human
Major Lyon, listen to me, he said earnestly.
gpt
You don't remember me, because I've let my beard grow, and I'm dressed differently from what I was when we met before. We met at McMinnville, where you risked your life to save mine, in a burning cotton mill. I am Tom Derwiddie, and I swore that if ever I could do you a good turn I would do it. I reckon that time has come. Do you want to get away, or rather, are you willing to take the risk?
human
Derwiddie! gasped Deck, a flood of light bursting in on him.
gpt
Yes, I wish to get away, if it can be done. But your duty--
human
Is to help the man as saved my life. You are not a spy, are you?
gpt
I am not.
human
And if I help you to get away, you will try to get back to the Union lines without delaying to pick up information.
gpt
I will go as straight back as I can make it--I'll give you my word of honor, Derwiddie.
human
Then I won't be acting wrong in giving you a free rein. Now to my plan--it's been in my head this last half hour. First, take my pistol.
gpt
Yes, but you--
human
Now let me untie that rope on your hands, interrupted Derwiddie, cutting the prisoner short.
gpt
We haven't a moment to spare. They may come back at any moment. Remember, you are to take all three horses.
human
All three?
gpt
Yes, all three. So that they will have a job to follow you.
human
But yourself?
gpt
I will fall into the road, knocked out by you.
human
Do you mean to say you want me to knock you out? demanded Deck, who thought that his newly discovered friend was
gpt
I will do the deed, if you feel backward about it,
human
I certainly do feel backward, if that is what you are going to call it. You are by far too much of a friend to be touched.
gpt
But I must be knocked out, or my record won't bear investigation, Major Lyon. Are you ready to gallop away on this horse?
human
Yes,
gpt
All right, and don't forget to take those animals with you--at least for a ways. The Confederate hesitated.
human
If I give you the password, will you promise to use it only to get away on?
gpt
I will, and do.
human
Give me a small crack on the forehead with that pistol! he cried.
gpt
Right there! and he indicated the spot over his left eye, at the same time scratching it sufficiently hard to draw blood.
human
Now, strike--and good luck go with you!