CHAPTER XI.
BUD'S MESSENGER IN TROUBLE.
Although the hours from four until six in the afternoon were devoted torecreation, it was expected that those of the students who wished tovisit friends in town would ask for a pass before attempting to leavethe grounds; but we have seen that they didn't. There were someprofessional guard-runners among them, and on this particular afternoonthey appeared in full force.
"Come on, old fellow," Billings shouted to Marcy Gray, who was carryinga camp-chair toward a spreading maple that stood near the guard tent.
"No; I think I will stay here and try to read," replied Marcy. "I knowthis book will not quarrel with me, but some of the Barrington peoplemight. There must be a good deal of excitement down there, and Ishouldn't think you would care to go."
"It's the very reason we do care to go," replied Rodney, who, with DickGraham at his side, was taking long steps toward the fence thatseparated the academy grounds from the woods. "We want to see what thefolks think of last night's work. They'll not say a word to Dick and me,for we were not there."
"You'll find that that will not make any difference," said Marcy. "Theyare down on the school, and you two will have to stand snubbing with therest."
Dick laughed and said he did not believe it, and he and his companionkept on to the fence, which they climbed without a word of remonstrancefrom the sentry, who was obliging enough to turn his back when he sawthem coming. Marcy watched them until they disappeared in the bushes,and then fastened his eyes on his book; but he could not read. The airwas too full of excitement for that, and he could do nothing but think.How he passed the time until the guard-runners and those who hadreceived passes began to return from town, he could not have told. Therewas a good deal of feeling among the best of the Barrington people, theysaid, but the members of the committee did not blame the academy boysfor marching into town. On the contrary, they were rather gratified atthe promptness with which they "showed up"; for it was an indicationthat they would not be found wanting when the critical time came; butthey did not like the way the commandant had of meddling with theirmunicipal affairs, and had sent Mr. Riley and some others to extort fromhim a promise that he would never be guilty of it again.
"So that report was true," said Dixon, who brought this news to MarcyGray, "and that was the lesson the colonel has been pouting over allday. He gave Mr. Riley the assurance that no matter what happened inBarrington, not a single boy of us should be allowed outside the groundswith a musket in his hand."
"Rodney didn't come home with you, did he?" said Marcy. "I wish he wouldmake haste, for I should like to get my mail. Do you know where he is?"
"That reminds me of something I made up my mind to ask you the minute Igot here," answered Dixon; and Marcy judged, by the furtive manner inwhich he looked around to make sure there was no one within earshot,that he did not want anybody else to know what he had to say. "HasRodney anything in common with that villain, Bud Goble?"
"Not by a long shot," exclaimed Marcy indignantly. "Why do you ask?Don't you know him any better than that?"
"I thought I did; but the last time I saw him and Dick Graham, they weresearching everywhere for Bud. Graham is, or _was_, all right; there's nodiscount on him, but--"
"But what?" demanded Marcy, when Dixon paused. "Don't say a word behindRodney's back that you would not say to his face."
"I won't," replied Dixon, who was neither angry nor frightened. "I hopeyou have been acquainted with me long enough to know that I am not thatsort of fellow. I say Dick is all right, because he will not make a moveeither way until his State moves; and in the mean time, he will not wantto do harm to those whose opinions differ from his own. But, Marcy Gray,that cousin of yours is about half crazy."
"That's a fact," said Marcy, after thinking a moment.
"Consequently Rodney is _not_ all right, and there's a heavy discount onhim," continued Dixon. "He is down on everybody who does not think as hedoes, and I am afraid--Look here: Why is Rodney so anxious to see BudGoble if it isn't to put him up to some mischief?"
"That's so," replied Marcy thoughtfully. "Why is he?"
"There was a time when Rodney's blood would have boiled at the idea ofstanding by and seeing helpless people served as those two Union menwere served by the members of Mr. Riley's committee last night, but itisn't so now," continued Dixon. "He believes that Northern sympathizersought to be punished, and he don't care how it is done or who does it!"
"But Dick Graham is with Rodney, and you think Dick is all right," Marcyreminded him. "Dick wouldn't be likely to stay with him if he thoughtRodney was going to put any more mischief into Bud Goble's head."
"Dick was all right the last time I talked with him, but how do I knowbut that Rodney has succeeded in bringing him over to his side."
"Oh, I hope not," said Marcy earnestly. "I'll speak to Rodney when hecomes, and tell him to let all such fellows as Goble alone. Don't repeatwhat you have said to me, will you?"
"Of course not. I think too much of Rodney for that, and if he getshimself into trouble through his foolishness, I'll be one of the firstto jump in and help him out."
Marcy was on nettles after Dixon went away, and it is a question whetherhe would have felt much easier in his mind if he had known why it wasthat his cousin was so anxious to find Bud Goble. Rodney did not want toput any more mischief into the man's head; he wanted to take out some hehad put there two days before. He did not feel as bitter toward Marcyand Dick Graham as he did when he slipped away from his friends on theevening that Confederate flag came to him through the post-office, andwrote that letter calling Bud's attention to the fact that there weresome Union boys in the academy who ought to be told that their room wasbetter than their company. The threats that Bud had made against Marcy,and the destruction of the property of those two Union men, frightenedRodney, who would have given up all his worldly prospects to know justhow much his letter to the paid spy had to do with bringing about thepresent state of affairs. His desire now was to stop Bud before he couldgo any further.
Marcy, depressed in spirits and fearing, he knew not what, waited andwatched in vain. Dress parade was over, supper had been eaten, and thegate closed for the night, and still Rodney and Dick had failed toreport.
"I feel a little worried myself," said Dixon, to whom Marcy went forsympathy and comfort. "And I don't believe Captain Wilson is altogetherright in his mind, for I have heard him making inquiries among the boys.In fact he has been to me to find out where I last saw the missingchaps, and what they were doing. But don't be uneasy. I didn't tell himthat they were looking for Bud Goble. I almost wish I had," he added, tohimself. "I may have to do it yet if they don't turn up all right."
"Captain Wilson doesn't think they could have got into any trouble, doeshe?" said Marcy anxiously.
"He didn't say a word on that score."
"But it looks as though he was afraid of it," replied Marcy. "If hewasn't afraid something had happened to them he would not ask aboutthem."
This interview with Dixon would have added to Marcy's fears, even if hehad not learned, as he did a few minutes later, that all the boys in thehall were talking about it, and wondering what had become of Rodney andDick. Like many others these two had openly defied all the rules forweeks past, but they had never before stayed out after dark, and some ofthe students declared that they wouldn't do it now if they were notprevented from coming back to the academy. When Marcy heard this, hedecided that something ought to be done. He went upstairs and told theorderly to ask if he might speak to the colonel.
"I think I know what you want," whispered the orderly, "and I tell youplainly that he won't let you do it. But I'll go in with your message."
There were others among the students who thought they knew what Marcywanted, and who followed him to the head of the stairs to "see how hewould come out with the old man." The orderly disappeared through thecolonel's door, but came out a few minutes afterward to report--
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"What did I tell you?"
"What did he say?" inquired Marcy.
"He says he doesn't want to be bothered. I put in a good word for you,suggesting that perhaps you wanted permission to go to Barrington andsee what has become of Rodney, and he said in reply that you need nottrouble yourself. You could not go. He will not allow a boy outside thegate after dark, no matter what his business is, and he'll chuck Rodneyand Dick into the guard-house the minute they return, and keep themthere."
For the first time since he had been a student at that school Marcy Grayfelt rebellious. He stood high in his class, was always on hand whenduty called him, never ran the guard, hadn't asked for a pass for morethan a week, and for the colonel to send him off in this way, withouteven listening to the request he had to make, was rather more than Marcycould stand.
"I was going to ask him to let me go to town and see if I could learnwhat has become of Rodney and Dick," said he to the boys who werewaiting for him at the top of the stairs. "But he sent word by theorderly that he wouldn't see me. I'm going to Barrington all the same."
"Do you want company?" asked Dixon.
"I should like to have three or four good fellows," replied Marcy, "butmind you, I shall not ask anybody to go with me. I am bound to get intotrouble."
"Well, you can't find any better guard-house companion than I am,"answered Dixon.
"I'm another good fellow for that cheerful hole," observed Billings. "Iought to be, for I've been there often enough."
Bob Cole said he was a third candidate for a court-martial, announcedhis determination to go if Billings went, whether Marcy said so or not,and the latter decided that three boys were as many as he cared to bringinto trouble on account of their friendship for him and the missingstudents.
"Now, fellows," whispered Dixon to the other boys who were gatheredabout. "You stay in the hall, and if anybody asks you where we havegone, you can tell him you don't know. Be quiet now, all of us, anddon't act or look as though there was anything in the wind."
This was easier said than done, for now that these four students haddecided to run counter to the colonel's express orders, and find outwhat had become of Rodney Gray and his companion, they were impatient tobe off. But three of their number managed to leave the hall withoutattracting very much attention, and halted in the shade of the trees towait for Dixon, who, being an experienced guard-runner, had loiteredbehind to ascertain who were on posts three and four, between which theywould have to pass in order to reach the fence.
"They're solid boys," said he, when he joined Marcy and the rest underthe trees. "If we can get close enough to give them a hint of what wewant to do before they challenge us, they'll let us through. After weget a little farther along, perhaps it would be best for me to go onahead."
Of course the suggestion was adopted, for among all the boys in schoolthere was not one who knew how to manage affairs of this sort betterthan Dixon. He succeeded in getting within sight of one of the sentrieswithout being stopped, made him understand, in some mysterious way, thatsecrecy was not only desirable but necessary, and in a few minuteswhistled for his companions. Such a proceeding as this would not havebeen successful, nor would it have been attempted, at any other time inthe history of the academy.
"I've been thinking about those two boys ever since I came on post,"said the sentry, in a low tone. "And I am glad you have made up yourminds to go in search of them, in spite of the colonel. Crawl overwhenever you get ready, but I mustn't see you do it."
The sentry faced about, and the four guard-runners placed their handsupon the fence and were about to "crawl over," when their movements werearrested by a sound coming from the thicket close in front of them.Remembering how old Uncle Toby had approached Marcy Gray's post, theystopped and listened.
"St--St--!" was the sound they heard, and something told them that theperson who made it desired to communicate with them secretly.
"Who is it?" whispered Dixon.
"It's me," answered a voice.
"Who's me? If you are a friend come out and show yourself. If you are anenemy, get away from there or we will be down on you like ashower-bath."
"It's me; Caleb Judson. Don't you know me?"
"Whew!" whistled Dixon softly, while the rest of the boys nodded andwinked at one another. "It's one of Bud Goble's friends. Are we not inluck? I know of you," he said aloud. "But what are you doing there inthe bushes? Come close to the fence and tell us what you want. Be quiet,for there are guards on both sides, and we mustn't let them hear us."
Thus encouraged, Caleb Judson arose from his hiding-place and cameforward; but, as if he were afraid of treachery, he halted just out ofreach of the fence.
"That won't do," said Dixon. "Come up close so that we can talk betweenthe pickets. It's too late for you to run now, even if you wanted to.You see this fellow?" he added, calling Caleb's attention to the sentry,who came up holding his musket at "arms port." "That gun of his has gota bullet in it, and his orders are--"
"Don't shoot," said Caleb; and in his excitement and alarm he spoke soloud that the boys trembled.
"Don't you know enough to keep still?" exclaimed Marcy angrily. "No oneis going to hurt you. Come up to the fence. Now, what brought you here?Talk fast."
"Well," said Caleb, speaking slowly, as if he did not know how toexplain his errand; "you mind them Gray an' Graham boys, don't ye?"
"We have a slight acquaintance with them," answered Dixon. "What aboutthem? Do you want to see them?"
"See 'em?" repeated Caleb. "I jest did see 'em, not more'n an hourago."
"Um," said Dixon. "Where did you leave them?"
"Down in the woods on Riley's place, a little piece back of niggerToby's cabin. Bud Goble's got 'em."
"Hold on, or you will spoil everything," whispered Dixon, looking overhis shoulder at Marcy Gray, who began breathing very hard and trying towork his way closer to the fence. "What does Bud intend to do withthem?"
"Well, it's jest this a-way," replied Caleb. "A day or two ago Bud got aletter from somebody tellin' him that them two boys oughter be droveouten the kentry, kase they was Union all over an' preachin' up theirdocterings as often as they got a chance. Bud, he thought so too, an'this afternoon he grabbed 'em."
"Who wrote that letter?" inquired Dixon.
"There don't none of us know; Bud himself don't know, kase there wasn'tno name to it."
"It was written by some coward who was afraid to let himself be known,was it? And Bud acted upon the advice that letter contained and grabbedthe boys, did he? How did he go about it?" inquired Dixon; and his threecompanions, who knew how quick he was to get angry, wondered that hecould speak so quietly and without the slightest show of excitement.
"When they was in town to-day Bud sont 'em word that there was a sickman up the road a piece, an' asked them would they get some quinine an'take it to him," replied Caleb.
"And of course they went," said Dixon, through his clenched teeth. "Budworked upon their feelings and caught them as easy as falling off a log.When they got to that cabin there wasn't any sick man there, but a partyof ruffians who jumped on Rodney and Dick and made prisoners of them,"added Dixon, who was so impatient that he could not wait for Caleb totell the story. "Was that the way of it?"
"It were; but you see he got the wrong one. Both of 'em are the wrongones."
"How so?"
"Well, you see they're the wrong ones; not the ones he thought he wasgoin' to get. Rodney is secession the very wust kind."
"Of course he is; and Graham is State rights, which is the next thing toa rebel. Well, what of it?"
"Rodney is the wrong one, I tell ye. We-uns wanted the other Grayboy--the Union feller."
"What would you have done to him if you had got hold of him?"
"We-uns kalkerlated to lick him good an' send him outen the kentry witha striped jacket."
Caleb did not hesitate to acknowledge this. He had heard it said thatthere were some wild secessionists in the school, and taking his cuefrom the B
arrington people, who thought it right to destroy the propertyof Union men, he believed that the students who were in favor of theConfederacy would be willing to take summary vengeance upon those oftheir number who were foolish enough to stand up for the old flag. Buthe thought it would be wise to make sure of that point before he wentany further.
"You're Jeff Davis men, I reckon, aint ye?" said he "We are for theSouth every day in the week," replied Dixon. "When the Stars and Stripesare pulled down and the Stars and Bars run up in their place, I'llholler as loud as the next fellow. You may speak freely."
Caleb might have had some doubts on that point if he could have seen theflashing eyes and clenched fists there were on the other side of thefence. But Dixon spoke so calmly, in spite of the towering rage he wasin, that the man's suspicions were not aroused.
"You calculated to whip Rodney and drive him out of the country; butwhen you learned that he was a good rebel, you thought you wouldn't doit," said Dixon. "Is that the way of it? Then what are you holding himfor? Why don't you let him come home?"
"All the company was in for lettin' both of 'em go, 'ceptin' Bud. Hewouldn't hear to it."
"What sort of a company have you?"
"One we-uns got up yesterday and last night while them houses wasburnin'. Minute men, you know, who are ready to grab their guns an'fight in a minute. Bud wanted to capting the company, but we-uns put inanother feller, an' mebbe that makes him madder t'wards the boys than hewould be if he was capting."
"Very likely; and it is a good idea to pound them for it. What was thereason he wouldn't listen when you proposed to let Rodney go?"
"Kase Rodney an' that Graham boy was the fellers that offered to givehim a hunderd dollars if he would show them where that undergroundrailroad was that used to tote the niggers off to Canady," repliedCaleb. "Bud says they needn't think they're ever goin' to come back tothe 'cademy less'n he gets them hunderd dollars. He looked for therailroad in good faith, an' allows that he'd oughter be paid for histime an' trouble."
"And this is the way he takes to get his pay, is it? Well, he must haveit, and if I have any influence with the boys he will get more than heasks for. But why did you come here to tell us this?"
"Kase Bud sont me up here to get the money."
"You know right where he is, I suppose?"
"I do, for a fac'."
"Are there many men with him?"
"Nobody but jest Silas Walker. The rest of the company wouldn't havenothing to do with it, an' so they went home."
"And you expect us to send the money back by you, do you? How much of itwill you get?"
"Not a dog-gone cent. I don't want none of it. I come kase I want to seethem two boys let go. Hold on, there. What you doin'?" exclaimed Caleb,when he felt himself suddenly seized by the elbow and his whole armpulled through the fence. "Turn me loose."
"Take hold of the other arm, Billings," said Dixon quietly. "Now, oldman, keep perfectly still and do just as you are told, and no harm shallcome to you. You are friendly to Rodney and Dick, and that makes usfriendly toward you. Come over the fence. Up you go."
"What for?"
"We want you to tell the officer of the guard, and perhaps the colonel,just what you have told us, word for word."
"By gracious, boys, you're going to get me into a pretty mess," said thesentry nervously. "You can't get him over without alarming the wholeschool, and how shall I explain matters to the corporal? He's a chap whowill not stand any nonsense. Come over that fence," he added, an ideastriking him; and as he spoke he drew up his loaded musket and pointedit at Caleb's head. "Quick and still, or I'll cut loose."
The sight of the black muzzle that looked him squarely in the eye wastoo much for Caleb's nerves. Beseeching the sentry, in whining tones, toturn that weapon t'other way, he shinned up the pickets, Dixon andBillings shifting their hold from his arms to his legs and feet as heascended, and in two minutes more he stood within the academy grounds.
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