If you don't object, we will march." "I suppose you will march all the same, if I do object," added Christy.
"I was not aware that it was a crime here to be in the company of that young man." "I reckon I was ordered to arrest you as a matter of precaution; and I dare say they will let you return as soon as we report to the major," said the sergeant, leading his prisoner through the gateway.
The other men took Percy by the arm; and, after they had closed the gate, they followed the road for a considerable distance, and then struck across the fields.

Not far ahead, Christy saw many lights; and he concluded that this must be the location of the mansion of Colonel Pierson, the father of Percy, and for some reason best known to himself, the sergeant desired to avoid going very near it.
A march of a short distance farther across the field brought them to a road, which they followed till they came to a wagon drawn by two horses.
The animals were hitched at the side of the road, and no one seemed to be in charge of the team.

But the sergeant halted his party at this point; and, leaving the prisoners in charge of his men, he went to the wagon.
"Major Pierson," said he; but no answer came to his question, and he repeated it with no better success.
Then he mounted the seat in front of the wagon, and looked over into the body of it.

Then he reached over; and a moment later the form of a man was seen to rise from a quantity of hay which filled the body.
"Is that you, Spottswood ?" demanded the rising form.
"Yes, sir, I am here; and I have two prisoners.

One of them is your brother, and I don't know who the other is," replied the sergeant.
"Are you sure that one of them is my brother ?" asked the major.
"I am as sure as I can be, for I heard the other fellow call him Percy two or three times before I stepped in front of them." "Don't you know who the other one is ?" "I haven't the least idea.