Such scenes as this were enacted every day; but, for some unaccountable reason, Frank was not molested, beyond having his boots stolen one night while he was asleep.

He had made up his mind that he would escape at the first opportunity; but he was in no condition to travel, and, besides, the sight of several ferocious blood-hounds, which accompanied the rebels, was enough to deter him from making the attempt.
After a march of two weeks, during which he suffered more than he had thought it possible for him to endure, they arrived at Shreveport.
Here they encamped for the night, with the understanding that they were to start for Tyler--which was one hundred and ten miles further on--early the next morning.

Frank concluded that he had walked about far enough.

"If I intend to escape," he soliloquized, "I might as well start from here as from Tyler.

I'll play off sick, and see if I can't get them to leave me here; and then, as soon as I become strong enough to travel, I'll be missed some fine day." Accordingly, the next morning, when the prisoners were ordered to "fall in," Frank did not stir; and, when the sergeant came to arouse him, he appeared to be in the greatest agony.