"We'll catch 'em yet," said the leader.
CHAPTER XV.
The raiders were up early next morning scouring the woods and country around. They knew that the fugitive soldiers could not have gone far, for the Federals had every road picketed, and their main body was not far away. As the morning wore on, it became a grave question at Oakland how the two soldiers were to subsist. They had no provisions with them, and the roads were so closely watched that there was no chance of their obtaining any. The matter was talked over, and the boys' mother and Cousin Belle were in despair.
"They can eat their shoes," said Willy, reflectively.
The ladies exclaimed in horror.
"That's what men always do when they get lost in a wilderness where there is no game."
This piece of information from Willy did not impress his hearers as much as he supposed it would.
"I'll tell you! Let me and Frank go and carry 'em something to eat!"
"How do you know where they are?"