iend, and beg forgiveness for the suspicions he had entertained of
him.

They had advanced but a short distance from the main street, when they
heard the clatter of horses' hoofs.

"That's bad," said Captain de Banyan, as he stopped to ascertain in what
direction the horsemen were going.

"What's bad?" demanded Somers.

"My absence has been discovered, I am afraid. The provost-marshal has a
section of cavalry to run down Union prisoners who may escape. I think
they are after me; at any rate, we must be very careful where we go."

A few moments later, a small party of horsemen dashed down the street by
which the captain was conducting his retreat. It would prove fatal to
their hopes, if they were seen; and Captain de Banyan entered the yard of
a house, followed by his companion. There was a stable on the premises;
and, without a special invitation from the owner, they entered, making
their way to the hay-loft, which seemed to be the most promising place of
concealment. A horse in the stall below whinnied when they reached the
second floor, expecting, no doubt, his morning rations of hay.

Unfortunately for the fugitives, still more unfortunately perhaps for the
horse, there was very little hay in the loft; so that a secure
hiding-place was not readily found. But, as it was no part of the
captain's intention to remain long in this loft, they seated themselves
on a grain chest, to wait till the troopers should pass the house.

"What time is it, captain?" asked Somers.

"About four in the morning. We are rather late. It will be daylight in
about an hour."

"Where have you been since we parted?"

"Since we parted, my boy? We didn't part. You did all the parting,
Somers," replied De Banyan in a reproachful tone.

"I know I did; but, after what I had heard, you need scarcely wonder. You
acknowledged that you had been a rebel officer, and a member of the Third
Tennessee regiment."

"I grant it; but I thought enough else was said to enable you to
understand my position."

"Well, I had some hopes that you were all right; but I could not banish
my fears. How could I know that you had not been sent over on the other
side for the same purpose that we crossed the James?"

"You might have known it, my dear fellow. They don't usually send men
over on such business whose loyalty is doubtful. You heard the captain
say that I had been suspected."

"I did; but I could not fully understand your position."

"And so you ga