power of action returned. Springing to his feet, he ran to the end of
the portico, on which were piled several bales of hay and bundles of
fodder, which the rebels no doubt intended for their horses. But Archie
determined that they should be put to a different use, for he quickly
drew from his pocket two large bottles filled with coal oil, which he
threw over the hay. He then applied a match, and in an instant it was in
a blaze. He waited a moment to see it fairly started, and then sprang
off the portico. As he passed the door, he heard an ejaculation of
surprise, followed by the report of a pistol, and the noise of a bullet
as it whizzed past his head. It frightened him, and at the same time
acted upon him as the crack of a whip does upon a spirited horse; for
when the rebel who fired the shot had reached the portico, Archie had
disappeared in the darkness.




CHAPTER IV.

A Mark for the Union.


Let us now return to Frank, whom we left setting out for the house,
after having given Archie emphatic instructions to remain behind the
tree until his return. He did not feel at all at his ease after he had
left his cousin, for he might have stationed him in the most dangerous
place that could have been found; and what if Archie should be
discovered and captured? He was well enough acquainted with his cousin's
disposition to know that he would not surrender without a fight; but
what could he do when opposed by a regiment of veteran rebels? Frank