Justin bowed grimly, and then inquired:
“My two orderlies?”
“Their lives will be safe. We don’t hang children! We shall hold them prisoners until they are exchanged. And now, for Heaven’s sake, be off with yourself, and leave me to settle with those howling furies outside.”
Thus urged, Justin followed Captain Bannister, who conducted him through the back door into a back yard, where they mounted two horses that stood ready saddled and bridled; and thence they rode through the garden and the orchard, and round where the edge of the woods skirted the old field, and by that covered path to the ferry, where they were challenged by the sentinel on duty.
Bannister gave the countersign, and passed with his companion.
The old ferryman came out of his house at the captain’s summons, and got his boat ready. And in a few minutes Justin was safely landed on the other side of the river. His guard, however, did not leave him until they had passed all the pickets, and reached the extreme outposts of the guerrillas’ encampment.
Then Captain Bannister took from his pocket the paper that Monck had given him, and handed it to Justin, saying:
“In case you should meet with any scouts of our band, you have only to show them this paper, and you will pass unmolested.”
Justin took the paper with a bow, and then thanked Captain Bannister for all his courtesy.
“You will follow this path through the wood until you reach the turnpike road leading to W.—the same road upon which our men first surprised you,” said Captain Bannister.