was on the plantation. Marcy did some rapid talking,
for time was precious, and he might be in danger as long as he remained
with her; but he told her of everything that had happened to him since
the Home Guards drove him from home, and when he said that he and Julius
were on their way to Plymouth to deliver Hanson into the hands of the
Federals, she did not try to turn him from his purpose. She simply said
that she thought he was engaged in a desperate undertaking.

"Desperate cases require desperate remedies," answered Marcy, looking
out of the window just as Hawkins and his prisoner passed by. The
soldier was walking by Hanson's side and Julius was acting as
rear-guard, advancing first on one foot and then on the other, and all
the while shaking his head as if he were possessed by an almost
irresistible desire to plant it in the small of the overseer's back.
"Here he is now," continued Marcy.

"Come and take a last look at him."

"I don't want to," replied Mrs. Gray. "I hope I shall never see him
again."

"That is what I hope, and what I am working for," said Marcy. "Good-by,
and remember that I will stop here on my way to camp. Don't worry, for I
am going among friends."

So saying, Marcy ran down the stairs and out of the house. Arriving at
the landing he found there but one boat suitable for his purpose, and
that was the skiff Captain Benton gave him on the night he left the
gunboat. It was old and leaky, but large enough to accommodate three; so
it was shoved from the bank and Hanson was assisted to the seat he was
to occupy in the bow. Then Julius got in and picked up the oars, while
Marcy lingered to take leave of Ben Hawkins.

"Like as not you'll come back all right," said the latter.

"I hope to, certainly," answered Marcy. "Take care of yourself while I
am gone, and remember that I am under obligations to you."

"So am I," exclaimed Hanson, who had had leisure to think the matter
over and get a few of his wits about him. "You're a traitor, Ben
Hawkins, and I'll see that the Home Guards know it. You're a Confederate
soldier, too, and I'll take pains to tell the Yankees of that."

"Hursh yer noise, dar!" said Julius, looking over his shoulder and
scowling fiercely at the overseer. "If I drap my wing at you, you drap
overboard, suah's you----

"That will do," said Marcy, stepping into the stern-sheets. "Shove us
off, Mr. Hawkins."

This being done, Julius gave way on the oars, and the great house