“Yes,” answered the rebel; “and I think it is a pretty way to do business, for it is time I was”—­

He never finished the sentence; for Frank sprang upon him like a tiger, and seizing his throat, with a powerful gripe, threw him to the ground; and, hastily catching up the musket which had fallen from his enemy’s hand, dealt him a severe blow on the head.  The muscles of the rebel instantly relaxed; and Frank—­after unbuckling his cartridge-box, and fastening it to his own waist—­shouldered his musket, and ran boldly along the road.  He traveled until almost daylight, without seeing any one, and then turned off into the woods.

About noon, he came to a road, and, as he was crossing it, a bullet whistled past him, and, the next moment, a party of rebels, whom he had not noticed, dashed down the road in pursuit.  Frank returned the shot, and then started for the woods, loading his musket as he went.  He soon had the satisfaction of seeing that he was gaining on his pursuers, and, although the bullets whizzed by his head in unpleasant proximity, he escaped unhurt.  The rebels, however, were not so fortunate; for Frank fired as fast as he could load his gun, and at every shot a rebel measured his length on the ground.

For almost two hours his pursuers remained within gun-shot; but finding it impossible to capture him, or, perhaps, struck with terror at his skill as a marksman, they abandoned the pursuit.  This was a lucky circumstance for Frank, for, to his astonishment and terror, he discovered that his last cartridge had been expended.  But still, he was rejoicing over his escape, when a man rose out of the bushes, close at his side, and seized him by the collar.

CHAPTER XIII.

The Faithful Negro.

“Wal, now, I’ll be dog-gone, but you are lively on your legs, for a little one,” exclaimed the rebel, with a laugh.  “But you’re a safe Yank now.”

“Not yet, I ain’t,” answered Frank.  “I want you to understand that it’s my principle never to surrender without a fight;” and, suddenly exerting all his strength, he tore himself away from his captor, leaving part of his collar in his grasp.

The rebel was taken completely by surprise, for he had supposed that Frank would surrender without a struggle; but the latter brought his musket to a charge bayonet, in a way that showed he was in earnest.  The rebel was the better armed, carrying a neat sporting rifle, to which was attached a long, sharp saber-bayonet.  Frank noticed this difference, but resolutely stood his ground, and, as he was very expert in the bayonet exercise, and as his enemy appeared to be but very little his superior in strength and agility, he had no fear as to the result of the conflict.