As Frank spoke, he cut the bridle from the horse with his Bowie-knife, and securely bound the rebel—­who submitted to the operation with a very bad grace—­and laid him away, as he would a log of wood, behind one of the cabins.

“Now, you barbarian,” he continued, as he shouldered his rifle, and thrust the revolver and Bowie-knife into his belt, “you are in the power of one who has very little love for a man who is guilty of the cruelty of hunting a fellow-being with blood-hounds; so, if you expect to live to see daylight, don’t make any noise.”  With this piece of advice, Frank left his captive, and started for the house.

He walked up the steps that led to the portico, which ran entirely around the house, and boldly knocked at the door.  The summons was answered by a fine-looking, elderly lady, who, as soon as she saw the Confederate uniform, exclaimed: 

“Good evening, sir; walk in.”

Frank followed the lady through the hall, into a large room, whose only inmates were three young ladies, who rose and bowed as he came in.  He was very much relieved to find that there were no men in the house.

“Take a chair, sir,” said the elderly lady.  “Is there any thing we can do for you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” answered Frank.  “I am out on a scout with some of my men, and my provisions have given out.  I have taken the liberty to come here and see if I could not purchase some from you.”

“We are glad to see you,” said one of the young ladies.  “I will have some food put up for you immediately; and you shall have a nice, warm supper before you go.”

“I am under obligations to you, madam,” answered Frank; “but, really, I can not wait, for I am on the trail of some escaped Yankee prisoners; and, besides, I always make it a point never to fare better than the men I command.”

“I should like to have you stay,” said the elderly lady, whom Frank set down as the mother of the girls; “but you know your duty better than we do.  I wish all of our officers were as careful of their men, and as devoted to the cause, as you are.  But what regiment do you belong to?”

“The Seventeenth Georgia,” answered Frank.

“Did you catch any of the Yankees you are after?”

“No, ma’am, not yet.  But we shall have them before to-morrow night.”

“Oh, I hope so!  I suppose you will hang them to the nearest tree, as fast as you catch them?”

“No, ma’am, I can’t do that.  They will be prisoners, you know, and must be treated as such.”

“Then bring them here, and I will hang them for you,” exclaimed the lady, excitedly.  “I think our government is entirely too lenient with the rascals.”

During the conversation that followed, Frank gained some very valuable information concerning the plans the rebels had on foot for the capture of the runaways.  He also learned that the lady’s husband was an officer of high rank in the rebel army, and that she was expecting him home every moment.  Frank, as may be supposed, was not very well pleased with this information, and he cast uneasy glances toward the door, expecting to see the officer enter.  But his fears were soon set at rest by the return of the young lady from the kitchen, with a large traveling bag, filled with provisions.