t, and take out his pistol. If he
resists, I'll punch him with this," added Tom, demonstrating the movement
by a few vigorous thrusts with the bayonet.

With some hesitation Joe took a revolver from the pocket of the soldier,
and handed it to Tom.

"Examine all his pockets. Take out everything he has in them," added Tom,
cocking the revolver, and pointing it at the head of the prisoner.

Joe took from the pockets of the rebel a quantity of pistol cartridges, a
knife, some letters, and a wallet.

"Who's this fur?" asked Joe, as he proceeded to open the wallet, and take
therefrom a roll of Confederate "shin-plasters."

"Give it back to him."

"But this is money."

"Money!" sneered Tom. "A northern beggar wouldn't thank you for all he
could carry of it. Give it back to him, and every thing else except the
cartridges."

Joe reluctantly restored the wallet, the letters, and the knife, to the
pockets from which he had taken them. Tom then directed him to secure the
cartridge box of the soldier.

"You are my prisoner," said Tom; "but I believe in treating prisoners
well. You may go into the house, and if your arm is much hurt, Mrs. Burnap
may do what she can to help you."

The prisoner sullenly attended the woman into the house, and Tom followed
as far as the front door.

"Now, what am I gwine to do?" said Joe. "You've got me into a right smart
scrape."

"I thought I had got you out of one," replied Tom. "Do you intend to
remain here?"

"Sartin not, now. I must clear."

"So must I; and we have no time to spare. Get what you can to eat, and
come along."

In ten minutes more, Tom and Joe Burnap were travelling towards the
mountains.

CHAPTER XIX.

THROUGH THE GAP.

Joe Burnap was perfectly familiar with the country, and Tom readily
accepted him as a guide; and, as they had a common object in view, neither
had good cause for mistrusting the other. They walked, without stopping to
rest, till the sun set behind the mountains towards which they were
travelling.

"I reckon we needn't hurry now," said Joe, as he seated himself on a rock.

"I don't think there is any danger of their catching us," replied Tom, as
he seated himself beside his fellow-traveller. "Can you tell me where we
are?"

"I reckon I can. There ain't a foot of land in these yere parts that I
hain't had my foot on. I've toted plunder of all sorts through these woods
more'n ten thousand times."

"Well, where are we?" asked Tom, w