“She can’t be far away,” reiterated Wyman. “She must have hidden somewhere in the house when she saw you coming.”
“By heavens! we will show her the fate of traitors inside of five minutes!” vociferated the anxious officer. “Summon the servants.”
The chattering slaves were quickly found huddling together in a scared group in the kitchen.
Pete and Dinah according to instructions had come out of their hiding-places soon after the fugitives had left.
They were faithful to their promise, and the enraged Confederates could learn no trace of their missing prey.
“I know of one way to drive her from her retreat,” said the leader, grimly. “I will do it, now.”
“Here, men, some of you, Lake and Woodstaff, bear Boyd Wyman out of the house. Sergeant Howe, see that the house is surrounded and no one escapes. I will show that girl a trick she little dreams of.”
While his orders were being carried out, Lieutenant Bradley, with his own hands, set fire to the house.
“That will drive her out,” he muttered, with a look of satisfaction.
Boyd Wyman uttered a groan as he witnessed the fiendish work.