“Deed, I is,” muttered Dinah, turning to the neglected cakes. One of the guards entered the room, but seeing nothing suspicious he returned to the front of the house. Perhaps they were expecting the troops from Dalton for they were anxiously watching the road that wound like a huge serpent in that direction. Not a second of the next five minutes was lost by our friends. At the end of that time had one looked for Mara Morland and the Wizard Scout he would have found them transformed into identical counterparts of Pete and Dinah. Mara had bidden farewell to Boyd Wyman, and had told Pete and Dinah to keep out of sight. “I think we are ready to start now,” said the Wizard Scout, lowly. “Be brave and do not lose your self-possession let come what may. Follow me.” Reaching the kitchen they saw one of the soldiers in the next room. As unconcernedly, however, as if their errand was a real one the scout took up a couple of buckets and handed one to Mara. “Reckon we’se go to der sp’ing fer watah, honey,” he said in imitation of Pete’s maudlin tone. As he opened the door a body of horsemen came in sight of the house, riding at a smart canter. “Run long wid yer, old gal.” Under his breath he said: “I am afraid we are too late!” CHAPTER XVIII. THE FUGITIVES’ FLIGHT. “Hold on there, you black imps; where are you going?” thundered the soldier. Mara’s heart almost stopped its beating. “To de sp’ing, massa,” answered the scout, coolly. “Seems to me you go mighty often.” “De watah done git roominated wid bad taste, massa. ’Sides Dinah done spill sum un dat las bucket.” “Go along; and see that you don’t waste any time.” “Yas, massa.” As the scout and Mara started down the well-worn path to the spring from the back door, the horsemen reined up in front of the house. “Ho there, Sergeant Howe, we have come for that troublesome bird of yours,” cried the foremost. “None too soon to suit me either, Lieutenant Bradley. You will find her near at hand. She is with Wyman.” But they found the wounded scout alone. “Miss Morland was here a few minutes ago,” said Wyman. “She will probably be back directly. You might as well wait here.” “Precious little time have we to wait,” growled the officer. He did wait, however, a few minutes, time that Boyd Wyman knew well was precious to the fugitives. “This won’t do!” exclaimed the other, soon losing his patience. “Find her, men--at once.” A search for the missing maiden was instantly begun, but to the surprise and chagrin of the soldiers could not be found. “She can’t be far away,” reiterated Wyman. “She must have hidden somewhere in the house when she saw you coming.” “By heavens! we will show her the fate of traitors inside of five minutes!” vociferated the anxious officer. “Summon the servants.” The chattering slaves were quickly found huddling together in a scared group in the kitchen.