CHAPTER VII. - ESCAPE.

Excited to unusual strength the Wizard Scout lifted the Confederate from the floor to the window sill.
A cry of horror escaped the other's lips as he realized the fate in store for him.

"Oh, spare me! spare me!" he implored. " I will do anything, only spare my life."

"Too late!" replied Old Fatality, tersely. " You refused my offer and now you must take the consequence.

It's two lives against yours."

In spite of his futile struggles he was swung out into the open space and his cries ringing on the night air he was lowered down the wall a few feet when he was suspended in mid-air.

Madly striving for freedom he broke the cord that bound his feet which allowed him the liberty of his lower limbs only to add to the startling reality of his position.

"Murder! help! save me!" he gasped, the confusion of his cries drowning all articulate sounds.

"Here he comes! here becomes—out of the window!'' cried one of the soldiers, others quickly echoing the cry, when a rush was made in that direction.

" Take him alive if possible," ordered Captain Ashton, appearing upon the scene. "Ha! ha! we have caught the bird in his own snare!"

By this time the scout had reached the lower room where he was anxiously met by Mara.

" They have all gone away from——"

"Come with me!" he interrupted. "Now is our time, or never!"

Leading the way to the rear of the house he found that the coast was clear in that direction, the Confederates having all rushed to the end of the building.

"Keep close to me," he whispered, as they darted noiselessly away, even gaining the cover of the growth that reached on that side nearly to the house.

The cries were still heard at the further end, telling that the enemy had not yet discovered their mistake.

The scout knew, however, that they would soon understand the deception which had been played upon them when they would begin a wild search for them.

Unfortunately for the fugitives the growth reached but a short distance when they were forced to cross a clearing of several rods' width in plain view from the house.

" We have no time to lose," said the scout. "If we can only reach yonder shrubbery without being seen we shall elude them.

Just then a wilder shout than ever was heard from their foes telling that the scout's ruse had been discovered.

" Quick, or we shall be too late!"

Before they could cross the clearing, however, the Confederates appeared in sight.

"There they go!" cried one. "Come on, boys; they can't escape this time."

It certainly looked so.

The fugitives soon gained the dense growth of weeds and small bushes that grew beyond the growth they had previously left.

After going a hundred rods or so the scout stopped in the midst of a tangled thicket.

The soldiers were close upon them and it was evident would soon overtake them.

" It's no use to try to outrun them," said the scout. "Perhaps they will not find us here."

Coming on at a headlong pace the Confederates began a wild search for the hiding ones, coming nearer and nearer to their retreat.

Mara's heart seemed to stop its beating as she felt that they were lost. Instinctively she clung to her faithful protector who was so nobly periling his own life in her behalf.

The heavy tramp of the soldiers' feet grew louder until peering out from their cover the fugitives caught sight of the foremost.

Discovery was inevitable when a voice from the distance called out: "Quick—this way! Here they are!

Help—hel—p!"

"They've gone to the right!" cried Captain Ashton. "Come on!"

Another call was borne to their ears from the road going further and further away.

To a man the soldiers rushed that way in hot pursuit.

"Our way is clear now," said the Wizard Scout. " Let's improve our time."

Bewildered by the excitement of the excitement of the wild flight, Mara allowed her companion to lead her away as rapidly as they could make their progress possible.

The cries of the enemy grew fainted and fainter as they followed on their false scent.

Careful to avoid the highways, when they had kept on for half an hour, the scout stopped, saying:
"Pardon me, Miss Morland, but I forgot that you are not so used to tramping the country as I am. You must be tired."

"Not so tired, as frightened. Do you think we are safe now?"

" Not safe, perhaps, but I am quite sure we have escaped one portion of our enemy."

"And you are risking all this for me! How helpless I am. Can we reach Woodsville, do you think?''

" With little doubt. I consider the most dangerous part of our journey passed. If we could only pick up a couple of horses now we would be all right. I know of no better course for us than to cross the country until we reach the Atlanta road. We shall then have little to fear from the cavalry, and if your strength holds out can walk to Woodsville, if we are not fortunate enough to find some sort of a team."

" Oh, I know I can walk that distance. I do not care for that, but I am so anxious for Harry. Do you think he has been killed?"

" We can only hope for the best. Keep up good courage and remember you are not alone in distress." " You are very kind. But I do not understand how you threw those men off of our course. You seemed to be invested with wonderful powers.

"I have one," he admitted, "which has served me a purpose many a time. I am a ventriloquist."

She looked surprised.

"It is not strange they call you the Wizard of the Army."

He smiled.

" Well, never mind. If you are rested somewhat we will resume our journey.”

Though their course was a continuous gantlet of perils they escaped further adventure until reaching Woodsville, which was not until the folio wing evening as no team could be found.

At an old Negro's home they were fortunate to get some food, and here they rested a few hours.

Mara as might be expected was nearly exhausted when at last they came in sight of the little village which was their destination.

She had been there once with her grandfather, though she hardly recognized the place now it was so quiet and deserted.

More than half of the houses were empty and even those yet occupied showed little signs of life.

As it was afterward learned there was not an able-bodied man in the village, all being in the army, while many of their families had gone away.

Mara led the way to the house of her relatives, to find that like the majority— deserted! Not one was left of those whom she had expected to meet.

In answer to her anxious inquiries a woman told her:

" Oh, yes; I 'member—the Langdon's, they proved poor Yank trash and they had to get out of the place.
Couldn't stay here. I s'pect they war killed. I knows they oughter been. So ye's their relation? 'For the lawd! then ye's northern, too!"

The words bore an ominous ring and as she spoke the woman turned sharply away.

Poor Mara! unable to bear more fell in a swoon.