“We’ll take care o’ yeou, Mister Hammer,” answered Hiram, and led the way along the edge of the swamp, with Josiah beside him and Andy bringing up closely in the rear. The young Confederate felt he had fooled the pickets nicely, but he was not yet “out of the woods” and consequently he did not crow. “Whar did yeou git thet uniform?” asked Josiah, as they progressed, rather slowly, to Andy’s notion. “Oh, the authorities furnished that,” answered the young Confederate, with assumed carelessness. “You see, there is a cavalry troop wearing this uniform in the rebel army, so if I once get past their picket line I can go where I please. Great scheme, eh?” “Fine,” answered Josiah. “I’d like tew do spy work,” commented Hiram. “Would you?” answered Andy. “All right, I’ll remember that, and if I get the chance I’ll speak to General McClellan about it.” “Will yeou? Much erbliged, I’m sure.” “Speak fer me, tew,” put in Josiah. “I’m sick o’ regular fightin’, I am.” “I’ll remember you both,” answered Andy, and he kept his word. Indeed, it would have been impossible to forget these two rustics, who were simple-hearted to the core and had still to get their war as well as their eye teeth cut. The swamp was now left behind and the men, who had strayed from their posts during a little excitement farther on, led the way up a small hill. Here the woods divided, with an open space between, of grass and low brush. “Thare yeou air, Mister Hammer,” said Josiah. “This is our line, an’ the rebels hed a line over yonder, but I guess it’s gone neow.” “Good,” replied Andy. “Good-bye to both of you, and I wish you luck.” “Don’t forget tew mention us tew General McClellan when yeou git back!” called out Josiah. “All right,” came back, and away Andy trotted at a brisk pace, while the two rustics watched him out of sight with keen interest. [Illustration: AWAY ANDY TROTTED AT A BRISK PACE.--_Page 339._] “Of all the pumpkin heads!” was what Andy muttered to himself and so tickled was he that he was compelled to laugh outright. He had passed a distance of several hundred feet into the woods when he heard the command to halt, and a South Carolina soldier blocked his way. “It’s all right,” answered Andy. “I have just escaped from the Yankees,” and he gave the countersign. A minute later he was asked a few questions by an officer in command, and then allowed to go. He inquired for the Montgomery Grays, and was told they had withdrawn to another part of the field. “That’s twice they have caught me,” said Andy to himself, as he galloped down the main road towards Richmond. “I hope they don’t catch me again. Heigho! I wonder how Louis is getting along?” He never dreamed that Louis was now a prisoner in a fortification but a mile away.