CHAPTER VIII.
RODNEY PROVES HIS FRIENDSHIP.
It seemed to take Mr. Westall a long time to get his pipe going to hissatisfaction, and when at last he spoke, it was easy to see that he wasangry at Rodney for inquiring so particularly into matters that did notin any way concern him.
"It is very strange that you fail to understand me after I have takensuch_ pains to go into details," said he, impatiently. "The fact thatyoung Percival didn't steal the horse doesn't matter. We were bound toget rid of him before he could have time to raise and drill a company ofHome Guards in our settlement, and the only way we could do it was tocharge him with some crime that would make everybody, Union andConfederate, mad at him. See? But somehow he got wind of our plans (thatshows how impossible it is to trust anybody these times), and dug out."
"On his own horse?" asked Rodney.
"Of course. We put after him, taking care to cut him off from the oldpost-road which he would have to follow to reach Springfield, and makinghim stay in the river counties among people who would do all in theirpower to help us catch him. He's a sharp one, and there aint no bettercritter than the one that has kept him ahead of us for nearly ten days.He has ridden that one horse all the time, while we have had to changenow and then. He spent one night with Jeff in this cabin--"
"And the way he did pull the wool over our eyes was a caution," Nelsinterposed. "Why, if you could a heard him talk you would a thought, aswe did, that he had been gunning for Union men and living on 'em eversince the furse began. He let on that he was in a great hurry to getover the river to see about getting some guns for Price's men, and weswallered every word he said."
"Tom always could tell a slick story," was Rodney's mental comment.
"He had a watch chain that was adzactly like your'n, and the minute Iseen it I said to myself that you was him," said Nels in conclusion.
"We were close upon his heels," continued Mr. Westall. "We arrived herethe next morning, about four hours after he left, and when we told Jeffand his friends what a neat trick had been played upon them, they becamenot only angry but very suspicious."
"Unreasonably suspicious," added Rodney, in a tone of disgust. "DoesJeff or anybody else suppose for a moment that I would have come back tothis camp if I had been in Percival's place?"
"That was what beat my time and I said so," answered Nels. "I neverwould have suspicioned you if it hadn't been for that watch chain ofyour'n, and the story you told about not knowing the country aroundSpringfield. The captain of the _Mollie Able_ said you was one ofPrice's men, and we took it for granted that you had been riding withhim. But I am satisfied now."
"I am glad to hear it," answered Rodney "But, Mr. Westall, it can't bepossible that you will stand by and see this young fellow punished, whenyou know him to be innocent of the crime with which you have chargedhim?"
"No; I don't reckon I'll stand by and see it because I have sorter takena shine to him, even if he is a traitor," answered the Emergency man."There'll be enough to attend to the business without any of my help."
"And he will be hung, I suppose?"
"He'll never stick his meddlesome Union nose into our settlement again,I'll bet you on that," replied Mr. Westall, knocking the ashes from hispipe and showing quite plainly by his manner that he did not care toanswer any more questions. "I can't understand why the folks living downSpringfield way didn't attend to his case long ago, and save us thetrouble."
So saying the Emergency man arose to his feet and went after hisblanket, which had been left outside the door with his saddle, and themovement was taken by the others as a signal that it was time to go tobed. Rodney's blankets were in his trunk, but he was not ready to takethem out just then. He followed Mr. Westall out of the door, believingthat the latter would be sure to visit Tom's prison before retiring forthe night.
"I must find out where that corn-crib is, for I shall want to go to itbefore morning," said Rodney to himself. "And then there are the dogs,which I should like to have see and scent me before I go prowling aroundamong them. Tom's got to have help this very night or he is just as goodas a dead cadet."
Mr. Westall undid the blanket which was strapped behind his saddle,tossed it into the cabin and then stretched his arms and yawned as if hewere very tired and sleepy.
"I am used to the saddle," said he, as Rodney came out of the cabin andapproached the place where he was standing, "but I must say that thatyoung fellow has given me a hard pull. He must be made of iron, for hedoesn't seem to mind it at all. Let's go and see how he is getting on. Iwant to make sure that he is safe before I go to sleep."
"Don't you think this is a cold-blooded, heartless way to treat a boywho has never done you any harm?" inquired Rodney, stooping down tocaress first one and then another of the large pack of dogs which cametrooping up the minute the cabin door was opened. "Have you a son aboutthe same age?"
"That's neither here nor there," replied Mr. Westall; and Rodney thoughtfrom the nervous, jerky manner in which he faced about and started forthe corn-crib, that the words had touched him in a tender spot."Suppose I have; what then? If he so far forgets the training he hasreceived ever since he was old enough to know anything, let him take theconsequences."
"You say that young Percival's father is strong for the Union,"continued Rodney. "If that is the case, didn't he train up his son inthe way he wanted him to go? No doubt he is just as honest in hisopinions as we are."
"Honest!" repeated Mr. Westall, in a tone of contempt. "Can a manhonestly hold opinions that make him a traitor to his State? Percival ison the wrong side, but that is no fault of ours. We can't and won't havetraitors in our midst preaching up their doctrines and organizingmilitary companies. Why, do you know that they have bushwhacked scoresof our men all over the State--called them to the door of their homesand shot them down like dogs, or popped them over while they were ridingquietly along the road? You are a partisan, are you? You don't know themeaning of the word; but if you will go home with me I will teach it toyou in less than a week."
If Rodney had given utterance to his honest sentiments he would havetold Mr. Westall, in pretty plain language, that he would face about andgo to his own home again before he would be that kind of a partisan.Shaking his fist under a Union boy's nose and fighting him on the paradeground was one thing, and shooting him down in cold blood was another.But he did not have time to make any reply, for just as Mr. Westallceased speaking they reached the corn-crib.
"All right in there?" said the Emergency man, laying hold of the doorand giving it a shake; and as he did so, Rodney took note of the factthat it opened as much as an inch and a half, so that if the prisoner onthe inside had anything with which he could reach through the crack andthrow the bar out of its place, he need not stay there a moment longerthan he wanted to. "Will one blanket be enough to keep you warm?"
"I don't call this fish-net a blanket," replied Tom's voice. "I supposeit will have to do, if you are so poor you can't give me anythingbetter. But this is a cold, cheerless place to shove a fellow intowithout any fire or light."
"It's plenty good enough for a traitor," answered Mr. Westall, with acoarse laugh; and then he turned about and led the way back to thecabin.
Two of the Emergency men and all the wood-cutters had come out to "takea look at the weather," and make up their minds whether or not thesteamer they heard coming up the river below the bend was going to stopat the landing for fuel, and while Rodney listened to their conversationhe walked about with his hands in his pockets, and kicked listlessly atthe chips and sticks that were scattered around the log on which Jeffand his men cut their fire-wood. Finally he picked up one of the sticksand began cutting it with his knife; and a little later, when he thoughtno one was observing his movements, he shoved the stick into the sleeveof his coat. This much being done he was ready to make a demonstrationin Tom Percival's favor.
"By the way, Jeff," said he, suddenly. "While you are waiting for thatsteamer to make up
her mind if she wants any wood or not, will you tellme where I can find my horse? I always make it a point to say goodnightto him before I go to bed."
Resting one hand on the boy's shoulder Jeff pointed with the other, andshowed him the building in which the roan colt had been placed undercover.
"The dogs won't bother me, will they?" asked Rodney.
"Oh, no. You've been round amongst 'em and they know you."
Rodney posted off, and Jeff saw him disappear through the door of thecabin that had been pointed out to him; but he was not looking, that waywhen Rodney came out a moment later, and with noiseless steps and formhalf bent directed his course toward Tom Percival's prison. His facewore a determined look, and his right hand, which was thrust into thepocket of his sack coat, firmly clutched his revolver. He knew that hemust succeed in what he was about to attempt or die in his tracks, forif he were detected, he would stand as good a chance of being hanged asTom himself. But there were no signs of wavering or hesitation abouthim. He drew a bee-line for the back of the corn-crib, and began lookingfor the places where the chinking had fallen out. It did not take himmany minutes to find one, and then he set about attracting Tom'sattention by pulling the stick from his sleeve, and rubbing it back andforth through one of the cracks. The movement was successful. There wasa slight rustling among the corn-husks inside the cabin, and a secondlater the prisoner laid hold of the stick.
"All right," whispered Tom. "I was looking for you, and I know what thisstick is for, Shake."
The boys tried to bring their hands together, but the opening betweenthe logs was so narrow that the best they could do was to interlock someof their fingers.
"Here," whispered Rodney, pushing his revolver through the crack buttfirst. '; Take this, you Yankee, and remember that you will surely behung if you don't get out of here before daylight."
"I hope you are not disarming yourself," said Tom.
"That's all right. This is for Dick Graham's sake and Barrington's; butlook out for me if I catch you outside, for I am one of Price's men."
Tom said something in reply, but Rodney did not hear what it was, nordid he think it safe to stop long enough to ask the prisoner to repeatthe words. He hastened away from the corn-crib, and when Jeff and Mr.Westall next saw him, he was standing in the stable door pushing backhis horse which was trying to follow him out. He was doing more. He wasstriving with all his will-power to subdue the feelings of excitementand exultation that surged upon him when he thought of what he had done,and what the consequences to him would be if anything happened to excitethe suspicions of the hot-headed Confederates who had him completely intheir power.
"If they do anything to me and Tom finds it out, he will make some ofthem suffer if he ever gets the chance," thought the Barrington boy, ashe closed the door of the stable and walked back to the wood pile. "Butwhat good will that do me when I am dead and gone? I declare I begin tofeel as Dick Graham did: Dog-gone State Rights anyhow."
It was with no slight feelings of anxiety that Rodney Gray joined thegroup of men around the wood yard; but fortunately there was no light inthe cabin other than that given out by the blaze in the fire-place, andif his face bore any trace of excitement, as he was certain it did,nobody noticed it. The steamer did not stop at the landing, and when shepassed on up the river, the wood-cutters and their guests went into thecabin and closed the door. Then Rodney opened his trunk and brought outhis blankets, taking care to spread them as far from the door as hecould, so that when Tom's escape was discovered, no one could reasonablysuspect him of having slipped out during the night and set him free.
"Good-night, everybody," said he cheerfully, as he laid himself upon hishard couch. "I have made two mistakes--two big mistakes," he added, ashe drew his head under the blankets. "I forgot to warn Tom to look outfor the dogs (but being a Southerner he ought to know enough for thatwithout being told), and I ought not to have said so much in his favorto Mr. Westall. Now that I think of it, that was a fearful blunder, andit may be the means of bringing trouble to me. Well, I can't help it. Idetest Tom's principles and would be glad to see them thrashed out ofhim; but when it comes to hanging him for something he didn't do--that'scarrying things just a little too far. There's not a wink of sleep forme this night."
But, contrary to his expectations, Rodney fell asleep in less than halfan hour and slumbered soundly until he was awakened by one of theEmergency men, who made considerable noise in punching up the fire. Mr.Westall was also aroused. Raising himself on his elbow he said,drowsily:
"That you, Harvey? Have you been out to look at that friend of ours inthe corn-crib?"
"I have, and found him all right."
"Did you simply speak to him, or did you go in where he was?"
"I took a piece of fat wood from this fire and went in where he was,"replied Harvey. "He was covered up head and ears, but I saw his bootssticking out from under the blanket."
"What time is it?"
"Two o'clock of a clear, starlight morning, and all's well," answeredHarvey; and this made it plain that if he was not a soldier he waslearning to be one, for he knew how to pass the sentry's call.
"_Well_; of all the dunderheads _I_ ever heard of that Tom Percival isthe biggest," thought Rodney, who had never in his life been moreastounded. "Two o'clock in the morning and he lying fast asleep there inthe corn-crib when he ought to be miles away! If I had known he wasgoing to act like that, I would have seen him happy before I would haverisked my neck trying to save his."
Rodney turned over on the other side with an angry flop and tried to goto sleep again; but that was quite out of the question. He could donothing but rail at Tom for his stupidity, and wonder if the latterwould have sense enough to hide the revolver before Mr. Westall or someother Emergency man went into his prison in the morning to bring himout. Two other men got up and left the cabin before day-light, and theBarrington boy knew they visited the corn-crib, for he heard theirfootsteps as they were going and returning; but as they both brought afew sticks of wood with them and mended the fire without saying a word,Rodney was forced to the conclusion that Tom was still safe in hisprison.
Jeff, who was an early riser, was stirring long before the first signsof coming dawn could be seen through the numerous cracks in the walls ofthe cabin, and when he got out of his bunk it was a signal to all hismen, who were prompt to follow his example. The Emergency men and Rodneyarose also, for of course it was useless to think of sleeping longerwith so many pairs of heavy boots pounding the dirt floor on which theirblankets were spread. One of the wood-cutters set off for the river witha bucket in each hand to bring water for cooking and washing purposes,others went to feed the stock, and Nels, at Mr. Westall's request, wentto arouse Tom Percival.
"No doubt he will enjoy the fire after passing the night in that coldcorn-crib," said the Emergency man, spreading his hands over thecheerful blaze upon the wide hearth. "But whether or not he will enjoythe society into which he will be thrown before he has another chance tosleep, is a different matter altogether."
"And I think I should enjoy a little exercise," chimed in Rodney. "I amnot much of a chopper, but perhaps I can get up an appetite forbreakfast."
So saying he went out into the wood yard and caught up an axe. Hisobject was not to get up an appetite (being in the best of health healways had that), but to place himself where he could see his oldschoolmate when he was brought out of his prison. He would have givensomething handsome if he could have had a chance to ask Tom what hisobject was in staying in that corn-crib after he had been provided withthe means of getting out, and a revolver with which to defend himself,but was obliged to content himself with the reflection that he had doneall he could, and that if Tom wanted help he would have to look for itsomewhere else.
"I wonder if he thinks the Union men at Pilot Knob will rescue him whenhe is brought there?" thought Rodney, as he swung the axe in the air."If he is depending upon them, why did he run away from the settlementin the first place? What was the reason he--"
"Come out of that and pay your lodging. We can't afford to keep a freehotel when bacon is getting so scarce that we can't even steal it. Outyou come."
AN ASTONISHING DISCOVERY.]
Rodney listened but did not hear any answer. Neither did Nels. Thelatter bent forward, stretched out his neck and seemed to be intentlyregarding something on the inside of the cabin. Then he straightened upand marched in with a vicious air, as if he was resolved that he wouldnot stand any more fooling. He was gone not more than a minute, and thenhe came back with a jump and a whoop, holding Jeff's tattered blanket inone hand and a pair of well-worn boots in the other.
"Wake snakes!" yelled Nels, striking up a war-dance and franticallyflourishing the captured articles over his head. "He's skipped, thathoss-thief has! He's lit out, I tell ye!"
Almost at the same moment the wood-cutter who had gone out to attend tothe stock appeared at the door of the stable and called out to Rodney:
"Say, you Louisanner fellar, where's your critter?" And then he stoppedand looked at Nels. "Do you say the prisoner has lit out?" he shouted."Then he's done took another hoss to holp him on his way."
"If he has taken mine he has got the best horse in the State," exclaimedRodney, dropping his axe and starting posthaste for the stable. "Youmight as well give up now, Mr. Westall, for the colt is Copper-bottomstock and can travel for twenty-four hours at a stretch."
Again Rodney told himself that he had never been more astonished. He wasdelighted, too, to find that his friend had not forgotten the tricks hehad learned at the Barrington Military Academy. He had not only arrangeda "dummy" in the dark--making so good a job of it, too, that the manHarvey, with the light of a pine knot to aid him, had not been able todiscover the cheat but he had left his boots sticking out from under theblanket and gone off in his stocking feet. But why had he taken Rodney'shorse instead of his own? It was all right, of course, for a fairexchange was no robbery, but Rodney would have liked to have had thatquestion answered.
"It seems that Jeff's dogs are not worth the powder it would take toblow them up," said he to Mr. Westall, who had followed close at hisheels. "Your man has gone off with my horse, and I don't believe youhave a nag in your party that can catch him. Now what's to be done?"
"I was a plumb dunce for placing any dependence on those dogs," repliedthe Emergency man, as soon as his surprise and anger would permit him tospeak. "I might have known that they would not pay the slightestattention to Percival after they had seen him with us about the camp.Nels, was there anything in or around the corn-crib to show how he gotout?"
"Not the first that I could see," answered the wood-cutter. "The bar wasin its place, and when I opened the door I was as certain as I could bethat I saw him laying there on the shucks with his feet sticking out.When I called and he didn't say nothing, I thought I would go in andsnatch him up off'n them shucks in a way that would learn him not toplay 'possum on me ary 'nother time; but when I snatched I didn't getnothing but the blanket and empty boots."
"Harvey, he must have been gone when you went in there with your light,"said Mr. Westall, reproachfully. "No doubt he threw the bar up with hishand, and his object in closing the door after him was to hide hisescape as long as possible. If he went about midnight he has nearly sixhours the start of us, on a swift horse and along a road he knows like abook. Let's go home, boys. We've done the best we could, but next timewe'll try and be a little sharper."
While this conversation was going on Rodney had leisure to recover hiscomposure, and was not a little relieved to see that there were noside-long glances cast toward himself. Mr. Westall seemed to think thathe alone was to blame for the prisoner's escape, his four companionswere quite willing that he should shoulder the responsibility, and noone thought of suspecting Rodney Gray.
"I am short a good horse by last night's work, and suppose I shall haveto take Percival's to replace him, won't I?" said the latter. "It'sthat or go afoot, isn't it?"
"I suppose it is," replied the Emergency man.
"What sort of an animal is he and where is he?" continued Rodney. "Ishould like to have a look at him."
"He's out in the yard with the rest of the critters," said Nels. "Ithought it best to keep yours in the shed because, being a stranger, theothers might have fell to kicking him if they had all been turned intogether."
"You did perfectly right," answered Rodney, who thought the man wastrying to excuse himself for having put the roan colt where he could beso easily stolen. "And that's the reason Tom took him," he added,mentally. "If he had gone into the yard after his own nag, the otherswould have snorted and raised a fuss, and that would have started thedogs and prevented his escape. It's all right, but I would rather havemy horse than that one."
The steed that was pointed out to him as the property of the escapedprisoner was a fine looking animal, and the fact that he had led hispursuers so long a chase, proved that he was not only a "goer" but a"stayer" as well; but for all that Rodney wished his friend Tom hadthought it safe to take him and leave the roan colt.
"I have very serious objections to riding that horse through thecounties back of here," said he at length. "He is too well known; andhow do I know but that somebody will bounce me for a horse-thief?"
"That's a most disagreeable fact," said Mr. Westall, reflectively. "Wegave a description of him to every man and boy we met along the road."
"That is just what I was afraid of. Can't you give me a trade for him?"
"I don't see how we can, for if we should take the horse back to thesettlement with us, the folks there would be sure to ask how we came toget him without getting the thief, too; see?"
"Well, could you give me a bill of sale of him?" asked the boy, afterthinking a moment.
"When I don't own a dollar's worth of interest in him?" exclaimed theEmergency man, opening his eyes. "Not much I couldn't. I tell you, youngfellow, a horse is a mighty ticklish piece of property to have in theseparts unless you can prove a clear claim to him."
"I want some sort of a paper to show to our friends along the road,don't I?" exclaimed Rodney, who began to think that his chances forseeing Price's army were getting smaller all the time.
"Oh, that's what you want, is it?" said Mr. Westall. "Well, I'll tellyou what we'll do: You ride with us as far as the road where we turn offto go to Pilot Knob, and then I will give you a letter that will helpyou if you happen to fall in with any of our side; but you must becareful to know the men before you show the letter to them, for if youshould pull it on a Union man, you would get yourself into trouble. Nowlet's get a bite to eat and start for home."
This made it evident that the Emergency man had become discouraged withhis ill-luck, and did not intend to follow Tom Percival any farther.
Rodney The Partisan Page 8