And to his astonishment, in walked Pete McCartney, with a quiet "good evening, Colonel!"
The Chief sprang up, seized his arm, and drew his revolver, with the natural ejaculation, "McCartney! How are you here?"
"Put up your shootin'-iron, Colonel," said Mac. " I merely called to pay my respects. Come! I am going back, of course," concluded the counterfeiter.
And ten minutes afterwards, Pete re-entered his prison-quarters again, voluntarily, where he remained in subsequent security.
No one ever knew how Mac had effected his temporary escape, nor would he ever explain the modus adopted by him in this instance to enjoy his "little joke."
"I merely wished to show that some things could be done as well as others," remarked Pete, in rehearsing this event.
When Eagan had tracked McCartney to his lair, the persistent pursuit which had been kept up, inordinately alarmed him. Pete is a man of iron nerve, great daring, and consummate coolness, on all occasions, and has shown himself ready at all times for exigency. But he was now anxious to make a show of repentance, and to so comport himself that the Government would let him up, or let him off, easily. So he sought an interview with Eagan, and proposed, through his wife, to meet that officer in a retired place, when he would place in his hands a large amount of plates, counterfeit money, etc. But he was not to be personally molested, on the occasion.
After some negotiations, it was agreed that Eagan and Pete should meet in a certain secluded corn-field, at midnight; Eagan should come alone and unarmed; McCartney would be armed, but would do him no harm, if he kept faith with him. Pete's wife, a beautiful and devoted woman
