For a moment Archie staggered as though he had been struck a severe blow
by some unseen hand, but quickly realizing the fact that his safety
depended upon his own exertions and the use he made of the next few
moments, he speedily recovered his presence of mind, and hastily
securing his revolvers, which, up to this time, he had carried in the
pockets of his pea-jacket, he pulled off that garment, and throwing it
on the ground, started off at the top of his speed.

Being thus relieved of a great incumbrance, he made headway rapidly,
but, fast as he ran, he heard that dreadful sound coming nearer, mingled
with loud yells of triumph from the pursuing rebels He had, with
surprise and indignation, listened to Frank's description of his run
from Shreveport, when he and his companions had been pursued with
blood-hounds, little imagining that he would ever be placed in a similar
situation.

And how did it happen that he had not aroused the hound while he was
about the house? Had he moved so silently that the animal had not heard
him, or had he been in the building with the men? This question Archie
could not answer. But one thing was certain, and that was that the hound
was, at that very moment, on his trail, and unless he soon reached the
river his capture was beyond a doubt. He, however, had no fears of being
overpowered by the hound. He fully realized the fact that he would soon
be overtaken, and had resolved to shoot the animal the moment he made
his appearance.

The yells of the rebels grew fainter, and Archie knew he was gaining on
them. This gave him encouragement. In fact, since the hound had opened
on his trail, after the first momentary feeling of terror had vanished,
he had retained his coolness in a remarkable degree, and had counted