We will try to reach him with our train. Failing that, we
will desert the train and join him as best we can."
Mitchel would move the next morning! Huntsville! Chattanooga! For a moment
the men were silent; then came a sharp "Ah!" The long winter campaign was
ended; now for action!
"We will start at once," said Andrews. A crash of thunder drowned his
words. "From Marietta onwards we will fight it out together."
He began to distribute money to them. Several groups disappeared into the
night.
"Shall we go together?" asked a man at Tom's right. "My name's Shadrack."
"Yes. Mine's Burns."
"Mine's Wilson," said another man. "Let's make it three."
"Good!"
They filed past Andrews, took the handful of Confederate money he held out,
and started toward the road. The rain ceased for a few seconds; then came a
flash of lightning, a burst of thunder, and the rain came swirling down. In
an instant, Tom and his two companions were utterly alone in the black
night, headed for the Southern lines.
CHAPTER THREE
ARRESTED
"The Union pickets are at Wartrace," said Wilson, as they plodded down the
road.
"We ought to pass them tonight," Tom added. "Have we any way of identifying
ourselves?"
"No," replied Wilson.
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