CHAPTER XV.

The Rescue.

“Now’s our time, boys,” exclaimed the major; “come on, and load your guns as you run;” and he started rapidly down the path.

All sounds of the rebels were soon left behind; but our party kept on their way, until they emerged from the woods, and found themselves in full view of a plantation.

“I pelieve somebody lives in that house,” exclaimed the captain, drawing back in the bushes.

“No doubt of it,” answered the major.

“Let’s move back into the woods a little further, and eat some dinner,” said Frank; and he turned to walk away, and felt for the haversack the negro woman had given him.  But it seemed that he was destined to disappointment, for the haversack was gone.

During all the perils he had encountered that day, he had been buoyed up by the thought that he had food sufficient to last him for a day or two, and that he was in no danger of suffering the pangs of hunger.  But now his spirits fell again to zero.

“How unfortunate!” he exclaimed.  “But it’s just my luck.”

“Yes, it is too bad,” said the major; “for now we shall be obliged to run the risk of being captured, in order to procure food.  But let us move on, and get as far away from this place as possible.”

Frank silently shouldered his rifle, and followed the major, who threaded his way along in the edge of the woods, taking care to keep out of sight of any one who might be in the house.  They kept on until dark, and then halted in the rear of another plantation, to hold a consultation relative to the manner in which they should obtain food.

“Well,” said the major, “we must have something to eat, that’s certain; and the only way I can think of, is to draw lots to see who shall go up to the house after it.  It is a dangerous undertaking, but that is the fairest way to see who shall run the risk;” and the major selected three sticks of different lengths, and continued, as he held them out to Frank, in his closed hand, “Now, the one that draws the shortest stick must go to the house and procure us some food.”

Frank drew first, then the captain, and the major took the one that was left.  The lot fell upon Frank.

“Now,” said the major, as he shook Frank’s hand, “be careful of yourself, my friend.  We will remain here until you return.  When you get into the woods give two low whistles, that we may know that it is you.  Good-by.”

Frank silently returned the pressure of the major’s hand, and moved away.  He climbed over the fence that ran between the woods and the plantation, and walked fearlessly toward the house.  He was not at all pleased with the part he had to perform, for he remembered the danger he had run the night before; but his determination was to do his duty, and trust to his skill to carry him safely through.