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。\"
