Page 136 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

mill. His eyes were nearly scratched out of his head, and
his uniform was torn into shreds.
The young fellow, who still showed the marks of bis bruis­
ing, took the chaffing good-naturedly, and confessed that he

had nearly lost his Ufe trying to hold on to his captive* He
had been down into the woods the next day to try and get
his horse; though it was the other side of the little river,
and really within the Federal lines. But though he caught
sight of him, it was only a glimpse. The animal was much

too wild to be caught, and the only tiling he received for his
pains was a grazing shot from a picket, who had caught sight
of him prowling around, and had sent a ball through his cap.
The narration of the capture and escape made Jack wild
with excitement. All the next day lie was in a state of

tremor, and that evening he and Jake spent a long time up
in the barn together talking, or rather Jack talking and Jake
listening, Jake seemed to be doubtful ; but Jack's enthusi­
asm carried all before him, and Jake yielded, as he nearly

always did.
All that evening after they got back to the house Jack
was very quiet. It was the quiet of suppressed excitement.
He was thinking.
Next day, after dinner, he and Jake started out. They
were very mysterious. Jack carried a rope that they got

from the stablcn and the old musket that he used in hunting.
Jake carried an axe and some corn. They struck out for the
creek as if they were going hunting in the big woods, which