CHAPTER XII. - THE WIZARD SCOUT AGAIN.

"Ho, there within!" cried the leader, dismounting and approaching the door.

"What is wanted?" asked Mrs. Gray, trying to appear calm though her lips quivered as she spoke. " We are inoffen——"

" We are after a Union spy who is hiding some where hereabouts."

"He is not here!" replied Mrs. Gray, quickly. "There are only myself, a young lady friend and my servant Pete."

" We are better informed than you, it seems," sneered the officer. " There is some one else with you. Are you going to let us enter peacefully, or will he come out?"

" He—oh, I had forgotten him! But he is not a spy. He came here with a message from my son. I——"

" We want him anyway. Tell him to come out and give himself up like a man, or we'll tear this shanty down over your head."

Mrs. Gray turned pale with terror.

" He is an hon——"

" No more words, if you please. We will give him two minutes to give himself up to us. The house is surrounded and he cannot escape."

Mrs. Gray turned, appealing to the others.

The disguised messenger improved the respite in looking about for some avenue of escape, but seeing none he said to Mrs. Gray:

" Don't be scared, missus; I'll fix it all right wid the sojers. Let me spoke wid 'em."

As he appeared in the doorway a wild shout went up from the soldiers.

" There he comes—'tis him!"

" Wot mought be yer pleasure, massa?" asked the object of their outcries.

"Your surrender, Old Fatality!" replied the officer, boldly. "At last we have tracked you down!"

" Sho!" exclaimed the other. '' Mus' be yer got cl'on on de wrong track. I'se only a poor goo-fer-nothin' brack who's fittin' under Jobnsting."

A dozen rifles had covered him the instant he had appeared in sight, though he did not seem to notice them.

"Come!" exclaimed the officer, impatiently. " You see it is no use to object."

" Mighty s'prisin' to me, massa. I'se so in'fensive, too. An' dese wimmen folks?"

" Shall not be harmed if you give up quietly."

"D'ye swar it, Massa Sojer?" "Yes," was the eager response. "So you give up?"

"Mebbe I had better. But ye ar'to leave the wimmen in peace."

" Yes; come along," said the officer, anxiously: to speak the truth surprised that their victim should have surrendered so quietly, if he was the one they expected . " Bind him, boys.”

" That we will, gladly!" cried half a dozen of his men, springing forward, and seizing the would-be captive, hurled him to the earth and dropping upon him.

" We'll cook yer meat, old ——"

Just how, what followed would be impossible to tell. For a moment the air was filled with Confederate soldiers, and then above their writhing forms rose the other's stalwart figure, a revolver in either hand!

" Don't be too boisterous in your con duct, gentlemen," rang out his clear, defiant tone. " I ask for fair treatment at least until I am in your power."

His voice no longer bore the accent of the African race, and the right arm from which the coat sleeve had been torn was white as any man's present!

The surprised soldiers scrambled to their feet in mad haste.

" Shoot ——"

" Hold!" thundered the disguised scout " I command your life!"

" But you are our prisoner," stammered the startled officer, his men inactive.

" Subject to fair treatment," was the cool reply. " I am no kin of the dog."

"The boys meant no offense. Put down those weapons and you shall be treated fairly."

" See that you do not forget this," and the strange man handed his weapons to the commander.

A minute later the scout was a captive, when he was placed upon the back of a horse, where he was lashed securely as was intended.

Mara and Mrs. Gray witnessed these proceedings with anxious hearts. The last did not understand the cause which had led to the attack and capture, while the former had only a vague idea if its meaning.

" Good day, ladies," said the Confederate leader, politely. "We are glad to rid you of so troublesome a companion and no doubt you feel relieved. You will have to thank your Negro for hid faithful and prompt action in the matter."

Without further delay the cavalcade dashed away bearing their dreaded foe in their midst.

Pete from around the corner of the house watched their departure with a low chuckle.

" I's reckon I'se smart enuff fer de Wizard den. Golly warn't I smart? I s'pect I'se a rich gen'leman," and he began to count the silver piece? paid him for his treachery.

"Who was he? and what does it mean?" moaned Mrs. Gray, wringing her hands and appealing to Mara.

"I—I am not certain!" faltered the latter, not wishing to tell ail. "What will they do with him?”

" If he is a spy, he will be shot, poor fellow."

"And we are left without friends," murmured Mara.

Meanwhile the exultant captors rode merrily on their way toward their encampment, proud of the work they had done. Well they might be, too, with the most dangerous man in the northern forces a prisoner among them.

Now that they had him secure the captive was subjected to some severe cross-questioning, and not a few coarse jokes were given at his expense, all of which he bore with a stoical indifference.

A couple of miles from Woodsville the party entered a wooded district, to thread their way silently through the forest.

In the distance could be heard the cannonading of the enemy, telling that hostilities were still existing.
The horsemen had not progressed far when a shrill, maniacal cry rang through the woods.

" What's that?" cried the foremost, running up.

" Some one in trouble, it may be," answered the officer! "Ha! there it is again."

"An' it's ahead of us."

" Push on and we will soon solve the mystery."

The outcries were heard frequently now, while they continued to grow more distinct as they progressed.

Reaching the bank of a river which they must ford the party halted, listening intently for the sounds.

" Its some one in distress. He can't be far ahead. Come on!"

Spurring their horses forward they plunged into the stream to quickly reach the further bank.

Stopping long enough to allow their animals to shake the water from their dripping forms they listened for a repetition of the cry.

While they waited one of their number cried out: "In mercy's name, where's the prisoner?"

The Wizard Scout was missing!