CHAPTER XXXVI. CONVICTED BY A DUMB WITNESS—SHORT RATIONS—A CAPTURE.
The boys pushed on as fast as they could, but it was not possible to make so good time with so many horses to lead as though they had been unencumbered. But they had a good start at any rate, and besides, they had brought away the horses of their would-be captors, and thus diminished the chances of pursuit.
“Those fellows from the woods have n't any horses to follow us with, that's certain,” said Harry; “but there's no telling how many our late host may have in his barn, or close by in the brush.”
“That's so,” answered Jack; “but I don't believe he has many. There was only one in the barn when we put up our horses, and we've got him along with us. But quite likely he has some out in the brush, and they may scare up two or three saddles and come after us. What shall we do if they turn up?”
“Let their horses go, and cut for Forsyth as fast as we can,” said Harry; “that's the only thing I can suggest, or at any rate the safest thing. They 'll stop to get their horses, and we 'll easily outrun them.”
Jack agreed to the suggestion, and it was resolved to put it into practice in case of necessity. As time went on it was evident that Mr. Jones did n't have any extra horses handy, as there were no indications of pursuit, and as daylight approached the boys began to feel safe. Every hour brought them nearer the camp of the army, and they knew that once within the lines they could tell their story in perfect security.
Suddenly they heard the sound of horses' feet behind them, and as they looked back they saw three or four men riding rapidly in their direction. The glance showed that the men were in the costume of the country, and quite likely they were the pursuers whom the boys dreaded.
“We're in for it now,” exclaimed Harry. “Let go your horses and I 'll let go mine.”
“Not much,” answered Jack; “just look ahead.”
Harry looked and saw approaching from the other direction a squad of ten or twelve cavalry in the Union blue.