It's no use getting out of the hands of the Yanks and then going and getting starved in the swamps." When Tony got back to his regiment he strolled over to the shed where Vincent was confined.

Two sentinels were on duty, the sergeant and the two other men were lying at full length on the ground some twenty yards away.

Their muskets were beside them, and it was evident to Tony, by the vigilant watch that they kept on the shed, that their responsibility weighed heavily upon them, and that Captain Pearce had impressed upon them that, if the prisoner escaped, they would certainly be shot.
"Well, Sergeant John Newson," Tony began, "I hab just walked over to see how you getting on.

It am a mighty 'sponsible business dis.

I had six hours of him, and it make de perspiration run down my back to tink what a job it would be for me if dat fellow was to run away." "Dat's just what dis chile feel, Sergeant Tony Moore; I am zactly like dat, and dat's what these men feel, too.