As
he did so, a negro voice broke on his ear:--

"De Yankees da hab got ter run,
Da cannot fight no mo',
We'll knock 'em wid de sword an' gun,
An' da'll surrender suah!"

It was the negro Sam who was doing the singing, while cleaning up
Artie's horse, that had been tied up in a large box stall. The colored
man was taking his time at the job, thinking he had the whole day before
him.

Ere Artie caught sight of either Sam or the horse, he espied something
else which made his heart bound with satisfaction. On a feed-box lay the
gun Sam had handled while on guard in the sitting room. It was
double-barrelled and loaded ready for use.

Making certain that the negro was the only person about the stables, the
captain advanced cautiously and secured the firearm. He had it well in
hand, when Sam swung around and discovered him.

"Who--wha--what--" began the slave, staring at him as though he were a
ghost.

"Silence!" whispered Artie, and pointed the gun at the negro's head.

"Please don't go fo' to shoot me, Cap'n!"

"I won't, if you will remain quiet and answer my questions truthfully.
If you attempt to cry out--"

"I won't cry out--'deed I won't!" was the trembling answer.

"All right. Now tell me the truth. Where is Major Gossley?"

"Went out, sah, 'bout quarter of an hour ago."

"On horseback?"

"Yes, sah."

"Do you know where he went?"

"I ain't suah, sah, but t'ink he went to Rover."

"Did he say anything about coming back?"

"He dun tole missus he would be back in about two houhs."

"You are telling me the truth? Remember, if you lie to me it may cost
you your life."

"I'se tole yo' de truf, Cap'n--deed I has," answered Sam, earnestly. He
was still so scared he could scarcely speak.

"I will soon find out. I am glad to see you have rubbed down my horse.
Now saddle him as quick as you can."

"Yes, sah."

The negro sprang to work, and as he moved around Artie continued to keep
him covered with the gun. In a few minutes the horse was ready for use,
and then the young captain made the slave bring out one of Colonel Dick
Bradner's animals likewise. Both were taken to a rear doorway, out of
sight of the mansion.

"Now get up there and come along with me," said Artie, as he hopped into
the saddle. "And no treachery."

"Whar yo' gwine ter take me, Cap'n?"

"To the Union camp, so that you can't give your master the alarm. Do
what I want you to do, and you will suffer no harm.