Chapter 5

Candy and Biddie had heard the commotion, and both ran to the window to see what it was all about. Candy saw William and Simon, who suddenly could walk just fine, pick up Jeremy and leave with him. Candy and Biddie were just about to run downstairs when three men, dressed in old soldiers' uniforms appear in the dorm room. They had come in through the door that led to the balcony in the back of the dorm. Candy and Biddie and the rest of the girls were taken by surprise. The men did not speak but pointed to Candy and Biddie. The other ladies silently sat in their beds, not sure what to do. Candy looked at Biddie and then she looked at the other ladies. She mouthed to Fran to get Jason as soon as possible. The men took them and left. No shots were fired. But Fran went down the stairs and a couple of the other ladies went to the door to see if they could see the direction that Candy and Biddie were taken.

When Fran opened the door to go outside, she was surprised that Jason and Joshua were there. It looked like Joshua had been hurt.

"Jason, Joshua! What happened?"
"Franny, where are Candy and Biddie?" Joshua asked standing up still rubbing the back of his head.

"That is why I am out here; Some soldiers came and took them!" Frannie said and then Polly and Debbie came out. They had both watched the direction which Candy and Biddie had been taken.

"Frannie, get Aaron and Ben and any of the men you can to meet us at Lottie's. Frannie raced to Aaron's house and then to Ben and a couple of the others houses as well. She went over to Miss Essie, now Mrs. Gustafson to get Bif Swede to get Jason's men from the camp.

Down the road and to the left, the soldiers stopped and covered their tracks so that they would not be found. Candy and Biddie were tied to the horses but were not gagged. One of the soldiers remarked:

"Either of you scream or make a sound you miss especially; your boyfriend will be killed!"

Candy looked at the man, she knew he meant it and perhaps if she did go along, she would be able to help Jeremy and they could get away from them. The road they took was a hard one, The only reason why the women were on the horses is that they had no shoes. They were still in their nightgowns and could not walk on the rough path. But then the came to a wide spot which soon tapered into a small path, only one person at a time. One of the soldiers fashioned moccasins for them. They were then walking along the path, one by one up a steep mountain. The path was usually used by the wild goats and animals that lived there.

"Candy" Biddie whispered.

"Biddie, I'm listening." Candy whispered back.

" I am beginning to think that William isn't who he says he is? He is the same boy I knew when I was younger." Candy nodded, she kind of remembered William when she was in school.

"I know, I have the same feeling about Simon. I think this man is not Simon because he does not look like I remember him, nor does he act like I remember him. I know that people are changed in a war, but I don't think it is like the change in him?"

"Stop talking ladies, your voices will carry in this canyon, and I know you don't want any more people hurt or killed!" Said the Sergeant behind them. "Keep moving, we have another hour to go, and the path gets even harder! Wouldn't want to make the General mad now would we!" Candy felt the threat and wondered if it was real or not.

They walked on in silence; Candy was praying silently that they would be rescued, and that Jeremy was safe.

Jeremy was safe, sort of. Simon had chained him to a rather large boulder. In the cave and had his men beat him so that he would be unable to wake up at an inopportune moment. His plans were to take Candy whether she wanted it or not! He went over to see how much longer the men would be before they got there.

"William, how much longer? Are they taking the back route like I told them to?" William was watching with his telescope; dawn was approaching, and he could see the back path quite clearly and a flicker of light coming along. He shook his head yes and went over for a morning cup of coffee.

"You know Rob, this is the most fine I have had since we turned Simon into the southern army!" William said with a smile.

"Yes, that was fun, We had our southern greys on and kept him in the union blues and claimed he was a spy. Even planted a map on him to make sure they would hang him!" Robert remembered the day he had seen Simon hanging. He was jealous of him, so when he and his friend William had deserted the union army, killed a couple of southern greys they exchanged their uniforms and when they saw Simon coming down the path looking for prisoners, they got the drop on him and took him in and made a little extra money for capturing a spy! Yes, it was a good day! Robert took out his pipe and smoked it and took a sip of his coffee. The soldiers were heading into the camp just then with their prisoners.

"Thank you, boys, for bringing the ladies, did you have any problems with them?"

"No, they remained quiet and did as they were told. Even the ladies in the dormitory stayed right where they were as well!" Said the corporal.

"Good, Good, oh my, they must have been getting ready to go to bed. Well, we will have to do something about their attire!" He turned and moved a hand towards someone, and that person came over with two dresses. They were the local tribal clothing and both Candy and Biddie were allowed to change behind a screen. Once they were changed, he offered them food and drink. Biddie was hungry but waited until Candy said yes. When Candy did say yes, it was because she weighed the pros and cons thinking if they didn't eat, they would not be able to resist, but if they ate, they could have their strength. She looked around the cave wondering where Jeremy was, if he was still alive.

"Oh, he is alive, but I must say, he may not look as handsome as he used to be. After you ladies finish your meal, I will take you to him." Robert said.