“You see nothing?” I whispered, touching her hand in encouragement.  “No evidence of a guard anywhere?”

“No—­the others must still be out in front waiting.”

“There were only the four of them then?”

“So I understood.  I was told they came up the river in a small keel-boat, operated by an engine, and that they anticipated no resistance.  The engineer was left to watch the boat and be ready to depart down stream at any moment.”

“Good; that leaves us a clear passage.  Now I am going to drop to the ground; it is not far below.  Can you make it alone?”

“I have done so many a time.”

We attained the solid earth almost together and in silence.

“Now let me guide you,” she suggested, as I hesitated.  “I know every inch of the way about here.  Where is the negro waiting?”

“At the edge of the wood where the wagon road ends, beyond the slave quarters.”

“Yes, I know; it will be safer for us to go around the garden.”

She flitted forward, sure-footed, confident, and I followed as rapidly as possible through the darkness, barely keeping her dim figure in sight.  We skirted the rear fence, and then the blacker shadow of the wood loomed up somber before us.  Our feet stumbled over the ruts of a road and I seemed to vaguely recognize the spot as familiar.  Yes, away off yonder was the distant gleam of the river reflecting the stars.  This must be the very place where Pete and I had parted, but—­where had the fellow gone?  I caught at her sleeve, but as she paused and turned about, could scarcely discern the outlines of her face in the gloom.

“Here is where he was directed to wait,” I explained, hurriedly.  “Before I left he had turned his mule around under this very tree.  I am sure I am not mistaken in the spot.”

“Yet he is not here, and there is no sign of him.  You left no other instructions except for him to remain until your return?”

“I think not—­oh; yes, I did tell him if you women came without me, he was to drive you at once to the boat and leave me to follow the best way I could.  Do you suppose it possible the others reached here and he has gone away with them?”

I felt a consciousness that her eyes were upon me, that she was endeavoring to gain a glimpse of my face.

“No, I can hardly imagine that.  I—­I do not know what to think.  When I see you I believe all you say, but here in the darkness it is not the same.  You—­you are not deceiving me?”

“No; you must trust my word.  This is unfortunate, but neither of us could venture back now.  There is a pledge between us.”

She stood silent and I strove by peering about to discover some marks of guidance, only to learn the uselessness of the effort.  Even a slight advance brought no result, and it was with some difficulty I even succeeded in locating her again in the darkness—­indeed, only the sound of her voice made me aware of her immediate presence.