This threat seemed to decide the lieutenant, who replied, “I guess it’s all right—­you’uns can pass.”

When Frank heard this, it seemed as though a heavy load had been removed from his breast.  But the hardest part of the trial, with him, had yet to come.  What if he should be recognized?  But he had that risk to run; so, summoning up all his fortitude, he marched with his companions by the guards, apparently as unconcerned as though he was entering a friendly camp.

The moment they got out of hearing of the tread of the sentinel, the major turned from the road and led the way into the woods.  After walking a short distance, at a rapid pace, he whispered: 

“Perhaps we fooled the rascals, but I think not.  I didn’t like the way that lieutenant eyed me.  I am certain we shall be pursued as soon as he can send for assistance; and the best thing we can do is to get away from here.  So, forward, double-quick.  Don’t make too much noise now.  Captain, look out for that prisoner.”

It was well that the major had adopted the precaution of leaving the road and taking to the woods, for, in less than half an hour after they had passed the guards, a squad of cavalry came up, having a full and correct description of Frank and his companions.  By some means, the capture of the rebel lieutenant had become known, and a portion of his own regiment—­which had followed Frank from Shreveport, but which had given up the chase and returned—­had again started in pursuit.  The guards were astounded when they learned that the young gun-boat officer (with whose flight and subsequent almost miraculous escapes from recapture every scout in the country was acquainted) had been within their very grasp, and a portion of them joined the cavalry in pursuit; but, as they kept on down the road, Frank and his companions again escaped.  They had heard their pursuers pass by, and knowing that the country would be thoroughly alarmed, and that it would be useless to attempt to reach Red River at present, they directed their course toward Washita River, which lay about thirty-five miles distant, hoping to deceive the rebels as to their real intentions, and thus, by drawing their pursuers into the country, leave their avenue of escape unobstructed.

One clear, moonlight night they halted, as usual, in the rear of a plantation, and were debating upon the best means to be employed in obtaining food, when a man, dressed in a shabby Federal uniform, was discovered coming slowly toward them, on the opposite side of the fence that separated the woods from the plantation.

His sudden and wholly unexpected appearance took them completely by surprise.  Frank immediately proposed to challenge him.  Perhaps, like themselves, he was a fugitive from a rebel prison, and in need of assistance.  But the captain strongly opposed this, and was in favor of shooting the man, who still continued to advance, as if wholly unconscious of the presence of any one—­arguing, in his broken English, and with good reason, too, that the appearance of a Federal uniform in that part of the country boded them no good, but was a sure sign of treachery; and evidently thinking that he had won the day, he was about to put his plan into execution, when the major struck up his musket, and shouted: