His superior officer was called, all the parties questioned closely,
the garden and Aun' Jinkey's cabin searched, but no new facts
discovered. The old negress was savagely threatened, but she only
replied, "I dunno, I dunno not'n. Wat got inter you ter tink an ole
tottery, skeered ooman lak me gwine out in de dark en knock Marse
Perkins on de haid?"
"Where's your grandson, Chunk?" Whately demanded fiercely.
"He des light out wid de Yankees dis eb'nin'."
The conclusion guessed at was that Scoville had been rescued by his
own men, who were known to be daring scouts. In the darkness and
confusion after the battle, it was thought they had mingled with the
Confederates, learned the situation of their leader and the general
appearance of Whately with his disabled arm. Arrayed in the Southern
uniform, of which scouts always had a supply, and favored by the
sleepy condition of the guard, one of the scouts had played the
trick which Whately rued so bitterly. Others, on the watch, had
struck down Perkins and carried Scoville off in safety.
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