CHAPTER VI. - YES OR NO ?

The Wizard Scout was standing at one of the windows, his stalwart form plainly seen by the Confederate officer.

There was no mistaking the tone of his ringing words. Captain Ashton stopped abruptly in his course.

"Look here!" he cried, "what do you mean by this?"

" Only protection to the girl with me and safety to myself."

" But after meeting you to-night we were fortunate enough to learn your true character. You are a northern spy!"

" Sho! have you got the documents to prove it?"

"And the girl with you is a traitoress! Now surrender quietly and you shall be treated as prisoners of war."

"What if we refuse?"

"We will tear this building down over your heads but we will have you. And capture under those circumstances means death!"

"As if you would let us off scot free if we surrendered. No, sir; I know enough of war to realize that we can do no better than to fight you to the bitter end."

"What has become of the man with you?"

" He is still here; and mind you, he die:! or lives with us!''

The officer winced.

" Can I speak to him?"

"At my dictation; yes."

"I would do so."

" Stand where you are then till I can fetch him up."

He motioned for his prisoner to come forward. Of course the other's hands were still fastened and he was powerless to do any effectual harm.

"Answer the chap as I shall tell you,'' ordered the grim captor.

"Here's the man!" he called out to Captain Ashton. " Have over with your talk, lively."

" Landaff, what can we do for you?" asked the officer.

"Tell him nothing unless he leaves us in peace," advised the scout.

The prisoner obeyed, as he could do no better.

"Bah! that isn't the kind of answer I want. What do you want us to do ? Can he answer that as well, Sir Yank?"

" He can, only to remember our captivity means his death."

" Your answer, Landaff?"

" Though it cost me my life, take them!" the captive replied, defiantly.

"Good for you," said the captain. " We won't be long in doing it."

Old Fatality smiled grimly.

" Anything more to say?"

" Only for our friend to keep up courage, and to give you a last chance to surrender peacefully,"

" Which I will never do. I am good for the lives of half of you before you can end my work. I warn you that another move toward this house signs your doom. Here, Mollie, take charge of this chap and don't——no; you just keep your weapon on that officer and in a trice I'll bind the gray coat. It 'll save us trouble."

As we have already said the Confederates had surrounded the house, but knowing the unflinching character of the man with whom he was dealing, Captain Ashton resolved to act cautiously. He valued his own life too highly to take any great risk.

Finding that the Wizard Scout was deadly in earnest he withdrew a short distance to consult with some of his followers as to the best course to pursue.

It was quickly decided upon.

While he with others were to feign an attack in front, those to the rear of the house were to effect an entrance and steal upon the hunted man before he should discover their intentions.

They bad mistaken their victim.

Old Fatality anticipated their intentions.

" Hold up where you are!'' ho cried out springing forward from the prisoner in season to challenge Captain Ashton's second advance. "I hold your life under my finger!"

The Confederate chief instantly paused.

" Now, Mollie, I must call upon you. I read the grays' plans like an open book. If that chap moves shoot him. I want to see what they are doing behind us. Don't be afraid to fire if one of them stirs. Remember your life is at stake."

With remarkable fortitude Mara took the position assigned her, while he hurried to the other side of the building.

He was in season to see three or four dark forms creeping toward the house and already within a short distance of it.

Without hesitation he aimed at the foremost arid fired.

A wild yell followed, arid the man sprang up to run for his life.

A second shot, another victim, a third ringing report and a general rush of the besiegers with yells and howls of pain.

'Reckon they'll find I'm not napping!" chuckled the strange scout, as he returned to Mara who at the sound of the firing had grown extremely nervous.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, anxiously.

" Not I," he laughed. "It's the grays that got into the fire! Hold your post a few minutes longer. I think I see a way to outwit the howling mob. Mr. Landaff, I have a proposition to make to you. Either compromise with your precious fellow rebels so that we can go away in peace or I'll use you as a means for our escape. Come, your answer; quick! I have no time to lose.”

"Faugh! I won't be in your power long. I——"

"Answer my question at once. Your life is at stake as well as mine."

" But I have friends who——"

"Stop! will you compromise with me or not—yes or no?"

"No! I——"

"Take your choice, and the consequence be upon your own head."

While speaking the scout seized him in his strong arms and started with him up the stairs.

" Look sharp to them outside," he said to Mara. "I won't be gone long."

Landaff struggled violently to break from his bonds, but he writhed in vain. Alike powerless was he to prevent the undertaking of his captor who bore him up the stairs in his giant arms as if he had been a child.

Reaching the second floor the scout dragged him to the nearest window, and ninging up the sash peered out into the flight.

A couple of soldiers could be seen crouching in the hedge a short distance from the house.

"Fools; now for a piece of rope," he exclaimed.

He was gone but a moment when he returned with a coil of stout cord, which he quickly fastened around the man's body.

At that moment renewed cries from the mob surrounding the building were borne to his ears.