“But answer me on your word and honor.”

“No, Miss Baron, not from our regular troops.  There are vile wretches connected with all armies, on your side as well as ours, who act without orders or any control except their lawless will.  If you and your friends are tortured by the fear of Northern soldiers, should they come this way, you may set your mind comparatively at rest.  I must add, however, that our troops have to live off the country, and so take food for man and beast.  They also help themselves to better horses when they find them.  I have told you the truth.  Why, believe me, Miss Baron, I would defend you with my life against any one.”

“Oh, dear!” cried the girl, with another rush of tears, “my uncle believes that our house will be burned and we all murdered, and they are going to marry me to my cousin against my will, so that he can take me to a place of safety.”

“When?” asked Scoville, excitedly.

“To-morrow evening.”

Aun’ Jinkey in her trepidation had stepped to the door, and there, sure enough, was Mrs. Baron coming down the path with her hand full of crumpled muslins.  She had appeared so silently and suddenly before Chunk that he had started and stared at her.  When he tried to edge off toward the cabin, she had said, sharply, “Keep at your work.  What is the matter with you?  I reckon your granny is smoking instead of doing my work,” and she hastened her steps to surprise the supposed delinquent.

Entering the cabin, she saw only Aun’ Jinkey ironing, and her niece sitting with her handkerchief to her face.  “Ah!” said the old lady to her laundress, “I’m glad you realize the importance of doing my work when it’s needed.”  Then followed a few brief directions in regard to the articles she had brought.  “Louise, I wish you to come with me.  This is no place for you,” concluded Mrs. Baron, turning to depart.

The girl rose and followed submissively, for she was overwhelmed by a confused sense of danger, not merely to the Union soldier, but also to her old mammy, who was sheltering him.  The extremity of her fears and the fact that Chunk had not come to warn them led her to dread that her aunt’s suspicions were already aroused.  Chunk gave her a very anxious look as she passed, but she only shook her head slightly, as much as to say, “I don’t know.”

The negro’s elation and confidence now passed utterly; he became deeply alarmed, not only for the scout, but for himself and grandmother as well.  He was not long in coming to a decision.  Whately and his troopers were absent, and now, perhaps, was the best time to act.  After satisfying himself that he was not observed, he slipped away to the cabin.

When Mrs. Baron finally disappeared, Aun’ Jinkey sank into a chair almost in a state of collapse.  “O good Lawd!” she gasped, “I des tremblin’ so in my knee-jints I kyant stan’.”

“Courage, Aunt Jinkey,” said Scoville, through the chink in the floor.  “Try to get Chunk here as soon as possible.”