She was facing him squarely, holding to his arms and shaking him. "Matty's husband is the stableman. He knows about you. He'll say that he turned the horse into the pasture. You must.... Joe! Sam! Go up to the stable and saddle my horse and bring him here. Run!" "Yassum," replied the negroes in a breath. They disappeared into the darkness. Tom's protest was smothered under Marjorie's hand. The wave of excitement which had kept him on his feet passed, and it was as though he had been caught in a powerful undertow which swept his legs from under him. He sank down on the fallen log where they had been sitting together earlier in the day. "Can you ride? Are you strong enough?" she asked anxiously. "Yes--if I once get my legs wrapped around him I can stick there. Marjorie, if you're caught at this, all the raid will seem like an immense failure." "But I won't be caught, and I will always be proud that you came to me when you needed me, when I could help you." "You're worth a dozen soldiers!" he exclaimed. There was a moment of silence. "Poor Tom!" she said softly. "It's all so terrible, isn't it? And so wonderful! You men have left the whole South gasping at your bravery. Even Uncle--and he hates everything from the North--says it's the most daring thing he's ever heard of." "But you--you're from the North." "Yes," she answered. "We don't talk about the war. He just takes it for granted that I believe everything he believes. I've been here two years now. When mother and father were alive I lived in Albany. I'm going back just as soon as I can. Listen!" There were more horses on the road. "They're coming to join Kirby," she said. "I heard him say that more men were coming. When Uncle went down to let them in, I went to the head of the stairs to hear what they were saying. Uncle took them into the dining-room to give them something to eat and drink; then I dressed and stole down." "But how did they know that I was in this part of the country?" "There was something about a boat. It was found ashore a few miles down the river, and there was a report from Chattanooga that the boat had been taken. I didn't wait to hear it all. Oh, I wish Joe and Sam would hurry! You must get started before they leave. Men are going out in all directions, and Kirby is taking the road to Wartrace. If you're ahead of him they'll never catch you. Star can run like the wind." "Star?" "My horse," she explained. "He's a beautiful horse.... Oh, I wish they'd hurry." There was anguish in her voice. "They'll come just as fast as they can," replied Tom calmly. "Why don't you go back to the house now!" "I can't until you're on the road." "Why not? Please go back now." "I-I'll have to wait until the men have gone. I wouldn't dare to go back until then. Then, too...." She faltered and stopped. "What?" "You can't leave by the main road. I'm going to show you the way through the woods. Then there's a fence to jump. I'm going to take Star over it."