Into their saddles the two men vaulted, after thanking the man for his caution, and away they dashed. The stars were out in full force, and the darkness of an hour before had lifted, for the moon was rising, and as they entered the woods their shade hid them from sight. They rode fast through them, and struck a corduroy road, a rarity in that part of the country, and as they left it behind them, and were going to take the field, Jim whispered--“Don't stir a step. Pull your horse into that thicket. Over there I hear them after us.” They could hear the horses galloping down the road they had just left, and by the faint light could see that there was a dozen or more men. “A narrow escape for us,” said Tom. “We haven't escaped yet. They'll not let us get off without scouring these woods.” “Which way shall we go?” “Why, away from this vicinity as quick as we can.” “My Kentucky thoroughbred will carry me out of danger--she can outrun anything they've got.” “But I've only got a long, lank, rangy old mule, and half-blind at that. I'm destined to be captured,” ruefully answered Jim. “No, we're not--they are turning off into the left hand road; no, there's three or four taking the other one. Some have dismounted, and are talking with the man we've just left. He's true blue; he's pointing away in another direction.” “Well, he's not so bad after all, even if he is a guerrilla.” “Why, do you believe he's one of that band?” “Sure as preaching he belongs to the gang who are bothering the whole country round here, and all that saved us was your generosity {275}in making him welcome to the little black cow. He's got a heart hid away somewhere, and you just touched it.” Tom's eyes opened wide. “I couldn't see that little creature starving there, and not offer them something to help her out. Why, she was nothing but skin and bones.” “We mustn't loiter here. It is a good three miles to camp, and we must make it quick, or they'll head us off before we reach the road.” Touching their animals lightly with their spurs, they dashed across the open field toward another road, and were almost ready to congratulate themselves on their escape, when they heard a yell, and looking back they saw one of the guerrillas who had sighted them and was almost standing in his stirrups in his excitement, and shouting wildly to his companions, who were coming after him at full gallop. Tom and Jim did not need any further hint, but led the way, at a rattling pace. Tom was mounted on a racer, but Jim's army mule proved that he could run, for he kept pace with the horse, almost neck and neck. Whether he dreaded capture and being set to work, or feared being converted into mule meat, we are not able to say, but he held his own.