“That’s just what I’m going to do. But afore I set in I’m going to lay down a bit a law. Ye see thet shooter, man; it is loaded to kill. An’ the lead it carries is fer you unless you do just as I tell you. I don’t look like a man who eats his words, do I? Wal, I’m goin’ to set you free. Then I want you to ride forward with us just as if you were doing it willingly. If the party are a Northern squad, I’ll make it all right with them. If they are grays, as I expect, you are to tell them that you are escorting the gal and I to our relative’s in Macon, an’ that we are true blue--I mean in this case gray. Remember I shall watch your every movement and if you dare to betray me by word or sign I’ll shoot you at the moment. My hand will be on this weapon all of the time. Do you understand?” The man winced but did not offer to speak. “To prove to you that I will do as I say, I will tell you that I am Old Fatality, the Wizard Scout!” A groan from the other told that the mention of that dreaded name was not without its effect. By this time the clatter of horses’ hoofs was near at hand, and without further delay the scout freed the captive. “Don’t forget my warning!” he hissed in the trembling wretch’s ear. “Come, ride forward and do as I have told you to the letter.” Without daring to disobey, while hoping that fortune would turn in his favor, the Confederate rode ahead a little in advance of his captor, whose eagle eyes never for an instant left him. Mara followed a little behind them. By this time the oncoming cavalcade was near at hand, and a minute later it dashed into sight. We need not say that they were an anxious trio, though outwardly the Wizard Scout appeared as calm as if expecting to meet friends. As the horsemen drew nearer, his countenance lightened and then he said, half aloud: “It is he! we are saved.” Mara heard the words and she supplemented them with a cry of joy. At the head of the approaching squad she recognized the form of her lover, Cavalry Curt! He seemed scarcely less surprised than they and his pleasure was as great. “You have escaped in safety,” she said, as he clasped Mara’s hand. “Yes; though it has been a fearful ordeal.” “Well, have courage now, for the worst of your journey is over I think. You are going to your relatives to stop I suppose?” “Yes; poor grandpa is no more. And Harry! can you tell me ought of him?” “Only that he was alive and well yesterday. Please bear no unnecessary alarm on his account. And as you shall lose little in distance we will keep you company ten miles or so on your journey.” Mara murmured her thanks. “Whom have you here,” asked Curt of the Wizard Scout, pointing to Landaff. “One of our graycoat friends,” replied the other. “And as he seems a little uneasy, mebbe we had better secure him.” Landaff had waited for an opportunity to escape but his captor had been too vigilant for him to make the venture. In a few minutes the united parties were moving on their journey.