the boy said. "I have got the captain with me. The
scheme worked well, fortunately, and he cut his way through the sack."

"You were obliged to take desperate chances, sir," said a woman's voice,
"and I told Tom that I feared they would be too desperate. He would have
released you if he could."

"Yes, I know, ma'am, but he gave me great assistance and I am accustomed
to taking desperate chances."

The woman lighted a tallow dip and then exclaimed in surprise:

"Why, Tom, you said he was a captain! This is but a boy, not very many
years older than yourself."

"He is the captain of the Liberty Boys, mother. They are all boys, some
of them no older than myself. This way, Captain, and I will get you some
clothes to take the place of the wet ones."

The boy then led the way into a smaller room, where he brought out a
suit of clothes somewhat small for Dick, but neat and clean.

"You had best keep them," said Dick, as he removed his soaking garments,
"and if you will come to the camp to-morrow, you can have your own
again."

He rapidly exchanged the wet for the dry clothes, Tom giving him a
ruffled shirt, saying:

"That is a gentleman's shirt, but I suppose you do not mind, on a
pinch?"

"No," with a laugh, "I do not, but I hear some one coming."

"Yes, but he does not know of this place, and if you are quiet he will
not hear you. There is another way out which I will show you."

Dick finished his dressing as he heard Fletch say:

"Some one helped the rebel, and I'd like to catch him! Where is that boy
Tom?"

"He is not here."

"Well, I can see that!" savagely. "Where is he?"

"He has gone out," simply.

"Whereabouts? To earn money? He gave you some to-night. Where is it?"

"You cannot have it," resolutely. "Some of it has been spent for the
children and the rest is put away."

"I want it. I am drenched and chill with cold. The plagued rebel upset
me into the river. I must have liquor to take out the chill. Give me the
money."

"No, I will not. I will make you some hot tea, which will be better for
you. I have never refused to help you when you were yourself, but I will
not let you turn yourself into a beast and make the children go hungry
and naked."

"Give me the money, I say!" savagely, and then Dick heard a frightened
scream from the other room.

"Quick, let me out, Tom!" he cried.

The boy was ahead of him, but Dick followed only an instant behind,
sprang into the room he had left and seiz