The three rifles cracked in rapid succession, and the colonel and one of his men fell heavily from their saddles. The white hound gave one short howl of pain, and sank out of sight. Every shot had reached its mark.
The remaining rebels stood aghast at this sudden repulse; and the smoke of the rifles had scarcely cleared away, when they wheeled their horses, and disappeared in the woods.
The death of the white hound produced no less consternation among his canine assistants, for they each gave a short yelp, and turned and made for the shore.
CHAPTER XV.
The Rescue.
"Now's our time, boys," exclaimed the major; "come on, and load your guns as you run;" and he started rapidly down the path.
All sounds of the rebels were soon left behind; but our party kept on their way, until they emerged from the woods, and found themselves in full view of a plantation.
"I pelieve somebody lives in that house," exclaimed the captain, drawing back in the bushes.
"No doubt of it," answered the major.
"Let's move back into the woods a little further, and eat some dinner," said Frank; and he turned to walk away, and felt for the haversack the negro woman had given him. But it seemed that he was destined to disappointment, for the haversack was gone.