The Indian, without replying, took the bit of paper, and started for the camp. Softly as the creeping panther he worked his way along. He passed the outer row of tents unperceived, and was now fairly within the rebel camp. With cat-like stealth he crept along from tent to tent, listening at each, but not a sound was heard save the deep breathing of the sleepers within. At length the Indian reached a wide avenue, which ran along before a better class of tents than those he had previously passed, and from which were streaming lights. He listened, and could plainly distinguish voices within, but there appeared here a difficulty. Directly in front of the one he wished to reach, a sentinel was stationed, and, if he attempted to cross the broad avenue at that point, it could not fail to attract the watchful guardian's attention.
Just at that moment two forms emerged from the tent, and came directly toward him. It was but the work of an instant for the Indian to conceal himself in the long prairie grass, which fortunately had not been entirely trodden down at this point. He was passed unobserved, and he distinctly heard the name of "Hayward" spoken. He watched, and saw them enter a tent, some twenty rods from that from which they had emerged.
The Indian crept cautiously along. About half-way between the two tents to which his attention had been thus especially drawn, he found the lights extinguished, and he succeeded in crossing the avenue unobserved. He was now in the rear of what he supposed to he the general commanding and his staff officers' quarters. He soon came near the tent into which he had seen the two persons enter, and bending his ear to the ground, he distinctly heard the voices of those within, but could not distinguish the words spoken. He drew nearer, but saw that a guard was stationed on every side, and that it would be impossible to approach nearer without being discovered. He could now hear the voices plainly, and was not long in discovering that both Alibamo and the captain were confined there. Some stratagem must be resorted to, in order to attract the attention of the guard in another direction. The Indian had already torn up the long prairie-grass, and wrapped it around him in such a manner that he would not easily be seen, so nearly did he resemble the earth around him. He remained perfectly quiet for a moment, as if deeply thinking. At length he commenced a search upon the ground around him. He raised a stone about the size of a large apple, and hurled it toward the woods, in the rear of the last row of tents. It struck against the tree-tops and then fell to the ground, making considerable noise. The guard instantly turned his attention in that direction. He listened, but hearing nothing more, he started with cautious steps toward the wood, his gun at a ready. The Indian at once took advantage of his absence from his post, and darted unseen, close behind the tent. He prostrated himself upon the ground, and drawing the grass around him, and the tent-flap partially over his form, he was safe from detection so long as he did not move. The guard discovering nothing, returned to his post, but the Indian remained quiet, listening to all the conversation within. He became convinced that Nettleton was a friend, and finally attracted his attention, he being seated back of the couch upon which Hayward was lying, and very near Fall-leaf. The Indian waved the paper in his hand, and then let it fall upon the ground. In an instant he sprang to his feet, and dashing the guard to the ground, darted for the woods. He leaped the fence just as the sentinel fired upon him, but the ball whistled by without harming Fall-leaf.
He made all haste to join his friends whom he found awaiting him. It was decided to make no further attempts to enter camp, but they determined to follow on, hoping the prisoners might be left at some point under a small guard, which could be attacked and overcome.
On the morning the squad under the command of Branch left the main army, our friends were well satisfied that their destination was Springfield, and Johnson determined to hasten back to the Union army, and try to procure assistance. Margrave and Fall-leaf followed on, and saw his sister Alibamo and Captain Hayward, enter the rebel hospital. As both were well known in Springfield, Margrave having escaped from that place but a short time previous, assisted by the Indian, their situation was by no means an enviable one. But they mingled with the loungers, and soon learned that a hanging was to come off the next day at three o'clock. The great event was to take place in the Fair-Ground.
CHAPTER XII.
Hanging Day—The Friends—The Plot—The Attack.
There is no pang in thy sharp wedge of steel,