The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-02-23

well up, and he could see quite distinct
~. Below and to his right boat was
putting out from the east shore. It was
larger than an ordinary skiff, but as it
was in a shadow he could not tell what
kind of craft it was. AS it came over
the river at right angles with the shore,
and Mark was drifting toward it, he
soon found that he was in danger of
meeting it in the middle of the stream
The current was quite rapid, and before
he was aware of it he was close to the
boat. It was evidently ferryboat. and
Mark, who knew the location of Brown 5
ferry from the maps, judged that it was
the boat belonging there.
But Mark was concerned with other
considerations besides his location Just
then. He was too late to get out Of the
way unobserved by swimming aside.
He made up his mind in twinkling
what to do. Drawing several lony
breaths he filled his lungs with air, and
then putting his head down and his feet
up he threw himself under water. Il
had often been beneath the surface fo,
a considerable time, but never as lon
as now. He remained under as long %,
he thought he possibly could, and then
staid awhile longer. When he came
to light again the boat was hundred
yards above him and to the west Of him.
Another mile brought him to an island.
He remembered it on his map as Will
liam's island, and knew that it was
about two miles long. He recalled the
fact that the only creek flowing into lie
river in this vicinity entered it midway
between the north and south end of this
island, and on his right, if he remeln-
bered Alright. He had about a mile to
go to reach the mouth of this creek.
Striking out, he directed his course to
the eastward of the island and SWAIN
very near to the east bank of the river.
Along this he foated with scarcely a
stroke, except to keep in close to the
shore, watching eagerly for the mouth
of the creek. Fortunately when he
reached it he discovered it, and where
he had supposed he would find it. With
few lusty strokes he was in it and soo,:
at place where he could rest in the
water with his feet on terra frma.
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented Il
rest of long duration. Perhaps party
would cross the neck of Moccasin point,
thus cutting off a greater part of the
long distance over which he had foated.
The Thought added new terror, and lie
began to wade and to swim alternatel7,-,
as was necessary, up the creek. Pre-
sently he came to the crossing of road
He drew himself up on to it and looked,
around. AS scout he had long been
accustomed to keep his mind fixed OIL
points along the paths he travelled, in
order that he might know them again.
AS soon as he saw the little BRIDGET it
could be called a bridge-he knew that
he was on the Chattanooga pike, over
which lie had passed few days before.
and at the junction Of the creek running
near the Fains' plantation.
Mark had not considered what lie
would do in case he should succeed il,
getting safely across the river. While
in jail he felt that once out and across
the Tennessee he would feel assured OF
safety Now this had been accom-
rlished, he began to realize that but half
the battle had been won. Indeed there
were more chances that he would be re-
taken than that he would ever reach the
Union lines.
He wrung the water from his clothes
o,,I <l,o,,, ~, cbio11;nr. g. ~,
his sunbonnet, for, though he had nc
mirror to inspect his features, he fancied
they must be streaked with burnt corr
softened by water. Then setting out
toward the Fain plantation he DELHI
Grated what he should do.
1t was now between eleven and twelve
o'clock-so Mark Judged by the moon
being on the neridian-and he knew
that all the Fains were asleep. HI
reached the corner of the yard and wa:
about to enter it when he heard a clat
tering of hoofs behind him. He hac
hardly time to vault the fence and crouch
behind it when a troop of horseme1
crossed the bridge over the creek. The,
drew rein Oh the hither side not hun
dred yards away from him. Mark heart
| a voice:
Lieutenant, take ten men and scoul
| the bank of the river from this on to tn,
next creek, where l will make anothe
detail"
The lieutenant with his men brok'
away from the column, which moved
forward, passing within fifty feet O
where Mark lay crouching.
Mark was for few moments so com
pletely overcome by the narrowness o
his escape that he seemed to have n
power to move. If he had been fiv,
minutes later, his capture would hav
been almost certain, for they would ikel,
have discovered him between the roa,
and the river, which space they wer
evidently intending to scour.
He got up, and getting on the outsid
Of the fence walked beside portion 0
it which led back from the road, design
ing to enter the negro quarters in tn
rear. He, feared that the dogs. wei
loose in the yard, and that hswoul
have trouble with them; he therefor