"Then get within the lines as soon as possible. The federal army are advancing, and are within a few miles of us, and their scouts are but a short distance from this point. I have a horse, and will make my servant dismount and give the lady his horse!"
"All right, captain," replied the sergeant in command of the squad He had seen Hayward that day several times, and had no doubt he was just what he appeared.
Hayward had brought his own horse and that rode by Nettleton, within a few feet of the spot where he was then standing. The adjutant had already disappeared, as the captain handed the lady into the saddle and mounted his own horse. As he turned into the main road, a mounted orderly from the camp rode up to the squad and asked:
"Have you seen that fellow who was around camp to-day and pretended to be from McIntosh—the one that kissed Alibamo?"
"Yes, there he is, just—why he is going from the camp instead of toward it!"
"It is Captain Harry Hayward, of the federal army, and a spy. Fire upon him!"
A discharge of musketry rang through the woods, but the captain and his charge were too well covered by the trees and the darkness to be injured by it.
Captain Hayward heard the question, and striking his horse with the spur, he dashed forward at a rapid rate, followed by the whole party.
"The story I told the guard of the advancing army," said Hayward, "will prevent an immediate pursuit. But Price will know it is not true, and in an hour we shall be hotly followed. We must make the best of our time!"
The company did not pause for more than five hours, as it was daylight when the first halt was made. They had scarcely dismounted when the echoes of horses' feet were heard in the distance.