“Lieutenant,” I said, speaking low, but in a tone which left no doubt as to my exact meaning, “I am an escaped prisoner, and shall not hesitate to kill rather than be recaptured. It is your life or mine to-night, and I naturally prefer my own; but I'll give you one chance, and only one--obey my orders and I will leave you here unhurt: disobey, and your life is not worth the snap of a finger. Move back now until you face the door, and don't forget my pistol is within an inch of your ear, and this is a hair trigger. What is your sergeant's name?” “Handley.” “Order him to take ten men on foot one hundred yards west on the pike, and wait further orders.” The lieutenant twisted his head about and looked at me, his eyes stubborn with anger. “If you have a wife up North, and care anything about seeing her again,” I said coolly, “you will do exactly as I say.” “Handley,” he called out, his voice so choked with rage as to make me fearful it might arouse suspicion, “take ten men on foot to the cross-roads, and wait there until you hear from me.” I could plainly note the dark shadows of the fellows as they filed out past the fire, but I never ventured to take eye or gun off the man I watched. “How many remain there now?” “Seven.” “Any non-com, among them?” “A corporal.” “Have him take them all south on the cross-roads.” The man squirmed like an eel, and I was soldier enough to sympathize with him; yet every time he turned his head he looked death squarely in the face, and I doubt not thought of some one he loved in that distant North. I clicked the hammer suggestively. “Come, friend,” I said meaningly, “time flies.” “Jones,” he called out huskily. “Yes, sir?” “Take what men you have left a hundred yards south on the cross-road.” We could hear them crunching their way through the bushes, until the sound finally died out in the distance. “Now, Lieutenant, you come with me--softly, and keep your distance.” We moved back slowly, step by step, until we came to the rear door of the shed. I reached out into the darkness, but without turning my face away from him, and silently severed the picket-rope, retaining the loosened end in my grasp. It was so intensely dark where we stood that I slipped the pistol unobserved into my belt. “Face to the rear,” I said sternly. As he turned to obey this order, with quick movement I tripped him, sprang backward, and shut the door.