they called it, was given a wide circulation.  I fared even worse than I had expected.  My food was of the very worst quality, and barely sufficient to sustain life.  I was never allowed a shelter of any kind, not even a blanket; and, when my clothing was worn out, I could not obtain another suit.  ‘Stick to your dirty blue,’ said the officer under whose charge I had been placed, ’and every time you look at it, think of the meanness of which you have been guilty.’

“At length, to my relief, the order came for me to be transferred to the prison at Tyler.  When I arrived at that place, I was thrust into an old slave-pen, where I was contained nearly twenty months before I succeeded in effecting my escape.  I was given to understand that it had been ordered that I was not to be exchanged, but might expect to die a traitor’s death at no distant day.  Whether or not this was intended to terrify me, I do not know; but, since my escape, I have thought that there were some good grounds for fear; for, during my journey from Tyler to Shreveport, I was not once out of hearing of the blood-hounds that were following my trail.  The only support I have had is the consciousness that I have tried to do my duty.  If it were not for that, I should be the most miserable person in the world; and I should not care how soon some rebel bullet put an end to my existence.

“Although I am now looked upon by my relatives as a stranger and an outcast, I have determined to visit once more the place which, long ago, I used to call home.  It is only ten miles from here, and not a step out of our way.  Will you accompany me?”

Of course, this strange proposition at first met with strong opposition, especially from the captain.  But George assured them that there was not the slightest danger, as all the troops in that part of the country had been ordered to Fort De Russy, and were hourly expecting an attack; consequently they would find no one at home except George’s mother, sisters, and a few old negroes who were too feeble to work on the fortifications.  Besides as all the troops were now at Red River, their safest course would be to abandon, for awhile, at least, the idea of taking it as their guide to the Mississippi.  This silenced their objections, and, after the sentinels for the day had been selected, the fugitives, stretching themselves out on the ground, and fell asleep—­all except Frank, who leaned back against a tree.  While he kept watch over his sleeping companions, he pondered upon the history of their new acquaintance, and admired the high sense of duty and patriotism that had animated him to make so great a sacrifice for the sake of the “old flag.”

CHAPTER XVII.

The Scene at the Plantation.

Next evening, George took the lead, and conducted them through the woods, with a certainty that showed that he was well acquainted with the ground over which they were passing.  Not a word did he speak until they emerged from the woods, and found before them a large plantation, with the huge, old-fashioned farm-house, surrounded by its negro quarters and out-buildings, looming up in the distance.