ition to the carbines that were slung at their
backs. It is my opinion that you had better wake up, if you want to save
the guns that cost you so much money."

Mr. Allison evidently thought so, too, for he turned about and went into
the house, whither he was followed by Tom and Mark as soon as the latter
had hitched his horse. The boys went at once to Tom's room and opened
the closet, in which was stowed away one of the finest and most
expensive hunting outfits in that part of the State.

"Sooner than let this fall into the hands of the enemy I would break it
in pieces over the chopping-block," said Tom, looking admiringly at the
handsome muzzle-loading rifle he had carried on more than one excursion
through the Dismal Swamp.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that," replied Mark. "Take it into the garden, and
shove it under some of the bushes. Go ahead and I will follow with the
shot-gun; but be sure and take the flask, horn, game-bags, and
everything else belonging to them, for if they find part of the rig they
will want to know where the rest is."

Mark's suggestions were carried out, and just in the nick of time too;
for as the boys were returning from the garden, in which they had
hastily concealed the guns and their accoutrements, they heard the
pounding of a multitude of hoofs on the road and hastened through the
hall to the front porch in time to see a small squad of cavalry ride
into the yard, while another and larger body of troopers halted outside
the gate. It was plain that Mr. Allison did not intend to follow the
example of his foolhardy neighbor, and so run the risk of bringing upon
himself the vengeance of the men he could not successfully resist, for
he stood out in plain view of them, and even returned the military
salute of the big whiskered man who rode at the head of the squad.

"They are the same who robbed our house," said Mark, in an excited
whisper. "Will they know me, do you think? And if so, will they do
anything to me for warning you?"

Tom Allison did not reply, for his attention was wholly occupied by the
Yankee soldiers, the first he had ever seen. They were not ragged and
dirty like most of the paroled Confederates who passed through the
settlement a few days before. On the contrary, they were well and warmly
dressed, and, like the horses they rode, looked as though they had been
accustomed to good living.

"Good-morning," said the captain pleasantly. "It is my duty to ask if
you have anything in