e sufficient to free her.

I attained my feet, confident and at ease, and advanced up the gully,
moving cautiously, so as not to run blindly upon some sentry post in
the darkness. There would be nervous soldiers on duty, liable to fire
at any sound, or suspicious movement, and it was a part of my plan to
penetrate the lines unseen, and without inviting arrest. Once safely
within the confines of the camp, the lack in uniforms and discipline,
would afford ample freedom, but to be held as a prisoner, even for a
short time, might prove a very serious matter. Within a short distance
the gully became too shallow for further concealment. I could perceive
the red glow of the fires gleaming out between the trees, and the
numerous dark figures of men, engaged in various tasks, or lying idly
about, waiting a call from the cooks to supper. My judgment told me
that I must already be safely within the picket lines, able to walk
forward unmolested, and mingle with these groups fearlessly. I was yet
standing there, uncertain as to which group I should choose to
companion with, when the dim figure of a man, unquestionably drunk,
came weaving his uncertain way along a footpath which ran within a yard
of my position. Even in that darkness, not yet dense with night, the
lank figure possessed an outline of familiarity, and the sudden blazing
up of a fire revealed the unmistakable features of the deputy.

"Hullo," I said, happily, stepping directly before him. "When did you
come ashore?"

He stopped as though shot, bracing himself with difficulty, and
endeavoring to gain a glimpse of my face.

"Hello, yerself," he managed to ejaculate thickly. "Who are yer?
frien' o' mine?"

"Why, don't yer remember me, ol' man? I'm the feller who wus scrubbin'
the paint on the _Adventurer_. We wus talkin' tergether comin' up. I
wus goin' fer ter enlist."

"Hell! yes; glad ter see yer. Sum hot whisky et this camp--tried eny?"

"No," I answered, grasping at the opportunity to arouse his generosity.
"I ain't got no coin to buy. They wudn't let me leave ther boat, ner
pay me a picayune, so I just skipped out. I'm flat broke; maybe yer
cud stake me fer a bite ter eat?"

"Eat!" he flung one arm lovingly about my shoulders, and burst into
laughter. "Yer bet yer life, we're a goin' ter eat, an' drink too. I
don't go back on none o' ther boys. Yer never heerd nuthin' like thet
'bout Tim Kennedy, I reckon. Eat, sure--yer know Jack Rale?"