“Good for Captain Heald! When is he going?�
“To-night. Lieutenant Mott is to be left in charge here.�
“He’s not as bad as the other. Where’s the captain going?�
“I think over to Fort Granby.�
“Humph! Probably to set some one on father’s tracks. He’ll never get him, though. Hello! Here comes the captain now, and he’s all dressed to leave!�
A colored man soon brought the captain’s horse, and as the officer swung himself lightly into the saddle, John, taking off his hat and bowing low, called out: “Good-bye, captain! We’ll speed the parting guest, although we can’t welcome the coming!�
Captain Heald made no reply, but turned on John a threatening look, at which the boy laughed.
That day went by and on the following morning John was wandering about the place, idly watching the soldiers, longing to be with his father, and wishing he had not given his parole to stay on the plantation. A black servant came to him and said that his mother wished to speak with him at the house. He went, and found his mother at the door. An expression of agony was on her face.
“What is it mother?� he asked.
“Go up to your room, John, and I’ll tell you.�