rry up, Somers, my dear boy," said his companion, as he glanced back
at the pale face of his friend.

"I am afraid I can't go much farther, De Banyan," replied Somers. "I am
very faint. I feel sick."

"Cheer up, and make one effort more. The rebels are upon us!"

"I cannot. I shall fall from the horse, I am afraid."

"Don't do that."

"I won't if I can help it; but the motion of the horse almost kills me.
Leave me, De Banyan; save yourself if you can."

"Leave you? I haven't the remotest idea of doing anything of the sort."

"Better go on, and save yourself. It is all up with me."

"A mother would sooner leave her baby than I would leave you," replied De
Banyan in tones as tender as a woman's. "I'll never leave you, Somers. If
you go to Richmond, I shall go with you."

"You cannot do me any good. Save yourself before it is too late."

"Not I."

"I beg you----"

"Cease your blarney, my dear boy! We are one flesh; and we will hang
together to the end of life, or _at_ the end of it, as the case may be.
Here, Somers, stick to your horse a moment more, and we will call and see
the doctor."

"Dr. Scoville!" exclaimed Somers, alarmed at the idea.

"Very likely he is a good surgeon. You are on the sick-list now; mind
what I say, and do just what I tell you."

De Banyan, without stating what he intended to do, dashed up the roadway
leading to Dr. Scoville's house. It was evident that he was about to
resort to some desperate expedient to retrieve the shattered fortunes of
his party; but he kept his own counsel; and Somers yielded himself to the
master will of his companion like a child, as indeed he was in his
exhausted and suffering condition. The roadway led to the rear of the
house where the stable was located; and De Banyan reined up his foaming
steed as soon as he reached the corner of the building.

"Keep still a moment, Somers, and I'll have you taken care of," said De
Banyan, as he rode back to a point where he could see the road without
being seen.

It was evident that they had been observed by the party of horsemen which
had just come out of the city; and he wished to ascertain whether they
had seen him turn in at the doctor's premises. The pursuers (for every
mounted man was a pursuer on that eventful morning) were riding in every
direction in search of the fugitives. He hoped they would pass by,
satisfied that any person who should boldly call upon Dr. Scoville must
be a rebel.

He was disappoin