"We are going to the boys' cave," said the General, buckling on his pistol; "I know the way, and we'll get away as soon as these fellows leave, if we cannot before." "God bless you!" said the ladies, pushing them away in dread of the enemy's return. "Come on, General," called Hugh in an undertone. The General was lagging behind a minute to say good-bye once more. He stooped suddenly and kissed the boys' Cousin Belle before them all. "Good-bye. God bless you!" and he followed Hugh out of the window into the darkness. The girl burst into tears and ran up to her room. A few seconds afterward the house was once more filled with the enemy, growling at their ill-luck in having so narrowly missed the prize. "We'll catch 'em yet," said the leader. CHAPTER XV. The raiders were up early next morning scouring the woods and country around. They knew that the fugitive soldiers could not have gone far, for the Federals had every road picketed, and their main body was not far away. As the morning wore on, it became a grave question at Oakland how the two soldiers were to subsist. They had no provisions with them, and the roads were so closely watched that there was no chance of their obtaining any. The matter was talked over, and the boys' mother and Cousin Belle were in despair. "They can eat their shoes," said Willy, reflectively. The ladies exclaimed in horror. "That's what men always do when they get lost in a wilderness where there is no game." This piece of information from Willy did not impress his hearers as much as he supposed it would. "I'll tell you! Let me and Frank go and carry 'em something to eat!" "How do you know where they are?" "They are at our Robber's Cave, aren't they, Cousin Belle? We told the General yesterday how to get there, didn't we?" "Yes, and he said last night that he would go there." Willy's idea seemed a good one, and the offer was accepted. The boys were to go out as if to see the troops, and were to take as much food as they thought could pass for their luncheon. Their mother cooked and put up a luncheon large enough to have satisfied the appetites of two young Brobdingnagians, and they set out on their relief expedition. The two sturdy little figures looked full of importance as they strode off up the road. They carried many loving messages. Their Cousin Belle gave to each separately a long whispered message which each by himself was to deliver to the General. It was thought best not to hazard a note. They were watched by the ladies from the portico until they disappeared over the hill. They took a path which led into the woods, and walked cautiously for fear some of the raiders might be lurking about. However, the boys saw none of the enemy, and in a little while they came to a point where the pines began. Then they turned into the woods, for the pines were so thick the boys could not be seen, and the pine tags made it so soft under foot that they could walk without making any noise.