e mischief. In the days that followed, Rodney Gray was not the only
one who wished it had been done.

When darkness came on there were no lamps lighted to point out the
position of the house to any roving band of marauders who might happen
to be in the vicinity. The front door was thrown open, and Mrs. Truman
sat just inside the room to which it gave entrance, so that she could
see the road in both directions. She explained to the boys that there
had once been shade trees in the yard and flowering shrubs growing along
the fence, but they had been cut away for fear that they would afford
concealment to some sneaking Secesh who might take it into his head to
creep up and shoot through the window. Mr. Truman had gone out to see
that everything was right about the place, and to shut up the boys'
horses, which had been turned loose in the stable-yard. He wanted the
animals where they could be easily caught when needed, for he did not
think it prudent for Tom and his companion to remain under his roof
during the night. They would have a better chance to take care of
themselves if they were camped in the woods. This was the way he
explained the situation when he came back to the house, and then he went
on to say:

"There's something in the wind, and I wish I knew what it is. I don't
like the way Merrick's boy has acted. I told him positively not to leave
the place before morning, and now he's gone, mule and all."

"_By_ gracious!" thought Rodney. "That means harm to me. I was afraid I
said too much in his hearing, and when I found that he had red eyes I
was sure of it. He is going to put some Union men on my trail before
daylight, and I must get out of here. He knew that if he spoke to Truman
he would have to face me, and that was something he was afraid to do."

"How long has he been gone?" inquired Tom, who was as impatient to leave
the house and take to the woods as Rodney was.

Mr. Truman couldn't say as to that; probably two hours at least. That
was long enough for him to tell a good many Union men that there was a
Confederate in Truman's house, and the boys began to be really alarmed.

"This shows that there is no dependence whatever to be placed upon the
darkies," declared Tom. "They are divided in sentiment the same as the
whites. Some side with their masters and some don't. Of course I am not
sure that this boy's absence means anything, but still I think we had
better get out while we can."

But they had alread