When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voice whispered, “Follow me, quick!”
Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow of buildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part of the city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running, both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.
INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.
“We are safe now,” said the guide, “but it was [pg 224]a close shave for you. What did they arrest you for?”
“To hang me,” answered Calhoun, with a shudder. “I am a Confederate officer.”
“I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn’t have tried to arrest you in that crowd; but don’t worry, you are all right now.”
His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which he said was his home, “and,” he exclaimed, “none of Abe Lincoln’s minions will ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escaped Confederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton. It should be called Camp Hades.”
Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. “Sleep soundly, and without fear,” said Mr. Randall.
Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget to return thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respect for the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The next morning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling of his escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with the announcement that so important did the government consider his person that a reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhoun now knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remained for him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.