"The promise is freely given," answered Lawrence.
The two men, so strangely met, shook hands, and Lawrence mounted his horse and, accompanied by two of the guerrillas, rode away.
On the way they met several rough-looking men who looked at Lawrence with malevolent eyes, but a few whispered words from his guards and they were allowed to pass on. Lawrence now saw why Captain Lamar had sent a guard with him.
After they had traveled several miles Lawrence saw a line of blue galloping towards him.
"Go, I will see you are not followed," he said to his guards. They raised their hands in salute, turned, and putting spurs to their horses, were soon out of sight.
In a moment more Lawrence was in the arms of Dan Sherman, who was hugging him, laughing and crying at the same time.
"I'll never leave you again," he cried.
"It is fortunate that you did," replied Lawrence, "for if you had been with me there would be no Dan Sherman now."
The officer in command of the company now bustled up. "Did I not see two men with you, Captain?" he asked. "They looked to me very much like guerrillas."
"They were friends," answered Lawrence. "Neither can I guide you to the haunts of those who held me prisoner. Tomorrow you are at liberty to find them if you can. Turn back with me to Platte City and I will tell you my story."