o be about fifty feet above his shoulders, he
spurred on his horse. The liquor had inspired him to a kind of
desperation. He hardly knew what he was about, and even forgot the pain
of his wounded arm.

"Halt!" shouted De Banyan, as the party dashed over a rude bridge
extending across a broad creek. "Halt, Somers!"

But Somers heeded not the word, and still spurred on, till the captain,
who rode the fastest animal, could overtake him. He succeeded in stopping
the furious rider, and in making him understand that they had reached the
end of their journey in this direction. They returned to the bridge,
where the sharp eye of the captain had discerned a boat moored to a tree,
a short distance below the road. Somers, still stupefied by the effects
of the brandy, tamely submitted to whatever disposition his companions
chose to make of him. Taking off their coats, they made for him a bed in
the bottom of the boat, which was a large yawl, evidently used for
conveying merchandise to some point farther up the creek. The horses were
turned loose, and the captain and Alick took the oars.

After pulling for half an hour, they were rewarded by a view of the broad
river which to them was like the Land of Promise; and moored in the
middle there was a steamer, which in those waters could belong to no
other party than the United States Government. They rowed out to this
vessel, and hailed her. Of course they were cordially welcomed after a
satisfactory explanation had been given.

"Glory hallelujah! How do you feel, Somers?" said Captain de Banyan,
after he had insured a proper reception on board of the steamer.

"Badly, very badly," replied Somers faintly.

"Well, cheer up, my boy! We have got home again."

"Home!" said Somers, raising himself partially up at the sound of that
magical word.

The captain and Alick lifted him tenderly, and assisted him up the
accommodation-ladder of the steamer. The vessel was a gunboat bound up
the river, and was waiting for the daylight. Somers was taken to the
ward-room, where the surgeon dressed his arm, and prescribed for his
bodily ailments. Alick was duly installed as his nurse, though Captain de
Banyan performed the greater part of his duty. But the consciousness that
he was again beneath the old flag did more for the patient than even the
assiduous care of his devoted friends.

After leaving Petersburg the fugitives had pursued a nearly easterly
course till they arrived at the bridge ove