The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-01

from the east shore. It was larger than an ordinary skifr. but as it was in a shadow he could not tell what kind of a 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 dan ger of meeting it in the middle of thes stream. The current was quite rapid, and before he was aware of it he was close to the boat. It was evil dently a ferryboat, and Mark. who knew the location of Browns 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 a twinkling what to do. Drawing sev- eral long breaths he filed his lungs with air. and then putting his head down and his feet up he threw him. self under water. He had often been beneath the surface for considerable time, but never as long as now. He remained under as long as he thought he possibly could. and then staid awhile longer. When he came to light again the boat was a hundred yards above him and to the west of him.
 Another mile brought him to an is- land. He remembered it on his map as Williams island. and knew that it was about two miles long. He recalled the fact that the only creek flowing into the river in this vicinity entered it midway between the north and south end of this island, and on his right, if be remembered 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 swan 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. Fortunate ly 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 soon at place where he could rest in the water with his feet on terra 6rma.
 But the knowledge that the dogs would soon be upon him prevented a rest of long duration. Perhaps party would cross the neck of Moccasin point, thus cutting of a greater part of the long distance over which he had float ed. The thought added new terror, and he began to wade and to swin, alternately, as was necessary, up the creek. Presently he came to the cross ing of road. He drew himself up on 50 it and looked around. As scout he had long been accustomed to keep his mind fixed on points along the paths he travelled. in order that he might know them again. As soon as he saw the little bridgAif it could be called a bridge-he knew that he was on the Chattanooga pike. over which be had passed a few days be- fore. and at the junction of the creek running near the Pains plantation.
 Mark had not considered what he would do in case he should succeed in getting safely across the river. While
 
 across the Tennessee he would feel ias- sured of safety. Now this had been accomplished. he began to realize that but half the battle had been won. In- deed there were more chances that he would be retakeu than that he would ever reach the Union lines.
 He wrung the water from his clothes ,cht Ia sc foan with his sunbonnet, for, though he had no mirror to inspect his features, he fancied they must be streaked with burnt cork softened by water. Then setting out toward the Fain plantation he deliberated what he should do. It was now between eleven and twelve cclock-so Mark judged by the moon being on the meridian-and he knew that all the Pains were asleep. He reached the corner of the yard and was about to enter it when he heard a chatter of hoofs behind him. He had hardly time to vault the fence and crouch behind it when troop of horse. men crossed the bridge over the creek yhey drew rein on the hither side not hundred yards away from him. Mark heard voice:
 Lieutenant, take ten men and SCOUT the. bank of the river from this on to the next creek, where l will make an. other detail"
 The lieutenant with his men broke away from the column. which moved forward. passing within fifty feet ot where Mark lay crouching.
 Mark was for a few. moments SC completely overcome by the narrow ness of his escape that he seemed to have no power to move. If he had been five minutes later. his capture would have been almost certain, fol they would likely have discovered him between the road and the river, which space they were evidently intending to SCOUT.
 He got up. and getting on the outside of the fence walked beside portion o1 it which led back from the road, design ing to enter the negro quarters in the rear. He feared that the dogs were loose in the yard, and that he would have trouble with them; he therefore stole along till he came to the nearest point to one of the negro cabins. A dog sleeping in the moonlight near the house gave low moan. Mark paused