Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/249

WE FIND COLONEL DONALD there unconscious had, at least, served to clarify the situation somewhat. Here was an explanation of why no attack had thus far been made upon us from the rear: either no one outside knew of this passage, or else Dunn, if he was present and in command, lacked the nerve necessary for directing such an assaulting party. Whichever was the cause, I desired to satisfy myself—I must seal the tunnel, or else (the idea coming to me as an inspiration) lead a sortie through it, and thus take the unconscious besiegers in the rear. But what about Donald? We could not leave him here, nor could we hope to drag him back up that long ladder into the house, for the man had lost much blood, and appeared weak as a babe. Besides, if I would plan intelligently, I needed to learn something definite regarding the terminus of this tunnel, as well as of the force of Confederates surrounding the house.

"How far are we from the entrance?" I questioned, picking up the lantern.

"Not over fifty feet, I should say. You pass out through a trap door into a log storehouse."

"Could you manage to walk that far?"

He held on to O'Brien and the wall, thus succeeding in lifting himself until he stood erect, but his movements were so weak and uncertain that I grasped him also. In this manner, moving with great care, we advanced slowly along the passage. Donald uttered no sound, but his clenched teeth, and the beads of perspiration on his forehead, told of pain almost insupportable. Twice we permitted him to lie back on the packed earth [ 235 ]