第15章
VincentrecognizedwithastonishmentintheFederalofficerrushingathimwithupliftedswordhisoldantagonist，Jackson。
Almostinstinctivelyhewhirledthecan，whichwasstillhalffullofliquor，roundhisheadanddasheditfullinthefaceofhisantagonist，whowasknockedoffhisfeetbytheblow。WithayellofragehestartedupagainandrushedatVincent。Thelattersnatchedupashovelthatwaslyingclosebyandstoodhisground。
Theofficersweresosurprisedatthesuddennessoftheincidentandtheoverthrowoftheircompanion，andforthemomentsoamusedatthelatter"sappearance，coveredashewasfromheadtofootwiththestickyliquorandbleedingfromacutinflictedbytheedgeofthecan，thattheywereincapableofinterference。
Blindedwithrage，andwiththeliquidstreamingintohiseyes，JacksonrushedatVincent。Thelattercaughttheblowaimedathimontheedgeoftheshovel，andthenswinginghisweaponroundsmotehisantagonistwithallhisstrength，theedgeoftheshovelfallingfairlyuponhishead。Withoutacrythetraitorfelldeadinhistracks。Theotherofficersnowdrewtheirswordsandrushedfor-ward。Vincent，seeingthefutilityofresistance，threwdownhisshovel。Hewasinstantlyseized。
"Halloothere!"theseniorofficercalledtothemen，whohadstoppedintheirworkandweregazingatthesuddenfraythathadarisen，"asergeantandfourmen。"Fourofthenegrosoldiersandasergeantatoncesteppedforward。"Takethismanandconducthimtothevillage。Puthiminaroom，andstaytherewithhim。Doyou，sergeant，stationyourselfatthedoor，sothatIshallknowwheretofindyou。Putonyouruniformsandtakeyourguns。"Themenputontheircoats，whichtheyhadremovedwhileatwork，shoulderedtheirmuskets，andtooktheirplaces，twooneachsideoftheprisoner。Theofficersthenturnedtoexaminetheirprostratecomrade。
"It"salloverwithhim，"onesaid，stoopingdown；"theshovelhascuthisskullnearlyinhalf。Well，Ifancyhewasabadlot。Idon"tbelieveinSouthernerswhocomeovertofightinourranks；
besideshewasatonetimeintherebelarmy。"
"Yes，hewastakenprisoner，"anothersaid。"Thenhisfather，whohadtoboltfromtheSouth，because，hesaid，ofhisNorthernsympathies，butlikelyenoughforsomethingelse，cameround，madeinterestsomehowandgothissonreleased，andthensomeoneelsegothimacommissionwithus。Healwayssaidhehadbeenobligedtofightontheotherside，butthathehadalwaysbeenheartandsoulfortheNorth；anyhow，hewasalwaysblackguardinghisoldfriends。Ialwaysdoubtedthefellow。Well，there"sanendofhim；andanyhowhehasdoneusefulserviceatlastbyrecognizingthisspy。Fine-lookingyoungfellowthat。HecalledhimVincentWingfield。Iseemtorememberthenanie；
perhapsIhavereaditinsomeoftherebelnewspaperswegotholdof；likelyenoughsomeonewillknowit。Well，IsupposewehadbetterhaveJacksoncarriedintocamp。"
Fourmoreofthenegroeswerecalledout，andthesecarriedthebodyintothecampofhisregiment。Auofficerwasalsosentfromtheworkingpartytoreportthecaptureofaspytohiscolonel。
"Iwillreportittothegeneral，"thelattersaid；"herodealonghereaboutaquarterofanhourago，andmaynotbebackagainforsomehours。Aswehavegotthespyfastitcannotmakeanydifference。"
AshewasmarchedbacktothevillageVincentfeltthattherewasnohopeforhimwhatever。Hehadbeendenouncedasaspy，andalthoughthelipsthathaddenouncedhimhadbeensilencedforever，themischiefhadbeendone。Hecouldgivenosatisfactoryaccountofhimself。Hethoughtforamomentofdeclaringthatamistakehadbeenmade，buthefeltthatnodenialwouldcounterbalancetheeffectofJackson"swords。Thefury，too，withwhichthelatterhadattackedhimwouldshowplainlyenoughthathisassailantwasabsolutelycertainastohisidentity，andeventhattherehadbeenapersonalfeudbetweenthem。Thenhethoughtthatifhesaidthathewasthesonofthewomaninthelintshewouldbearhimoutintheassertion。ButitwasnotlikelythatthiswouldbeacceptedasagainstJackson"stestimony；besides，inquiryamongherneighborswouldcertainlyleadtothediscoverythatshewasspeakinganuntruth，andmighteveninvolveherinhisfateashisabettor。Butmostofallhedecidedagainstthiscoursebecauseitwouldinvolvethetellingofalie。
Vincentconsideredthatwhileindisguise，anddoingimportantserviceforhiscountry，hewasjustifiedinusingdeceit；butmerelyforthepurposeofsavinghisownlife，andthatperhapsuselessly，hewouldnotlie。Hisfate，ofcourse，wascertain。Hewasaspy，andwouldbeshotforit。Vincenthadsooftenbeeninthebattlefield，sooftenunderafirefromwhichitseemedthatnoonecouldcomealive，thatthethoughtthatdeathwasathandhadnotforhimtheterrorsthatpossessthosedifferentlycircumstanced。HewasgoingtodiefortheConfederacyastensofthousandsofbravemenhaddiedbefore，andherejoicedovertheprecautionhehadtakenastothetransmissionofhisdiscoveriesonthepreviousday，andfeltsurethatGeneralLeewoulddofulljusticetohismemory，andannouncethathehaddiedindoingnobleservicetothecountry。
Hesighedashethoughtofhismotherandsisters；butRosehadbeenmarriedinthespring，andAnniewasengagedtoanofficerinGeneralBeauregard"sstaff。ThenhethoughtofLucyawayinGeorgiaandforthefirsttimehislipquiveredandhischeekpaled。
Thenegroguards，whohadbeenenlistedbutafewweeks，werewhollyignorantoftheirduties，andhavingonceconveyedtheirprisonerintotheroom，evidentlyconsideredthatallfurthernecessityformilitarystrictnesswasatanend。Theyhadbeenorderedtostayintheroomwiththeprisoner，butnoinstructionshadbeengivenastotheirconductthere。Theyaccordinglyplacedtheirmusketsinonecorneroftheroom，andproceededtochatterandlaughwithoutfurtherregardinghim。
UnderothercircumstancesthiscarelessnesswouldhaveinspiredVincentwiththethoughtofescape，butheknewthatitwasoutofthequestionhere。TherewereFederalcampsallroundandashoutfromthenegroeswouldsendahundredmenininstantpursuitofhim。Therewasnothingforhimtodobuttowaitfortheend，andthatendwouldassuredlycomeinthemorning。Fromtimetotimethedooropened，andthenegrosergeantlookedin。Apparentlyhisideasonthesubjectofdisciplinewerenostricterthanthoseofhismen，forhemadenoremarkastotheircarelessness。Presently，whenhelookedin，thefoursoldierswerestandingatthewindowwatchingaregimentpassingbyonitswaytotakeitsshareoftheworkinthetrenches。Vincent，whowassittingatatable，happenedtolookup，andwasastonishedatseeingthesergeantfirstputhisfingeronhislips，thentakeoffhiscap，putonehandonhisheart，andgesticulatewiththeother。
Vincentgazedathiminblanksurprise，thenhestartedandalmostsprangtohisfeet，forintheYankeesergeantherecognizedTonyMorris；buttheupliftedhandofthenegrowarnedhimofthenecessityofsilence。Thenegronoddedseveraltimes，againputhishandonhisheart，andthendisappeared。AthrillofhopestirredeveryveininVincent"sbody。Hefelthischeeksflushandhaddifficultyinmaintaininghispassiveattitude。Hewasnot，then，utterlydeserted；hehadafriendwhowould，hewassure，doallinhispowertoaidhim。
ItwasextraordinaryindeedthatitshouldbeTonywhowasnowhisjailer；andyet，whenhethoughtitover，itwasnotdifficulttounderstand。Itwasnaturalenoughthatheshouldhaveenlistedwhentheblackregimentswereraised。HehaddoubtlessheardhisnameshoutedoutbyJackson，andhad，asVincentnowremembered，steppedforwardasasortofvolunteerwhentheofficercalledforasergeantandfourmen。
Yes，Tonywoulddoubtlessdoallinhispowertosavehim。
Whetheritwouldbepossiblethathecoulddosowasdoubtful；butatleasttherewasahope，andwithitthefeelingofquietresignationwithwhichVincenthadfacedwhatappearedtobeinevitableatoncedisappeared，andwassucceededbyarestlesslongingforaction。Hisbrainwasbusyatonceincalculatingthechancesofhisbeingorderedforinstantexecutionorofthesentencebeingpostponedtillthefollowingmorning，and，inthelattercase，withthequestionofwhatguardwouldbeprobablyplacedoverhim，andhowTonywouldsetabouttheattempttoaidhimtoescape。
Hadthegeneralbeenincampwhenhewasbroughtinhewouldprobablyhavebeenshotatsunset，butifhedidnotreturnuntiltheafternoonhewouldwouldmostlikelyorderthesentencetobecarriedoutatdaybreak。Inanycase，ashewasanofficer，sometimemightbegrantedtohimtopreparefordeath。Thentherewasthequestionwhetherhewouldbehandedovertoawhiteregimentforsafekeepingorleftinthehandsoftheblackregimentthathadcapturedhim。Nodoubtafterthesentencewaspassedthewhiteofficersofthatregimentwouldseethatamuchstricterwatchthanthatnowputoverhimwasset。
ItwasnotprobablethathewouldstillbeinchargeofTony，forasthelatterwouldbeondutyalldayhewoulddoubtlessberelieved。
Inthatcasehowwouldhemanagetoapproachhim，andwhatmeanswouldheusetodirecttheattentionofthesentriesinanotherdirection？HethoughtovertheplansthathehimselfwouldadoptwereheinTony"splace。Thefirstthingwouldbe，ofcourse，tomakethesentriesdrunkifpossible。Thisshouldnotbeadifficulttaskwithmenwhosenotionsofdisciplineweresolaxasthoseofthenegroes；butItwouldbenoeasymatterforTonytoobtainspirits，forthesewerestrictlyprohibitedintheFederalcamp。PerhapshemighthelpTonyinthisway。Hefortunatelyhadasmallnotebookwithapencilinhispocket，andashisguardswerestillatthewindowhewroteasfollows:
"IamcapturedbytheYankees。SofarasIcansee，myonlychanceofescapeistomakethesentriesdrunk。Thebearerisabsolutelytobetrusted。Givehimhiscanteenfullofspirits，andtellhimwhatIhavewrittenhere。"
Hetorethispageout，foldeditup，anddirectedittoMrs。
Grossmith，WorleyFarm，nearUnion。PresentlyTonylookedinagainandVincentheldupthenote。Thesergeantsteppedquicklyforwardandtookit，andthensaidsharplytothemen:
"Nowden，disnotkeepingguard。Supposedooropenanddisfellowrunaway。Whatdeysaytoyou？Twoofyoukeepyoureyeond"sman。SupposeCaptainPearcecomeinandfindyouallstaringoutwindow。Hekickupnicebobbery。"
Thusadmonishedastotheirduty，twoofthenegroestookuptheirmusketsandstoodwiththeirbackstothedoor，withtheireyesfixedontheprisonerwithsuchearnestnessthatVincentcouldnotsuppressasmile。Thenegroesgrinnedresponsively。
"Disbadaffair，youngsah，"onesaid；"berybadaffair。OhcoursewesoldiersohdeUnion，andgottofightifdeytellus；butnolikedisjobohkeepingguardlikedis。"
"Itcan"tbehelped，"Vincentsaid；"andofcourseyoumustdoyourduty。Iamnotgoingtojumpupthechimneyorflythroughthewindow，andastherearefourofyou，tosaynothingofthesergeantoutside，youneedn"tbeafraidofmytryingtoescape。"
"Nosah，datnotpossiblenohow；weknowdatberywell。Dat"swhywenotroubletolookafteryou。Butasdesargentsaywatch，ohcoursewemustwatch。Weberypleasedtoseeyoukilldatwhiteofficer。Datofficerberyhardmanandalldemenhatehim，andwhenyouknockhimdownweshouldliketohabgivencheer。
Weallsorryforyou；stillyousee，sab，wemustkeepwatch。Ifyouweretogetaway，darnosayingwhatdeydotous。"
"That"sallright，"Vincentsaid；"Idon"tblameyouatall。Asyonsay，thatwasaverybadfellow。Ihadquarreledwithhimbefore，becausehetreatedhisslavessobadly。"
CHIAPTERXIX。FREE。
ITWASnotuntillateintheafternoonthatawhiteofficerentered，andorderedthesoldierstoconducttheprisonertothegeneral"stent。
"Whatisyourname，sir，andwhoareyou？"thegeneralaskedashewasbroughtin。"IhearthatyouweredenouncedbyLieutenantJacksonasbeingaspy，andthatheaddressedyouasVincentWingfield。Whathaveyougottosaytothecharge？"
"MynameisVincentWingfield，sir，"Vincentrepliedquietly。"I
amuponthestaffofGeneralWadeHampton，andinpursuanceofmydutyIcameheretolearnwhatIcouldofyourmovementsandintentions。"
Thegeneralwassilentforamoment。
"Then，sir，asyouareanofficer，youmustbewellawareoftheconsequenceofbeingdiscoveredindisguisehere。Iregretthatthereisnocourseopentomehuttoorderyoutobeshotasaspyto-morrowmorning。"
Oneoftheofficerswhowasstandingbythegeneralherewhisperedtohim。
"Ah，yes，Iremember，"hesaid。"Areyouthesameofficer，sir，whoescapedfromElmira？"
"Iam，sir，"Vincentreplied；"andatthesametimeaidedintheescapeofthemanwhodenouncedmeto-day，andwhothendidhisbesttohavefilearrestedbysendingananonymousletterstatingthedisguiseinwhichIwasmakingmywaythroughthecountry。I
wasnotsurprisedtofindthathehadcarriedhistreacheryfurther，andwasnowfightingagainstthemenwithwhomhehadformerlyserved。"
"Hedeservedthefatethathasbefallenhim，"thegeneralsaid。
"Stillthisdoesnotalteryourposition。IregretthatImustordermysentencetohecarriedout。"
"Idonotblameyon，sir。IknewtherisksIranwhenIacceptedthemission。MyonlyregretisthatIfailedinsupplyingmygeneralwiththeinformationtheyrequired。"
ThegeneralthenturnedtotheofficerwhohadbroughtVincentup。
"Thisofficerwillremaininchargeofyourmenforto-night，CaptainPearce。Youwillseethatthesentenceiscarriedintoeffectatdaybreak。Ineednottellyouthatavigilantguardmustbeplacedoverhim。"
Vincentwasagainmarchedbacktothevillage，buttheofficerhaltedthepartywhenhearrivedthere。
"Stophereafewminutes，sergeant，"besaid。"Thatroomisrequiredforanofficer"squarters。Iwilllookroundandfindanotherplace。"
Inafewminuteshereturned，andVincentwasconductedtoashedstandinginthegardenofoneofthehouses。
"Placeonemanonguardatthedoorandanotherbehind，"hesaidtothesergeant。"Lettheothertworelievethem，andchangethewatchonceanhour。"
Thesergeantsaluted。
"Demenhabbeenondutysincedaylight，sah，andnoneofushabhadanythingtoeat。"
"Oh，Iforgotthat，"theofficerreplied。"Verywell，Iwillsendanotherpartytorelieveyouatonce。"
Intenminutesanothersergeantandfourmenarrivedatthespot，andTonyandhiscompanionsreturnedtothecamp。
AssoonasTonyhaddevouredapieceofbreadheleftthecamp，walkedwithcarelessgaitthroughthecampsbehind，andwentonuntilhereachedavillageinwhichwerecomparativelyfewsoldiers。Hewentuptoawomanwhowasstandingatadoor。
"Missus，"hosaid，"Ihabgotalettertotake，andIain"tberysureastodename。Willyoukindlytellmewhatisdeaddresswritondispaper？"
Thewomanlookedatit。
"Mrs。Grossmith，WorleyFarm，nearUnion。That"sabouttwomilesalongtheroad。IfyougoonanyonewilltellyouwhichisMrs。Grossmith"s。"
Tonyhurriedon，forhewantedtogetbacktothecampbeforeitwasdark。HehadnodifficultyinfindingWorleyFarm。
"Now，then，whatdoyouwant？"itsownersaidsharply，assheopenedtiledoorinreplytohisknock。"There"snothingforyouhere。Youcanlookroundifyoulike。It"sbeenallstrippedcleandaysago，soItellyou。"
"Menowantanything，ma"am。Mehabaletterforyou。"Thewomaninsurprisetookthenoteandopenedit。ShereaditthroughandlookedEarnestlyatTony。
"Hesaysyouaretobetrusted，"shesaid。"Isthatso？"
"Iwouldgibmylifeforhimtwentytimesover，"Tonyreplied。
"Hegotmeawayfromabrutalmasterandboughtmywifeoutobslaveryforme。Whatdoeshesay，ma"am？FordoLordsaketellme。Perhapshetellmehowtogethimclar。"
Thewomanreadoutthecontentsofthenote。
"Dat"sit，missus，sureenough；dat"stheway，"heexclaimedindelight。"Metinkandtinkallday，andnomanagetotinkofanythingexcepttoshootdesentryandfightwiddoodersandgethimout；butdenalldoodorsojerscomerunningdown，andnochancetoescape。Ifmecangetdospiritsdat"seasyenough。Memakedemalldrunkashogs。"
"Icangiveyouthat，"thewomansaid。"Isthereanythingelseyouwillwant？Whatareyougoingtodowithhimifyengethimfree？
Theywillhuntyoudownlikevermin。"
"Itoughtwemightgetdowntoderiverandgetobersomehow。
Derewillhenogettingtreedercavalry。Deywillhabdemoneveryread。"
"Well，youwantsomeclothes，anyhow；youcan"tgoaboutinthesesoldierclothes。ThefirstYankyencameacrosswouldshootyouforadeserter，andthefirstofourmenasatraitor。Well，bythetimeyougetbackto-night，thatisifyoudocomeback，IwillgetupachestI"vegetburiedwithmymen"sclothesinit。Theydidn"twanttotakethemawaytothewarwiththem，soIhidthemup。"
Shehadbythistimedugupthekegfromitshiding-place，andnowfilledTony"scanteen。
"Tankyen，missus；deLordbressyenforwhatyou"vedone，whederIgetMassaWingfieldofforwhederwebofegetkilledoberdejob。ButImustgetbackasfastasIcan。EfitwasdarkbeforeIgottocampdeywouldwonderwharIhadbeen。"
"Oh，youhaveplentyoftime，"thewomansaid；"itwon"tbedarktilleighto"clock，andit"snotsevenyet。Iwillsettoandboilagoodchunkofporkandbakesomecakes。It"snousegettingoutofthehandsoftheYanksandthengoingandgettingstarvedintheswamps。
DirectlyTonygotbacktohisregimenthestrolledovertotheshedwhereVincentwasconfined。Twosentinelswereonduty，thesergeantandthetwoothermenwerelyingatfulllengthenthegroundsometwentyyardsaway。Theirmusketswerebesidethem，anditwasevidenttoTonybythevigilantwatchthattheykeptupentheshedthattheirresponsibilityweighedheavilyuponthemandthatCaptainPearcehadimpresseduponthemthatifthepnsonerescapedtheywouldcertainlybeshot。
"Well，SergeantJohnNewson，"Tonybegan，"Ihabjustwalkedobertoseehowyougettingon。Itamamighty"sponsiblebusinessdis。Ihadsixhoursofhim，anditmakedeperspirationrundownmybacktotinkwhatajobitwouldbeformeifdatfellowwastorunaway。"
"Dat"sjustwhatdischilefeel，SergeantTonyMorris；Iamzactlylikedat，anddat"swhatdesemenfeeltoo。Weamallonguard。Decaptainsay，puttwoonguardatdeshedandletdoodorsreliebdemeberyhour。Sodeyshall；butdoseoffdutymustwatchjustthesame。Whenitgetsdarkwegetcloseup，soastobereadytojumpindirectlywehearastir。Disfellownofoolus。"
"Dat"stheway，SergeantNewson，datamdoway。Nobercloseyoureye，butkeepasharplookondem。It"sapitydatyounotincampto-night。"
"Howamdat，bowamdat？"thesergeantasked。
"Totellyoudotruf，sergeant，treeorfourobushabsmuggledinsomespirits，andyouareoneofdosewhowouldhabcomeinforashareofitifyouhadbeendere。"
"Golly!"thesergeantexclaimed；"butdatisberyunfortunate。
Can"tyoumanagetobringmealittlehere？"
"Well，youknow，it"sdifficulttogetoutobcamp。
"Oh，youcouldgetthrough。Dereisnofearaboutyoubeingcaught。"
"Idon"tknow，"Tonyrepliedwithanairofreluctance。"Well，Iwillseeaboutit。EfIcancrawltroodesentries，andbringsomeforyouanddeoders，Iwill。Itwillhelpkeepyouawakeandkeepoutdedamp。
"Dat"srightdowngoodobyou，"theothersaidcordially。"Yougoodman，TonyMorris；andifIcandoasmuchforyouanodertime，Idoit。"
Havingsettledthis，Tonywentroundtothehospitaltentinrearoftheregiment，havingtieduphisfacewithahandkerchief。
"Well，whatisit，sergeant？"thenegro，whoactedasanorderlyandsometimeshelpedthesurgeonmixhisdrugs，asked。"Dedoctoramgoneaway，andIdon"t"specthecomebackagainto-night。"
"Datamberybadting，"Tonysaiddolefully。"Can"tyoudosomethingforme，SamSmith？Itinkyouknowquiteasmuchaboutdomedicinesasdodoctorhimself。"
"Notquitesomuch，sergeant，notquitesomuch；butI"senofool，andmyoldmothershe"usedtomakemedicinefordeplantationandknewaheapaboutherbs，soitamnaturaldatIshouldtaketoit。WhatcanIgibyou？"
"Well，Sam，youseesometimesI"se"flicteddre"ffulwiddofaceachehimjustgojump，jump，jump，asefhebustrightup。
MosetimesIfinddebesttingamtoputalittlelaudabuninmymouf，andalittleonbitofragandputhimoutside。Debesttingwouldbeforyoutogibmelittlebottleofhim；denwhendepaincomeonIcouldjesstakehim，andnotbetroublingyoueberyday。
AndSam，jusyouwhisper-Igotholdofalittlegoodstuff。Yougibmetinmug；mesharewhatIhabgotwidyou。"
Thenegrogrinnedwithdelight，andgoingintothetentbroughtoutatinmug。
"Dat"sallright，Sam；butyouhabnobroughtdebottleoflaudabuntoo。Youjustfetchdat，andIgibyoudospirit。"
Thenegrowentinagain，andintwominutesreturnedwithasmallbottleoflaudanum。
"Dat"safairexchange，"Tonysaid，takingit，andhandingtothemanhismughalffullofspirit。
"Datamsometinglike，"theblacksaid，lookingwithdelightattheliberalallowance。"Medrinkhimdolasttingatnight，donmegotosloopandnoone"spectnuffin"。Whereberyougetdatspirit？"
"Neveryoumind，Sam，"Tonysaidwithagrin。"Dar"smorewheredatcomesfrom，andmaybeyouwillgetanodertasteobit。"
Thenafterleavingthehospitaltenthepouredhalfthespiritsaway，forhehadnotnowtodependupontheeffectofthatalone；anditworebettornottogiveittoostrong，forthatmightarousethesuspicionoftheguard。Thenhouncorkedthebottleoflaudanum。
"Idon"tknowhowmuchtogib，"hesaidtohimself。"Nogoodtokilldem。Medon"t"spectdiestuffberystrong。Doseroguessellallsortsofstufftodogovernment。Anytinggoodenoughfordosoldier。Deygibhimrottenboots，androttencloth，andbadpowder，andallsortsoftings。Ispectdeygibhimbaddrugstoo。
However，memustriskit。Disbottlenotberybig，anyhow-won"tholdmoredantwoorthreeteaspoon。Mustriskhim。"
Sosayinghopouredthecontentsofthevialintothecanteen，andthengoingtoawater-cartfilleditup。Howaiteduntilthecampwasquiet，andthen，takingoffhisbootsandfasteninginhisbolthisownbayonetandthatofoneofthemensleepingnear，hequietlyandcautiouslymadehiswayoutofcamp。Therewerenosentriesplacedhere，fortherewasnofearwhateverofanattack，andhohadlittledifficultyinmakinghiswayroundtothebackofthevillagetothespotwhereVincentwasconfined。Homovedsoquietlythathowasnotperceiveduntilhewaswithinafewyardsoftheshed。
"SergeantNewson，amyoudere？"
"Bressme，whatastartyouhabgivenme，forsuah!"thesergeantsaid。"Ididnothearyoucoming。
"Youdidn"ts"poseIwascomingalongshoutingandwhistling，SergeantNewson？Don"tyoutalksoloud。Daramnosayingwho"sabout。"
"Habyoubroughtdostuff？"
"Youdon"tsupposeIshouldhabcomealldiswaytotellyouIhabnotgotit。Howamdoprisoner？"
"Oh，he"sdereallright。Myorderswastolookinatdatlittlewindereberyfiveminutes，anddatwhenitbegantogetdarkmewastotiehimquitetight，andmehabdoneso。Andoneofdosentriesgoesineveryfiveminutesandfeelstoseeifderopesaretight。Heamdar，sureenough。"
"Dat"squiteright，SergeantNowson。Iknewwhenyoucameto"hovemeasdocaptainknewwhathowasdoingwhenliechooseyoufordisjob。Hojustpickoutdomanheconsidersdoverybestindoregiment。Now，hereisdospirit；andfuss-ratestuffitam，too。"
"Golly，butitamstrong!"thesergeantsaid，takingalonggulpatthecanteen。"Datwarmdococklesobdeheartinnotime。Yes，itamgoodstuff-justdotingfordisdampair。Ihearasalotofdowhitesoldiersaredownwiddefeveralready，andderewillbelotsandlotsmoreofwestopherelong。Here，youtwomen，takeadrinkofdis；butmind，youmustn"ttollnoone"boutit。Disasecretaffair。"
Thetwonegroeseachtookalongdrink，andreturnedthecanteenwithwarmexpressionsofapproval。
"Deodermenareonduty，"thesergeantsaidwiththeairofamanwhoknewhisbusiness；"deymustn"thabnoneofit，notuntildeycomesoff。Aswearedorelief，itamproperandrightdatwedrinkadropoutofacanteenofwewantit。"
"Quiteso，SergeantNewson，"Tonysaidinatoneofadmiration。
"Dat"sdowaytomanagedesetings-dutyfirstandpleasureafterward。"
"Itamnearlytimetorelieveguard，"theothersaid；anddendeycanhaveadrink。"
Infiveminutesthetwosoldiersrelievedthoseonguard，andtheyalsotookalongdrinkatthecanteen，towhichthesergeantalsoagainappliedhislips。
NowImustbegoing，"Tonysaid。"Iwillleavethecanteenwithyou，sergeant。Ihavegotsomemoreofthestuffoverthere，andI
daresayyouwilllikeanotherdrinkbeforemorning。"
Sosayinghestoleaway，huthaltedandlaydowntwentyyardsdistant。Intenminutesheheardthesergeantsay:
"IfeelasifIcoulddojustfiveminutes"sleep。Youkeepyoureyesondeshed，andofyouhearanyofficercominghisroundsyouwakemeup。"
Tonywaitedanotherhalf-hourandthencrawledup。Thesergeantwaslyingonhisbacksoundasleep；thetwomenwithhimwereontheirfaces，withtheirriflespointingtowardtheshed，asiftheyhaddroppedofftosleepwhiletheywerestaringatit。Thenhecrawledontotheshed。Thesoldieronsentryatthebackhadgroundedhismusketandwasleaningagainsttheshedfastasleep，whiletheoneatthedoorhadapparentlysliddowninasittingpositionandwassnoring。
"IhopeIhaben"tgivenittodemtoostrong，"Tonysaidtohimself；
"butitcan"tbehelpedanyhow。"
Heopenedthedoorandenteredtheshed。
"Areyouawake，MarseWingfield？"
"Yes，Iamawake，Tony。ThankGodyouhavecome!Howdidyoumanageit？"
"Ihabmanagedit，sah，anddeyareallfastasleep，"Tonysaid，ashecuttheropeswhichboundVincent。
"Now，sab，let"sbegoingquick。Daramnosayingwhendeymaycomeroundtolookafterdoguards。Dat"swhatIhabbeenworryingaboutdolastquarterobanhour。"
Vincentsprangtohisfeetastheropesfellfromhim，andgraspedTony"shand。
"Hereamabayonet，sah。Ihopewesha"n"twanttousedem，butdaramnosaying。"
Theymadetheirwaycautiouslyacrossthefieldstilltheyapproachedanothercamp。Afewsentrieswerewalkingupanddowninfrontofit，buttheycrawledroundtheseandpassedthroughthespacebetweentheregimentandthatnexttoit。
Severalothercampswerepassed；andthen，whenVincentknewthattheywerewellinrearofthewholeofthem，theyrosetotheirfeetandstartedforwardatarun。SuddenlyTonytouchedVincent，andtheybothstoodstill。Adistantshoutcamethroughtheair，followedbyanotherandanother。
"I"spectdeyhabfoundoutwehavegone，sah。Deygoroundtwoortreetimesindonighttosecdatdesentriesareawake。Now，sab，comealong。"
Theywereontheroadnow，andranatfullspeeduntiltheyapproachedUnion。Theyleftthetrackastheynearedthevillage，andastheydidsotheyheardthesoundofahorseatfullgallopbehindthem。
"That"sanorderlytakingthenewsofourescape。Sheridan"scavalryarescatteredalloverthecountry，andtherearetwosquadronsatUnionGrove。Thewholecountrywillbealiveatdaybreak。"
MakingtheirwaythroughthefieldstheysoonstruckthetrackleadingtoWorleyFarm，andinafewminuteswereatthedoor。
Thewomanopeneditatonce。
"Ihavebeenwatchingforyou，"shesaid，"andIamrealgladyouhavegotsafeaway。WaitaminuteandIwillstrikealight。"
"Youhadbetternotdothat，"Vincentsaid。"TheyhavegotthealarmatUnionGrovealready，andifanyonecaughtsightofalightappearinginyourwindow，itwouldbringthemdownhereatonce。"
"Theycan"tseethehousefromUnion，"thewomansaid。"Still，perhapsitwillbebest。Now，sir，Ican"tdoanythingforyou，becausemymen"sclothesarethesamesor"ofcutasyours；buthere"sasuitforthisman。"
ThankingherwarmlyVincenthandedthethingstoTony。
"Makehasteandslipthemon。Tony；andmakeyour352
WITHLEEINVIRGINIA。
otherthingsupintoabundleandbringthemwithyouforabit。
Wemustleavenothinghero，fortheywillsearchthewholecountryto-morrow。Wewilltakethehorseawaytoo；notthatwewantit，butitwouldneverdoforittobefoundhere。"
"Willyoutakeyourletteragain？"thewomanasked。
"No，Iwillleaveitwithyou。ItwillbenousenowifIgetthrough，butifyouhearto-morrowornextdaythatIamcaught，pleasecarryitaswearranged。Whatisthis？"heaskedasthewomanhandedhimabundle。
"Hereareeightortenpoundsofpork，"shesaid，"andsomecorn-cakes。Ifyouarehidingawayyouwillwantsomething，andI
reckonanyhowyouwon"tbeabletomakeyourwaytoourpeopleforabit。Now，ifyouarereadyIwillstartwithyou。"
"Youwillstartwithus!"Vincentrepeatedinsurprise。
"CertainlyIwillstartwithyou，"thewomansaid。"Howdoyouthinkyouwouldbeabletofindyourwayadarknightlikethis？
No，sir；Iwillputyouonyourwaytillmorning。But，inthefirstplace，whichlinedoyoumeantotake？"
"Idonotthinkthereismuchchanceofgettingbackthewaywecame，"Vincentsaid。"BymorningSheridan"scavalrywillhavegotadescriptionofme，andtheywillbescouringthewholecountry。
TheonlychancewillbetogonorthandcrosstheriversomewherenearNorfolk。"
"Ithink，sat，youbettergoonwidyourhorseatonce。Nousewaitforme。Icomealongonfoot，findmyownway。"
"No，Tony，Ishallcertainlynotdothat。Wewilleithergetofforbetakentogether。Well，Ithinkthebestplanwillbetogostraightdowntotheriver。Howfarisitaway？"
"Aboutfifteenmiles，"thewomansaid。
Ifwegottherewecangetholdofaboatsomehow，andeithercrossandthenmakestraightforRichmondonfeet，orgouptheriverintheboatandlandintherearofourlines。Thatwecansettleaboutafterward。Thefirstthingistogettotheriverbank。
Wearenotlikelytomeetwithanyinterruptioninthatdirection。
Ofcoursethecavalryareallontheotherflank，anditwillbesupposedthatIshalltryeithertoworkroundthatwayortomakestraightthroughthelines。TheywouldhardlysuspectthatIshalltaketotheriver，whichiscoveredwiththeirtransportsandstore-ships。"
"Ithinkthatisthebestplan，"thewomansaid。"Therearescarceanyvillagesbetweenthisandtheriver。It"sonlyjustwhenyoucrosstheroadbetweenPetersburgandWilliamsburgthatyouwouldbelikelytomootasoul，eveninthedaytime。Thereisscarceevenafarmhouseacrossthissection。Iknowthecountryprettywell。JuststopaminuteandIwillrunuptothewoodandfetchdownthehorse。There"sabigwoodaboutamileaway，andyoucanturnhiminthere。"
Afewminuteslatertheystarted，VincentleadingthehorseandTonycarryingthebundleoffoodandhiscastoffuniform。Thewomanledthembyfarmroads，sometimesturningofftotherightorleft，butkeepingherwaywithacertaintywhichshowedhowwellshewasacquaintedwiththecountry。Severaltimestheycouldhearthedullsoundofbodiesofcavalrygallopingalongtheroads；butthisdiedawayastheygotfurtherintothecountry。Thehorsehadbeenturnedlooseamilefromtheirstartingplace。
Vincentremovedthebridleandsaddle，saying:"Hewillpickupenoughtofeedonheroforsometime。Whenhegetstiredofthewoodhecanworkhiswayoutintoaclearing。"
HereTonyhidawayhisuniformamongsomethickbushes，andthethreewalkedsteadilyalonguntilthefirsttingeofdaylightappearedonthesky。Thenthewomanstopped。
"Theriverisnotmorethanhalfamileinfrontofyou，"shesaid；
"soIwillsaygood-by。"
"Whatwillyoudo？"Vincentasked。"Youmightbequestionedasyougetnearhome。"
"Iamgoingtoputupatthelasthousewepassed，"shesaid，"aboutthreemilesback。Iknowthepeoplethere，andtheywilltakemein。Iwillstopthereforadayortwo，maybe，thenwalkback，soI
shallhaveatruestorytotell。That"sallright。"
Vincentsaidgood-bytoher，withmanyheartythanksfortheservicesshehadrenderedhim，andhadalmosttoforcehertotakenotesfortwohundreddollarsfromthebundlehohadsewnupintheliningofhiscoat。
"Youhavesavedmylife，"hesaid，"andsomedayIhopetobeabletodomoretoshowmygratitude；butyoumusttakethisanyhowtotideyouoverthehardtimes，andfindfoodforyourhusbandandsonswhentheycomebackfromthewar。"
AssoonasthewomanhadturnedbackVincentandTonycontinuedontheirway。Theformerhad，assoonastheywerefairlyoutfromtheFederalcamp，toldTonyinafewwordsthathiswifewassafeathomeandtheirboyflourishing，andhenowgavehimfurtherdetailsofthem。
"Andhowcameyoutoenterthearmy，Tony？"
"Well，sab，derewasn"tmuchchoiceaboutit。DoNorthernpeople，deytalkmightyhighaboutderlovefordenegro，butIdon"tseemuchofitinderways。Why，sab，deyistwiceasscornfulohablackmanasdegentlemanisindeSouf。Ilistindearmy，sah，becausedeysaydeygotoRichmond，anddenIfindDinahanddeboy。"
"Well，Tony，IlittlethoughtwhenIdidyouaservicethatitwouldbethemeansofyoubeingabletosavemylifesomeday。"
"Notmuchindat，sab。Yousabemylife，becausedeywould，forsuab，habcaughtmeandkilledme。Denyousavemywifeforme，denyoupayoutdatJackson，andnowyouhabkilledhim。Icouldhabshoutedforjoy，sah，whenIsawyouhithimoberdeheadwiddeshovel，andIsawdatdistimehegibnomoretroubletonoone。
Ishouldhabdoneforhimberysoon，sah。Ihadmyeyeuponhim，andthefusttimewegointobattlehegetaballinhisback。Luckyhedidn"tseeme。Henotofficerobmycompany，andmelookquitedifferentindouniformtowhatmewaswhenIworkondeplantation；butIknowhim，andwheneberIseehimpassIhungdownmyheadandIsaytomyself，"Mytimecomesoon，MassaJackson；mytimecomeberysoon，anddenwegetquits。""
"Itiswrongtonourishrevenge，Tony；butIreallycan"tblameyouverymuchastothatfellow。Still，Ishouldhaveblamedyouifyouhadkilledhim-blamedyouverymuch。Howasabadman，andhetreatedyoubrutally，butyouseehehasbeenalreadypunishedagooddeal。"
"Yes，youknockhimdown，sak。Datberygood，butnotenoughforTony。"
"Butthatwasn"tall，Tony。Yousee，theaffairsetallmyfriendsagainsthim，aridhispositionbecameaveryunpleasantone。Then，yousee，ifithadn"tbeenforyouliewouldprobablyhavegotthroughtoourlinesagainafterliehadescapedwithme。Then，yousee，hisfather，outofrevenge，stoleDinahaway。"
"StoleDinah!"Tonyexclaimed，stoppinginhiswork。"Why，sah，youhabbeentollingmedatsheissafeandwellwidMrs。
Wingfield。"
"Sosheis，Tony。Buthestoleherforallthat，andhadhercarrieddownintoCarolina；butImanagedtobringherback。It"salongstory，butIwilltellyouaboutitpresently。ThentheknowledgethatIhadfoundDinah，andthefearofpunishmentforhisshareoftakingheraway，causedoldJacksontoflyfromthecountry，gettinglessthanaquarterofthesumhisestatewouldhavefetchedtwoorthreeyearsago。ThatwaswhatmadehimandhissonturnUnionists。So，yousee，Jacksonwasheavilypunishedforhisconducttoyou，anditdidnotneedforyoutorevengeyourself。"
Sohewas，sah，sohewas，"Tonysaidthoughtfully。"Yes，itdoesseemasifalldestingscameonkinderoneafterdeoderjustoutobdatflogginghogabome；andnowhehasgotkilledforjustdesamecause，forifhehadn"tbeenobligedtoturnUnionisthewouldn"thavebeenindatdarbatteryatdetimeyoucamedere。
Yes，Iseesdatisso，sab；andI"segladnowIdidn"thabachanceobshootinghimdown，forIshouldhavedonesoforsuahofIhad。"
Theyhadnowreachedtheriver。Thesunwasjustshowingabovethehorizon，andthebroadsheetofwaterwasalreadyastir。
Steamersweremakingtheirwayupfromthemouthoftheriverladenwithstoresforthearmy。Littletugswerehurryingtoandfro。
Vesselsthathaddischargedtheircargoworedroppingdownwiththetide，whilemanysailing-vesselslayatanchorwaitingfortheturnoftidetomaketheirwayhigherup。Norfolkwas，however，thebasefromwhichtheFederalarmydrewthelargerportionofitsstores；asthereweregreatconveniencesforlandinghere，andarailwaythenceranuptotherearoftheirlines。ButtemporarywharfsandstageshadbeenerectedatthepointoftherivernearesttotheircampsinfrontofPetersburg，andherethecattleandmuchofthestoresrequiredforthearmywerelanded。AtthepointatwhichVincentandTonyhadstrucktheriverthebanksworesomewhatlow。Hereandthereweresnugfarms，withthegroundcultivateddowntotheriver。Thewholecountrywasopenandfreefromtrees，exceptwheresmallpatcheshadbeenloft。ItwasinfrontofoneofthesethatVincentandTonyworenowstanding。
"Idonotthinkthereisanyriskofpursuitnow，Tony。
Thisisnotthefineonwhichtheywillbehuntingus。Thequestionis-howarewetogetacross？"
"It"stoofartoswim，sah。"
"Ishouldthinkitwas，"Vincentsaidwithalaugh。"It"sthreeorfourmiles，Ishouldsay，ifit"safoot。Thefirstquestionis-wherearewetogetaboat？Ishouldthinkthatsomeofthesefarmhousesaresuretohaveboats，butthechancesaretheyhavebeenseizedbytheYankeeslongago。Stilltheymayhavesomelaidup。TheYankswouldnothavemademuchsearchforthose，thoughtheywouldnodoubttakeallthelargerboatsfortheuseofthetroopsorforgettingstoresashore。Anyhow，Iwillgotothenextfarmhouseandask。"
"ShallIgo，sah？"
"No，Tony，theywouldprobablytakeyouforarunaway。No，Iwillgo。Therecanbenodanger。Themenareallaway，andthewomenaresuretobeloyal。IfancythefewwhoweretheotherwaybeforewillhavechangedtheirmindssincetheYankslanded。"
Theyfollowedthebankoftheriverforaquarterofamile，andthouVincentwalkedontoasma]lfarmhousestandingontheslopefiftyyardsfromthewater。Twoorthreechildrenwhowereplayingaboutoutsideatonceraninuponseeingastranger，andamomentlatertwowomencameout。TheyweresomewhatreassuredwhentheysawVincentapproachingalone。
"Whatisit，stranger？"oneofthemasked。"Doyouwantameal？
Wehavegotlittleenoughtoofferyou，butwhatthereisyouarewelcometo；theYankshavedrivenoffourcowsandpigsandthetwohorses，andhaveemptiedthebarns，andpulledupallthegardenstuff，andstolethefowls，andcarriedoffthebaconfromthebeams，sowehavegotbutanemptylarder。Butasfarasbreadandmolassesgo，youarewelcome。"
"Thankyou，"Vincentsaid；"Iamnotinwantoffood。WhatIaminwantofisaboat。"
"Boat!"thewomenrepeatedinsurprise。
"Yes，Iwanttogotacrosstotheotherside，orelsetogetuptheriverandlandbetweenPetersburgandBermuda。"
"Sakesalive!"thewomanexclaimed；"whatdoyouwanttodothatfor？"
"Iwilltellyou，"Vincentreplied。"IknowIcantrustmylifetoanywomanintheConfederacy。IamoneofGeneralWadeHampton"sofficers，andIhavecomethroughtheirlinestofindoutwhattheyaredoing。Ihavebeencaughtonce，butmanagedtoslipthroughtheirhands，butthereisnopossibilityofmakingmywaybackacrossthecountry，fortheYankeecavalryarepatrollingeveryroad，andtheonlychanceIhaveisofgettingawaybyboat。"
"Steprightin，sir，"thewomansaid。"It"sarealpleasuretoustohaveoneofourofficersunderourroof。"
"Ihaveafriendwithme，"Vincentsaid；"afaithfulnegro，whohashelpedmetoescape，andwhowouldbehunglikeadogiftheycouldlayhandsonhim。"
"Bringhimin，sir，thewomansaidhospitably。"IhadfourorfiveniggerstilltheYankscame，buttheyallranaway"causetheyknewtheywouldeitherbesettoworkormadetofight；sotheywent。
Theysaidtheywouldcomebackagainwhenthetroubleisover；
maybetheywillandmaybetheywon"t。AtfirsttheniggersabouthereusedtolookfortheYankscoming，butasthenewsgotaboutofwhathappenedtothosetheytookfromtheirmasters，theyconcludedtheywerebetteroffwheretheywere。Callyourboyin，sir；callhimin。"
Vincentgaveashout，andTonyatoncecameup。
"Thankyou，wedon"twantanythingtoeat，"Vincentwentonasthewomanbegantoputsomeplatesonthetable。"Wehavejusthadaheartymeal，andhavegotenoughfoodforthreeorfourdaysinthatbundle。Butwewantaboat，or，ifwecan"tfindthat，somesailors"clothes。IfIhadthemIwouldkeepalongtheriverdowntoNorfolk。Theplacewillbefullofsailors。Weshouldnotbelikelytobenoticedthere。"