Unfortunately, I was prevented, by some pickets who arrested
me, from reaching this spot on the appointed day. I was here two days
afterward, however--asked for Swartz--he had not been here--and as that
was the most unaccountable thing in the world to me, I set out to find
him."
"In the enemy's lines?"
"Yes, colonel. I had no doubt I would come across him somewhere. So I
went through the country behind the Federal lines; looked everywhere
for my man, have been looking ever since I left you--and at last have
found him."
"Where?"
"In the upper room of a deserted house, not three miles from this
place, within the enemy's picket line."
"The upper room of a deserted house?"
'"Confined--put to starve there, colonel! The work of Darke, and that
she-devil who goes about with him, I am willing to swear, colonel!"
"Good heavens! Is it possible?" I said, "Swartz is shut up and left to
starve?"
"Exactly, colonel--and here is how I know it. I was coming back, worn
out by my long search after Swartz, when in passing this house, I came
suddenly upon a picket of about fifty men. To avoid being seen, I ran,
being on foot, and got behind the house. I had no sooner done so, than
I heard groans from the upper part of it--and as the house was entirely
uninhabited, these sounds excited my curiosity--not to say
astonishment.
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