"The mountains? Alone?"
"No, missus—he was a prisoner."
"Of the Yankees?"
"De men wot had him was dressed as Confed'rates, missus."
"You did not know them?"
"No, missus."
"And you are certain that Jack was held a prisoner?"
"Oh. yes, missus, fo' one ob de men said he would shoot if de boy tried to git away from him."
Mrs. Ruthven clasped her hands in despair.
"A prisoner! Did you speak to him?"