Had a thunderbolt fallen into the room, the astonishment of the general and his wife could not have been greater.  They sat in their chairs as motionless as if they had been suddenly turned into stone, gazing at their son as though they could scarcely believe their eyes, while the fugitives sat with their hands on their weapons, wondering what would be the result of George’s imprudence.  At length the general, who was the first to recover from his astonishment, vociferated: 

“You here, you rascal—­you young traitor!  I thought you were safe in the prison at Tyler again by this time.”

“No doubt you did,” answered George, bitterly.  “But I’m a free man now, and intend to remain so.”

“You are free!” repeated the general; “that’s a capital joke.  Lieutenant Somers, I charge you with his safe delivery at Tyler.”

The major, greatly relieved to find that the general still considered him a rebel, was about to promise that George should be well taken care of, when the latter, to the astonishment of all, boldly declared: 

“That is not Lieutenant Somers.  These gentlemen are all my friends—­Union to the backbone.”

“Eh! what?” ejaculated the general, in surprise, scarcely believing what he heard.  “These men all Yankees?”

“Yes, sir; every one of them.”

“A nice-looking set, surely—­a fine lot of jailbirds you are.”

“So I have been feeding a lot of tyrants instead of loyal Confederate soldiers,” said Mrs. Le Dell, while the sisters gazed at the young hero with contempt pictured in their faces.

“No, mother, you have not fed tyrants,” answered George, with a good deal of spirit, “but true Union men.  It is nothing you need be ashamed of.”

“Well, we are ashamed of it,” said the general, who seemed to be fairly beside himself with rage.  “Didn’t I tell you never to darken my door again?  Where are you traveling to, and what do you intend to do?”

“I am on my way North, and I purpose to join my vessel, if she is still afloat.”

“You’ll do no such thing.  Just consider yourselves prisoners—­all of you.”

“O no sheneral, I pelieve not,” said the captain, quietly, “cause you see we six been more as you three.”

“No, father, we shall never be taken prisoners again—­never.”

“You are very bold, young man,” said the general, who, as he gazed upon the flushed countenance and flashing eyes of his son, could not but admire his courage.  “This is big talk for a boy of your age.”

“We have already wasted time enough,” said the major, growing impatient.  “Captain, relieve those gentlemen of their weapons.”

The order was promptly obeyed, the rebels offering no resistance.

“Now,” resumed the major, “we shall take our leave.  Good evening.”

“You’ll all be in Fort De Russy in less than forty-eight hours,” shouted the general, “or I am very much mistaken.”