Robert waited eagerly and hopefully his chance to join the Union army; and was ready and willing to do anything required of him by which he could earn his freedom and prove his manhood.  He conducted his plans with the greatest secrecy.  A few faithful and trusted friends stood ready to desert with him when the Union army came within hailing distance.  When it came, there was a stampede to its ranks of men ready to serve in any capacity, to labor in the tents, fight on the fields, or act as scouts.  It was a strange sight to see these black men rallying around the Stars and Stripes, when white men were trampling them under foot and riddling them with bullets.

CHAPTER V.

THE RELEASE OF IOLA LEROY.

“Well, boys,” said Robert to his trusted friends, as they gathered together at a meeting in Gundover’s woods, almost under the shadow of the Union army, “how many of you are ready to join the army and fight for your freedom.”

“All ob us.”

“The soldiers,” continued Robert, “are camped right at the edge of the town.  The General has his headquarters in the heart of the town, and one of the officers told me yesterday that the President had set us all free, and that as many as wanted to join the army could come along to the camp.  So I thought, boys, that I would come and tell you.  Now, you can take your bag and baggage, and get out of here as soon as you choose.”

“We’ll be ready by daylight,” said Tom.  “It won’t take me long to pack up,” looking down at his seedy clothes, with a laugh.  “I specs ole Marse’ll be real lonesome when I’m gone.  An’ won’t he be hoppin’ mad when he finds I’m a goner?  I specs he’ll hate it like pizen.”

“O, well,” said Robert, “the best of friends must part.  Don’t let it grieve you.”

“I’se gwine to take my wife an’ chillen,” said one of the company.

“I’se got nobody but myself,” said Tom; “but dere’s a mighty putty young gal dere at Marse Tom’s.  I wish I could git her away.  Dey tells me dey’s been sellin’ her all ober de kentry; but dat she’s a reg’lar spitfire; dey can’t lead nor dribe her.”

“Do you think she would go with us?” said Robert.

“I think she’s jis’ dying to go.  Dey say dey can’t do nuffin wid her.  Marse Tom’s got his match dis time, and I’se glad ob it.  I jis’ glories in her spunk.”

“How did she come there?”

“Oh, Marse bought her ob de trader to keep house for him.  But ef you seed dem putty white han’s ob hern you’d never tink she kept her own house, let ’lone anybody else’s.”

“Do you think you can get her away?”

“I don’t know; ’cause Marse Tom keeps her mighty close.  My! but she’s putty.  Beautiful long hair comes way down her back; putty blue eyes, an’ jis’ ez white ez anybody’s in dis place.  I’d jis’ wish you could see her yoresef.  I heerd Marse Tom talkin’ ‘bout her las’ night to his brudder; tellin’ him she war mighty airish, but he meant to break her in.”