en they were
ready for the new dangers that lay along the road ahead of them. After
thanking Mr. Merrick for his kindness, not forgetting to send their best
regards to his wife, they shook hands with the refugees and told their
sable guide to go on.

"I never saw things quite so badly mixed up as they are in this
country," said Rodney, when the camp and its occupants had been left out
of sight. "And neither did I dream that you were such an expert
story-teller. Suppose I had said or done something to arouse the
suspicions of the men we have just left; where would we be now?"

"What else could I do?" demanded Tom. "You didn't expect me to say out
loud that you are a Confederate on your way to join a man who is getting
ready to fight against the government of the United States. You knew I
wouldn't do that, and so I had to put you in a false position. It isn't
my fault. You ought to have had sense enough to stay at home."

"I can see it now," replied Rodney. "But what are we to do from this
time on?"

"I am sure I don't know. We'll be Union all over for the next twenty
miles or so, and then perhaps you can show yourself in your true colors
while I do the deceiving; but you must be careful and not speak my name.
I declare I had no idea that the Percivals were so well known through
this neck of the woods. But I'll tell you what I honestly believe:
Price's cavalry is scouting all through the central and southern parts
of the State, shooting Union men and picking up recruits, and as soon as
we begin to hear of them, I think you had better desert me and join
them; that is, unless you have come to your senses, and made up your
mind that you had better cast your lot with the loyal people of the
nation."

"Don't you know any better than to talk to me in that style?" exclaimed
Rodney. "Do you imagine that I have come up here just to have the fun of
going back on my principles?"

"No; I don't suppose you have, but I think you ought to before it is too
late. However, let politics go. Have you heard from any of the
Harrington boys since we left school? Where is your cousin Marcy?"

This was a more agreeable topic than the one they had been discussing,
but Rodney had little information to impart. He had written to Marcy but
had received no reply, and the reader knows the reason why. It was
because Marcy dare not write and tell Rodney how matters stood with him,
for fear that the letter might be stopped by some of his Secession