CHAPTER V.

A Run for Life.


Archie was as light of foot as an antelope, and fear lent him wings. In
obedience to his cousin's instructions, he ran up the river, directing
his course through a thick woods, jumping over logs and making his way
through the bushes with a rapidity that surprised himself. The rebel who
had discovered him followed for a short distance, but finding that he
was losing ground, he stopped and fired his revolver in the direction he
supposed Archie had gone; but the bullets went wide of the mark, and the
latter, who now regarded his escape as a thing beyond a doubt, laughed
when he thought how cleverly he had accomplished the object of the
expedition.

Having reached a safe distance from the house, he stopped and listened.
He distinctly heard the crackling of flames, and presently a bright
light shone over the trees. The building was fairly in a blaze. He was,
however, allowed scarcely a moment to congratulate himself, for the
yells of the guerrillas plainly told him that they had discovered the
fire, and were commencing pursuit. Archie again set out, intent on
reaching clear ground as soon as possible, for he knew that no plan
would be left untried to capture him. His situation was still any thing
but a pleasant one, but he was sanguine of reaching the vessel in
safety, until a long-drawn-out bay came echoing through the woods, and
drove the blood back upon his heart. The rebels were following him with
a blood-hound!