large, but the expression was one which was applied to many homes, perhaps to distinguish the dwelling-place of the master from the quarters of the negroes.
As he drew near, Noel saw in the rear of the house the quarters of the servants. There were little huts that had been whitewashed, and about the place were several little pickaninnies, whose presence indicated that some of the blacks at least were at home.
The approach of the boys was apparently unobserved, and even when they followed the winding pathway toward the rear of the house no one greeted them.
Suddenly, however, Noel stopped, and looked in consternation at the sight before him. Tied to the hitching-rail in the rear of the house he saw a half-dozen horses.
Every horse was saddled and bridled, and in an instant Noel was aware that he had come upon a small band of cavalry.
Startled as he was by his discovery he instantly stopped and, after listening intently, turned back over the road which he and Levi had come. As he did so, Levi suddenly dropped his pack and seizing the young soldier by his coat began to shout in his loudest tones.
Frightened by the unexpected attack, Noel struck desperately at his tormentor, and did his utmost to free himself. The little Jew, however, apparently unmindful of the blows, clung desperately to his coat, and before Noel was able to escape he saw a half-dozen men run out of the house and start swiftly toward him.
One glance was sufficient to convince the desperate boy that he was in the presence of some of the rebel cavalry. The men were armed, while he himself was powerless to make any defense.
"What's this, Levi?" demanded the leader.
"Who is this man with you? Didn't I tell you not to let any one come here?"
"Dis man is von Union soldier. He helps tear mine tent. He vas von vat steals mine goots. He vas bad. I dinks dat you vill be glad to haf a Yankee soldier here, maybe?"
"We'll take all the Yanks we can lay our hands upon," said the man with a laugh.
It was plain that he was relieved by the discovery that there was only one soldier near and he only a boy. The impression, however, produced on Noel's mind by the action of the man was that there were Union soldiers not far away. And yet, he thought bitterly, what advantage would that be to him now? He was here, helpless to defend himself and really a prisoner in the hands of the rebel cavalry. There were momentary visions of Libby Prison, which he knew was the destination of most of the Union soldiers taken by the Confederates in their recent campaigns.
The leader now turned to one of his men and good-naturedly said, "Tom, we don't want to take this fellow into the house. I am afraid he would scare the babies. I'll leave him out here with you. Don't let him get away from you."
It was useless to protest, and Noel obediently followed his guard as he led the way to the rear of the house near the place where the horses were tied. The young soldier looked hastily about him to discover what had become of the little sutler, but could not see him anywhere. Levi must have entered the house, he concluded.
Noel's thoughts were bitter as he recalled how easily he had been trapped. The sutler, without doubt, was in the employ of the Confederates. Whether or not he had been, at the time when he held his place in the Union camp at Harper's Ferry, Noel had no means of knowing; but it was plain that he himself had been led by his guide into a place from which apparently there was no escape.
When the soldiers reentered the house Noel seated himself on the ground with his back against the post that upheld the rail to which three of the horses were tied. In spite of his fear he looked with interest at the mounts of the men. Every horse manifestly was fleet-footed, and in better condition than one naturally would expect such horses to be at such a time.
Little black faces began to appear, as the pickaninnies, led on by their curiosity, slowly and cautiously advanced from their quarters to discover for themselves what the meaning of the excitement was. At another time Noel would have been interested, but now he gave slight heed to his approaching visitors.
About fifteen feet from the place where he was seated there was a row of beehives. The warmth of the September day had caused the busy little creatures to resume their labors of the summer.
The sight of them recalled to the mind of the troubled boy the beehives near his father's house and his thoughts naturally wandered from bees to the people who were in the far-away home. He wondered if Frank had yet returned to the army. He had been assigned to a different corps, and it might be that he already was with McClellan. Would he see him at Frederick City? The question received its own answer when Noel glanced about him and saw the guard and the horses waiting for their riders. There was slight prospect that he would see his brother very soon. Libby Prison doubtless was to be his destination.
A half-hour had elapsed since Noel's arrival, and in spite of his fear the droning of the bees sounded so monotonously in his ears that it would not have been difficult for him to close his eyes and fall asleep.
Abruptly he sat erect and, facing his guard said, "How long are these men going to be here?"
"I reckon yo' 'll have to ask the lieutenant, sir."
"How long have they been here?"
"I can't just say, sir."
"Do you know where they are going?"
"No, sir, I don't."
"Do you know what they will do with me?"
"I reckon I might suspect, sir. There have been a right sma't lot of Yanks who have had free transpo'tation to Richmond. I reckon there will be some mo', and it may be yo' will have a chance to ride along with them, sir. It won't cost you a cent, sir. No, sir, not one cent."
"Do you belong to Stuart's cavalry?" asked Noel.
"I wonder what's the matter with the Yanks. They seem to be so full of questions that the minute one of them opens his mouth they begin to pop out the way corn pops in a popper."
Noel abruptly ceased his questioning, but, as he glanced once more about the quarters, suddenly a scheme suggested itself to him, by which he might be able to escape from his captors. If the plan was to be tried, he must act at once, he decided, and, striving not to arouse the suspicions of the guard, he slowly arose.
Slowly, and striving to appear indifferent, although he was keenly observant of every action of his guard, Noel began to pace back and forth behind the row of horses. He was well aware that, in spite of the apparent carelessness of his guard, he was watching his every action. Any attempt on the part of the young prisoner to escape would at once bring a shot from the soldier.
However, the guard did not interfere with the actions of his prisoner, and a half-dozen or more times Noel slowly paced back and forth as if he was simply striving to relax his muscles and was ignoring his surroundings.
Not more than twenty feet away from the rail was the row of beehives to which reference has been made. Several times the young prisoner stopped and watched the busy little insects that were buzzing about the hives. Glancing each time at the guard, he was convinced that any suspicions of any plan his charge might have in mind as yet had not been aroused. Apparently the soldier was so confident in his ability to meet any sudden act that some of the time he was not even looking at the young prisoner.
Noel's excitement became keener. He glanced toward the house to see whether or not any of the Confederates who had entered were now to be seen. Slowly he turned his head and looked once more at his guard. The man was seated on the grass, and still to all appearances was indifferent to the actions of his charge.
Suddenly Noel stumbled over the projecting root of a huge magnolia tree and fell directly against the nearest hive in the row. With both hands he struck and with such force that it was thrown against the hive next to it.
"Better look out there!" called the guard, when Noel arose. "Some of those bugs 'll bite you, if you don't watch out!"
Whether or not the "bugs would bite," the anger of the bees instantly became manifest. In clouds they poured forth from the hives and the sounds of their buzzing became louder.
Darting in every direction they soon discovered the disturber of their dwelling-places, and, aware of their intentions, Noel hastily ran toward the guard and the rail to which the horses were hitched. To all appearances he had done this simply to avoid the pursuit of the little tormentors. That he was acting on design, the guard did not even suspect. The cloud of bees, however, did not all abandon the pursuit, and as Noel halted near the horses, the furious little insects, without rhyme or reason, began an attack upon the innocent animals.
Pandemonium instantly followed. The horses were rearing, plunging, squealing, and kicking in every direction. The actions seemed to incite the attacking insects to still greater anger. Nor was the guard himself free from the onslaught. With muttered exclamations of anger and pain, he was striving to ward off the little pests from his face or prevent them from stinging him on his hands and wrists.
Noel was doing his utmost to bear up under the suffering he himself was compelled to undergo. One bee had stung him on the very tip of his nose. Another had attacked him under his right eye, while still another had inserted his sting near a corner of the young soldier's mouth.
Noel could feel his face swelling, but he heroically strove to bear his suffering, and, although he did his utmost to drive away his tormentors, he nevertheless was relying upon the very attack that had been made to assist him in the plan which he had formed.
In the midst of the confusion one of the horses broke loose, and with many snorts of fear and rage started swiftly toward the lane.
The example was contagious and a moment later two more horses freed themselves by breaking the straps by which they were tied and followed in the direction in which the leader had disappeared.
"Catch them! Catch them! Help me! Catch them!" called the guard excitedly. "Why don't somebody come out of the big house? I can't do everything myself! Help me! Never mind the stings! Don't let those horses get away! Rouse yourself, Yank!"
"I'll do my best," called Noel loudly, as he seized the bridle of one of the remaining horses and apparently strove to quiet the terrified animal.
The horse with which Noel was struggling was the one in the line which he had noted as being undoubtedly the swiftest and best of them all.
"Whoa, there! Keep quiet! Be still, can't you?" he called as he slapped the plunging horse on its neck and then on its flank as if he was protecting it from the angry bees. Meanwhile, however, Noel had untied the horse and was holding the animal by its bridle.
At that moment some of the Confederate soldiers, who had entered the house, appeared at the door. Noel glanced anxiously at the men and then looked at the guard, who was doing his utmost to prevent one of the remaining horses from escaping.
The moment for which he had been waiting had arrived, the young soldier decided, and whatever he did he must do instantly. There was no time to be lost.
Looking once more toward the house, he saw the men call to those who still were inside, and then turn as if they were about to run swiftly to the place where the commotion was occurring. A single glance at the guard showed him that the man's rifle had been laid upon the grass and that he was still struggling with one of the frantic animals. Pulling upon the bridle of his horse Noel quietly had worked the animal away from its companions. His horse had been squealing and kicking more frantically than any of the others. To all appearances Noel was having a severe struggle to prevent him from breaking away and running in the direction in which the other horses had disappeared.
The shouts of the men, who now were advancing from the house, increased the confusion. Doubtless they were unaware of the source of the trouble and might visit their anger upon him, thought Noel.
The time, however, did not permit of delay. He had now worked his horse nearer the corner of the house. Suddenly the young soldier, placing one foot in the stirrup, leaped lightly into the saddle, and shouting into the ears of his horse, turned around the corner of the house before the startled band were fully aware of what had taken place.
The bees were no longer in pursuit. The terrified animal, however, was still making many frantic leaps, and Noel was compelled to exert the utmost of his strength to retain his seat. His disappearance was followed by a shout from the man, and only a brief time elapsed before, glancing behind him, he saw that two of the men were mounted and now were in swift pursuit.
His hopes now were dependent upon the speed of his horse and the possible inability of his pursuers to shoot.
"Stop, you Yank!" called one of them. "Stop where you are! Stop, or we'll shoot!"
Bending low upon the neck of his horse, Noel gave no heed to the demands and continually urged the beast into greater efforts. With long and powerful leaps the horse was bounding forward. The entrance from the lane into the highway was now only a few yards distant. Out in the road, Noel saw the horses which had already broken their halters and had fled when the bees first had attacked them. He would have been glad to secure either of them, but now his main purpose was to escape, and success depended much upon the endurance of the horse he was riding.
As yet the men behind him had not shot at the escaping young soldier. Grimly Noel thought they were more fearful of injuring the horse than they were of harming him. However, there was inspiration in the thought that thus far he had succeeded, and almost with a feeling of rejoicing he turned into the road and urged his terrified steed into still more frantic efforts. The pursuit was not abandoned, and he was aware that the mounted Confederates evidently were as determined as was the fleeing young soldier.
The speed of the running horse increased under the continued demands of his rider. It was a powerful animal on which he was mounted, as Noel was now aware, and if his endurance was equal to his strength there was a possibility of escaping from the region.
A glance behind him showed that he was gaining upon his two pursuers, a fact which was as manifest to them as it was to him. Suddenly one of them fired. Noel heard the bullet as it whistled above his head.