Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5 Thomas's mind was swirling. He looked at the skunk. And without really thinking, he lunged for it, grabbing it by the tail. Hisssssssss! It reared around, snapping its little jaws. Its sharp teeth almost clamped down on Thomas's cheek. "Hey!" he called. The tall man looked over at Thomas, his eyes flashing with surprise, and then fury. And then, with all of his might, Thomas hurled the skunk toward the men. Thud.

It landed right in front of one of the horses. There was a split second of silence. And then an explosion of noise — screeching horses, shouting men, the shriek of the skunk. "Stay down!" he whispered to Birdie. But Thomas only kneeled, watching the scene of panic. The horses reared up, their heads twisting in fear as the air filled with the rotten smell. The men, coughing and gagging, struggled to calm the horses. They grabbed for the reins, dodging the horses' flying hooves.

But the horses broke free and bolted into the woods at full speed. The men shouted to each other. "Get the horses!" "Hurry!" "Just leave him!" They thundered into the woods after their animals. Thomas sat there for a few seconds, stunned and choking in the sour cloud. Then he came to his senses. He and Birdie had to get out of there! Those men could be back any second! "Come on, Birdie!" he said, ready to run. But then voices rang out in the distance. More soldiers! "Corporal Green!" a voice boomed. "Green! Where are you?" A group of five blue soldiers hurried over, led by a man with a thick silver beard. They huddled around the injured man.

"It was the rebels, Captain Campbell," the bloodied soldier — Corporal Green — rasped. "They were on horseback… cavalry, I think. They attacked me, sir, back near our camp, when I was getting some firewood. They chased me here. They were halfway to killing me." "I hear reports that there could be hundreds of rebel cavalry around here," the captain said. "Let's get back to camp, before this stink kills us all!" The men helped Corporal Green to his feet. "Can you walk?" said the captain. "Yes, sir… but wait." The corporal turned and looked over to where Thomas and Birdie were hiding. Thomas huddled against the fallen tree, his heart pounding. But suddenly six sets of curious eyes were looking down at Thomas and Birdie. Birdie smiled at them, and Thomas saw their eyes soften.

And then Corporal Green held out his hand to Thomas. "I'm Henry," he said, shaking Thomas's hand. "Captain," Henry said, turning, "meet the boy who saved my life."