At last he decided that he would attempt to find relief at the far-away house. Slowly and cautiously he climbed from the hole in the stack, frequently pausing to look up and then down the road and make sure that his actions were not observed. As soon as he was convinced that the road was free from his enemies he quickly slipped over the side. As he struck the ground an exclamation escaped him when his fall was broken by the body of a man directly beneath him.
CHAPTER XXI
THE CARPET-BAG
Noel was conscious of a low cry from the man upon whom he had fallen, and then instantly each savagely clutched the other. There was a struggle, which was short and violent, and Noel found himself holding to the ground the body of Levi, the sutler.
"Father Abraham!" ejaculated Levi. "Father Abraham! Let me up! Let me up!"
The surprise of Noel, when he discovered who his captive was, did not detract from his inclination to laugh as he heard the exclamations of the little sutler.
Without rising and still holding his prisoner fast to the ground, Noel said, "What are you doing here, Levi?"
"You vill let me up and I vill leave so quick you shall not see me."
"Before you go I want to know what you're doing here. Were you spying on me?"