On driving into the enclosure, the farmer had made a circle, and the horses were now standing with their heads toward the gate, which was still open. Dick had noted this fact, and when he heard the captain’s command, a daring plan came into his mind. He would attempt to drive out of the enclosure and make his escape.
So he quickly grabbed up the lines and whip, and yelling to the horses, and giving them a couple of cuts with the whip, Dick sent the team out of the enclosure on the gallop, knocking down and running over two of the soldiers, who at the command from the captain had tried to stop the horses.
The farmer had been thrown down in the bottom of the wagon by the suddenness of the start, and he lay still, for he thought it likely that there would be bullets flying soon.
And in thinking thus he was correct, for the captain, wild with rage, gave the command for his soldiers to fire, and they did so, the bullets whizzing around Dick, who was still plying the whip and yelling to the horses.
On across the open ground dashed the team, and the soldiers came running forth from the enclosure like bees from a hive, and many of them came running after the wagon, but could not gain on it.
Dick drove on, and presently the wagon was in among the trees. Here the road wound and twisted, and the progress was slower than when in the open ground, but still they went at a pretty rapid rate.
The soldiers gave up the pursuit, and then Dick slowed the horses to a walk, and turned to the farmer, and smiling rather grimly, said: “I am sorry to have had to take matters in my hands, Mr. Boggs, but the redcoats would have captured me, otherwise.”
“Oh, that’s all right,” was the reply. “I had sold most all my truck, ennyhow.”
“But the redcoats will have it in for you, after this, won’t they?”
“I guess not. I’ll tell ’em I didn’t know ye was a rebel.”