A Daughter of the Union by Lucy Foster Madison
CHAPTER XXI
A SURPRISE AND AN ESCAPE
"Your father?" cried Jeanne, in amazement. "Is Colonel Peyton your father?"
The young man bowed in assent.
"And he condemns you to death?" went on the girl, a horrified expressionon her face. "How could he do such a thing? Oh, how could he?"
"By George," broke from one of the Confederates. "This is a pretty mess!Boys, the old man has sentenced his own son to death as a spy."
The soldiers crowded about the prisoner. Jeanne drew close to him and laidher hand pityingly upon his arm.
"I will tell Bob," she said. "Perhaps she can persuade your father not todo this monstrous thing."
"Bob! Is Bob here?" The Lieutenant looked up eagerly and then shook hishead. "No," he said, "she must not know. It would break her heart. Afterall what has he done but what is just? Had it been any other Federal wewould commend him for doing his duty. He could not do other than he hasdone. But say nothing to Bob. Add this to your other kindness, MissJeanne. And, as this will probably be the last opportunity I shall everhave, let me thank you also for sending me to your home."
"Then you really went there," cried Jeanne. "You saw my father and mymother? How did they look? Were they well? When did you leave them? Oh,Lieutenant Peyton, do tell me all about them."
"They are all well, or were when I left them which was two months ago.They were as kind to me as if I had been their own son. I shall neverforget them. But they were worried because they had not heard from you.After you left Memphis no word came to them. Child, why do you treat suchparents so? Why are you here in place of being at home? It is wrong tosubject them to so much uneasiness. They cannot think what has happened toyou?"
"But I have written," cried Jeanne, tearfully. "And I want to get home. Idon't want to stay here one bit. I want----"
"Men, why do you dally here with your prisoner?" came in stern tones fromColonel Peyton who had approached the group unobserved. "I desire thatno further communication be allowed between this man and that girl. Arethey not both Federals?"
"Being as he was your son, Colonel," said the leader, saluting, "wethought----"
"Your business is to obey orders, not to think," interrupted the officerbrusquely. "He is no son of mine. My son died to me long ago."
"Dad," cried the cheery voice of Bob as she came toward him. "They saythat you have caught a spy. Where is he? Why----" Her gaze fell upon theprisoner and she stopped short. "Frank," she cried, shrilly, "it's Frank!Oh, dad, what does it mean?"
"It means," said the Colonel, trying to draw her away, "that you have nobrother, Bob. This man is nothing to you. He is a spy and as such diesat sunrise."
"At sunrise!" shrieked Bob. "No, no!"
"Away with that fellow," ordered the Colonel, harshly. "And mind! I shallhold each one of you personally responsible for his safety. Bob," as thesoldiers bore his son away, "you are under arrest. Go to your quarters andstay there until I release you. And you also," to Jeanne.
"You have no right to arrest me, Colonel Peyton," said Jeanne coldly. "Irefuse to obey any man who sentences his own son to death."
"You refuse to obey me?" cried the Colonel, loth to believe his ears. "Me?"
"Yes, sir, you. I do not consider myself under arrest. You have no rightto put me there. I am neither your daughter nor your slave," and Jeanneput her arm around Bob and faced him defiantly.
"There are ways of enforcing obedience, young lady," said the Colonel."Bob, to your quarters."
"But, dad,----"
"To your quarters," commanded her father sternly. "Johnson," to a soldier,"see that these girls are well-guarded until I give other orders."
And so it came about that a guard was placed about their tent and thegirls found themselves as closely watched as if they were indeedprisoners. In the afternoon as they sat disconsolately together aconfusion without told that something unusual was going on. Jeanne went tothe aperture in the front of the tent and looked out.
"What is it?" she asked of the sentry.
"Our men coming back," was the answer. "They have a number of prisonersand have captured some fine horses."
Jeanne reported the news to Bob, but she received it apathetically. Soovercome by grief was she that she appeared to no longer care for anything.
"Bob," said Jeanne suddenly, "can't we do something to help your brother?"
"I am afraid not," answered Bob in heartbroken accents. "What can we do?We are only girls. What can we do?"
"Well, we can make an effort. I will never forgive myself if I don't dosomething for him."
"Why should you care?" asked Bob listlessly. "He is not your brother."
"No, Bob, he isn't. But he is one of our officers, and I intend to helphim get away. It would be an awful thing for him to die by the hand ofhis father."
"What are you going to do?" asked Bob looking at her with a gleam ofinterest.
"I don't know. I have been thinking all day and I don't know," saidJeanne. "But we must do something. I did not think that your father couldbe so cruel."
"He is doing his duty," said Bob with pale lips. "Poor dad! Jeanne, youthink him hard-hearted, but I know that this will kill him. Poor, poordad!"
"Then if he cares why does he condemn his son to death?" asked Jeanne insurprise.
"Because he came here as a spy, and dad could not overlook that facteven if he is his son. Dad must regard Frank as a Federal, Jeanne. He isbound to as a Confederate officer."
"But you are not bound. Surely you are not going to let your brother diewithout trying to save him?"
"Dad will never forgive me," said Bob weakly. "And yet I can't let Frankdie."
"Of course not," answered Jeanne. "Now, Bob, let's think hard. Maybebetween us we can get some plan."
But the time passed, and darkness found them still with no plan matured.
"We will save our rations," said Bob as their supper was handed in tothem. "Frank ought to have them to take with him if he succeeds inescaping. If he doesn't we won't care to eat."
So they carefully put up the food into a small package, and again fellto discussing ways and means for the escape of Lieutenant Peyton.
"Bob," exclaimed Jeanne presently, "do you know that I have not heard theguard patrol our tent for a long time?"
Bob listened intently, and then sprang to her feet.
"It's true," she exclaimed excitedly. "I wonder what the reason is?"
They ran to the door of the tent and peered out cautiously. There seemedto be a commotion of some kind in camp. Men were hurrying to and fro;bayonets rattled, and the subdued murmur of many voices plainly told thatan unusual movement was on foot. The girls looked on breathlessly andpresently they heard the order given for the men to fall in line. Then"Forward, March!" came the command and the ranks filed out of the campon the double quick, the Colonel at their head.
"Something's up," said Bob with conviction. "Let's go down to where theprisoners are, Jeanne, and see how the land lies. Then maybe we will knowwhat to do."
Silently Jeanne signified her assent and the two stole quietly throughthe long rows of tents to where the prisoners were.
"There is but one guard," whispered Bob in delight. "See, Jeanne! Franklies the closest to the fire. He is bound too, hand and foot."
"I see," whispered Jeanne. "Let's get closer, Bob."
Cautiously they approached nearer to the men. Presently Jeanne utteredan exclamation and stopped stock still.
"What is it?" asked Bob quickly. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"Bob," whispered Jeanne in great agitation, "do you see that young fellowjust beyond Frank? The one with the yellow hair, I mean."
"Yes, Jeanne. Why?"
"That is my brother Dick. They shan't have Dick, Bob. Not if I had to facethe whole Confederate army myself."
"Jeanne, is it truly Dick? Aren't you mistaken? Maybe it's only some onewho looks like him."
"It's Dick," said Jeanne positively. "Watch him. He will know my voice."Regardles
"'Will you come with me, my Phillis dear, To yon blue mountain free, Where the blossoms smell the sweetest, Come rove along with me. It's every Sunday morning, When I am by your side, We'll jump into the wagon, And all take a ride.'"
Bob watched the young fellow as Jeanne's voice floated out upon the nightair. The boy, he was scarcely more than that, raised himself to a sittingposture instantly, a blank look of amazement upon his face.
"Miss Bob," came from the guard, "it's against orders for either you orthe 'Little Yank' to be about the prisoners. I'm mighty sorry, but you'llhave to go."
"Johnson," said Bob coaxingly, "haven't I always been good to you?"
"Yes, Miss Bob."
"Who looked after you when you were wounded, and cooked for you, and wroteyour letters to your wife?"
"Miss Bob, for goodness sake don't tell me any of those things now. TheColonel's away, and there are just a few of us left to guard the prisonersand the camp. 'Tain't right, Miss Bob."
"You said that there was nothing that you would not do for me," went onBob inexorably.
"And I meant it," said the poor fellow. "I know what you mean. I knowthat's your brother. But you must not ask it of me. Please, Miss Bob."
"I'm only going to ask you to turn your back for ten minutes," said Bob.
"And his knife," whispered Jeanne tremblingly. "Get his knife, Bob."
"Turn your back for ten minutes," repeated Bob, "and lend me your knife."
"For the love of mercy, Miss Bob," pleaded Johnson, "don't ask this ofme. It means worse than death to me. It is a betrayal of trust."
"Your knife, Johnson," and Bob held out her hand. "What would your wifethink of your refusing me anything?"
"Take it," said the man with the resignation of despair. "The Colonel willhave me shot like a dog, but take it. I cannot refuse."
He handed her the knife and then turned his back full upon the prisoners.
"Quick," whispered Jeanne. "Cut your brother's bonds first, and then letme have the knife."
She ran to her brother's side as she spoke and threw her arms about him.
"Dick, Dick," she said kissing him repeatedly. "I am going to cut thecords that bind you. Then you must run for your life."
"Jeanne," came the amazed voice of the lad, "how in the name of all that'swonderful, did you come here?"
"I am well and happy," cried Jeanne hurriedly. "I cannot tell you morenow, but I am going home soon. Don't mind about me. Bob, hurry, hurry,before Johnson turns."
"There!" said Bob flinging her the knife. Rising to her feet triumphantlyshe called to her friend. "Be quick, Jeanne! Johnson is looking at hiswatch."
"Run, boys," panted Jeanne as the keen edge of the blade severed the cordthat bound her brother's feet. "If you value your lives, run like thewind."
Frank Peyton needed no second bidding. He was off but Dick Vance hesitatedas he glanced at his sister.
"She is safe," cried Bob, reading his glance aright. "I will answer forher with my life. Go! Go! Don't look yet, Johnson. One minute more inpity!"
"No;" and Johnson wheeled round. "Your brother is gone, but not anotherprisoner goes. I am not beholden to any Federal." He swung his gun to hisshoulder just as Dick darted away.
With a scream of terror Jeanne threw herself upon him while Bob caughthold of the musket.
"It's my brother," shrieked Jeanne. "You must not, you shall not shoot!"
"Well, I'll be switched," growled Johnson in disgusted tones. "Does thewhole Federal army happen to be related to you two girls? This is a prettyaffair! But that Yank doesn't get away if the Colonel's son does."
Shaking himself free from their clinging hands he fired two shots in thedirection that Dick Vance had taken. As other men came running up theygave chase to the fugitives.
"They dare not follow far," comforted Bob, as Jeanne gave vent to a floodof tears. "They won't dare to leave the camp long."
"Come then," and Jeanne dashed away her tears as an idea flashed into hermind. "Let's call them back."
She took Bob's hand and ran with her to another part of the camp.