CHAPTER XV.
The Rescue.
"Now's our time, boys," exclaimed the major; "come on, and load yourguns as you run;" and he started rapidly down the path.
All sounds of the rebels were soon left behind; but our party kept ontheir way, until they emerged from the woods, and found themselves infull view of a plantation.
"I pelieve somebody lives in that house," exclaimed the captain,drawing back in the bushes.
"No doubt of it," answered the major.
"Let's move back into the woods a little further, and eat somedinner," said Frank; and he turned to walk away, and felt for thehaversack the negro woman had given him. But it seemed that he wasdestined to disappointment, for the haversack was gone.
During all the perils he had encountered that day, he had been buoyedup by the thought that he had food sufficient to last him for a dayor two, and that he was in no danger of suffering the pangs of hunger.But now his spirits fell again to zero.
"How unfortunate!" he exclaimed. "But it's just my luck."
"Yes, it is too bad," said the major; "for now we shall be obliged torun the risk of being captured, in order to procure food. But let usmove on, and get as far away from this place as possible."
Frank silently shouldered his rifle, and followed the major, whothreaded his way along in the edge of the woods, taking care to keepout of sight of any one who might be in the house. They kept on untildark, and then halted in the rear of another plantation, to hold aconsultation relative to the manner in which they should obtain food.
"Well," said the major, "we must have something to eat, that'scertain; and the only way I can think of, is to draw lots to see whoshall go up to the house after it. It is a dangerous undertaking, butthat is the fairest way to see who shall run the risk;" and the majorselected three sticks of different lengths, and continued, as he heldthem out to Frank, in his closed hand, "Now, the one that draws theshortest stick must go to the house and procure us some food."
Frank drew first, then the captain, and the major took the one thatwas left. The lot fell upon Frank.
"Now," said the major, as he shook Frank's hand, "be careful ofyourself, my friend. We will remain here until you return. When youget into the woods give two low whistles, that we may know that it isyou. Good-by."
Frank silently returned the pressure of the major's hand, and movedaway. He climbed over the fence that ran between the woods and theplantation, and walked fearlessly toward the house. He was not at allpleased with the part he had to perform, for he remembered the dangerhe had run the night before; but his determination was to do his duty,and trust to his skill to carry him safely through.
He shaped his course toward the negro quarters, which were in therear of the house; but he soon discovered that these were entirelydeserted. He carefully examined all the cabins, in hopes of findinga hen-roost, but in vain. His only alternative was to try the house.There was a light shining in the window, and Frank determined toreconnoiter the premises, and, if possible, learn who were in thehouse, before asking admittance. With this intention he shoulderedhis rifle, and was about to move forward, when he was startled by thesound of horses' hoofs behind him, and a voice exclaimed:
"Hullo, my friend! Have you an extra bed in the house, for a soldier?"
Frank turned, and found that the horseman was so close to him thatflight was impossible. His first impulse was to shoot him where hesat; but he was still ignorant of the number of persons there might bein the house. Perhaps it was filled with soldiers. The report ofhis gun would certainly alarm them, and might lead to his capture.Besides, the man had addressed him as though he were the proprietor ofthe plantation; perhaps he might be able to obtain some information.So he answered, with some hesitation:
"Yes, I suppose there is an extra bed in the house; but I shouldreally like to know who and what you are, before I agree toaccommodate you."
"I am Lieutenant Somers," answered the rebel; "and I belong to theSeventeenth Georgia Infantry. You belong to the army too, do you not?"he continued, noticing the brass buttons on Frank's coat.
It was a lucky circumstance for the young hero that the night was sodark, or he would certainly have been discovered.
"Yes," he answered, in reply to the rebel's question, "I am in theservice. But what are you doing around here this time of night?"
"I have been hunting after an escaped Yankee prisoner--a gun-boatofficer."
"Did you catch him?" inquired Frank.
"No; but I caught two others. I chased this gun-boat fellow withblood-hounds; but when I overtook him, I found that he had beenreinforced by half a dozen others, and I was obliged to retreat. Thescoundrels killed Colonel Acklen and one of his men, and the bestblood-hound in Louisiana."
"Where are the prisoners you captured?" inquired Frank, hardly ableto suppress his exultation at finding himself face to face with one ofthe men who had hunted him with blood-hounds.
"Oh, I left them at the back of the plantation, one of my men iskeeping guard over them; but there is scarcely any need of that, forthe Yankees are securely bound."
"They are, eh!" exclaimed Frank, who could restrain himself no longer."Well, here is a Yankee who is not bound, and never intends to be;"and he raised his rifle to his shoulder, and glanced along theclean, brown barrel. "I am the gun-boat fellow you were pursuingwith blood-hounds. So, if you wish to live five minutes longer, don'tattempt to make any resistance."
The rebel was taken so completely by surprise that he could not uttera word, but sat on his horse as motionless and dumb as though he hadbeen suddenly turned into a statue.
"Come down off that horse!" commanded his captor.
The rebel obeyed, without hesitation.
"Now, have you got any dangerous weapons about you?" inquired Frank."Tell the truth, now, for your life isn't worth a picayune."
"Yes," answered the rebel, "I have a revolver and a Bowie-knife;" andhe raised his hand to his breast pocket.
"Hands down! hands down!" exclaimed Frank; "I want to examine yourpockets myself;" and he stepped forward and relieved the rebel of aBowie-knife, a revolver, several cartridges, a flint and steel,and some papers. These, with the exception of the revolver, he laidcarefully on the ground, and placed his rifle beside them. "Now,"continued Frank, "it would be a great accommodation if you would tradeuniforms with me. The people in this part of the country don't seem tolike Uncle Sam's clothes very well. Come out of that coat."
The rebel hesitated to obey.
"Come out of that coat, Lieutenant Somers," repeated Frank, slowly;and he raised his revolver until it was on a line with his captive'shead.
The sight of his own weapon, whose qualities he probably knew fullwell, brought the rebel to his senses, and he quickly divested himselfof his coat.
"Now, pull off those pants," commanded his captor.
The rebel obeyed; and Frank continued, as he divested himself of hisown clothes: "Now, if you wish, you can put on these."
The rebel had no other alternative, and he slowly donned the navaluniform, while Frank quickly converted himself into a fine-lookingrebel lieutenant. He then carefully pocketed the articles which he hadtaken from the rebel, with the exception of the papers.
"What are these?" he inquired.
"The one in the brown envelope is my appointment, and the others areorders to take my company and act as scouts."
The latter were just what Frank wanted.
"Now," said Frank, going up to the horse, which had stood patientlyby, "I have one more favor to ask of you, you mean, sneaking rebel,and then I am done with you. I want you to show me where you left yourprisoners. But, in the first place, I am going into that house to getsomething to eat."
"I hope to thunder that you will be gobbled up," said the lieutenant,angrily.
"Easy, easy!" exclaimed Frank; "you are talking treason when you wishevil to befall one of Uncle Sam's boys; and I am not one to stand byand listen to it; so keep a civil tongue in your head, or I shall beobliged to put a s
topper on your jaw. As I said before," he continued,"I am going into that house to get some supper; and, as I wish you toremain here until I come back, I shall take the liberty to tie yourhands and feet. That's the way you serve your prisoners, I believe."
As Frank spoke, he cut the bridle from the horse with his Bowie-knife,and securely bound the rebel--who submitted to the operation with avery bad grace--and laid him away, as he would a log of wood, behindone of the cabins.
"Now, you barbarian," he continued, as he shouldered his rifle, andthrust the revolver and Bowie-knife into his belt, "you are in thepower of one who has very little love for a man who is guilty of thecruelty of hunting a fellow-being with blood-hounds; so, if you expectto live to see daylight, don't make any noise." With this piece ofadvice, Frank left his captive, and started for the house.
He walked up the steps that led to the portico, which ran entirelyaround the house, and boldly knocked at the door. The summons wasanswered by a fine-looking, elderly lady, who, as soon as she saw theConfederate uniform, exclaimed:
"Good evening, sir; walk in."
Frank followed the lady through the hall, into a large room, whoseonly inmates were three young ladies, who rose and bowed as he camein. He was very much relieved to find that there were no men in thehouse.
"Take a chair, sir," said the elderly lady. "Is there any thing we cando for you?"
"Yes, ma'am," answered Frank. "I am out on a scout with some of mymen, and my provisions have given out. I have taken the liberty tocome here and see if I could not purchase some from you."
"We are glad to see you," said one of the young ladies. "I will havesome food put up for you immediately; and you shall have a nice, warmsupper before you go."
"I am under obligations to you, madam," answered Frank; "but,really, I can not wait, for I am on the trail of some escaped Yankeeprisoners; and, besides, I always make it a point never to fare betterthan the men I command."
"I should like to have you stay," said the elderly lady, whom Frankset down as the mother of the girls; "but you know your duty betterthan we do. I wish all of our officers were as careful of their men,and as devoted to the cause, as you are. But what regiment do youbelong to?"
"The Seventeenth Georgia," answered Frank.
"Did you catch any of the Yankees you are after?"
"No, ma'am, not yet. But we shall have them before to-morrow night."
"Oh, I hope so! I suppose you will hang them to the nearest tree, asfast as you catch them?"
"No, ma'am, I can't do that. They will be prisoners, you know, andmust be treated as such."
"Then bring them here, and I will hang them for you," exclaimed thelady, excitedly. "I think our government is entirely too lenient withthe rascals."
During the conversation that followed, Frank gained some very valuableinformation concerning the plans the rebels had on foot for thecapture of the runaways. He also learned that the lady's husband wasan officer of high rank in the rebel army, and that she was expectinghim home every moment. Frank, as may be supposed, was not very wellpleased with this information, and he cast uneasy glances toward thedoor, expecting to see the officer enter. But his fears were soon setat rest by the return of the young lady from the kitchen, with a largetraveling bag, filled with provisions.
When Frank inquired what was to pay, he was informed that any one whowould think of charging a soldier for provisions ought to be tarredand feathered and sent into the Yankee lines. This was good news toFrank, for, if there had been any thing to pay, he would not haveknown how to act, as money was a thing he had not seen for many a day.So, after thanking the ladies for their kindness, and bidding themgood-night, he picked up his provisions and started out.
"Now, you man that hunts Union soldiers with blood-hounds," heexclaimed, as he walked up to his captive, and untied the strap withwhich his feet were bound, "get up, and lead me to the place where youleft your prisoners;" and Frank seized the rebel by the collar, andhelped him rather roughly to his feet.
The rebel made no reply, but led the way down the road which ranthrough the plantation. Frank followed close behind him, carrying hisrifle and provisions in one hand, and his revolver in the other. Atlength they came to the fence at the end of the field, and, as he washelping his prisoner over, a voice from the woods called out:
"Who goes there?"
"Is that your man?" inquired Frank, in a whisper, turning to hisprisoner.
"Yes," answered the rebel, gruffly.
"Then keep your mouth shut, and let me talk to him," commanded Frank.Raising his voice, he answered to the hail, "Friend!"
"Is that you, Lieutenant Somers?" inquired the voice.
"Yes," answered Frank. "Come here; I've got a supply of provisions,and another prisoner."
"Another Yank, eh!" said the man; and Frank heard him coming throughthe woods toward him.
"Well, we've one less to catch, then. Where is he? Let's have a squintat him."
"Never mind the prisoner," exclaimed Frank, "but come and take theseprovisions; they're heavy."
The rebel, who could not discover that any thing was wrong, reachedout his hand, and took the traveling-bag from Frank, when the lattersuddenly seized him by the collar, and exclaimed, as he pressed themuzzle of his revolver against his head:
"You're my prisoner!"
For an instant the rebel appeared utterly dumfounded; then, suddenlyrecovering himself, he struck up Frank's arm, and, with a quickmovement, tore himself away from his grasp, and drew his Bowie-knife.
"Kill him, Jake! kill him!" shouted the lieutenant, who, of course,was unable to assist his man, as his hands were securely bound behindhis back.
But Frank was too quick for him, for, before the rebel could make athrust with his knife, the sharp report of the revolver echoed throughthe woods, and the man sank to the ground like a log.
"Now," exclaimed Frank, turning to his prisoner, "I've a good notionto shoot you, also. But I will try you once more; and I tell you now,once for all, don't open your head again to-night, unless you arespoken to. Now, show me where you left your prisoners."
"Here we are!" exclaimed a voice from the bushes.
Frank soon found them, and, when he had cut the ropes with which theywere bound, and set them at liberty, they each seized his hands, andwrung them in silent gratitude.
"Thank heaven, we're free men once more!" exclaimed one of the poorfellows. "But where is that lieutenant that captured us?"
"He's my prisoner," answered Frank.
"Here you are, you thunderin', low-lived secesh!" exclaimed the man,who had not yet spoken, as he walked up to the rebel, and laid hishand on his shoulder. "I've a mind to stop your wind for you, youmean"--
"Easy, easy, boys," exclaimed Frank; "he's a prisoner, you know, andwe've no right to put him in misery simply because he's in our power."
"Why, the varmint hunted us yesterday with blood-hounds," exclaimedone of the soldiers.
"He served me the same way to-day," answered Frank; "but, still, wehave no right to abuse him. But I have two more friends around heresomewhere;" and Frank put his hand to his mouth, and gave two lowwhistles. It was answered immediately, and a voice, which Frankrecognized as the captain's, inquired:
"Ish dat you, you gun-boat feller?"
"Yes, I'm here, captain; come along."
The Dutchman soon made his appearance, followed by the major. They hadremained in their hiding-place, and heard all that was going on; but,so fearful were they of treachery, that they dared not come out. Frankbriefly related to them the circumstances connected with the captureof the lieutenant, and the release of the two soldiers; after this aconsultation was held, and it was decided that it would not be prudentto attempt to reach Red River for a day or two, at least. The majorthought it best to remain concealed during the day, and at nightboldly follow the road.
This plan was adopted, for the entire party--including the soldiersFrank had just released--were dressed in butternut clothes; besidesthis, the papers which had been t
aken from the lieutenant wouldgreatly assist them, if their plan was carried out with skill anddetermination. And, in regard to the prisoner--who, of course, had notheard a word of the consultation--it was decided to detain him for aday or two, in order that he might be led to believe that it was theirintention to keep as far away from Red River as possible, and thenrelease him.
After their plans had all been determined upon, Frank opened his sackof provisions, when, eating a scanty meal, they again started forward.They kept along on the edge of the plantations until the day began todawn, and then turned into the woods and encamped.