There was some grumbling among the guards at the prospect of trudging
through the mud when they had expected a comfortable ride in the wagon.
However, without understanding what it all was about, they accepted the
Sergeant's decision. When they reached the road where the wagon was
standing, Wilson said to Tom:

"I'll try and meet you before you get to Wartrace. Take your time."

"Yep," added the Sergeant, "don't hurry."

They saw the wagon, drawn at a trot, disappear down the road, the mud
spurting out from the wheels. Tom and Shadrack exchanged glances and
laughed.

"Now I call that extraordinary!" exclaimed one of the guards. Then, as if
he liked the word, he repeated, "Extraordinary!"

"If we give you our words not to try escaping," asked Tom, "will you let go
our arms? You have the guns, anyhow. It'll make walking easier."

"All right," drawled a guard. "That's a good idea." He turned to the other
soldiers, and asked, "What do you think? Let 'em walk a couple of paces
ahead, eh?" It was agreed.

Tom and Shadrack went ahead, while the guards followed, speculating among
themselves on this new turn of affairs.

"Wilson is probably going to the officer in command and have him rush
through a message," said Tom. "I suppose they have a telegraph line between
Wartrace and headquarters."