Then as they drew nearer and no form of man took shape among the branches they began to anticipate the hoax played upon them.
“No one is there,” whispered Jones, with a breath of relief.
“He must be there somewhere!”
“He ain’t. He’s got away somehow.”
“Impossible.”
They were soon satisfied, however, that such was the case.
“A pretty go!” muttered the leader. “I see now, it was him we heard in the building. Get down there lively for we may not be too late to get him yet.”
They saw two men under the tree as they had left them, and did not dream they were others than Boggs and Sperry their companions, until the clear tones of Curt called out:
“Hold! the tables have turned and you are Union prisoners! Move at the peril of your lives. Our rifles cover you!”
Never were four men more completely surprised. However, they were fairly caught.