"That's all, Sergeant," said the soldier addressed as Martin.

"All right, get on your boots. You did a good night's work, Smith."

"I told 'em they'd better go back home," said the farmer dully.

Tom, Wilson, and Shadrack sat on the floor pulling on their heavy,
water-laden boots. When they stood up, the Sergeant said: "Call Jim and
Max." Two more soldiers appeared, making six in all.

"Two of us to a prisoner. Come on."

They left the shanty. The farmer was still sitting on the edge of the bed,
staring at them.




CHAPTER FOUR


TOM GOES ALONE

The rain had ceased. Dawn, flooding above the heavy clouds, was at last
filtering through, and the world rested tranquilly in a bluish, shadowless
light. Tom, as he stepped from the shanty, with his arms held by two Union
soldiers, glanced about him in wonderment. This unfamiliar scene, which had
been an endless blackness the night before, was like a dream country into
which he was straying half awake. The events of the previous day became
remote and unreal. He paused for a moment, but the apprehensive tightening