almost immediately.

They were awakened at dawn by the door opening, and a man shouting, "Get up
there! Hold you hands up! Strike a light, Johnson."

Tom jumped to his feet. In the half-light of morning he saw the glint of a
revolver. Wilson and Shadrack were beside him, and the farmer was sitting
on the edge of his bed. They put their hands up--all except the farmer. The
bluish flame of a sulphur match sputtered, then grew bright. Three Union
soldiers stood before them with drawn revolvers, while a fourth lighted the
lamp.

"These are the men, I presume, Smith?" asked the Sergeant.

The farmer grunted.

Tom and Shadrack looked to Wilson to speak, but he said nothing. So the
farmer had sent word to Union troops! When he had gone out to look after
his chickens, he had sent a messenger with the news that three ardent
Southerners were to be captured at his house if the soldiers would come and
get them! Captured by their own troops!

"Pull on your boots," ordered the Sergeant. "Wait a minute! Look through
their clothes and see if they're armed, Martin."

The soldier who had lighted the lamp approached, and ran his hands through
their pockets. He produced three revolvers and laid them on the table. The
Sergeant picked them up, glanced at them to be sure they were loaded; then
distributed them among the soldiers.