About noon
`` Yes , '' answered the rebel ; `` and I think it is a pretty way to do business , for it is time I was '' -- He never finished the sentence ; for Frank sprang upon him like a tiger , and seizing his throat , with a powerful gripe , threw him to the ground ; and , hastily catching up the musket which had fallen from his enemy 's hand , dealt him a severe blow on the head . The muscles of the rebel instantly relaxed ; and Frank -- after unbuckling his cartridge-box , and fastening it to his own waist -- shouldered his musket , and ran boldly along the road . He traveled until almost daylight , without seeing any one , and then turned off into the woods . About noon , he came to a road , and , as he was crossing it , a bullet whistled past him , and , the next moment , a party of rebels , whom he had not noticed , dashed down the road in pursuit . Frank returned the shot , and then started for the woods , loading his musket as he went . He soon had the satisfaction of seeing that he was gaining on his pursuers , and , although the bullets whizzed by his head in unpleasant proximity , he escaped unhurt . The rebels , however , were not so fortunate ; for Frank fired as fast as he could load his gun , and at every shot a rebel measured his length on the ground .