CHAPTER XXIII
RECAPTURE
“We must not stay here, Jeanne,” said Dick, after his sister had finished her narrative. “We must strike out for the Mississippi River. Once there we may see some of our boats. That will be our best show for getting to our lines.”
“Is it far to the river, Dick?”
“I don’t know, Jeanne. If I felt sure that Colonel Peyton would send you to our men, I would let you go on with him, but after the treatment given you, I don’t like to let you go back.”
“No; let me stay with you, Dick. I feel as if I never wanted to see a rebel again.”
“You are liable to see a good many of them before we are out of this,” remarked Dick. “The woods are full of them. I fear––”
“What?” asked Jeanne, as the lad paused.
“For you, sister. It will be a long, hard journey. I wish I had known just how matters stood and I would have left you where you were. You have shown yourself a brave girl, and it will take all your courage and resolution now to stand up under the perils we will have to encounter. I wish we had some money. The Johnnies aren’t averse to taking our money for all their devotion to their cause. It would help us wonderfully.”
“See here, Dick!” Jeanne took a roll of bills from her dress. “Will this be enough?”
“Where did you get it?” cried Dick in delight. “Why, this is fine!”