"By the way," said Moore, "I have a favor to ask of you, Webster."
"Well," replied Webster, "anything I can do will be cheerfully done for you, Moore."
"I know that, Webster," said Moore, heartily, "and there is no one in the world I would rather oblige than you. The fact is, I have got two ladies here, who are wives of army officers, now stationed in Richmond, they have been living North for some time, and are anxious to get to their husbands; they have three children with them, and I want you to take charge of the party, and see them safely on their way."
"I'll do that with pleasure," replied Webster, "and I'll take good care of them, too."
That night, about nine o'clock, a close-covered carriage was driven away from the hotel, in the direction of Cob Neck. John Moore and Timothy Webster sat on the driver's seat, while within were the families of the rebel officers, who had been placed in my operative's charge. Reaching their destination in safety, the party alighted, and walking out to the end of the point, Moore uttered a shrill whistle, which was immediately answered in the same manner. Soon they heard the splashing of oars, and in a few minutes a boat was discernable through the darkness, and the voice of a man called out:
"Here I am, Cap'n! on time, as ye see."
"All right, Tom," replied Moore, "I've got a party here that you must take good care of."
"Very well, Cap'n, I'll do the best I can, but I'm afraid the wind ain't right for landin' on t'other side."
"Well," said Moore, "you must do your best, and I guess you will get over all right."
The night was dark and cold, the wind was blowing sharp and chill, and heavy clouds were shifting overhead. The river was running swiftly, and was of that inky blackness that invariably presages a storm. The wind through the low pines was sighing like a human being in distress, and the ladies gazed fearfully and shudderingly at the dark waters and the frail craft which was to carry them to the opposite shore. Webster uttered words of courage and assurance to the shrinking ladies, and assisted in comfortably bestowing them in the boat, and then, with a parting salutation to John Moore, the boat pushed off from the shore.