Tie those two rebels to some of these trees, and then we'll be off." As soon as this was accomplished, and the major had satisfied himself that there was not the least chance for their escape, he said: "Now, we shall leave you here.

Your friends will probably be along at midnight and liberate you." The rebels made no reply, and the fugitives, after collecting their weapons, again set out, taking the lieutenant with them.

The major ordered George to lead them by the most direct route to Red River.
This was a desperate measure, but their case was also desperate.

The country on all sides of them had been alarmed, and, if Red River was closely guarded, the Washita was equally dangerous.
So anxious were they to put as long a distance as possible between them and the scene of their late narrow escape, that they traveled until the next morning--stopping only to eat sparingly of some provisions which one of the soldiers had secured before leaving the island--and then camped in the swamp, and slept soundly..