"Well, wait here till I get my men together, and then I will hear all about this rascally business."
When Irene went back into the cabin, it was her turn to comfort her companion with assurance of safety, but Mrs. Jackson was in an agony of dread as to the probable fate of her husband.
Uncle Dan had no need to recall his men, for they were already returning from the useless pursuit of the flying Confederates, who were now ascending the mountain side a mile away.
When he ordered them to bring up the prisoner, that had been captured at the creek, the soldiers looked inquiringly one at another; every one declared it was the business of some one else to have remained on guard.
It soon became evident that no one had been left behind to care for the red-headed rebel, and that he had resented this lack of attention by departing. Uncle Dan instructed his sergeant to make preparations for immediate return to Snagtown and then went into the house.
Mrs. Jackson met him with anxious inquiries if her husband had been killed.
"What kinder man was he—red hair?"
"Yes, oh yes! Is he dangerously wounded?"
"And red eyebrows?"