The rebels had seen them, however, and giving vent to their terrible yell, they dashed in pursuit.
“Surrender,” cried the leader as they drew near the hapless pair. “Surrender!”
“Never!” cried Dick, furiously urging his horse to greater speed. A shower of bullets fell about them. The horse stumbled and then swayed heavily. Dick leaped from the animal’s back and swung Jeanne to the ground just as the poor brute fell. Throwing his arms about his sister the boy faced the men defiantly.
“You are our prisoner, Yank,” yelled the leader as they surrounded them.
“My sister,” came from the lad’s lips. His face was very pale and a despairing look came into his eyes. He tottered and fell as he spoke.
“Dick!” shrieked Jeanne, frantically flinging herself beside him. “Dick, Dick!”
“Wounded,” was the terse remark of the Captain as he made a brief examination. “By George, but he showed pluck to face us as he did! Look here, boys.”
Turning back the lad’s shirt he showed a gaping wound in his chest. With a cry of agony at the sight, the world turned dark to Jeanne, and she fell prostrate across the form of her brother.