, may be you will succeed. But you'd better keep in the
woods till dark."

Ellerton rode off at a fast trot. Penn hastened to the woods, where
Stackridge's horse was still concealed. The animal had been recently fed
and watered, and was ready for a hard ride. The bridle was soon on his
head, and Penn on his back, and he was making his way through the woods
again towards home.

As soon as it was dark, Penn came out into the open road; nor did he
turn aside into the bridle-path when he reached it, because he wished to
avoid travelling in company with Ellerton, who was to take that route.
He also supposed that Sprowl's party would be returning that way. In
this he was mistaken. Riding at a gallop through the darkness, his heart
beating anxiously as the first twinkling lights of the town began to
appear, he suddenly became aware of three horsemen riding but a short
distance before him. They had evidently been drinking something stronger
than water at the house of some good secessionist on the road, perhaps
to console themselves for the loss of the schoolmaster,--for these were
the excellent friends who were so eager to meet with him again! They
were merry and talkative, and Penn, not ambitious of cultivating their
acquaintance, checked his horse.

It was too late. They had already perceived his approach, and hailed
him.

What should he do? To wheel about and flee would certainly excite their
suspicions; they would be sure to pursue him; and though he might
escape, his arrival in town would be thus perhaps fatally delayed. The
arrests might be even at that moment taking place.

He reflected, "There are but three of them; I may fight my way through,
if it comes to that."

Accordingly he rode boldly up to the assassins, and in a counterfeit
voice, answered their hail. He was but little known to either of them,
and there was a chance that, in the darkness, they might fail to
recognize him.

"Where you from?" demanded Sprowl.

"From a little this side of Bald Mountain," said Penn,--which was true
enough.

"Where bound?"

"Can't you see for yourself?" said Penn, assuming a reckless,
independent air. "I am following my horse's nose, and that is going
pretty straight into Curryville."

"Glad of your company," said Sprowl, riding gayly alongside. "What's
your business in town, stranger?"

"Well," replied Penn, "I don't mind telling you that my business is to
see if I and my horse can find something to do for old Ten