ell
of the three men who had stopped at his gate and asked to see him "on
business."

"I reckon I might as well leave you boys here," he added, placing the
bridle in Rodney's hand.

"And what shall Tom and I do in the morning?" inquired the latter. "We
ought to make an early start, and do you think it would be safe for us
to keep together?"

"Not by no means it wouldn't," replied Merrick, quickly. "Unless you can
induce somebody in Mr. Hobson's party to give you a trade for that roan
colt. You mustn't try to ride him to Springfield. You ought to get rid
of him as soon as you can."

"Let's go to camp," repeated Mr. Hobson. "We can talk the matter over
after we get there. And in the meantime, you boys had better make up
your minds to stay with us until after Merrick brings us a breakfast.
Perhaps he will know by that time whether or not it will be safe for you
to continue your journey."

Going to camp and spending the night with half a dozen strangers who
held opinions that were so very different from his own, and who might
"catch him up" when he wasn't looking for it, was what Rodney Gray
dreaded. He didn't like the idea of passing himself off for a Union boy
when he wasn't, and was afraid he might let fall some expression that
would betray him. That would be most unfortunate, for it would get Tom
Percival into trouble as well as himself. But there was no help for it,
and so he brought up the rear leading the horse, while Mr. Hobson and
Tom led the way along a blind path toward the camp. Presently the former
began whistling at intervals, and when at length an answer came from the
depths of the forest, Rodney knew that the camp was close at hand. Ten
minutes later he had been introduced to Mr. Hobson's companions, and was
listening in a dazed sort of way to their words of greeting and
sympathy. They knew just how he felt, they said, for they had been
obliged to leave home themselves on account of their opinions, and an
indorsement from Tom Percival, with whose uncle Justus they were well
acquainted, they assured him would bring all the aid and comfort they
could give him.

"Tom always could tell a slick story--he was noted for that at school,"
thought Rodney, as he motioned to his friend to set out the lunch that
Mrs. Merrick had put up for them. "And if he hasn't shut up the eyes of
these Union men I don't want a cent. If I hear this story many more
times I shall begin to believe I am Union without knowing it, an