his direction, it made up in length and
width.

When the fugitives were fairly installed in their new hiding-place, Alick
sat down on the floor, and told them all he knew about the events which
had transpired since their absence had been discovered. He brought them
an abundant supply of food and drink, and promised to provide them with
horses as soon as it was dark. It was nearly night before the doctor
returned; and while attending to his horse, Alick asked him some
questions about the chase. He was not very communicative, for, of course,
the pursuit had been unsuccessful; but the ingenious black wormed some
facts out of him in regard to the events of the day, which enabled him to
be of great assistance to the fugitives.

The doctor had hardly gone into the house before Alick commenced his
preparations for departure; and three horses instead of two were in
readiness when Somers and the captain emerged from their covert. Alick
was to be one of the party; and by the fields in the rear of the house
they commenced their perilous journey.

CHAPTER XXX

ANOTHER COMMISSION

The horses which De Banyan and Somers rode were those taken from the
stable of Captain Sheffield, which had not yet been removed from Dr.
Scoville's stable; while that on which Alick was mounted was one of the
best of his master's stock. The party proceeded through the fields for a
short distance till they came to a cross-road, when they put their horses
to the top of their speed. The guide was familiar with all the roads in
the vicinity. The information which he had obtained from the doctor was
exceedingly valuable; for it assured the fugitives in what direction the
search for them had been pushed.

Dr. Scoville believed that the prisoners were concealed in the vicinity
of the city, and that at night they would attempt to make their way in
the direction of City Point; and he assured Alick that they would
certainly be caught before morning, for the country in that region was
strongly picketed by cavalry. It is more than probable they would have
been taken if the doctor had not been so obliging as to inform Alick of
these facts. The faithful black, who had served his master, man and boy,
for forty years, was entitled to this consideration. Of course, he could
not have believed that Alick would be so ungrateful and ungenerous as to
run away from him; but it is a fact which speaks well for the negro race,
that so many have preferred liberty wit