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diff --git a/old/51318-0.txt b/old/51318-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cbaec4d..0000000 --- a/old/51318-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4678 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Prisoner of the Mill, by Harry Hazelton - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Prisoner of the Mill - or, Captain Hayward's "Body Guard" - - -Author: Harry Hazelton - - - -Release Date: February 28, 2016 [eBook #51318] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRISONER OF THE MILL*** - - -E-text prepared by David Edwards, readbueno, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/prisonerofmillor00haze - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - - - - -THE PRISONER OF THE MILL; - -Or, - -Captain Hayward’S “Body Guard.” - -by - -LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HAZELTINE. - -Author of “The Border Spy.” - - - - - - - -New York: -The American News Co., Publishers’ Agent, -No. 121 Nassau Street. - -Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, -by Sinclair Tousey, Publishers’ Agent, in the -Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United -States for the Southern District of New York. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - THE - - PRISONER OF THE MILL. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - _Brother and Sister—Forebodings—Nettleton._ - - -WAR! Oh! how much of misery is expressed in that one word! It tells its -own tale of woe, of blood, of broken hearts and desolated homes, of -hopes blighted, of poverty and crime, of plunder, peculation and -official tyranny, of murder and sudden death. In short, it develops all -the baser passions of the human heart, changing a peaceful world to a -world of woe, over which the destroying angel well might weep. - -Come, oh, thou angel, PEACE! - -The “Army of the Mississippi,” as it was termed, had been unsuccessful -in their pursuit of the rebel General Price. A portion of it, or rather -the division commanded by General Sigel, had advanced from Springfield, -Missouri, upon the Wilson creek road, as far as the famous battle-ground -rendered immortal by the death of General Lyon, but finding no enemy, it -had encamped upon Grand Prairie, a few miles to the west of the bloody -field. All in camp was upon the “tip-toe of expectation.” The lovely -scene spread out before the view, was sufficient to inspire the heart of -man to great and glorious deeds. The broad, rolling prairie lay there, -like heaven’s great carpet. The long grass waved in the breeze, -presenting the appearance of a deep-green sea, undulating in low swells -as if Queen Mab’s wand were wafting over it; the autumn’s frost had -changed thousands of the delicate emerald blades to purple, yellow, and -scarlet, while, intermixed with these, was the white prairie flower, -lending to the scene an almost fairy-like aspect. The large “Fremont” -tents were arranged in rows, in a tasty manner; flags were flying; bands -were discoursing sweet strains which echoed far and wide; squads of -soldiers in vari-colored uniforms were lounging lazily on the grass, -while those detailed for mess or guard duty, were busily prosecuting -their assigned tasks. To the east of the camp appeared a wall of -forest-kings, their verdure, also, touched by the frost, presenting a -variety of colors, and glistening in the sunlight. - -Few in that small army had witnessed the horrors of the battle-field; -but, like all “green” troops, conceiving that there was much of romance -connected with the deadly field, and that heroes were created by a -single brave deed, the mass of Sigel’s men were eager to meet the foe. -It had been given out that the entire army was to join this division on -the prairies, and that an advance was to be made at once against Price, -who was then at Cassville, some forty miles distant, to the southward. - -“I think we can safely count upon a desperate battle by the day after -to-morrow,” exclaimed one of a party of five, seated within a captain’s -tent—four of whom were at a table, with cups and wine before them. The -fifth person was making himself generally useful, acting in the capacity -of a servant. - -“You have fleshed your maiden sword at Springfield, and I did not -suppose you would be anxious for another fight. I confess I can not gaze -upon such scenes without a shudder, and, if duty would permit, I would -willingly sheathe my sword forever.” - -“Captain Hayward, you are low-spirited to-day,” answered the first -speaker. - -“I am, indeed, Lieutenant Wells. And can you wonder? My sister is here!” - -“I only wish mine was!” - -“That is a rash wish, my friend. She would be exposed to much danger, -and I never want mine to gaze upon a battle-field. No! where _men_ cut -each other’s throats, delicate, sensitive women should not be near!” - -“Could you find no way in which to send her from Springfield to St. -Louis?” asked Wells. - -“I could have done so by the mail coach but, you know, the entire -distance of one hundred and thirty miles, from Springfield to Rolla, or -to Tipton upon the other route, is infested with guerrillas, and I -feared to send her. I preferred she should brave the dangers of the camp -or even the battle-field with me.” - -Captain Hayward bent his head upon his hands and was silent. It was some -moments before any one ventured to speak. All appeared to be oppressed -with a strange sadness. At length one of the party, Captain Gilbert, -slapping him familiarly upon the shoulder, and endeavoring to speak -gayly, said: - -“Come, come, Harry, this won’t do! you must shake off every vestige of -blues. You are suffering still from the wound you received in the Warsaw -skirmish, and it makes you low-spirited. No doubt your sister will be -perfectly safe, and I know she had much rather be with you, to assist -you should you need her aid, than to be safe in St. Louis, enduring the -tortures of suspense.” - -Hayward made no reply. At this moment, a female, delicate and fair, came -tripping lightly into the tent, her face wreathed in smiles, and her -eyes sparkling with delight; but, as she caught sight of Hayward, she -paused, and gazed upon him for a moment, exhibiting the most intense -interest; then advancing, and placing her hand upon his shoulder, she -spoke: - -“Brother!” - -Hayward started, and clasping her in his arms, he pressed her close to -his heart for a moment. But, gazing into his eyes, she asked: - -“What is the matter, dear Harry, you appear ill?” - -The countenance of Hayward underwent an instant change, as he replied: - -“Not ill, but somewhat depressed in spirits, perhaps, in view of what a -day may bring forth.” - -“Oh! Harry,” she said, “I hear there is going to be another fight. Will -_you_ have to go into it and leave me?” - -“Should there be a battle, I shall endeavor to protect you, dear -sister.” - -“But, you will be in danger; perhaps wounded—perhaps killed! Oh! what -_would_ I do, then? Don’t go, Harry!” and the gentle girl threw her arms -around her brother’s neck and wept. After a moment, he raised her, and -pressing his lips to her forehead, said: - -“I wish to speak with these gentlemen a moment. Go to your friend -Alibamo’s tent. I will come for you, soon!” The sister cast back a look -of fond solicitude, and left the tent. - -Hayward gazed after her a moment, muttering audibly: - -“Poor child, what _would_ you do if I should fall. You would indeed be -alone!” - -“Now, captain, I don’t think that’s half fair,” exclaimed the one spoken -of as being the servant. “Do you think I am such a darn skunk as to—if -you was killed—the darn—not to fight for my capt’n’s sister—the -skunk—no, I mean, if you die—if she—darn me, if I don’t—I—I—” and the -speaker, as if unable to express what he _did_ mean, suddenly left the -tent. All present smiled broadly, and good-humor was thus, for the -moment, infused in all hearts. - -“Nettleton had a sudden call!” said one. - -“He has gone to the sutler for a dictionary!” added another. - -“His heart is in the right place,” remarked Hayward. - -“That’s so!” responded all, with emphasis. - -“You are safe, with such a ‘darn skunk’ for your body-guard, Captain -Hayward,” Gilbert declared, with comic seriousness. - -William Nettleton was in height about six feet. His general appearance -was very singular. His hair was nearly white—naturally so; his eyes of a -light green and large; his carriage very loose—indeed, when he walked, -one would almost expect to see him fall in pieces. His feet were huge in -dimensions. He had the appearance of a half-witted, illy-formed person; -but he was, withal, neither one nor the other. Having been detached from -the company to which he belonged, to act as servant to Captain Hayward, -he soon became so greatly attached and devoted to the captain, as to be -styled his “body-guard.” This attachment was not fictitious, nor did it -proceed from a spirit of military sycophancy or subserviency; it was -felt. Nettleton had evinced more than ordinary courage on several -occasions, and had, also, displayed so much judgment with his -intrepidity, that he had received offers of advancement; but these he -declined, preferring, as he expressed himself, “to stay with my capt’n, -the first what promoted me.” - -It will also be well to explain the presence of ladies in the camp. Miss -Mamie Hayward was the sister of Captain Hayward, who, having received -intelligence that her brother was wounded, had visited Springfield for -the purpose of ministering to his wants. At the time of her arrival -Fremont’s “Army of the Mississippi” was marching upon that place, and -the journey from Rolla or Tipton was safe. But soon, those roads were -infested with guerrillas, and, as they were poorly guarded, it was not -thought prudent that the ladies who had reached Springfield should -attempt a return. Miss Hayward, therefore, remained with her brother. -This same reason will apply to all the ladies in camp, of which there -were several—conspicuous among whom was the wife of Adjutant Hinton, one -of the officers of the well-known “Benton Cadets.” She was usually -addressed as “Alibamo”—her name when a captive in Price’s hands. She was -very beautiful, and of that daring, determined nature which has -immortalized so many women of the West. In company with Alibamo, was a -young lady who acted in the capacity of waiting-maid, but who really -appeared more like a companion. This female possessed the not -particularly euphonious name of Sally Long. - -“I must join with Nettleton in my reproaches, Captain Hayward,” answered -Lieutenant Wells, in a subdued tone. “You forget my conversation with -you last night!” - -“No, Wells. You informed me of your affection for my sister, but you -have never addressed her as a lover. How do you know that she will -return your love? If she could return it, I confess, lieutenant, I do -not know any one to whom I would more willingly see her united; but, if -she can not, how could you assume to become her protector?” - -“If such should be the case, and the fortunes of war should deprive her -of a brother, rest assured that, not only myself, but every man in camp -would willingly shed his blood in her defense, and care for her as a -sister!” - -“Thank you. I _do_ feel a foreboding of evil. I believe I shall be -killed in the coming battle. If this should be the case, I commend her -to your care. But, my nerves are excited. I will walk into the open air. -No! I would be alone!” he added, as one of the officers arose as if to -accompany him. - -As he left the tent one of the party, a Captain Walker, exclaimed: - -“Well, I hope things are all right, but I have my doubts!” - -“Your doubts of what?” asked Wells. - -“Humph! well, no matter. _You_ are too directly interested to listen to -the explanation. But, perhaps you will find out some day.” - -“Do you intend, sir, to cast any slur upon Captain Hayward?” - -Captain Walker did not reply, but left the tent. An hour or more had -passed, and Hayward did not return. It was now quite dark, when suddenly -the assembly was sounded, and, all anxious, the troops fell in. The -order was read: - -“Pack knapsacks, and have every thing in readiness for a move at -daylight.” - -All was excitement, and every preparation was made for a forward -movement. But soon it began to be whispered that the orders were to -return. In a short time it was officially announced that the movement -was, in reality, _back to Springfield_, and from thence to Rolla and St. -Louis. Many were the expressions of disappointment and regret, and some -even ventured to denounce the policy. Fremont had been superseded in the -field, and General Hunter, his successor, had abandoned the campaign, -then on the very eve of its final consummation. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - _The Tragedy of the Stream. Who was Guilty?_ - - -WHEN Captain Hayward left the tent, he proceeded to the stream which -skirted the woods. Bending over it, he bathed his fevered brow. Then he -seated himself upon the bank of the river, and, resting his head upon -his hands, was, for a long time, absorbed in his thoughts. A human form -flitted lightly past. Hayward raised his head and listened, but all was -quiet again, and, in the darkness of the night he could distinguish -nothing. - -“I was mistaken!” he said to himself. “If I was not, and a human being -is around, I will wager it was Nettleton, who, anxious for my safety, -has followed me.” - -The captain was again silent for a moment, when the breaking of a twig -betrayed the presence of some person. Hayward raised his head and -called: - -“William! William Nettleton!” - -“Sir!” answered a voice but a few feet from the captain. - -“Why did you follow me, William?” - -“Cos I’m a darn skunk,” drawled the person addressed, as he emerged out -of the darkness. “And——_Curse you_!” - -The person speaking was before him. In an instant Hayward sprung to his -feet, but, with a cry of agony exclaimed: “Great God, Nettleton—why have -you—oh God, save me—you’ve killed me—I die!” And, falling heavily -forward, the words died upon his tongue. - -The murderer bent over the murdered for a moment; then, with some haste, -rolled the body into the water, and turned from the spot. He paused -under the shade of a tree, and listened for the tread of a sentry, that -he might enter the camp unobserved. With a half-suppressed laugh he -uttered his thoughts: - -“I have done it, sure; and now that it is done, I must progress—no -retreating now. I think I’ll win. Good-by, captain, and give my respects -to my friends as you float downstream.” - -He proceeded with caution toward the camp, and was soon lost in the city -of canvas. - -The tattoo soon sounded. Lights were extinguished, and all was quiet, -save in a few tents, which appeared to be those of officers. Yet, there -were aching hearts within that camp, and, as the night progressed, many -were the anxious inquiries as to why Captain Hayward did not return. - -In a large tent, near that occupied by Captain Hayward, were seated -three ladies. One was Miss Hayward; another was Alibamo, or, as she is -now a wife, she should be called Mrs. Adjutant Hinton; the other was -Miss Sally Long, the waiting-maid of Alibamo. Before this tent paced a -special guard; beside it was a tent of much smaller dimensions, occupied -by Nettleton and _his_ servant, black George, or, as Nettleton used to -call him, “Swasey’s nigger.” - -“I fear something has befallen my brother. He does not return, and it is -now twelve o’clock!” - -“Don’t be alarmed,” said Alibamo, in a soothing voice; “your brother is -most likely at the head-quarters of General Sigel. He may be detained on -business. Come, let us retire.” - -“No, not while my brother is absent.” - -At this moment the guard came to the tent entrance and said: - -“Ladies, if you have not yet retired Captain Walker requests the -pleasure of a few words with Miss Hayward.” - -“Oh, Alibamo, I fear that man; he looks at me so strangely. But perhaps -he brings news of my brother. I will see him. Bid the captain enter.” - -As Walker entered he appeared agitated, but controlling his emotions, he -said: - -“Ladies, you will pray excuse me. I feel that I _must_ speak now, as it -may be my last opportunity. We—or, I should say the army—will be -separated at Springfield, and I shall see you no more.” - -“Do you bring news of my brother?” asked Miss Hayward. - -“No! His disappearance is very strange. But I came to speak of myself.” - -“What would you say?” - -“This, Miss Hayward. I have loved you long and dearly. To-morrow we may -be parted, and I would ask you, should the fortunes, or rather the -misfortunes, of war deprive you of a brother’s love and protection, will -you not permit me to seek you out and become your future protector?” - -“Captain Walker, these words surprise me, and I think propriety demanded -that they should have been spoken in the presence of my brother.” - -“Pardon me, dear lady. I have waited until this hour for your brother’s -return, and at last, fearing I should have no other opportunity, I -ventured to visit you now. You have a friend and sister in Alibamo, and -surely you will not fear to speak before her.” - -“I can not answer your question—it refers to the future.” - -“Then for the _present_. Let me speak plainly, and I beg you will do the -same. Can you not at least regard me _now_ as your friend and protector, -and give me a friend’s privileges?” - -The timid girl turned toward Alibamo, and in an inaudible voice, spoke a -word. - -“She answers promptly, _no_!” replied Alibamo, somewhat sterner than was -her usual manner. - -“You _love_ another, then?” asked Walker. - -Miss Hayward did not reply. - -“Is the favored one Lieutenant Wells?” again asked Walker. - -“You are impertinent, Captain Walker,” replied Alibamo. “I must request -you to retire. How can you thus, in her brother’s absence, address her -in this manner?” - -At this moment there was a commotion in the tent of Nettleton. The voice -of the negro was heard, exclaiming: - -“I he’rd you, massa Nettleton. There ain’t no use in you denyin’ it. I -he’rd massa cap’n say, ‘Oh, Nettleton, ye kill me!’ Oh Lord, if eber I -get out ob _dis_ scrape, ye’ll neber catch dis chile in such another -one.” - -“Is the nigger crazy? What is the darn skunk talking about?” - -“Oh, you needn’t make b’lieve ignoramus on dis ’ere question. I he’rd -ye.” - -“Now, look a here, you unconscionable dark; if you have got any thing to -say, spit it out. Don’t make a darn skunk of yourself.” - -“Oh! won’t I fotch ye up in de morning? Yes, sah!” - -“Are you going to speak, and say what you mean?” - -“Oh, golly! You go back on de cap’n dat way!” - -“What cap’n? Out with it, or I’ll break your head and every bone in your -body,” exclaimed Nettleton, in a state of undisguised excitement. - -“Serve dis nigger as ye did de cap’n, and den put his body in de riber!” - -The negro had scarcely uttered these words when Nettleton seized him. He -set up a terrible howl, which brought Captain Walker to their tent. - -“What is all this fuss about?” asked Walker. - -The negro went on to explain as follows: - -“Why, ye see, massa cap’n, I went ober to dat yar house across de riber, -to see Miss Julia, a col’d gal dat used to be my sweetheart. Well, I -see’d de Johnnies comin’, and I ran down to de riber to come on dis -side, but dey come so close to me dat dis chile hid behind a big log. -Den dey stop right by me, and say, ‘Golly, we can’t cotch nobody.’ Den I -he’rd some one on de oder side ob de riber say, “Oh, Nettleton, you—” - -“Silence this stuff! You have been drunk. If you speak upon this subject -again, I’ll cut your black throat.” - -“I’se dumb, massa cap’n.” - -Quiet had now been restored, and all parties retired for the few hours -that intervened before morning. But it was evident all were not asleep. -Several times a stealthy step was heard, and a shadow flitted past the -white canvas tent, dimly seen by the pale starlight. - -Morning came at last, and all was astir. Captain Hayward had not yet -returned. The inquiry was made if any one had seen him. - -“I have not seen him since last evening at twilight,” replied Walker, -“at which time he acted very strangely, and talked about the injustice -of war. I am inclined to think he has deserted and joined the enemy.” - -“Oh, you darn skunk!” yelled Nettleton, as he sprang forward, and was -about to strike the speaker. But, checking himself, he added: “It’s well -you wear them gilt things on your shoulders, or I’d teach you to call -_my_ cap’n such names.” - -“If you would save yourself trouble you had better remain quiet, -Nettleton,” replied Walker, as he fixed his eyes significantly upon him. - -“_I_ knows where Cap’n Hayward am,” said the negro, stepping forward. - -“Where is he?” sobbed Miss Hayward, pressing forward, in her eagerness. - -“He is—” - -“Silence!” yelled Walker. - -“Let him speak,” said the colonel. “Go on, George. Where is the -captain?” - -“Down dar!” The negro trembled violently, and glanced at Nettleton. - -“What do you mean?” - -“He’s in de riber—killed dead, sure!” - -A wild shriek rose upon the air as Miss Hayward fell back into the arms -of Alibamo, insensible. - -“By whom was he killed?” - -“By massa Nettleton dar, _sure_. I he’rd across de riber, jis as plain -as day.” - -Nettleton started back in horror, his eyes extending widely, and his -frame trembling. A general murmur of disbelief ran through the crowd. - -“Did you _see_ him do the deed?” asked the colonel. - -“Golly, I couldn’t see much, it war so dark. But I hear massa cap’n say, -‘Oh, Nettleton, you kill me!’ Golly, see how massa Nettleton shake!” - -“Where was this?” - -“Rite down by dat tree. His blood is all ober de ground; I jest see it.” - -In an instant Nettleton had dashed off for the spot indicated. In -accordance with an order from the colonel he was pursued. Reaching the -locality named, he gazed upon the ground. It was red with blood—fresh -blood. He threw himself upon the earth, and wept and moaned, and called -upon his captain to return. His grief was terrible to behold. By this -time the officers and many of the men had arrived. They gazed upon the -grief-stricken servant with respect, and more than one expression of -sympathy was heard. - -“If Captain Hayward has been murdered, it was not by that boy. Nettleton -loved his captain too much to harm him,” said Lieutenant Wells. “I am -inclined to think the deed has been done by skulking guerrillas.” - -“I incline to your opinion, Lieutenant Wells, as to the innocence of -Nettleton. But, as to the deed having been done by guerrillas, it is not -likely. It is much too near camp.” - -“But Hayward certainly had no enemy in our camp who would have done this -deed.” - -“We do not know the secret motives which animate the human heart,” -replied Walker, in a tone and manner not devoid of meaning. - -“Let instant search be made for the body,” commanded the colonel. It was -done, but no trace of it could be found, although the water was too -shallow to have permitted it to float down the river. Attention was -again directed to Nettleton, who was sitting erect, gazing at a piece of -sharp, bloody steel which he held in his hand. Viewing it a moment, he -sprung to his feet, and fixed his eyes upon Lieutenant Wells. Then he -turned to the colonel and handed him the blade. That officer examined -it. Directing his gaze upon Lieutenant Wells, he asked: - -“Has any one among you a small Spanish dirk, with a highly-polished and -ornamented blade?” - -“I _had_ such a one,” replied Wells, “but I have missed it for several -days.” - -The colonel instantly turned toward the camp, commanding all to follow -him. He halted before the tent of Lieutenant Wells, and said: - -“You, Captain Walker, and you, Adjutant Hinton, enter this tent, and -tell me what you find.” - -The search lasted but a moment, during which time Wells had been -assisting Miss Hayward, but not without evincing much agitation. Walker -now appeared, holding in his hand a bowl of bloody water, and exhibiting -the broken stiletto, covered with blood, which had been found in the -overcoat pocket of Wells. A shirt, also, was found, which was stained -with blood. - -“What can you say to this damning proof of your guilt?” asked the -colonel. - -“I know nothing of it.” - -“Arrest the murderer of Captain Harry Hayward!” commanded the colonel, -in a loud voice. - -The guards instantly seized him. - -“Murderer! _He_ a murderer—and of my brother! No! no! This is some -dreadful dream. Oh, tell me my brother is not murdered; it will kill me. -Oh, see! Pity a friendless girl who kneels to you and begs you to tell -her that you have _not_ deprived her of a dear brother. Speak to me, -Edward. I did love you, and you would not harm him.” - -Wells could not speak. He had never spoken to Miss Hayward of his love -for her; but _now_, in the delirium of her grief, she had confessed her -love for him. Oh, what a moment! - -Walker advanced to raise Miss Hayward from her bended position before -Wells. - -“Paws off, ye darn skunk!” yelled Nettleton, as he hurled Walker to the -ground. “_I_ alone am her protector now.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - _The Proposal—The Interruption—The Indian - —The Rescue—The Wounded Man—The Mystery._ - - -NEAR the village of Ozark, at the base of a ridge of mountains of that -name, runs a most beautiful stream or river, which bears the name of the -village, and is one of the tributaries of the north fork of the -Gasconade. Its banks are high, and covered with a thick but small growth -of the “scrub” oak, peculiar to that portion of Missouri. The bed of the -river sparkles with brilliant white and yellow pebbles, polished by the -rush of waters for thousands of years. A fine bridge spans the stream -along the main road, that runs through the only opening in the forest -for miles around. After crossing this bridge, and ascending a sharp -hill, the village of Ozark is reached. This consists of about twenty -ordinary-looking dwellings, a court-house, and a rough building, -dignified by the name hotel. Beyond the village, and higher up the -mountain, is a line of rolling hills, which overlook the country for -miles around. On one of these, and near the edge of a grove, were to be -seen a cluster of tents, and, from the number of horses picketed but a -short distance away, it would at once be supposed, from a distance, to -be a cavalry camp, with, perhaps, a section of artillery. - -On a sloping point, extending from the side of the bridge to the stream, -and reclining upon the turf, were two persons. The one a young man of -marked appearance, and the other a female of much beauty, although her -dress bespoke her a native of that portion of the country. - -“Nettie, when do you expect your sister to return?” - -“It is difficult to answer, Charles, but I trust very soon.” - -“Have you not heard from her recently?” - -“No. There is no way in which she can communicate with me. The mails -have been discontinued, you are aware, from Rolla to Springfield.” - -“If you can _visit_ the army, I presume you can both dispatch and -receive letters. Are you not very anxious to learn how she is treated -among the Federals?” - -“I am most anxious; still I have no fears.” - -“I can not feel as you do upon that subject. I would not awaken useless -fears in your breast, but _I_ have not so much confidence in their -magnanimous natures.” - -“Charles, you told me to-day for the first time, that you loved me, and -asked me if I could not address you as _dear_ Charles. You have been -very kind to me, and, on one occasion, you rescued me from the hands of -a villain. I feel grateful—truly so. But, whatever my feelings may be, I -never can wed my country’s enemy. Look yonder. You see that white -cottage. Once it was beautifully adorned with creeping vines, and the -lawn before it bloomed with flowers and shrubbery. But, dearer than all, -within its walls lived my father and my sister. Look at it now! Its -beauty has departed—it is a _wreck_; father and sister have been driven -from it, while I have been detained here by _force_. You profess to love -me. If you do so, _prove it_! We are now more than a mile from the rebel -camp, and you can escape with me to Springfield.” - -“I will assist _you_ to escape; indeed, I will accompany you a portion -of the way to Springfield. But _I_ must return to my own people and -fight with them to the last. I _do_ love you, and I _would_ become your -husband, gladly, if I could be satisfied you loved me for myself alone. -But, I can not sacrifice one jot of honor or principle to win even you, -dear Nettie.” - -“And you will go with me, now?” - -“Yes—stay, what is that? Did you not hear a low, moaning sound?” - -“I heard nothing.” - -“Well, perhaps I am mistaken. But I fancied I heard such a sound. No -matter. I will go with you now to Springfield.” - -“To what purpose, young man?” - -The speaker was a powerful person, and had emerged from the bridge just -in time to hear the last sentence of Charles Campbell. - -“So, sir,” he continued, “you would desert us, and join the Yankees, and -all for your foolish regard for this vixen!” - -“Colonel Price, if you were not an officer I would make you _eat_ your -words. I have served you faithfully, and you have no right to question -my loyalty. I do _not_ intend to desert, neither is this lady a _vixen_ -any more than you are a _coward_.” - -Price started, bit his lips, and frowned fiercely. At length he asked: - -“Why did you propose visiting Springfield with this——lady?” - -“I intended to accompany her a portion of the way, and then to return to -my duty.” - -“Why does _she_ wish to visit Springfield?” - -“Because her father and sister are both in St. Louis, and she wishes to -rejoin them.” - -“Did not yonder cottage belong to her father?” - -“It did.” - -“He was one of the most bitter opposers in this section. And you love -his abolition daughter?” - -“I love his _daughter_, sir!” - -“Enough. You will return to camp this moment. I will take charge of this -young lady. When I rejoin you, I shall put your loyalty and your -_courage_ to the test. Do you see yonder boat?” - -He pointed up the river. A small boat was seen floating down the stream, -in which three men were sitting erect, and the form of a fourth, lying -prostrate. - -“How do you propose testing my loyalty, Colonel Price?” - -“That boat contains a Yankee officer. He is to be hung up by the neck. -You shall perform the job.” - -“Is not that man _wounded_, Colonel Price?” - -“Yes, very badly so, I am informed.” - -“_Then I will not perform the base thing you propose._” - -Price drew a revolver, and pointing it to the head of Campbell, -commanded him to start at once for camp. He had scarcely done so, when a -powerful Indian sprung from concealment, and snatched the weapon from -his hand. At the same time he seized Price, as if he had been a child, -and hurled him into the water below. Without waiting to watch the result -of this sudden immersion upon the chivalrous colonel, he caught the -maiden in his arms, and bounded off in the direction of Springfield. As -he started, he beckoned to the young man and muttered: - -“Come—follow—me save her!” - -Price floundered about in the water for a moment, and finally succeeded -in reaching the shore just as the boat came up. - -“Come—quick—join me in the pursuit!” yelled Price. - -The three men leaped upon the bank, and, at the command of Price, all -discharged their pieces after the retreating Indian, but without effect. -Pursuit was then ordered, but Price, observing that Campbell did not -follow, turned and asked: - -“Are _you_ not coming, sir?” - -“No!” was the prompt reply. - -Price felt for his revolver, but finding it gone, he only muttered, -“Curse you,” and then commenced the pursuit. For over a mile it was kept -up. The pursuers gained upon the Indian, who was considerably obstructed -in his flight by the weight of the female. At last Price exclaimed: - -“By the eternal, there come the Yankees!” - -Sure enough, just appearing in view upon an elevated point a little -beyond, was seen a squadron of cavalry, and a section of flying -artillery rapidly advancing. - -“To the hill! Give the signal for our guns—to the bridge—secure the -prisoner in the boat!” - -These commands were given by Price, as he commenced a rapid retreat -toward the bridge. Pausing on the hill just before reaching it, he -unfurled a small flag and made a signal. In an instant all was astir in -the rebel camp, and artillery and cavalry soon came dashing down the -hill. - -“Where is the prisoner?” yelled Price, as he came to the bridge. - -“Perhaps the young man you left here has taken him to camp.” - -“But the boat is gone! However, there is no time to be lost, now. They -are upon us! Quick!” - -Colonel Price started for the opposite end of the bridge, followed by -his three confederates. The rebel troops were still some distance from -that end of the bridge nearest their camp, which it was evident they -intended reaching, if possible, in order to sweep the narrow passage, if -the Union forces attempted to cross. The Federals, however, were the -first to gain that point. But, had a crossing been effected, as soon as -they reached the opposite side they would have been exposed to the most -galling fire of the enemy, as there was a large space of flat, swampy -ground in front; and then a sharp bluff, upon which the rebel artillery -would, in such a case, be planted. The commander of the Federals, -observing this situation at a glance, ordered a halt, and brought his -section of artillery into position. One piece was placed so as to -enfilade the bridge, and the other upon a little rise of ground, in a -position where it could sweep their lines beyond. The rebels observing -this, threw forward two guns, amid a deadly fire from the Unionists, and -succeeded in taking a position upon the opposite end of the bridge. -Several rounds of grape were hurled back and forth, but as the cover was -good, but little damage was done. The cavalry attempted a crossing, but -the thick growth of oaks prevented. A charge was about to be ordered -across the bridge, when an explosion took place, and it was shattered to -fragments. Taking advantage of this, the rebels made a rapid flight. As -pursuit was useless, the command was given to fall back to Springfield. - -The Indian we have spoken of now approached the commander, leading the -trembling woman, and said: - -“Me save—you save—white squaw!” - -“Do you require my protection?” asked the commander. - -Nettie told her story in an artless manner, of which the reader has -gleaned all necessary particulars. She was kindly provided for, and soon -reached Springfield in perfect safety. - -Soon after the arrival, a soldier came to the tent of the commanding -officer, presenting a bit of paper. - -“Colonel, I picked up this scrap near the bridge, but did not look at it -until this moment. It may be of importance.” - -The colonel took the paper and read aloud: - -“A suspicion of my fidelity to the Confederate cause has crossed the -mind of my commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Price, simply -because I consented to assist Miss Nettie Morton to reach Springfield, -from which point she might be able to rejoin her friends, who formerly -resided in Ozark, but are now in St. Louis. I was condemned, in -consequence, to be the executioner of a _wounded_ Federal officer. At -this cowardly act my whole nature revolted. Chance has favored me, and I -have determined to save him. In what manner I can not here write, -fearing this paper should fall into Confederate hands, and my plans be -thus interrupted. I can not learn who he is. I asked his name, and I -have some reason to believe that Miss Morton may throw some light upon -the subject, as the only words he spoke were ‘Net—murdered—sister—.’ He -bore the rank of captain. - - CHARLES CAMPBELL.” - - -The colonel turned toward Miss Morton, who was seated in his tent, and -asked: - -“Do you feel any _especial_ interest in any Union officer now with us?” - -Miss Morton hung her head and blushed. - -“Do not fear to speak, and frankly, too, Miss Morton. Perhaps the -welfare of one you love—perhaps his safety, may depend upon your candid -confession.” - -“I—I—” - -“Have you ever _met_ one of our officers?” - -“But once. And then I only passed the evening in his society. He was -kind, but he has forgotten me!” - -“It is enough, you love him. But the short time he was with you could -scarcely have made an impression so deep that he would mutter your name -in his delirium. And yet, the wounded man was near your residence. And -he exclaimed ‘Net—’. Your name is Nettie, is it not?” - -“It is.” - -“And what is the name of him you refer to?” - -“Captain HARRY HAYWARD!” - -The officer was visibly affected. “‘Nettie.’ ‘Net—.’ ‘Nettleton!’ -‘_Murdered._’ ‘Sister.’ It is very strange. Harry Hayward’s body was not -found, but he was assassinated. Ah, I begin to fathom the mystery.” He -murmured all this in words not audible to the astonished Miss Morton, -and left the tent slowly, as if oppressed with the weight of a momentous -thought. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - _Nettleton’s Adventure in a Noose—Some Important Information._ - - -THE surprise of Walker was very great at the unexpected movement of -Nettleton. His sword flashed from its scabbard, and he made a half-pass -at his breast. But, checking himself, he said: - -“William, I can forgive you in consideration of your grief, and I spare -you, that you may assist in the care of Miss Hayward. Curse him!” he -muttered to himself, “I would strike the infernal dog dead at my feet, -but the act would only place a greater barrier between me and my prize. -Miss Hayward,” he added aloud, “you will always find me ready and most -anxious to serve you.” - -“Miss Hayward will not lack for friends, sir!” replied Alibamo, in a -tone of contempt. - -“Captain Walker, I shall place the prisoner in your charge. You will -forward at once.” These words were spoken by the colonel. - -Walker bit his lip, and was silent. He then commanded the guard to -forward, muttering as he did so: - -“The second most agreeable job. I’ll revenge myself upon him.” - -As the guard formed around Lieutenant Wells, he turned to Miss Hayward, -and said: - -“Oh! dear lady, you have inadvertently confessed that you had some -regard for me. This is not a time to speak of such things, but I will -now say to you, that which has never before passed my lips, excepting to -your brother. I love you, with a devotion, ardent as it is pure and -holy; and by that love I swear, and beg you to believe, that I have -never harmed your brother!” - -Miss Hayward turned toward him, and made a movement as if to reach his -side, but Walker held aloft the bloody knife, which met her gaze, and, -with a shudder, she turned to Alibamo. - -“Forward!” cried Walker, and Edward Wells, the once popular officer and -general favorite, was urged on, bound and guarded, charged with, and -generally believed guilty of, the foulest of crimes. But yesterday he -was on the road to honor and fame; now he was marching forward to a -disgraceful death. The entire division was soon in motion. - -Nettleton now approached Miss Hayward, and said: - -“Miss Mamie, I am going to do all for you such a darn sk— I mean such a -chap as me _can_ do; but, I’m feard that ain’t much. But you’re going -now where there ain’t no danger, and if you please, I’m a going to stay -behind and hunt for the captain.” - -“Oh! thank you, William,” sobbed Miss Hayward. “How can I ever repay -you, dear friend?” - -“Don’t—don’t!” said William. A choking sensation came over him, and, -unable to say more, he turned away, only to be comforted by Miss Sally -Long, who placed her hands upon his shoulders, and said: - -“William, if you will find the captain, I’ll _love you dearly_!” - -Nettleton started back, opened his eyes wide—so he did his mouth, as if -attempting to speak. His lower jaw wagged two or three times, but no -sound was heard. Then turning his eyes, he saw the gaze of all fixed -upon him, and started off suddenly upon a run, exclaiming as he did so: - -“Who ever thought it possible that _I_ should ever be loved by -Sally—such a darn skunk—a sweet gal, I mean!” - -Nettleton did not pause until he had overtaken the colonel, of whom he -requested permission to remain and make a more thorough search for his -captain. - -“No, William,” was the reply. “We will not be a mile distant before the -enemy’s scouts will be here, and you will be taken prisoner.” - -“No fear, they don’t notice such as me!” - -“But your uniform will be sufficient.” - -“Oh! I always go prepared. I have another suit _under_ this, one as I -got from the bushwhack I laid out the other night, as he came noseing -around Captain Hayward’s tramping ground, and I shall put that on top.” - -“Well, do as you like, but be careful!” - -Nettleton waited for no other words, but turning, proceeded at once to -the spot where Hayward received the fatal stab. He sat down for a time, -silent and mournful, gazing into the water. He then commenced a -scrutinizing search. He became satisfied that the body could not have -floated down the river, on account of the shallowness of the water. He -crossed the stream, searched upon the opposite bank, and there found the -footprints of a number of men. He followed the tracks, and found that -_two_ persons had descended _into_ the river, and out again, near the -same spot. He took the measurement of each impression in the mud, and -then exclaimed: - -“I’ll be darned if Lieutenant Wells’ boot made any of _them_ marks! I -know how it is. Captain must have come here last night to think, and -some of them darn rebel skunks come up behind him suddenly, and killed -him, and then two of them crossed over and got his body, and brought it -back, and that accounts for the tracks in and out of the water. But what -did they want with him if he was dead? Perhaps he wasn’t quite killed, -and they took him prisoner. I’ll follow these tracks, anyway.” - -Nettleton followed up the footmarks until they merged into the turnpike, -which was so cut up with travel as to prevent him tracing them further. -He now returned to the fatal spot. Bending down he examined the earth, -still red with blood. Something appeared to interest him, and creeping -on his knees, he followed a footprint to the edge of the stream. Here -was an impression of _two_ boots, side by side, in the mud. Nettleton -gazed upon them for a few moments. His breast heaved violently—he -clenched his hands, and at last said: - -“I’ve blacked _them_ boots. I know ’em well—there is the impression of -the _two hearts_ in the mud, and there ain’t but one pair of boots in -our camp as has _two hearts_ made with nails in the ball of each boot. -Oh, you darn—” - -Something caught the eye of Nettleton in the water. He sprung in and -secured it. It proved to be a handkerchief, which bore a name upon the -corner. He gazed upon it a moment, and said: - -“The man as had on _them_ boots stood in _them_ tracks, and washed -himself in that river. He wiped upon this hankercher and then threw it -into the water. Folks as washes the evidence of murder off their hands, -don’t wash in the river, throw away the wiper, and then take a tin pot -of bloody water to—” - -“What the devil are you doing here?” - -Nettleton turned to behold a party of six horsemen who had suddenly -approached him. In his anxiety he had forgotten to change his -clothing—that is, to cover his blue uniform with the rough gray suit he -wore underneath. - -“So, you are a Yankee soldier,” exclaimed one of the party. - -“No I ain’t; I’m a darn skunk.” - -This reply, and the ungainly appearance of Nettleton, caused a laugh -throughout the entire party. - -“You are not a Yankee soldier? Then what are you doing with that -uniform?” - -Nettleton looked at his dress, and for the first time became conscious -that he had not changed it. He, however, instantly replied: - -“I am a spy for the General.” - -“What General?” - -“General Price, to be sure.” - -This created another fit of merriment. - -“Just as if the likes of you would be employed as a spy! Why, you don’t -know enough to last you half a mile.” - -“That’s just the reason why I _am_ a spy. I am such a darn skunk no one -pays any attention to me.” - -“Have you been in the Yankee camp here?” - -“Yes.” - -“Have you a Confederate uniform under that blue?” - -“Yes,” replied Nettleton, throwing off his coat and exposing the gray. - -“To what company and regiment do you belong?” - -“No company. I go it on my own hook.” - -“You know General Price?” - -“Yes, very well.” - -“Have you ever been in his camp?” - -“Often.” - -“Describe him.” - -Nettleton had, on one occasion, accompanied a party of disguised Union -officers into the very camp of Price, while that General held possession -of the upper Osage. One of the officers being detected and wounded, was -borne along with the retreating rebel army from the Osage to -Springfield, and Nettleton had followed on for the purpose of rendering -assistance if possible. His apparent stupidity prevented suspicion, and -he had been one of the leading spirits in a rescue which afterward -occurred. He was, in consequence, not only known to General Price -himself, but to a large number of his officers and men, and hence it was -very desirable for him to avoid the main army. He supposed that he could -deceive his captors, or effect his escape. And the shadowy thought that -Captain Hayward might have been seized and borne toward the rebel -quarters at once decided his course. He gave an accurate description of -Price. - -“Good!” answered one of the party, “it is evident you _are_ a spy. I -find you on the spot the Yankees have just left. You have _their_ -uniform on and _ours_ under it. So far that _looks_ well. You know and -have perfectly described our General. That renders it certain you have -seen him. Now, one of two things is certain: you are a _Yankee_ spy, and -have been in our camps with that gray uniform _outside_, and then -communicated your information to _your_ General, or you are a -_Confederate_ spy, who, having just been in the Yankee camp, must have -important information for _our_ General. In either case we shall conduct -you to him. If you are his man, then all will be right. If you are -_not_, then you will be hung within half an hour after your arrival. You -understand?” - -“I first thought of going on to Springfield, but I think I have all the -information necessary, and I had made up my mind to return. I halted -here a moment to change my dress; and to look for a Yankee officer who -was supposed to be killed last night. But I think he was only badly -wounded, and may yet be found alive in the tall grass. Look for him.” -These words were spoken by Nettleton in an apparently cheerful tone. - -“Oh! you mean the captain who was stabbed last night.” - -“Yes, yes; do you know any thing of him?” - -“You appear especially anxious, Mr. What’s-your-name?” - -“I am anxious,” replied Nettleton, fiercely. “He insulted me, and I -would be revenged.” - -“Don’t trouble yourself. He’ll catch it soon enough. He was _not_ -killed, but was taken out of the water by us.” - -“Who struck the blow?” yelled Nettleton. - -“No one of our party. We were concealed upon the opposite bank. We could -not see the murderer strike, for it was too dark; but we saw the body -thrown in the stream, and saw the stabber wash himself in the river. We -would have fired upon him, but were afraid of rousing the Yanks. We -waited until he left the body, after throwing it into the stream, and -then we recovered it. The man was still alive. He had only fainted from -loss of blood. We dressed his wound as well as we could, and then -conveyed him to a house the other side of the pike. He will recover; but -Colonel Price has an especial spite against him. He met him once at -Springfield. So, _when_ he recovers he will be hung.” - -“Where is he now?” asked Nettleton. - -“At a little house not fifty rods from here, just the other side of the -pike.” - -Without a word, Nettleton bounded like a deer in the direction the -Federal forces had taken. But a dozen shots were fired after him, and he -fell. He was soon secured, when it was ascertained that one bullet had -cut the neck badly, and another had struck the ankle, although it had -not broken the bone. He was still able to walk, and, after being bound, -he was dragged forward toward Cassville. - -A march of forty miles was almost too much even for the tough Nettleton, -more especially as he had received a severe shot in the ankle; but he -bore up firmly, and at last arrived at the outskirts of the rebel camp. -He had become very lame, and rolled about like a ship in a heavy sea. As -he entered the camp, many were the jeers and taunts which hailed this -specimen of the Yankee soldier. Nettleton made no reply, although his -countenance bespoke his contempt. - -He was now near the quarters of Price. - -“By thunder!” yelled one of the Confederate soldiers, “that is the very -fellow who fooled us at Springfield. Hang him! Hang him!” - -An explanation was soon made, and Nettleton’s fate appeared certain, as -a “drumhead” court-martial had already been convened. Sentence was soon -given—the Yankee spy was to be hung upon the spot! - -A rough scaffolding was formed, under a large tree, and a rope, with the -fatal noose attached, thrown over a limb. Nettleton ascended the -platform in silence, although his frame trembled. - -“I never saw a Yankee yet that did not fear to die,” exclaimed one of -the bystanders. - -“Then you see one now, you darn skunk,” replied Nettleton. - -“Why do you tremble, then?” asked the Confederate. - -“I was thinking of the captain, and of his poor sister ‘Mamie.’” - -“Ha! ha! ha! This booby is in love. A romantic spy. And the idol of his -passion is called ‘Mamie!’” - -“You lie, you dog!” yelled Nettleton. “I only—” - -“What is all this?” asked a stately-looking officer, who had just -approached, and before whom all the rest fell back. - -“A spy, General,” was the response. - -“Why was he not brought to _my_ quarters?” - -“Because Raines ordered a drumhead court-martial.” - -“Release the man until I have conversed with him.” - -Nettleton was released, and, as he descended from the scaffolding, he -was recognized by General Price. - -“We have met before?” asked Price. - -“Yes, General, we have,” was the prompt reply of Nettleton. - -“What were you doing in my camp the _first_ time we met?” - -“Serving my captain, whom I love.” - -“Good! What are you doing here now?” - -“That will require considerable explanation,” added Nettleton. - -“Go on,” said Price. - -“Well, General, some darn skunk _murdered_ my captain, and when our -troops left Grand Prairie, on their return to Springfield, I remained -behind to search for his body. I am _no_ spy.” - -“But you said you were a spy, serving General Price,” replied one of the -soldiers who had brought Nettleton to the rebel camp. - -“How can you explain this?” asked Price. - -“Well, ye see, General, Miss Sally—no, I mean Miss Mamie—that’s the -captain’s sister—will break her poor heart and die of grief if she can’t -learn something about her brother. Them darn skunks as arrested me told -me that Captain Hayward was _not_ killed. Besides this, as nice a darn -sk— I mean as good a man as ever lived, and one who loves Miss -Sally—no—that Miss Sally keeps running in my head—one as loves Miss -Mamie, is accused of murdering the captain. But I know better, for I -found proof enough to convict the right one. I wanted to tell Mamie that -Sally—darn Sally—that her brother was _not_ dead, and to clear -Lieutenant Wells and convict the one as did the deed. So I told them -sneaks as how I _was_ a spy, in hopes they’d let me alone.” - -“Would you give any information you may have gleaned here, if I should -set you free?” - -“I ain’t no such darn skunk, General. Honor is honor bright with me.” - -“What have you seen here?” - -“A lot of the darndest sapheads I ever met.” - -“If I should set you free, will you fight against me?” - -“Like the devil, the first time we meet in fair play.” - -“Why do you wear that gray suit under your uniform?” - -“Because captain’s always getting himself into some scrape, and I have -to hunt him up. Sometimes I have to go among the Johnnies to do it, and -then the blue ain’t healthy.” - -“Will you ever act as spy upon me if I let you go?” - -“Not unless capt’n does. But I’m his body-guard, and shall go everywhere -he does, if I can.” - -“What is your name?” - -“William Nettleton.” - -“Well, William, I think we shall be obliged to hang you.” - -“All right, General,” answered Nettleton, stepping upon the scaffolding -again. “And them darn sneaks shan’t say they never see’d a Yankee die -bravely. But, General, let me ask of you one favor. You don’t want to -see a good fellow shot for what he didn’t do, and a murderer go clear, -do you?” - -“Certainly not.” - -“Then all I ask is, that you send this handkerchief to Colonel Mann, and -tell him the murderer didn’t wash in a basin in his tent, but in the -river, and then threw this wiper away; and that the guilty one has _two -hearts_, made with nails, on the sole of each boot. And tell Sally—no, -Mamie—that the captain is—Lieutenant Wells—and Walker—the skunk, when -I’m dead—that Sally—no, capt’n, won’t think of poor Nettleton—and—” - -“Oh stop! stop! William, I can never recollect all this. You had better -go yourself and attend to this matter.” - -“What, General? Do you mean it?” cried William, as he sprung from the -scaffold and gazed earnestly at Price. - -“On one condition I will permit you to go.” - -“Well, what is it?” - -“That as soon as you have given your evidence in the court-martial which -will probably be ordered, you will return at once _and be hung_.” - -“I’ll do it; I’m a loafer if I don’t.” - -“You swear it?” - -“Yes, by the great jumping jingo, and Sally Long’s tearful eyes!” - -“The guard will see this man safely beyond our lines,” said Price, -speaking to one of his officers, “and furnish him a pass and a horse. -Let one of our men accompany him near to the Federal lines, and bring -back the animal which William will ride.” - -Nettleton rushed forward, and grasping the hand of Price, shook it -violently, and then exclaimed, as he took his leave: - -“General Price, you ain’t such a darn sneak as I thought you was!” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - _The Court-martial and the Hostage._ - - -THE division which had been encamped on Grand Prairie reached -Springfield in safety, and formed their temporary camp in the field, -back of the brick school-house, which stands about a quarter of a mile -to the west of the new court-house. - -The first order issued to the officers of the battalion of Benton -Cadets, the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-seventh Illinois, was to assemble at -a given time, to act upon a court-martial, at the quarters of Major D—, -Judge-Advocate, to try the case of Lieutenant Edward Wells, charged with -willful murder of Harry Hayward, a captain in the service of the United -States of America, and attached to the army of the Mississippi, now -under command of Major-General Hunter. - -It was a sad day! Lieutenant Wells was a favorite with both officers and -men of his command. He always had been mild as a female, kind and -benevolent—sacrificing his own comfort for the good of the privates in -his battalion. True, some said that Wells would not fight bravely—that -he ought to have been created a _woman_; but everybody gave him credit -for being the kindest of the kind. When first accused, there arose a -very bitter feeling against him. Captain Hayward also was a great -favorite with the men. He was a stern but kind soldier. When the news of -his brutal murder came to the knowledge of his “boys,” their first cry -was “revenge,” and they naturally sought some one on whom to wreak their -vengeance. At first Lieutenant Wells narrowly escaped a summary fate, -more especially as it was whispered about camp that Wells had become a -suitor for the hand of the fair Mamie Hayward, had been _rejected_ by -her, and spurned by the captain. But in a short time it was given out -that Mamie had confessed her affection for Wells, and that Captain -Hayward had remarked in the presence of others, that he deemed Wells an -honorable man, and would gladly favor his suit. This turned the tide of -feeling in favor of the lieutenant, and when the court-martial was -convened, nothing but a consciousness of a soldier’s duty prevented an -open revolt, or at least a most decided and forcible expression of -feeling. But, trusting to the judgment of the officers forming the -court, the soldiers decided to await the result. - -Have our readers ever witnessed a trial by court-martial? It is not like -the ordinary court of justice. First, the charge is read, as thus: - -“Lieutenant Edward Wells, of Company H, Battalion of B—— C——, is charged -with the willful murder of Harry Hayward, a captain in the U. S. army. - -“2d.—Specification.—1st. In this, that said Lieutenant Edward Wells, -did, on the night of the seventh day of November, 1861, assassinate and -murder said,” etc. - -Following this, in any case of the kind, would be found a list of -“specifications,” setting forth in detail, all the chief events -connected with the crime. - -The prisoner was brought to the tent of Major D—— to answer to the -charge. He was very pale, yet perfectly composed; and when the question -was asked, the ready and firm response was: - -“NOT GUILTY!” - -The Judge-Advocate, a noble-hearted but just man, informed the prisoner -that he was to act, not only as “prosecuting counsel,” but as “counsel” -for the prisoner, and that he (the Judge-Advocate) must give the -prisoner the benefit of any doubt that might arise in his favor. - -To those of our readers not familiar with the _modus operandi_ of a -court-martial, we would give the following information for their -benefit: - -The doors of the court are closed to all outsiders. The prisoner makes -his plea, and retires. The witnesses are brought forward and examined, -but no cross-examination is allowed. If a question is to be asked by any -of the officers sitting upon the court, it must be reduced to writing, -and silently handed to the Judge-Advocate. If he sees fit to put the -question, it is done; if not, it is thrown aside. - -We will now proceed to a brief summary of the trial. - -“Lieutenant Edward Wells, you are charged with the willful murder of -Harry Hayward, a captain in the United States service. What is your -plea. Guilty, or _not_ guilty!” - -“Not guilty!” was the decided response. - -“Let the first witness be called, George Swasey, colored.” - -The person familiarly known as “Swasey’s nigger” took the stand. When -brought forward, he glanced around as if fearful of something, and then -asked: - -“Is Massa William Nettletum where he can hear dis chile tell de truff?” - -“You have nothing to fear from _any_ person, if you _do_ speak the -truth, and _all_ the truth,” replied Major D. - -“Well den, de fact am dis. I went to see my gal. When I cum back, I met -de rebs. I hid behind a log. I see’d some one stick a knife in massa -cap’n, and I heard him say: - -“‘Oh! Nettletum, you kill me!’” - -All questions were answered in the same spirit, and it became evident -that the negro believed Nettleton the real murderer. - -The next witness brought upon the stand was Alibamo Hinton. She swore -that Nettleton’s tent was next to the one she occupied—that he was in -attendance upon her and Miss Hayward, by permission of Captain Hayward, -and that Nettleton had _not_ been out of her presence that night. In the -first part of the evening, Nettleton had remained near her door; in the -latter part, he had missed his captain, and had prostrated himself on a -rug near the tent entrance. She had seen him there _all night_, as she -had not slept at all. - -Miss Hayward was too much overcome to appear as a witness, and was -excused. - -The next witness was Captain Hugh Walker. - -The feeling of the soldiers, to learn the result of the trial, was -intense, and by the time Captain Walker was called to the stand, some -twenty or thirty had crept to the edge of the tent, and endeavored to -conceal themselves in the tall grass outside, to catch the proceedings. -But they were discovered by Walker, who demanded that they should be -removed. This was done, and a guard placed outside. - -Captain Walker’s oath was as follows: - -“On the night of the seventh of November, I followed Captain Hayward -from his tent. It was at the time gradually becoming dark. My motive in -doing so I will explain. As soon as it began to be rumored that we were -to meet Price, I observed a change in the conduct of Captain Hayward. He -had ever been the center of attraction. His tent was the ‘head-quarters’ -of ‘our circle,’ drawn thither by the natural gayety of the captain, and -the presence there of ladies. But this feeling appeared to forsake him, -and on more than one occasion he denounced the war as inhuman. Pardon -me; I would not speak against the dead, but I doubted the loyalty of the -man, and _not_ his courage, and this it was which induced me to follow -him. - -“I halted beneath a large tree, which stood near the spot where the -murder evidently was committed. I saw the captain seat himself upon the -bank. At this time it was quite dark, but I saw a shadow approaching. It -passed near me, but I failed to discover who it was. I first thought it -might be William Nettleton following his master. I listened attentively, -however, as the extreme caution of the intruder attracted my attention. -In an instant I heard a groan, a heavy fall, and a voice exclaim: ‘Oh, -William, where are you? Nettleton, I am murdered. WELLS _is the -assassin_!’” - -A shudder ran through the court. Major D—— dropped his head upon his -hand and was silent. The officers whispered together. At last, a written -question was handed to the Judge-Advocate, which was promptly asked: - -“Captain Walker, why did you not give the alarm, or arrest the murderer -yourself?” - -“Sir,” was the prompt reply, “the sequel will show. It was dark; I could -not distinguish the features of any person two yards distant. I feared -he might escape if he should discover me. I therefore followed the -murderer cautiously, and he entered the tent of Lieutenant Wells. He did -not strike a light, but I listened, and heard him washing himself. I -kept close watch upon him until morning, to make sure I was not accusing -an innocent man. No one entered or left the tent. The one who washed his -hands, and left the bloody water, was Lieutenant Edward Wells.” - -This evidence was conclusive. But no reason could be assigned for the -murder, unless it was that Miss Hayward had been heard to say that she -never should marry and leave her brother so long as he lived, and it had -now become well known that Wells was a suitor for her hand. Still, he -was a favorite with the captain, and even on the day of his death -Hayward had been heard to say that he believed Wells a man of honor, -whose suit he would favor. The only conclusion which could be arrived at -was, that Wells believed the love of a sister was too strong to give -immediate place to the love of a wife, and he felt that, the brother -once removed, he alone would become the object of Miss Hayward’s -affection. This, though but a flimsy pretext for so awful a crime, was -all that any one could offer in the way of a surmise. - -The trial was over. But one decision could be given. It soon was rumored -about camp that sentence had been passed, and that at four o’clock the -next day it would be read to the prisoner, in presence of the whole -division. - -The night was wearing on. A form, closely enveloped, approached the tent -of the commanding General. It proved to be the lady Alibamo. - -“What is the will of our ‘daughter of the army?’” asked the General, -kindly. - -“It is that I may visit Lieutenant Wells, and bring him to my tent. I -desire that an interview should take place between Miss Hayward and the -doomed man.” - -The General seated himself at his table, and penned a few words, which -he handed to Mrs. Hinton. She glanced at the contents, and then falling -at the feet of that officer, she seized his hand, and kissing it, -sobbingly exclaimed: - -“What! _without_ his chains? God bless you! God bless—” - -“There, there! Go! go! Don’t make _me_ weep, or I won’t forgive you,” -returned the veteran warrior, as he turned away. - -Alibamo left his tent, and in a few minutes entered her own, in company -with Lieutenant Wells, now free from all apparent restraint. - -When Wells entered the tent, Miss Hayward was kneeling by the side of -her camp cot, her face buried in the folds of its coverings. For several -moments not a word was spoken, and, as Wells gazed upon the stricken -sister, he trembled violently, while a groan of intense anguish escaped -him. - -Alibamo advanced, and gently touching her companion, said: - -“Mamie, my darling, here is _our friend_, Lieutenant Wells.” - -Miss Hayward did not raise her head, but reached forth her hand toward -Wells, which, quickly kneeling by her side, he took, and pressed to his -lips. - -“Oh, heaven bless you!” he moaned. “_You_ do not believe me capable of -the dreadful crime with which I am charged?” - -Miss Hayward tried to speak, but convulsive sobs choked her utterance. - -“No, my ever kind and dear friend,” replied Alibamo, “she does _not_ -believe you guilty. Nor am I satisfied that Captain Hayward has been -killed. I am under the impression that he was wounded and taken prisoner -by some rebels, who were lurking near our camp.” - -“You _hope_ for the best, and so do I; but have you any grounds for the -formation of such an opinion?” asked Wells. - -“Yes, and to me the best of evidence. William Nettleton went in search -of the captain. If he was killed, William would have found his body -before this, and returned to us with the intelligence. His continued -absence convinces me that the captain is still alive, and that his -faithful friend Nettleton is at this moment following him. It is this -hope which gives me fresh courage, and I believe a few days will see you -free, and your name as untarnished as it should be. I wished to tell you -this, and I also wished Miss Hayward to express to you personally, her -confidence in your innocence; hence, I brought you here. You may leave -us now, as my poor friend is too much agitated to converse.” - -Wells was about to depart in silence, but Miss Hayward for the first -time raised her face, and her tearful eyes met his own. He sprung -forward, and kneeling before her, pressed his lips to her white -forehead, and said: - -“That look is worth to me years of happiness. But, you can read my heart -_now_. When I am _proved_ innocent, then I will speak the words which -must not, till then, pass my lips. God bless you!” - -He arose to depart, but was met by Captain Walker, who had just entered -the tent. - -Walker cast a rapid glance around him, and placing his finger upon his -lips, enjoined silence upon all. Wells stood, with arms folded, sternly -and suspiciously gazing upon him, while Alibamo asked: - -“What are your wishes, sir?” - -“To serve you and your friend,” was the reply, spoken in a low voice, -and with apparent hesitation. - -“It must be an important service which could render pardonable the fact, -sir, of you having, unannounced, and so rudely, intruded upon our -privacy,” said Mrs. Hinton. - -“It _is_ an important service. No less than the rescue of——will you be -seated?” - -The parties seated themselves in silence, when Walker continued: - -“You must pardon me if I speak plainly, and directly to the point. It is -necessary that I should be brief.” - -“Proceed, sir.” - -“Miss Hayward,” continued Walker, turning toward the lady, “I must give -a few words of explanation to you. I _did_ love—_do_ love you now. You -need not shrink from me. You will, upon hearing my words, understand me -better. No man loves without hope, until there arises between him and -the one beloved some impassable barrier. The barrier which arose to -blast _my_ hopes was, your previous love, and the unfortunate -circumstance which has made me an unwilling witness against one to whom, -as I think, your heart still clings.” - -“You will please be brief in comment, and come as quickly as possible to -the point in question,” replied Mrs. Hinton, as she observed the -agitation of Miss Hayward. - -“I come to the point now. I know Miss Hayward is very unhappy, and I -would not add to it. I would save her lover.” - -“To whom do you refer?” asked Wells, coldly. - -“To you, sir,” was the prompt reply. - -“I can not claim the title you honor me with, in connection with that -lady. Besides, she might not thank _you_ for such a service.” - -“Oh, yes! yes!” eagerly replied Miss Hayward, as she gazed upon the -speaker. - -“Stay one moment, Miss Hayward,” answered Wells. “Let us first learn in -what manner my deliverance can be effected. Captain Walker, you can -proceed.” - -“You speak very coldly, Lieutenant Wells, to one who comes to offer you -service. But, before I proceed, I must exact a promise, that if my -proposition is not accepted, those to whom my words are addressed will -make no exposure of the same.” - -There was a nod of assent, and Walker proceeded: - -“I will not deny the fact that solicitude for Miss Hayward impels the -act. But of this no more. Lieutenant Wells, you are unbound and -unwatched. Place your sash across your breast, as worn by the officer of -the day. I will give you the counter-sign, and thus you will be enabled -to pass the pickets, and make good your escape. You can secure a safe -retreat, and, after the excitement of the mur—of this unfortunate -affair—has died away, Miss Hayward can be apprised of your place of -concealment, and take such action in the case as her judgment or heart -may dictate.” - -A deathlike silence reigned for a moment, during which rapid glances -were exchanged between the friends. At length Wells asked: - -“Captain Walker, would not an escape imply, upon my part, an -acknowledgment of the crime of which I am accused?” - -“It might, in the estimation of many. But, you are generally believed -guilty. What matters it what your actions imply to _them_? Your friends -here, who have already made up their minds, will merely look upon it as -a desire upon your part to escape a certain, an unmerited, and a -dishonorable death.” - -“And you will assist my flight?” - -“I will.” - -“And will you afterward convey Miss Hayward to me if she will come?” - -“With pleasure; you but anticipate my intended services.” - -Another rapid and significant glance passed between Mrs. Hinton and -Wells, which was not observed by Walker. - -“One thing more, Walker: do _you_ believe me guilty of murder?” - -“H’m—I _did_.” - -“And _now_?” - -“I _may_ have been mistaken. But, be that as it may, I will assist your -flight.” - -“Are you ready?” asked Wells, rising. - -“I wish you to return to your cell, and when all is ready, say _two or -three o’clock_, I will come for you.” - -“But I will not go!” was the firm reply. - -Walker perceived his mistake, and quickly added: - -“As you please, sir.” And turning, he was about to leave the tent, when -he was confronted by the “officer of the day.” - -“Captain Walker,” he said, sternly, “you feel an especial interest in -Lieutenant Wells. I did not suppose so, but learned the fact from your -conversation. I am glad you _do_ feel so great a friendship for him. You -shall have opportunity to make it manifest. You shall become his -Pythias!” - -“What do you mean, sir?” - -“This: that the sentence of Lieutenant Wells will be read to-morrow -afternoon at four o’clock. In the mean time, you, as his dear friend, do -not wish to see him confined, and will most cheerfully take his place in -the prison, and wear his chains. If the lieutenant is _present_ -to-morrow at four, you, as his hostage, will be released. If he should -escape, as you have advised, of course you will be held as an aider and -abettor in that escape; and when you receive that punishment your guilt -deserves, you will have the consolation of knowing that you suffer for -the benefit of your very dear friend! Soldiers,” commanded the officer, -“place the irons upon Captain Walker, and convey him to the guard-room -in the old log-building.” - -“Are you mad? You _dare_ not do it!” yelled Walker, as he foamed with -rage. But the soldiers promptly obeyed the command, and Walker was taken -from the tent. - -“This indignity shall be avenged!” but he was carried quickly forward, -and the guard-room door soon closed upon him. - -“You will be at liberty, upon your parole of honor, until to-morrow at -four o’clock, Lieutenant Wells.” - -The officers shook hands and separated. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - _The Gunpowder Plot and the Conspirator._ - _The Mystery Unfolding._ - - -JUST as the fading twilight was yielding to darkness, and before -Lieutenant Wells had been removed from his cell by request of Alibamo, a -scene occurred to which we must revert. - -The room in which Wells was placed was in the wing of a log-house, just -in the rear of the brick school-house to which we have alluded. Two -doors led from this apartment, one opening into the garden, the other -into the main building. This latter door had been firmly secured. Near -that opening into the garden, was a small window, the only one in the -apartment. As the guard was stationed at the door, escape from the room -was impossible. Surrounding this garden were a number of hedges running -in various directions, some of them forming the street fence, while -others ornamented the winding gravel walks. - -As soon as it was quite dark, a person closely enveloped and disguised, -emerged from among the tents, and passed cautiously along in the still -intenser darkness of the hedge shadow. Ever and anon he would pause and -listen. Finally he reached the further hedge, remote from the camp. He -paused a moment, and then gave a low and peculiar whistle. It was -immediately answered, and two men joined the first comer. - -“Are you ready?” - -“No!” was the answer. - -“And why not?” - -“Because we have not received our pay.” - -“Is that the _only_ reason?” - -“The only reason after you have given us full instructions.” - -“Where is your powder?” - -“In the upper part of the garden, under the hedge. We have secured eight -twelve pound shells which we took from that battery over yonder. Powder -enough to blow a mountain to the devil.” - -“Well, here is a hundred apiece. When the job is done, you will find as -much more in the hollow log that I pointed out last night. Be careful -and make sure work!” - -“Well, your instructions!” - -“You will follow the outer hedge. Creep along with great caution, and -make no noise. There will be no danger, as the guard are not on the -north side of the camp. When you reach the log-building in the rear of -the brick school-house, you will observe a small wing, or addition, -extending to the rear. At the back of this wing you will find an -excavation under the house sufficiently large for your shells. Place -them in it, lay your train, and then apply the torch. But you must do -this with great caution, as a guard is stationed upon the opposite -side.” - -“Don’t be alarmed. Any one near that old log-shanty will go to kingdom -come before to-morrow morning.” - -The trio then separated. - - * * * * * - -When Captain Walker was seized and chained by the soldiers, he made a -desperate resistance, but in vain. He soon occupied the little room -vacated by Lieutenant Wells. The door closed; he heard the clanking of -the heavy chains which secured it, and left him in utter darkness. He -stamped, and raved and cursed. Suddenly starting, and wildly clutching -his throat, as if some terrible thought had crossed his mind, he groaned -and sunk upon the floor. - -“Fool! oh! fool that I was! I thought if I _pretended_ friendship, and -offered to assist in his escape, all suspicion of this night’s work -would be diverted from me. But now—oh! my God! What is the hour? Hark! I -hear them working under the building! No! it is not the men yet. It is -too early. I dare not tell the guard, for an acknowledgment of any -suspicion of such a plot would be a confession of _my_ guilt. Let me -search for some mode of escape!” - -Walker crawled cautiously around the floor, but not a crevice could be -found. Finally, exhausted, he sunk down, giving way to his utter -despair. An hour—two hours—dragged slowly by, which appeared an age of -misery to the wretched man. - -“If I give the alarm, even saying that a peculiar sound attracted my -attention, the ruffians who are to do the work, will recognize me, and I -shall, thus implicated, suffer an ignominious death! What is that? Great -God! they are at work! But they are making so much noise that the guard -will hear them, and I shall yet be saved!” - -“Don’t make quite so much noise in there, if you please!” exclaimed the -guard, as he knocked upon the door where he was stationed. - -“It is not me!” yelled the frantic man. “Some one is at the rear of the -building, trying to dig through—they want to kill me!” - -“We will see about that!” replied the guard, as he left his post, and -walked toward the spot indicated. - -Walker fell upon his knees and exclaimed: - -“Oh! I am saved—saved that dreadful death!” - -He bent down, and applying his ear to a small crevice between the logs, -where the mud-mortar had fallen out, he listened. He could distinctly -hear the words spoken. - -“Have you silenced that d—d guard?” was asked. - -“Yes, cut his wizzen. No danger. Hurry with the train of powder!” - -“Gentlemen!” yelled Walker, “don’t go any further. I am not the man!” - -“Quick—fire the train!” exclaimed a voice outside. - -A flash was seen, and then another said: - -“Curse it, the train has failed. Throw the torch among the shells, and -then run!” - -Walker waited to hear no more, but throwing himself with all his -violence against the door, he set up a series of yells, which made the -camp ring. In a moment steps were heard, the door was thrown open, and -Walker, livid with fear, and frantic, staggered into the open air, -gasping for breath. When he had sufficiently recovered his fright to -listen, the commander of the squad said: - -“The powder-plot has been discovered, sir. There is no further danger on -that head. But you will return to your cell!” - -This order Walker was compelled to obey, and he was again left in -darkness, with feelings better imagined than described. - - * * * * * - -The night wore slowly away. Lieutenant Wells had retired to his own -tent. His calmness of demeanor certainly did not indicate a guilty mind. -Alibamo, too, was wakeful, and strove by every possible kindness to -sustain the heart and hopes of her suffering companion. Miss Nettie -Morton, who had so recently joined their society, was occupying a tent -in company with Miss Sally Long, near that of Mrs. Hinton. They also, -were watchful—anxious for the morrow. But, perhaps, the most wretched -person in that camp was Captain Hugh Walker. No officer would have dared -to place irons upon him and confine him in a rough cell, upon any slight -pretext. Was it not possible that something of a serious character had -been discovered against him? This surmise seemed to haunt him, for he -acted in a manner to indicate the wildest apprehensions of danger. - -Morning came at last, and slowly the day advanced. A guard brought -Walker his breakfast, but the man refused to answer any question. During -the afternoon he heard the beating of the drums, and the bugle-blast, -which he well understood was calling the division together for some -important purpose. He felt satisfied that one object was the reading of -the finding of the court-martial in the case of Lieutenant Wells. But, -what part was _he_ to play in the scene? This was the question which -caused his heart to beat with violence, as the chains fell from the door -of his prison, and he was called forth. - -He accompanied the guard in silence, and soon entered the hollow square -formed by the three brigades of the division. Walker glanced eagerly -around, and there, standing beside the commanding General, was -Lieutenant Wells, with Miss Hayward leaning upon his arm, and near them -were their female friends. But a few paces distant were the two ruffians -who had been engaged in the powder-plot. All was silent. The General -advanced and said: - -“Preliminary to other proceedings, I wish to ask Captain Walker if he -ever before saw these two men?” - -The ruffians advanced, rattling their chains. But Walker drew back, and -with forced calmness he replied: - -“I never have!” He dropped his head, gazing upon the ground. - -The adjutant who held the sealed orders of the court-martial by which -Lieutenant Wells had been tried, then advanced, and was about to -commence reading the document in his hand, when a series of yells were -heard, and in the distance was seen the grotesque form of Nettleton, as -he came bounding along and bellowing: - -“Stop the shootin’! Stop the shootin’!” - -It was well known throughout the army that Nettleton had remained behind -in search of Captain Hayward. As he approached, the most intense -excitement was manifest. Lieutenant Wells could scarcely control his -feelings, and would have rushed forward to meet Nettleton, had not Mrs. -Hinton gently laid her hand upon his arm, begging him to be calm. Miss -Hayward clung closer to her lover, as she hoped the news about to be -brought by her brother’s friend would relieve her agony of suspense. A -half-suppressed cheer broke from the soldiers, as Nettleton burst into -the square. - -He paused for a moment, his breast heaving, and his eyes glaring wildly. -But an instant was sufficient for him to discover that Wells was yet -alive, and that the object of his suspicion also lived. He sprung -forward, and, without uttering a word, seized Walker by the foot, which -he at once drew under his arm; then he as suddenly bounded for the spot -where the commandant was standing, dragging the foot along with him. - -Of course this sudden movement on the part of Nettleton had thrown -Walker violently upon his head, and, although he kicked, and squirmed -and cursed, he was dragged along as if he had been a child. - -When Nettleton reached the commander, he held the foot of Walker within -a few inches of that officer’s face, and yelled: - -“Look! look! General—see them boots!” - -Notwithstanding the intense anxiety felt for the result of Nettleton’s -search, the ridiculous figure he presented in his eagerness, and that of -Walker who was twisting and struggling to escape, a general laugh ran -through the division, which was joined in by the commander. Even Wells -could not suppress a smile. - -“And what about those boots?” asked the commander, after silence had -been restored. - -“Why, I’ve blacked them!” yelled Nettleton. - -Another laugh was heard along the line. - -“No doubt you have blacked them. But what of this?” - -“Why, General, don’t you see them _two hearts_ made with nails, on the -sole of that boot?” - -“Certainly I see them. And what then?” - -Walker was now permitted to resume his upright position, and he stood -trembling with fear and rage, as Nettleton went on to relate his first -suspicions of Walker, his search for the body of Captain Hayward, his -finding the impression of the footprints standing side by side in the -mud, at the edge of the stream, with the marks of _two hearts_ in the -sole of each boot; and then the finding of the handkerchief in the -water, which Nettleton then produced. - -The officer took the white linen witness, examining it closely, and then -said: - -“Here is the name of ‘Walker,’ in the corner. William, did you find this -_near_ the place where the murder was committed?” - -“Right by the spot where them two boots stood!” replied Nettleton, -pointing to Walker’s feet. - -“I can explain this,” exclaimed Walker. “I went to the river that day to -wash, and I stood upon the bank to do so. I presume I left the -impression of my boots there at that time. If I did not, was I not also -present in the morning to examine the spot where the murder had been -committed? And is it a wonder that the impression of my boots should be -left behind?” - -“That is certainly true,” replied the General. “But of the -handkerchief?” - -“It fell from my hands as I was washing, and I did not take the trouble -to recover it.” - -“It is very probable!” replied the General. - -“So you perceive,” replied Walker, as he appeared to gain courage, “your -trumped up evidence has fallen to the ground! I did not expect a -combination of both officers and men against me, but I find it so. And -they wish to see _me_ suffer for the bloody deed done by that coward. -The only reason I can assign for this persecution is, that he is in -favor with the _ladies_, and you, sycophants that you are, hope, through -him, to gain favor with his fair companions. No doubt some bargain to -that effect already has been effected!” - -Captain Walker had by this time become eloquent, and defiant. Nettleton, -with his too eager perceptions, had failed to foresee the possible -fallacy of his proofs, for hope and prejudice together had prevented any -calm examination of his evidence. With a sorrowful and troubled look, he -turned away. This gave Walker greater confidence, and, in a loud but -hoarse voice he cried: - -“And now I demand justice!” - -“Which you shall have,” replied the General. “But first answer me; how -did this handkerchief, which bears your name, and which you confess to -having used in the stream, become _bloody_?” - -That was another point of interest, and Nettleton paused to listen -attentively. - -“I had a bleeding at the nose, and the reason I threw the dirty thing -away, was, I did not think it worth washing!” - -“Then some person must have recovered it, washed it very carefully, and -thrown it into the stream again, for _there is_ NO _blood upon it_!” - -Walker attempted a reply, but his utterance failed. The General enjoined -silence, and then stepping forward he said, in a voice sufficiently loud -to be heard by all present: - -“Captain Walker, I must sum up, before you, the evidence of crimes you -have committed, which have no parallel in the history of the army, or of -crimes which have ever been, or attempted to be committed in any -civilized country. I would give you the benefit of a court-martial, were -there any doubt of your guilt, and even _now_ may _order_ a trial, but -it will only be a formal one. You had better confess your guilt, here, -before all—ask their pardon—make reparation to those you have most -injured, and die repentant!” - -“I have nothing to confess!” responded Walker, bitterly. - -“Have you no fear of the revelations of these two soldiers?” asked the -General, pointing to the chained ruffians. - -“I have no fear! No doubt they have been bribed to conspire with you! -But, vent your spite! Go on!” - -“Then, Captain Walker, I will briefly enumerate the circumstances which -have been developed, as well as the _facts_. The morning we left Grand -Prairie you were in command of the squad which escorted the prisoner, -Lieutenant Edward Wells. You had not proceeded far when you were -overtaken by two men. It was a very easy matter to secure an audience -with you as you were in the rear of the division. They suggested that -you should deliver Lieutenant Wells to them, as their commander had an -especial spite against him, and wished to secure his person. You asked -these men (I refer to the two ruffians now in chains and standing by -your side,) how they dared to approach you on such a subject, and they -replied that they had _witnessed your act_ the evening previous, and -that you need not put on airs with them! You then requested these -fellows to meet you the next evening at the upper hedge. You instructed -them to secure a number of pounds of powder for some purpose, which you -would then explain. You met them the next evening. You gave them -instructions. They were about to act upon them, when your outcries from -the cell in which _you_ had been placed, and which Lieutenant Wells had -left only a short time previously, attracted the attention of the guard, -and you were rescued. Prior to this you had offered to assist Lieutenant -Wells to escape, but you wished him to return to his cell and remain -until two or three o’clock. The fiendish act was to be committed between -twelve and one. You _pretended_ friendship, that all suspicion of the -act might be diverted from you. Have I spoken correctly, sir?” - -“No doubt you have spoken according to the story of those ruffians!” -replied Walker. “You can not bring against me any _respectable_ proof. I -look to a court for the justice which I have no reason to expect here.” - -“Look!” - -Walker, who had been shaking like a guilty wretch during the speech of -the commander, turned in the direction indicated. The rough garb had -fallen from the ruffians; their chains were thrown aside, and, to his -astonishment and horror, there stood two of the regimental Union -officers, ADJUTANT HINTON, the husband of Alibamo, and his friend, -CAPTAIN CLARK! - -Walker, who now saw how he had been entrapped, and detected in his -infamy, for a moment was utterly unmanned. But, his resolute nature soon -triumphed over his fear. Well realizing that penitence could not save -him, he sprung to his feet and said: - -“This is all a miserable, contemptible conspiracy—an effort to make out -a case against me to shield that woman’s pet from the consequences of -his clearly proven crime. Hayward is dead, and can not be made to -answer, else—” - -“You lie, you dirty, nasty, murderin’ skunk!” - -“What!” exclaimed a dozen voices. - -“He lies! the coward that stabs a man in the dark! Hayward is not dead, -but lives, and will soon by his evidence send this murderer to kingdom -come!” - -With a shriek Miss Hayward bounded forward, and fell at the feet of -Nettleton, grasping his hands. Wells, who had borne bravely up until -this moment, covered his face, and wept tears of joy and of relief from -the imputation of crime. Sally Long sprung to the side of Nettleton, -and, throwing her arms around his neck she gave him a hearty kiss, which -caused him to roll up his green eyes, and appear in almost as much agony -as if he had been struck in the stomach with a cannon-ball. The word was -soon passed, and the soldiers, catching the fire, made the very welkin -ring with their shouts, while the band chimed in with the stirring -strain: “Hail to the Chief!” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - _A Live Hero—The Retrograde Army Movement._ - - -THE villain Walker was returned to his lonely cell. Lieutenant Wells was -released from all restraint. The soldiers dispersed to talk about the -strange turn events had taken, but the center of attraction was -Nettleton. He was seated in front of the Hinton tent. Close beside him -was Miss Hayward, kneeling, and gazing mournfully into his face, while -Alibamo, Wells, the General, Nettie Morton, Sally Long, the officers who -had composed the court-martial, the especial friends of the parties, and -as many of the soldiers as could get within hearing distance, were -earnestly listening to the narrative of the “body-guard.” - -Nettleton went on to relate his meeting the rebel scouts, and the fact -of their having informed him that Hayward had only been wounded and -conveyed toward Wilson’s Creek, by a party attached to the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel Price. - -[The reader will mark the distinction between Lieutenant-Colonel Price, -who was a ruffian guerrilla, and had broken his parole three times—an -act repudiated by all honest soldiers of either army—and General -Sterling Price, who, although a rebel, always had acted in a gentlemanly -and humane manner to all prisoners of war.] - -After listening to the story of William, the General drew from his -pocket the note which had been found at the Ozark bridge, signed -“Charles Campbell.” This note must have been written but a few moments -before the fight took place. The date would be just two days after -Hayward had received the assassin’s stroke, giving about the proper time -for the wounded man to be carried from Grand Prairie to Ozark, at which -latter place Lieutenant-Colonel Price had formed a temporary camp. The -writer spoke of a wounded man in a boat, and against whom Price had an -especial spite. This confirmed the conviction that Hayward had been -taken thither for the especial gratification of Price’s fiendish -propensities. The note also said that he bore the marks of a captain’s -rank, and, in his delirium, spoke of “Net—” which might have referred to -the young lady, Nettie Morton, whom he possibly might have seen in the -distance, upon the bank, as the boat neared the spot where she was -standing, or, as seemed more probable, that the wounded captain was -calling upon Nettleton. At all events, it was decided that the person of -whom Charles Campbell had written, was no other than Captain Hayward. It -is true, he was still almost insensible from his wounds, and was near -the camp of his most unforgiving enemy, but, there was a friend at -hand—an enemy in arms—but a friend to the wounded and helpless soldier, -as are all true men—and he had written that “he _would_ save him!” - -“Why should we not hope?” asked Alibamo, as she clasped her friend Mamie -in her arms. - -“And why should we not _act_?” cried Wells, as he clutched the hilt of -his sword. - -“Yes, we _will_ act,” yelled Nettleton, as he sprung up, and appeared -ready for instant departure. - -“Go, William; follow the stream from Ozark, until you find some trace, -and then return to us,” said Miss Hayward, eagerly. - -Nettleton turned his gaze upon Miss Sally, for a moment, and then, as if -ashamed of his hesitation, or of his weakness, in exhibiting _any_ -symptoms of love, he started with a bound, exclaiming: - -“I’m off. Good-by, all!” - -He had proceeded, however, but a few steps when he halted, and, -scratching his head, his countenance assumed a most woful expression, -and his eyes rolled wildly about. - -“What is the matter, William?” asked Wells. - -“_Got to go t’other way!_” was the melancholy reply. - -“Why so?” - -“O, just a bit of—fun—that’s all!” - -“Well, tell us what it is, Nettleton?” - -“I can’t! It will break _her_ heart!” he replied, pointing to Sally. - -“So it would, William, if any thing dreadful should happen to you!” -replied Miss Long, as she dropped her eyes to the ground. - -“There, didn’t I tell you so?” replied the faithful servant, his mouth -gaping and his eyes expanding. - -“William,” asked Wells, “do you really _love_ Miss Long?” - -“Love her, lieutenant? That ain’t no name for it. Why, can’t you see -yourself that she’s the sweetest darn sk— no, I mean the nicest critter -in the world—exceptin’ Miss Mamie!” - -“And does she love you, William?” asked Alibamo, smiling in spite of -herself at the tableau enacting before her. - -“_Of course I do!_” replied Sally, proudly and triumphantly, as if a -victory had been won. - -“There—there! Do you hear that? Now, don’t you pity me? I believe I am -the most ugly cuss in the world. I never thought anybody would ever love -_me_, and now I find out the gal as I wants most is just the one as does -love me! Oh Lordy, I’m sick, I do believe!” - -“All right!” Wells responded, with a smile. - -“All right! Not by a blasted sight, sir! Did _you_ think it all right -when you loved Miss Mamie, and thought you had to swing?” - -“What! You talk in riddles. Explain.” - -“_I’ve got to be hung!_” he roared, but, whether with pain or delight, -none could tell. - -“Why, _you_ didn’t have any thing to do with hurting the captain?” cried -Sally, as she advanced toward her beloved. - -Nettleton gazed at her an instant with a most singular expression, and -then replied: - -“Miss Long, never let suspicion cross that delicate bo— mind of yours, -but like the true turtle-dove, put your trust in the uprighteousness of -your future lord and master, what is to be hanged all on account of the -first time you wrapped them delicate arms of yourn around my long neck.” - -“William, what do you mean by being hanged?” asked the General. - -Nettleton then went on to relate the agreement he had made with Price, -to return, and undergo the punishment which was about to be inflicted -upon him when that General interfered. He declared his intention of -returning at once, as his “furlough” had run out, and as a “man of -honor” he must return. - -“And do you really intend to return?” asked the General. - -“_Of course I do!_” replied William, with something of scorn and much of -pride in his tones. - -“William, think for a moment. You are now safe. You are with one who -loves you, and with whom you can be happy. Why will you return?” - -“General, don’t argue this point with me. I said I would come back, and -darn me if I don’t!” Nettleton started, after having shook the hand of -his friends. - -“Stay a moment, Nettleton,” said the General. “I have a letter from -General Price with regard to you.” - -Nettleton paused and listened, as the commander, opening the envelope, -read: - - - “Camp near Cassville, Nov. 12th, 1861. - -“_To General ——, greeting_: - -“A prisoner of war was released from our camp, and permitted to return -to Springfield, on the 9th. It was at first thought that he was a spy, -as he had been seen in and near our camp before, and he was about to -suffer death upon the scaffold, when I saw and questioned him. I became -convinced that he was no spy, but a faithful servant and friend, -searching for his captain, whom he loved. I ordered his release. I gave -him a parole of honor. He promised to return that the sentence of the -‘drum-head court’ could be carried into effect upon him, after he had -given the evidence he possessed, which he declared was necessary to save -an innocent man. I admire his truthfulness. Should he be determined to -return, of which I have no doubt, you will read this letter, which -releases William Nettleton from any further obligation. He will remain -with his friends, and be happy. - -“Signed by the A. A. A. G. - - “For the Commander, PRICE.” - -The effect upon the gallant fellow of the reading of this letter, was -somewhat singular. He stood for a moment gaping around upon the -spectators, as if he had been caught in some mean act. Then a smile came -over his face like sunlight creeping over a rugged mountain top. Soon -his countenance looked like a newly risen sun—fairly blazing with -blushes. Then, with a wild _whoop_, which rung out like a signal, he -sprung into air, rattled his feet together, and once on earth again, -bounded off like a great moose, for the nearest thicket, where to -indulge his “feelings” without restraint. - -The crowd dispersed in good-humor, to talk over the strange events of an -hour. If one heart was happier than all, it was that of poor Mamie, -whose joy at the proven innocence of her friend and lover was too -intense for words. In her heart a new hope had also arisen, that her -dear brother would again be restored to her arms, and thus fill up the -cup of her blessings to the brim. - -It had been decided by the friends of Hayward, that a search for the -captain would be useless, but it was hoped that Charles Campbell would -give some information which would lead to his discovery, or that -Fall-leaf, a celebrated Indian scout, who had now been absent many days -on the very line of the enemy’s march, would return with some tidings, -by which the actions of the captain’s anxious friends should be -governed. - - * * * * * - -The Army of the Mississippi, having passed from Fremont’s command to -that of General Hunter, had been ordered to fall back from Springfield, -in two columns. The one by the way of the Osage and Warsaw to Tipton, -Mo., on the line of the main Pacific road, and the other by way of -Lebanon, on the main road between Springfield and Rolla, the -south-western branch of the same road. Each place, in distance from -Springfield, was about one hundred and twenty-five miles. - -The march of the division to which Captain Hayward’s friends were -attached, which was under the command of the brave Sigel, was commenced -on the morning of November 20th. That division formed the rear of the -entire army. It proceeded by the Rolla turnpike. - -Nothing of note transpired until the division was ascending the rolling -hill about two miles before reaching Lebanon, when a horseman, his face -and head streaming with blood, rode rapidly along the lines, exclaiming: - -“Fight in front! Fight in front!” - -He halted for no one to question him, but kept on his way. No guns were -heard, and many expressed the opinion that it must be a strange fight. -But, as a necessary precaution, the infantry-men were halted, their -pieces loaded, and bayonets fixed. The artillery was charged, and flags -unfurled. As the troops ascended the hill, and looked in vain for a foe, -the question was asked: “Where is the fight?” - -This was soon settled, as another messenger rode up and informed the -General that a party or squadron of rebel cavalry, numbering about four -hundred, had attacked a little band of “home guards,” of about thirty, -which had been collected in a valley some twenty miles south of Lebanon, -on the main road, in a place called “Bohannan Mills valley.” Most of the -thirty “home guard” had been killed, wounded or dispersed by the -guerrillas. Then all families in that vicinity known to entertain Union -proclivities, were visited at the dead of night. “Murder and arson” was -the cry. Many poor creatures soon were in the agonies of death. -Husbands, who had rushed from concealment to defend their wives, had -been cloven to the earth; children ran shrieking to and fro, only to be -dashed to pieces by the savages of the Missouri Mountain. It was a -carnival of lust and blood, over which the historian ever must dwell in -horror. And yet, these fiends in human shape were protected by the ægis -of the “Confederate” flag! - -Such was the scene depicted by the messenger, when the division was -halted, and a consultation took place. It was decided that, while the -main army went forward, two companies of infantry, a section of -artillery, and a company of cavalry, should be detached to proceed at -once to “Bohannan Mills,” to protect the helpless families, and, if -possible, to punish the rebel horde which had committed such awful -crimes against humanity. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - _Gone!—The Signal Song._ - - -WE must now take the reader back to Springfield. It was one week after -the exposure and confinement of Walker, and something like a month -before the army had commenced its retrograde movement, as described in -the foregoing chapter. - -Walker, after the first paroxysm of his rage was over, settled himself -down to think. Although he had shown a bold front at first, his final -conviction drove from his heart all resolution, and he evinced the most -abject cowardice—the cowardice of conscious guilt, which makes the -strongest tremble. - -But Walker was not a man to sit quietly in his cell, and submit to his -fate. His mind having been settled in the conviction that certain death -would follow, he began to form his plans of action. To arrive at any -definite conclusion was no easy matter, as he was chained, and a double -guard placed around his quarters. Yet he had hope—time was given and all -might yet be right. He learned that he was not to be tried by a division -court-martial, but would be removed to St. Louis, in order that a -general court might act upon his case. He also learned that it would be -at least a month, before the army would take up its march. Thus he had -time—time precious to him—for, like all shrewd villains, he had his -confederates, even in the army as well as out of it, and to these he now -looked for his bodily safety. - -It was the third night of his incarceration, that, springing to his -feet, he listened intently. There were three distinct taps on the door. - -“The rescuers—the gang—I’m saved!” he muttered, as he gave three taps on -the door, in response. - -“What’s the word?” was asked from the outside. - -“C. S. A. and the Bars!” answered Walker. “And you?” - -“Good! Union against oppression!” - -“To-night?” asked Walker, with eagerness. - -“No, the pal on the other side ain’t for Union. Can’t before day after -to-morrow. Jim goes on then, and though it ain’t my turn, I think I can -get pony No. 2 drunk, and the job can be done. I’ll try.” - -“Be cautious. Trust no one without the word. It was the neglect on my -part, thinking it all right, to demand the ‘words,’ which brought me -into this scrape!” - -The “rounds” approached, and the sentinel was relieved. - -Nothing of importance transpired in camp for the next three days. An -unusual quiet prevailed. It is true, there was much talk upon the -subject of the attempted murder, and many expressions of bitterness -against Walker. Some even went so far as to suggest the hanging of that -wretch before the army left Springfield, lest he should escape. None -were more vehement than a repulsive looking soldier, known throughout -camp as “ugly Jim!” He stated that he had been on guard only a few -nights before in front of the prisoner’s quarters, and that he had every -reason to believe Walker was trying to escape, adding that he wished he -had been satisfied of the fact, as he would have been glad of an -opportunity to put a bullet through the murderous scoundrel. - -The party had been drinking freely, and had become exceedingly -communicative. One of the soldiers, whose post was No. 1 on guard duty -that night—that is, in front of the prisoner’s door—swore he would shoot -Walker if he could find any pretext. - -“_You_ have no spite against him,” exclaimed ugly Jim, “and _I_ have. -Let _me_ take the matter in hand. I will stand your guard, and if the -villain attempts to move, I’ll riddle him, sure as Potosi lead mines.” - -“Enough said. I am on the second relief. I go on at seven and off at -nine; again at twelve and off at two. This will be your time.” - -“Good! I shall be on hand!” - -Ugly Jim then approached the tent of Miss Hayward, and requested an -audience alone with that lady. It so happened that she was alone, -Alibamo having gone to visit her husband, and Sally being at the time -strolling through the camp with Nettleton. - -“If you wish to learn all the particulars about your brother, I think -you can do so,” said Jim, in a tone of great kindness. - -“Oh! in what manner?” asked Miss Hayward, eagerly. - -“I don’t exactly know. But I will tell you what I _do_ know. You see I -am on guard to-night from twelve till two, over the cell of Walker. I -don’t like the villain any way, but, he told me if I would get you to -come to him, he would tell you all he knows of the matter!” - -“Certainly I will go. Call Alibamo, and we will go together, at once!” - -“I will,” answered Jim, as he turned to depart. Then pausing, he added: - -“Miss Hayward, now I recollect that Walker said you must come alone. He -declared he would not commit himself by speaking before any one.” - -“I dare not go alone!” - -“Poor child!” exclaimed Jim, as he wiped his eyes. “Do you think you -_can_ be alone when this old soldier, as folks call ‘ugly Jim,’ is near -you? I know my face is ugly, but I don’t think my heart is! Besides, you -won’t _see_ the wretch himself. You will only talk to him through a -crack between the logs, and I shall be as close to you as Walker will -allow. Of course he wont let _me_ hear what he says, but I shan’t let -you be out of my sight, so there will be no danger!” - -“Why can we not go at once?” asked Miss Hayward. - -“Because I don’t go on post until twelve o’clock, and the other guard -wouldn’t let you speak to him.” - -“Then I will come at quarter past twelve. But I shall rely upon you for -protection!” - -“You may do that, miss. And I really think you do right. I know Walker -is a _very_ bad man, but he has got to die, and may be he wants to make -a confession to relieve his mind, and to ask your pardon. And I always -think it best to give a dying man a chance to relieve his mind, and -confess.” - -“You may expect me!” - -Jim bowed, and left the tent. - -Twelve o’clock came; the guard was relieved, and “ugly Jim” had taken -the place of his _sick friend_, in front of Walker’s prison. All was -quiet, save the clanking of a chain, a few hurried whispers, and the -opening and closing of a heavy door, which sounds were in close -proximity to Walker’s dungeon. The words “_C. S. A. and Bars_” were -answered by “_Union against Oppression_,” and two dark forms glided to -concealment beside the thorn hedge, while the guard remained at the -door. - - * * * * * - -The evening dragged slowly along for Miss Hayward. A hundred times she -had almost resolved to communicate to her friends the fact of her -intended visit to Walker, and to ask their advice, and, if need be, to -request that some one should follow in the distance, to lend assistance, -should any be required. But what had she to fear? Walker was secure in -his cell, and one of the faithful guard had promised his protection. -Besides, she had promised to go alone. If she did not, it would imply -suspicion of an honest soldier. Walker might also ask if she had come -entirely unattended, and how could she answer him? - -Miss Hayward was naturally timid, and by no means self-reliant. When the -news of the supposed death of her brother reached her, she was almost -paralyzed with grief. But, now that hope had filled her heart, she began -to nerve herself to the task of unremitting search, even though she must -encounter the greatest dangers. - -The hour of twelve arrived. Closely muffled in a cloak, she crept from -her tent, and then paused to listen. She heard nothing, save the slow -and regular breathing of the sleepers, and the violent beating of her -own heart. She started, but her steps seemed to fail her, and she leaned -against a tree for support. The thought of her dear brother, and the -probable unraveling of the mystery which surrounded his attempted -assassination, and his present fate, gave her renewed courage, and she -sped onward. In a few moments she had cleared the camp, and arrived in -the center of the garden, where stood the doomed man’s prison. As she -neared the door, the guard asked: - -“Is that you, Miss Hayward?” - -“It is!” came the low response. - -“Approach and fear nothing.” - -She had barely reached the threshold, when two forms, darting from -beneath the hedge, threw a heavy blanket over her head, thus entirely -smothering any attempt, on her part, to give the alarm. Who and what her -captors were, she could not divine, or what might be their purpose. -Strange to say, her reason did not forsake her. She felt herself borne -rapidly along, but not a word was spoken. It appeared to her that hours -passed by, and she even longed to hear some word uttered which might -give a clue to the intentions of those in whose power she was, or to -throw some light upon the subject, as to whom her captors were. The -blanket, which was very heavy, almost causing suffocation, had been -removed, and a lighter one substituted. - -At length the parties halted, and, seating themselves upon the ground, -the covering was removed, and Miss Hayward was permitted to gaze around -her. Her eyes first met those of Captain Walker. She shuddered, and -turned away. Then glancing at his two companions, she at once recognized -“ugly Jim,” and a person known in camp as “stupid Dick,” both of whom -had served as Union soldiers, for a long time, under Walker. As her eyes -met those of “ugly Jim,” she exclaimed: - -“Oh! _you_ will protect me?” - -A laugh was the only reply. - -“I trust Miss Hayward will permit _me_ to become her protector!” said -Walker, in an assumed tone of kindness. - -Miss Hayward did not reply, but gazed around her. She was in a wild -spot. She was seated beside a lovely stream of water, in a deep valley, -while high on either hand were ragged hills or mountains. She knew the -country for at least ten or twelve miles from Springfield in all -directions was quite level, and she judged she must be near the Ozark -country, the first range of whose ridges she had frequently seen from -that point. - -“Does not the lovely Miss Hayward deign a reply to her most devoted -lover?” asked Walker. - -“What was your purpose in tearing me from my friends, and conveying me -here?” asked Miss Hayward. - -“A pardonable one, I think. My life was forfeited in the Federal camp, -and personal interest required me to depart. I could not think of -leaving without you, and so I resorted to a little stratagem. My love -for you must plead my excuse.” - -“But I have told you, Captain Walker, that I could not love you. Do you -suppose after what has transpired that I could entertain any other -feeling toward you than detestation?” - -“I am aware of that. But, when you know me better, I am sure you will -consent to reward my devotion. I am going to convey you to your -brother!” - -“Then I _will_ thank you, at least!” exclaimed Miss Hayward. - -“Nothing else?” - -She shuddered. - -“I must be plain with you,” continued Walker. “I am _not_ what I have -seemed to be while with the Federals. I am a colonel in the Confederate -army, but I accepted a commission in the so-called Union army, that I -might furnish information to my Generals. Or, if you like the term -better, you may call me a spy. These two soldiers have been with me for -the same purpose. And we were not alone. There are now, in the army of -the Mississippi, over three hundred privates, and over twenty officers, -who _pretend_ loyalty to the Federal cause; and I think, when his sister -has become the wife of Captain Walker, or Colonel Brown, he may be -induced to join us!” - -“Will you take me to my brother?” - -“On one condition, I will.” - -“And this condition?” - -“Miss Hayward, I love you with all the ardor of my soul. You have become -necessary to my very existence—_are_ a part of my life. When you spurned -me, it drove me frantic, and I am so now. Beware—oh! beware how you turn -this heart, which is yet pure, so far as you are concerned, into a hell -of furies! Pity me! Oh! dear Miss Hayward, pity me!” - -“But my brother—what of him?” - -“I will tell you of your brother when you have answered my questions.” - -“Proceed, sir!” - -“Do not speak so coldly. I will be frank with you. Your brother is a -prisoner—not in the Confederate camp, but in a secure place, on the very -stream beside which you are now sitting. The murmuring and singing of -these very waters will, ere two hours, greet his ears with the same -strain. Warble those strains to which I have so often listened while in -camp, and which stirred my soul, and they will be borne direct to your -brother’s hearing, to relieve his brain perhaps from the insanity which -now enchains him!” - -“Insanity!” echoed Mamie. “My brother insane?” - -“He is a raving maniac! And but one thing can restore him!” - -“Oh wretched, horrible news! What _can_ I do to save my brother?” - -“You are the only person who _can_ save him. Nor is the task a hard one. -Only a few miles from here is a Confederate camp. A chaplain is in -attendance. He will perform the ceremony which will make you irrevocably -and securely mine. Go with me. Become my wife, and to-morrow I will take -you to your brother, and we will not only restore his shackled feet to -liberty, but his shattered senses to reason. We alone can do it. Can you -assume the responsibility of a refusal?” - -Miss Hayward remained silent for a few moments, and then gazed -alternately at the three villains. An unnatural fire lit up her eyes. At -length she said: - -“Captain Walker, I do not know but you are even now deceiving me. You -may not know any thing about where my brother is.” - -“Ask these soldiers,” replied Walker. - -Miss Hayward turned her eyes upon them. - -“The captain speaks right,” answered Jim. “He _does_ know where your -brother is. He _is_ crazy and is chained in the—” - -“Silence!” commanded Walker. “Do you believe, Miss Mamie?” - -“I must believe the worst,” answered Miss Hayward. “Soldiers,” she -added, turning to the soldiers, “do you believe in the truth of Captain -Walker’s profession of love for me?” - -“I should like to know why not!” replied Jim, doggedly. “Nobody could -_help_ loving you; even I loves you, but I know it ain’t no use, and so -I don’t say nothing!” - -“What have _you_ to say?” asked Mamie, turning to the other soldier. - -“Lord, Miss Mamie, I allers loved you, but ‘stupid Dick’ never thinks of -such as you, and so I acted mean just to spite!” - -“Gentlemen,” cried Miss Hayward, springing to her feet, “listen to me. -You have wronged me deeply, by aiding this wretched villain, your -captain, to abduct me. I despise, loathe him; and, sooner than become -_his_ wife, I would permit my brother to die as he is, for I know that -he would curse me were I to save him at such a sacrifice. It will be -_but_ death, and I shall suffer very little, for my brother’s pure soul -will scarce have taken its flight, ere mine will follow!” - -“Miss Hayward!” - -“Silence, Captain Walker. Soldiers, you have human hearts, and this man -has not. I appeal to you. Save me! Find my brother and return him -safely, and I promise to pay you one thousand dollars each. If I fail to -do this, I swear, by the hope of heaven, that I will become the wife of -one of you, the choice to be decided by lots between you!” - -These words acted like an electric shock upon the soldiers. They sprung -to their feet and confronted Walker. But he had anticipated the effects -of her words, and stood sword and revolver in hand. - -“You would play me false!” demanded Walker, fiercely. - -“Guess I would!” replied Jim. - -“Take that, then!” yelled Walker. - -The report of a pistol echoed through the valley, and Jim fell without -so much as a groan. - -“And how do _you_ decide?” asked Walker, turning and pointing his -revolver toward Dick. - -“I was only goin’ to help you. I ain’t no such foolish cuss as to think -of marrying a fine lady like that! I’m all right!” - -“Prove yourself so, and you shall _have_ your thousand. Deceive me, and -you share his fate!” - -As Walker spoke he stepped to a clump of thick bushes, and drew a small -boat from concealment. Handing Miss Hayward to a seat, and preceded by -Dick, Walker entered, and the little craft swept gently along with the -current, down the stream. - -They had proceeded but a short distance, when Miss Hayward burst forth, -and sung a wild, thrilling air, which echoed far and wide, through the -valley and across the hills. There was something strangely beautiful in -her song, and something still more strange in her actions. As each -strain echoed over the hills, and gave back the ringing notes, she would -start, and listen attentively, and a gleam of joy would lighten up her -pale face, upon which a shade of disappointment would almost as soon -appear. Her hearers sat in silence, and in apparent wonder. - -“Those words are significant!” exclaimed Walker. “What is their import?” - -“_She’s_ going mad, too, I opine!” exclaimed Dick. “Better _let_ her -go!” - -“Silence!” cried Walker. “Miss Hayward, do you think your voice will -penetrate _his_ retreat?” - -She made no answer, but, as the little boat swept onward, ever and anon -the same words, and the same wild music broke the stillness of the -forest, now sounding like a wail of sorrow, and then becoming almost -hushed in hopeful expectation. The words had the appearance of being -extemporized for the occasion, and were as follows: - - Break those fetters—I am calling— - Listen _only_ to my song! - I am waiting—loved one—waiting! - I have waited—oh, so long! - Give but one fond word to cheer me, - As I pray, and hope, and weep! - Let _thy echo_ say thou’rt near me, - As my vigils thus I keep! - Echo, as along I glide, - This my song, from thy retreat, - And I’ll bound to thy dear side! - Are we e’er again to meet? - Yes, a Seraph from on high - Whispers to me, thou art nigh! - Friends are waiting—friends are near— - Dearest brother—do not fear! - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - _The Pursuit—The Perilous Situation—Important Information._ - - -IT was two o’clock in the morning, nearly two hours after Miss Hayward -had been seized, and borne from the camp by Walker and his confederates. -The guard relief had commenced his rounds. The first post visited was -that in front of the door where Walker had been confined. A glance -revealed the prisoner’s escape. The chain which had secured the door was -lying upon the steps, and the door itself was slightly ajar. Walker and -both the sentinels had disappeared. The “long roll” was at once beaten, -and the camp aroused. Scarce had the lines been formed when it was -announced that Miss Hayward also had disappeared. The grief of her -friends, and the rage of the soldiers knew no bounds, and many was the -oath of a terrible retribution uttered against the fiend who had spread -such desolation and sorrow in her path. - -It was but a few moments before squads of cavalry were dashing in every -direction in pursuit. There was but little doubt as to how the escape -had been effected. The disappearance of the guard convinced all that -they were in league with Walker, but in what manner they had gained -possession of Miss Hayward was a mystery. No one had detected any thing -unusual in her manner the evening before, and she had retired at her -usual hour. - -It was thought, however, that the parties would not have taken any main -road, as the pickets would have given the alarm. They could not have had -more than two hours the start, as every thing was all right when the -twelve o’clock relief went on post, and at two o’clock the escape was -discovered. If Walker had to walk through the fields in order to avoid -the pickets, it would take at least two hours to clear them. It was most -likely that, once outside the lines, friends and horses would be -procured. Still, the distance would not be so great but that our -horsemen hoped to overtake them, and so they set off with a good will in -various directions. - -“Are _you_ not going to accompany us?” asked Lieutenant Wells, of -Nettleton, who was seated upon the ground, looking gloomy and sullen. - -“Not by a darn sight!” answered Nettleton, doggedly. - -“And why not?” asked Wells. - -“You go ’long, and let me alone!” he answered, sharply. - -There was no time for words, and the squadron departed. - -The night passed, during which Nettleton was bitter in his self-reproach -for not watching closer, and would not hold conversation with any -person. As the first dawn of day became visible, Nettleton was seen -crawling upon his hands and knees, in front of the former prison of -Walker, and through the garden, toward the west. His movements were -watched with considerable interest, as all had begun to respect him for -his sagacity, in his peculiar way. At length he returned to his tent, -and, without speaking, carefully examined his double-barrel shot gun—a -beautiful piece which he had picked up upon the Wilson creek -battle-ground, and had been permitted to retain. This he loaded; then, -taking a large artillery ammunition-bag, he went directly to the tent of -Adjutant Hinton. Removing the lid of a minnié-ball ammunition-box, he -filled this pouch with cartridges. His next move was to place some -provision in his haversack; then he started. - -“Where are you going, William?” asked Mrs. Hinton. - -“Them _boots_!” he replied, pointing in the direction he had just taken -in his hands-and-knees examination. - -“What do you mean?” - -“Why, _them boots as had two hearts on the soles_ went _that_ way, and -I’m going to follow if I go to thunder!” He waited to hear no more, or -to speak more, but bounded off to the westward. - -He had been gone perhaps an hour, when Fall-leaf, the Indian scout -already referred to, entered the camp. He was soon made aware of the -state of things. Fall-leaf was deeply attached to Captain Hayward, and, -more especially so to his fair sister, Mamie. The scout had been but a -short time in camp, when he had given to the General all the information -he possessed with regard to the enemy. This done, he followed on the -trail fast as possible. - -For several hours Nettleton kept on his course, now striking the main -road for the purpose of searching for fresh tracks, then taking to the -woods again, to avoid observation. Several times he came upon the -well-known footprints, and a bitter exclamation would escape him. He -kept his course, more from the judgment he had formed as to the -direction Walker had taken, than from the numerous impressions of his -boots. He was ascending a sharp and ragged hill, so heavily covered with -the thorn-bush and small scrub-oak peculiar to that country, that his -progress was rendered very difficult. Suddenly a figure darted in front -of him and concealed itself among the thick undergrowth. Nettleton -brought his gun to the shoulder, and called out: - -“None of that skulking, darn ye! Come out and fight fair!” - -“Ugh!” responded the voice, and Fall-leaf bounded to his side. - -“Oh! it’s you, is it, Mr. Ingen? Well, I’m darn glad you’ve come, for -you can hunt these snarly woods better than me! Any news?” - -“You kill ’em—eh?” - -“I shall kill ’em, if I only get a bead on the critter!” - -“You _did_ kill ’em?” - -“Kill who?” - -“Dead soldier—there!” Fall-leaf indicated that he meant further on. - -“Come on, Ingen,” said Nettleton. He reached the summit of the hill -which overlooked the valley below, and, led by Fall-leaf, began its -descent. They soon reached the stream, and the Indian pointed to the -dead body. Nettleton gazed upon it a moment, and then said: - -“Darn me if it ain’t the very feller what run away last night. Walker -has been here, sure!” - -He commenced his search at once. He found footprints in the sand, and -among them that of a lady, judging from its small size. The Indian had -also been taking observations. Returning from a clump of bushes, he said -to Nettleton: - -“See—canoe—two—White Bird—so!” - -Here Fall-leaf indicated by action, that two men had drawn a boat from -concealment in the thicket, had entered it, as indicated by tracks in -the sand, and had proceeded down-stream. - -“Well, they’ve got rid of one scoundrel, any way. It will only be man to -man, and I feel myself to be a match for any dozen such skunks as that -Walker. They can’t have much the start!” - -Both Fall-leaf and Nettleton walked rapidly forward along the bank of -the stream. At length—and it was almost a simultaneous movement on the -part of each—they stopped, and bending forward, held their ears close to -the ground. - -“By thunder!” cried Nettleton, “that’s _her_ voice!” - -“White Bird caged—_she_ no sing!” replied Fall-leaf. - -“Ain’t you a darn fool? Don’t you know that White Bird, as you call her, -has got a right to expect some of her friends will be after her, and so -she sings that they may hear her voice, echoing up and down among these -hills, and know where to find her?” - -“Ugh! good—white hunter no fool!” - -Again the voice was heard, and this time so clearly as to leave no doubt -upon the mind of our hero, as to who the singer was. Like a deer he -bounded off in the direction indicated. The music died away and all was -still. But the two men paused not. - -Upon a sudden they emerged into an open field of about four acres, near -the center of which were two large stacks of hay. The river at this -point took a bend, and the two pursuers struck directly across the open -space. Just as they reached the stacks, Fall-leaf darted close in to the -base of one of them, taking the attitude of a listener, and making a -significant sign to Nettleton. - -“What is it?” asked Nettleton. - -“Hark! Soldiers! Horses! Whoa! Hark!” - -Nettleton listened attentively, and then said: - -“There is a party of soldiers coming. It _may_ be our men who have been -in search of Miss—— of the White Bird; but, it is well enough to keep -close. It may be the rebels merely moving camp. And if this is so, Mamie -must be with them. The sounds are coming nearer—crawl under the hay, -red-skin—way under, out of sight.” - -This was effected with some difficulty, when a party of rebel -guerrillas, numbering about sixty, rode into the field, and proceeded to -form their camp directly in the vicinity of the hay-stacks, under which -the two men were concealed. - -“Well, I guess we’ve got into the right shop!” said Nettleton to -Fall-leaf. “We are cooped up here close enough for a while, but, Miss -Mamie must be with this crowd, and when dark comes, we can scout around -and see what we can do. Lay quiet, Ingen!” - -“White hunter knows! Make good Ingen!” - -The day dragged slowly away. Toward night a party of the rebels came for -forage for their horses, but the hay was tumbled from the top of the -stack, and our friends were not discovered. The guerrillas’ -conversation, however, was listened to with the greatest interest by -Nettleton. - -“So Colonel Brown, or Walker, as he is called, came within one of being -done for in the camp of the Yanks at Springfield?” - -“Yes, so he says.” - -“What the devil does he want with the gal?” - -“Oh, some love affair, of course.” - -“The gal was happy, for she was singing like a nightingale.” - -“Oh yes! No doubt she was dazzled by the prospect of being a colonel’s -wife.” - -“Who is she?” - -“Don’t know.” - -“My eyes! but she _is_ a beauty!” - -“So much the better for him.” - -“Where was he going with her?” - -“Oh, below—taking her to her brother, I believe.” - -“Where is that?” - -“Down in the _old mill_!” - -This was all the conversation heard by the adventurers. But, the rebel -troops did not move again until late in the next day, and our friends -were compelled to remain quiet. They had learned sufficient to convince -them that Miss Hayward was _not_ with this band of rebels, but was being -borne still further from them. They cursed the chance which had thus -entrapped them, and prevented their overtaking the captive at once. -Still, they resolved to keep up the pursuit, and they had learned that -at _some mill_ the lady was to be conveyed, and that her brother was -there. Patiently they waited until they could emerge, and finish their -journey. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - _Hayward._ - - -IT is time the reader was enlightened, somewhat, as to the fate of -Captain Hayward. - -The wound he had received the night of the attempted assassination, was -severe, but by no means fatal. The loss of blood had rendered him very -weak, and for some time he remained insensible. - -At the moment the blow was inflicted, there was, upon the other bank of -the river, and watching the Federals, a squad of rebel cavalry scouts. -The water into which Hayward was thrown soon revived the wounded man. He -was seen by this band, and carried to the house of an officer of the -Confederate army, not half a mile from the spot. Here his wound was -dressed. It was not long before an order reached them, signed by -“Colonel Brown,” to convey him to the camp of Colonel Price, at Ozark. -This order was law, and immediately after the Federals left Grand -Prairie, a boat was procured, and Hayward placed in it. But half -conscious, he reached the Ozark bridge at the critical juncture already -described in the chapter referring to the interview between Nettie -Morton and Charles Campbell, and the interruption by Colonel Price, the -rescue of Nettie by Fall-leaf, the approach of the Union forces, and the -resolve of Charles Campbell to save the wounded captain. - -It was at the moment when Price was in pursuit of the Indian that -Campbell, taking advantage of his absence, and observing the approach of -the Federals, hastily penned the note previously referred to and then -pushed off with the boat, down the stream, in order to effect his escape -with the prisoner. - -He began to hope that success would crown his efforts. The battle -favored his flight. All that day and the night following, he pursued his -course. It was his purpose to follow the Gasconade until he had reached -the point nearest Rolla, where he supposed he would be free from the -roving bands of rebels, who were so numerous in the vicinity of -Springfield. But his hopes were doomed to disappointment. Colonel Price, -anticipating the direction he had taken, immediately dispatched one -Lieutenant Lewis, a most tireless wretch, with a squad of ten men, to -intercept Campbell, and the prisoner captain. - -Just as the morning dawned, Campbell saw the pursuing party approaching. -Pulling for the shore, he lifted Captain Hayward in his arms, and bore -him into a mill, which stood near at hand. There he quickly concealed -his charge in an upper loft, and returned to meet the rebels. He stated -he had been captured by a party of the Federals and conveyed to that -point, and that they had there released him upon his parole of honor. -This story was generally believed, although one of the band appeared to -be incredulous, and left his fellows for a pretended search. Not -observing his absence, the remainder of the rebel band returned without -him, taking care, however, that Campbell was not left behind. - -When this person entered the mill, he found Hayward leaning upon his -elbow, quite conscious, but too weak to move. He paused before the -wounded man, and was silent, Hayward saw, and recognized him. - -“Are friends near?” was his feeble question. - -“I am the only friend you have got in these parts, and I reckon as how -‘ugly Jim’ ain’t just the man you want to see!” - -“You are one of my own men!” returned Hayward. - -“That’s a p’int as will admit of some argument, as the lawyers say! I -may be _your_ man when I am in Springfield, but you are _my_ man now! So -don’t kick up any fuss, and after I have made you fast, I’ll tell you -the rest. Ha, ha!” he muttered to himself, “but Walker shall pay me well -for _this_!” - -Saying this the rebel rascal left the mill. Not far from this mill, in a -wretched log-hut, lived an old woman, who gloried in the title of “crazy -Madge,” and of whom the rude backwoods people of the vicinity stood in -fear, as it was almost universally believed among them that she was -possessed of the devil. She told fortunes with great correctness, and -employed the most singular modes in doing this, such as burning powder -and strange incense, and the uttering of fearful imprecations, and -unearthly sounds. - -The mill was owned by one Bohannan, a captain of Confederate guerrillas. -Since the commencement of the war, it had not been in operation, except -on rare occasions. About one mile above Bohannan’s mill, there was -another mill, of smaller dimensions, which had formerly been owned by a -thorough Union man, who, becoming a refugee, had abandoned this mill, -also. So when the residents in that region, or any of the straggling -rebel bands, had occasion to grind their grain, they always went to the -upper mill, more especially as it was believed that “crazy Madge” had -taken full possession of the lower one after its proprietor left, and -that, being occupied in sacrilegious rites, it was very generally -believed to be unsafe to venture in that vicinity. Even the most -reckless and hardy of the guerrillas held the spot in awe, and avoided -it at all times. - -Madge was seated in her own door when Campbell entered the mill with -Hayward in his arms. She watched him closely, but uttered no word. She -saw him emerge, and meet the rebel band. She watched their departure, -and then discovered the newcomer, “Grouse Green,” as he was known. When -he came forth from the mill, Madge still was seated in the cabin -doorway, smoking her pipe. She did not even raise her eyes, or pretend -the least consciousness of his presence, until, with a rude slap upon -her shoulder, he said: - -“Come, old woman, I want you!” - -The old creature pretended not the least surprise, but, raising her -snake-like eyes to those of the speaker, she said: - -“Does the son of Belial wish to know his fate? I need not the aid of my -magic charms to point it out to me. In less than a month, the most -horrible death—” - -“Bah, you old crone! I’d dash your brains out for a copper, you infernal -croaking old buzzard! I don’t come to have my fortune told, but I want -you to serve me, and you shall have gold—do you hear, old woman? No -fooling now, and gold is yours!” - -“Gold! It is the master-key to human hearts! And what am I to do for -gold?” - -“My bidding! First, I want a set of chains! Have you such things in your -infernal den?” - -“You can have them for gold!” she exclaimed, tottering to a closet, and -rattling the cold iron. “I always keep them—it is necessary to my -trade!” - -“Now for the bargain, old hag. You saw me enter that mill just now? -Well, there is a captain confined, or will be confined before I leave -him, in the upper loft. He will be fastened. You must feed him daily, -just enough to keep life in him. I will give you a hundred to start -upon—more money than you ever saw, old woman, and when I return, if you -have well done your duty as keeper, I will give you another hundred. -Will you be faithful and keep the prisoner in safety from rescue?” - -“I swear it by my magic art!” - -“Bah! blast your art! Swear it by the gold you will receive, and I’ll -believe you. But come!” - -Green reëntered the mill followed by old Madge. He seized the helpless -Hayward and bore him to an upper loft. There he fettered him with the -chains. - -“And now I shall leave you here until we can attend to you at a more -convenient time!” he muttered, as he gazed exultingly upon Hayward. He -was about to leave him alone. - -“Stay but a moment!” cried the wounded man. “Tell me of my sister!” - -“She has become the wife of Colonel Brown, of the Confederate army, or, -as _you_ know him, Captain Walker, of the Federals!” - -“Liar!” cried Hayward. “But no! I will not use such terms now. Do you -know who struck the blow which so nearly deprived me of life?” - -“Yes; it was William Nettleton! He is also enlisted in the service of -Walker. And I will tell you more. In two days after you disappeared, -Lieutenant Wells was hung for your murder. Your sister fled with Walker, -who pretended the greatest friendship for her. _I_ performed the -ceremony, and to-night they are not three miles from you.” - -Hayward had become insensible, and sunk to the floor. Green saw this, -and motioning to the old woman, they left him alone. - -“That is the game I want _you_ to play!” said Green, as they emerged -from the mill. “Of course, all I have told him is false. But I want you -to carry it out, because Colonel Price wishes it as well as Walker, and -as he is a most dangerous man to our cause, I don’t care how poorly he -gets along. It would be a good thing for us if he could never take the -field again. So see that you do your duty!” - -Madge received her money, and agreed to follow all the instructions he -had given her. - -Green now returned at once to the camp, and reported to Walker. It was -just before the decision of the court-martial had been given, and that -officer was free, not only from restraint, but from any thing which had, -as yet, assumed a definite form. He was delighted with the intelligence, -and resolved to take advantage of it soon as Wells could be thoroughly -crushed. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - _The Prison—The Wheel-room—Caged_ - _The Life and Death Struggle._ - - -WE left Miss Hayward in the little boat, in the custody of Walker and -stupid Dick. For several hours they sped rapidly onward with the stream. -They encountered the party of rebels of which we have made mention, but, -as Walker, or Colonel Brown, was the officer highest in rank, no one -attempted to interfere with his project. The boat kept its course until -it came upon a broad flat which appeared to be some five or six miles in -length, and perhaps one in breadth. This, Walker informed Miss Hayward, -was the “Valley of Bohannan!” - -“And,” said he, “your brother is confined in yonder mill!” - -Miss Hayward gazed a moment upon the structure, and then burst forth in -the same wild strain she had sung so frequently during her boat voyage. - -“It is folly for you to attempt to attract his notice by your voice. He -is a close prisoner and a maniac, and nothing but your constant presence -and attention will ever cause his reason to return!” - -“What do you intend to do with him and myself?” asked Miss Hayward. - -“I intend to take you to your brother. I intend to let you see him in a -wretched garret, with no hope of recovery, or of even life, unless you -come to his aid. I intend to permit you to _gaze_ upon this scene, but -not even to speak with your brother, or to assist him in any manner, -until you are my wife. Then you shall be free to attend to all his -wants, to provide for his comfort, to restore him to reason, to life and -to liberty.” - -Miss Hayward bent her head upon her hands and wept. - -“I will not ask for your final decision now!” continued Walker. “I will -wait until you have seen your brother, which will be in a few moments.” - -The boat was drawn to the shore, and Walker, turning to Dick, said: - -“I will dispense with you now. Go to Joe’s farm. Follow my instructions -as to storing the house with provisions, and at least one comfortable -bed. Miss Hayward, it is a beautiful place of which I speak, and, in -case of your refusal to perform all that I wish voluntarily, or to save -your brother, I shall be compelled to take advantage of a friend’s -mansion, in case I can not effect my escape with you to Arkansas. This I -doubt being able to do, and more, I don’t know that I shall run the -risk, as I am only a subordinate, and some of my superiors _might_ order -your release. You perceive that I intend to make sure of my prize now -that she is in my keeping. As my wife she will be permitted all proper -liberty, but until you are such, by your own voluntary act, I must keep -you safely from approach by any one.” - -Dick had left his master. Walker and Miss Hayward arrived at the log-hut -adjoining the mill, and entered it. Old Madge was there, but she looked -pale and frightened. - -“Come here, Madge. What is the matter?” asked Walker. - -“The devil’s broke loose!” replied Madge, trembling violently. - -“Come, don’t be alarmed; I am Walker. I am the one who sent you the -hundred dollars to keep the man safely. You have done so, I hope.” - -“He has just broke loose, and run into the woods.” - -“How did that happen?” - -“Oh, he heard a voice singing outside, and, in his fever-delirium, said -it was an angel calling him to heaven, and he burst from his room and -rushed up yonder.” - -Walker and the old woman conversed together in undertones for a few -moments, when he turned to Miss Hayward and said: - -“Your brother, in his delirium, broke his chains, and is at large in the -mountains. He will not return here, and I think it doubtful if I can -find him. He will, most likely, make his way to the Federal camps. But, -come with me; you shall see where he was confined, and then learn my -further intentions.” - -Walker seized the unresisting maiden by the arm, and drew her into the -mill. Up the dirty stairs she went, and finally entered the room, or -attic, where the unfortunate brother had been detained prisoner. She -shuddered as she gazed around her. - -“Now,” said Walker, “I will show you _your_ room—one you shall occupy -until you are Mrs. Colonel Brown.” - -He drew her still further on, and opened a massive door, which grated -upon its hinges. She gazed in. It was a small apartment into which the -carpenter usually entered when he wished to repair the great water-wheel -which set the mill in motion. This room, or rather aperture, was of -construction unlike any apartment intended for occupancy. There was a -platform about ten feet in width, which formed the only flooring. Then a -great opening beyond, through which the main wheel extended upward about -eight or ten feet, entirely filling the opening in the floor. Any man -confined in this apartment would find little difficulty in effecting his -escape, provided he was an expert swimmer, and the mill not in motion. -But the manner in which an escape must be effected would be as follows: - -When the mill was running, the wheel being then in motion, the water was -thrown in large quantities in every part of the room, and its inmate -could scarcely prevent drowning by catching his breath at intervals. To -attempt to spring into the wheel—which was formed something like the -wheel of a wagon, the rim, or tire, however, being about twenty feet in -breadth, with crevices, or brackets, for catching the water which -propelled it, and the braces answering as spokes bearing proportion to -the rim—would almost assuredly be dashed in pieces in the attempt to -gain the interior. But, once there, he would be whirled round and round -until he could gather his energies for a jump when that portion of the -wheel in which he was perched was _down_, or nearest the bed of the -stream. To leap out _into_ the river would be a task equally perilous to -that of springing in. When the wheel was _not_ in motion, one could step -into the opening, slide down the rim with great ease, spring into the -water, and gain the shore in a moment. - -Miss Hayward gazed into this room or vault with a fainting, sickening -sensation; but she did not speak. It appeared as if hope had almost left -her heart, now that she found her brother gone, and she nerved herself -for any fate that might overtake her. - - * * * * * - -It was, as we have stated, late in the afternoon before the rebels -encamped around the stack where Nettleton and Fall-leaf were secreted, -took their departure, and up to that time the two faithful pursuers were -unable to venture forth. At last all was safe, and they emerged from -their concealment, and gazed around them. No living person was to be -seen. A meal was hastily prepared, after partaking of which they resumed -their journey at a rapid rate. All night they plodded along, taking care -to see that no _mill_ was passed upon the route. As the morning dawned, -they found themselves in an open space of considerable extent, and close -by the stream was a mill. This was carefully examined in every nook and -corner; but nothing was found. They made inquiry of a woman living in a -cabin near the spot, and learned that, a mile further on, was another -mill of larger dimensions, belonging to one Bohannan. For this place -they immediately bent their steps. Arriving, they were met by old Madge, -who immediately commenced her mummeries in order to divert their -attention. The Indian gazed upon her a moment, as if half in awe, and -half in fear, but Nettleton did not pause, and exclaimed: - -“Come along, Ingen; I expect here’s the place.” - -They entered the mill. The Indian remained at the door to prevent any -egress, while Nettleton commenced his search. Up and down, high and low, -the search was prosecuted. - -Walker being then within, had observed the approach of Nettleton and the -Indian. His first impulse was to fire upon them; but he knew if his aim -proved inaccurate he might then bid adieu to life, and so he resolved to -resort to stratagem. He seized Miss Hayward and sprung into a wheat-bin, -close by the door of the wheel-room we have described. He soon buried -himself and his prisoner among a lot of old bags, husks and refuse, and -cautioned her to remain quiet, as a band of Kansas cut-throats, who -regarded neither the life or person of a pretty woman, were at hand. -This had the effect to keep Miss Hayward quiet. - -Nettleton had completed his search. The lower floor of the mill had been -carefully scrutinized—its closets, its bins—except the small one near -the wheel-room, which had escaped his notice. - -“I wonder if there is any thing under the mill?” queried Nettleton. -“I’ll call, and see if that does any good. Captain! Captain Hayward!” - -The voice was at once recognized by Miss Hayward, who vainly struggled -to reply; but Walker held a handkerchief so tightly over her mouth that -she could produce no sound. At length, by a desperate effort, she -removed his hand and shrieked: - -“Here, William! here!” - -“Where? where?” cried William, as he sprung toward the bin. - -“_In the wheel-room!_” yelled Walker, smothering his voice so far as to -drown the exact direction in which it came. - -Nettleton bounded into the wheel-room, closely followed by the Indian, -who now supposed their friends to be found. Quick as lightning Walker -sprung from the bin, and slammed the door upon them, bolting it -securely. He then started for the mill-gate, which, being hoisted, would -set the large wheel in motion. - -As soon as the door was closed upon Nettleton, he rightly suspected -treachery, and throwing himself with all his violence against the door, -tried to force it. But in vain. - -“Quick, Ingen; jump into the mill-wheel, and down into the water!” - -They were about to adopt this plan of escape, when the wheel started -with great rapidity, rendering it seemingly impossible to do so. - -“Now,” yelled Walker, as he seized Miss Mamie and bore her from the -mill, “you shall see the folly of opposing me! You shall see how I -triumph over _all_ obstacles, and how those who oppose me perish!” - -Inside of the mill, and near the door, was a quantity of hay and -unthreshed grain, stored there for use by some neighboring farmer or -guerrilla. Striking a match, Walker lit the inflammable material. In a -moment it blazed high, and communicated with the woodwork. Walker only -waited to see this, and then, almost dragging Miss Hayward along, he -reached the river, drew the boat into the stream, and was once more -floating with the current. - -“Look, Miss Mamie, is not that a lovely sight?” he cried, pointing to -the mill, now thoroughly enveloped in flames. “Nettleton is there, and -Fall-leaf is there, and they have been brought there by _you_. They will -perish in those flames, and you must be responsible for their murder. -When will you learn that it is useless to oppose me, and cease to do so? -To submit to my proper and honorable requests is the only way you can -save your friends.” - -When Nettleton and Fall-leaf found their mode of escape thus cut off, -they naturally turned to each other for advice. But the water thrown -from the wheel so blinded and choked them that they could not hold -conversation at all. It was not long before our prisoners became aware -of the fact that, however disagreeable the water might be, they were -likely to be visited by an element, and that very soon, far more -disagreeable, under the present circumstances. The flames were seizing -upon every part of the mill, and all around them soon became a mass of -lurid, destroying light. The rafters, flooring and upper work threatened -to fall at any moment. Still the room in which our friends were confined -remained unscathed, surrounded as it was by water. But, it must soon -yield to the fiery element. The wheel still moved; yet it seemed as if -its speed was somewhat lessened. At length Nettleton yelled: - -“Ingen, I’m going; take your chances!” - -With a bound he sprung into the wheel. He escaped any severe blow, but, -upon alighting he was tossed, and pitched, and tumbled over, until at -last, catching upon the centre-bar, he held himself until he had made -his calculation as to where his next jump should be. At last he ventured -the hazardous leap, and was precipitated into the foaming waters beneath -the wheel, which in its revolution struck him lightly, calling forth a -grumble or a grunt. But Nettleton battled bravely with the rushing -waters, and at length, half dead with suffocation, he crawled upon the -bank as the burning rafters of the mill were falling around him. - -“Wal, I suppose Ingen is roasted alive, and I must do the work alone. -I’m darn sorry. And I’ve lost my gun, too. But I ought to be glad that I -didn’t lose myself. The villain, but won’t I roast him if ever I lay -these hands on him!” - -Thus he muttered as he sat for a moment gazing upon the appalling -spectacle before him. He then sprung up, and seeing the old woman, at -once started for the cabin. Madge met him at the door. - -“Will you have my services, to tell you truly the fortune that is in -store for you?” she asked. - -“Your services. Yaas; I’ll have you tell me all about affairs here in -this quarter, and if you don’t own up every thing, I’ll put you in this -pile of logs and roast you, as sure as you are a she woman. Do you -understand?” - -“I have but little to reveal of the circumstances to which you refer. -The Federal officer _was_ in the mill a prisoner, but escaped, in his -delirium, and is now somewhere out in the mountain. Walker and the lady -were in the mill, but are now out of reach, down stream. This is all I -know.” - -“And it is enough. Now, you just fork over a good Minié musket—I know -you have a dozen concealed here for the use of your friends, and all the -fixins for settlin’ the hash of your friend, Captain Walker, for him and -me has an account to fix what will require powder and lead, if this -bread-cutter of mine don’t do the job,” he said, handling his -bowie-knife. - -Madge only too well read in Nettleton’s face the resolute nature of the -man, and with scarcely a moment’s hesitancy went out of the hut to a -hollow tree near by, and produced from thence an armful of arms, made up -of shot-guns, old-fashioned rifles, and a Minié musket. From these -Nettleton selected, after careful scrutiny, a heavy double-barrel -squirrel gun. Ammunition was also supplied by the woman without -hesitancy, and the pursuer soon found himself equipped in a most -formidable manner. - -“There, old gal, you have done the right thing. It is well that you did, -for, as sure as lizards, I should have burned you in your pen if you -hadn’t forked over what I know’d was in your possession. Now, good-by, -and behave yourself. If the captain—my captain I mean—comes back to you, -do you be kind to him, for I tell _you_ it is for your best interests to -be so. Do you believe that?” - -“I believe any thing you say,” replied the old creature, betraying her -anxiety to get rid of her visitor. - -“You do, eh? Well, jist keep on thinking so, for I shall, mayhap, want -to use you again some of these days. So good-by, and keep your eyes -clean.” - -With this injunction he started again for the river, following the -stream for some distance, but finally, for some reason best known to -himself, took to the mountains. Every few moments he would pause and -listen, as if a faint sound met his ears, and then continue his journey. - -After Nettleton had escaped from the mill, Fall-leaf began to look -around for some other means of escape. He felt sure that Nettleton’s -leap must be a fatal one—that, if he was not dashed to pieces by the -wheel, he would surely be drowned in the rushing waters. All chance of -escape for the poor Indian appeared quite as hopeless. The flames were -already hissing around him, and curling up the sides of his -prison-house. The fire had weakened the boards, and, just as the flames -were coiling around his form, he made a desperate effort, and burst the -siding from the mill. In an instant he sprung through the aperture, -although the fiery element presented a formidable obstacle between -himself and safety. He alighted, however, with only a few slight -bruises, and, waiting for nothing, bounded forward. He knew if Walker -had continued his journey down the river, he could soon overtake him. -For an hour he did not slacken his pace, and finally, in turning a short -bend in the river, he beheld the boat. - -He was about to dash forward to the rescue of Miss Hayward, but he -remembered that he had no gun, his only weapon being his sheath-knife, -while Walker was well armed. He must resort to stratagem. His object was -to watch for opportunity, and when Walker should land, or when the boat -neared the shore, and the thicket favored the movement, to spring upon -him suddenly, and drive the knife to his heart. But the river gradually -grew wider, and Walker kept his boat in the center, too far distant from -shore for any attempt for his seizure to prove successful. All that day -and all the night following, the boat drifted on with the stream. It was -evident Walker was anxious to reach a certain point as quickly as -possible. - -The morning dawned just as the little craft shot past the ford on the -Rolla turnpike, near the “ghost swamp,” a locality of weird interest and -novel character. Walker was about to land, near a small farm-house which -stood behind a jutting hill, entirely concealed from the main road, but -before touching the shore, his quick eye caught sight of a dark form -creeping cautiously along the bank. At the same moment he discovered -three horses tied in a thicket only a short distance from the house. -Whether they belonged to friend or foe he could not tell; but the fact -of seeing the creeping form rendered him cautious, and he immediately -pulled for the opposite shore, where he landed. - -“Are you friend or foe to the Confederates?” shouted Walker, from the -opposite side of the stream. - -There was no response. - -“That cursed Dick must have betrayed me,” he muttered. “But, I will -match them yet. Come!” - -He dragged Miss Hayward along up the mountain steep. At length he -reached a point of rock which extended far over the valley below. A -narrow footway, not more than ten inches in width, forming a kind of -shelf in the rock, led into an immense cavern, which is known in that -region as the “Silver Cave.” Just in front of this cave was a large, -flat rock, forming an overhanging platform, but to reach this, or the -mouth of the cave, required great care, as the narrow path was the only -manner in which an entrance or exit could be effected. Into this place -Walker conveyed Miss Hayward. - -Walker had, when meeting the rebels two days before, provided his boat -well with provisions. These he conveyed with him into the cavern. - -He had not observed, however, that he was followed closely, and that the -Indian arrived at the narrow passageway just as the rebel and his -prisoner entered the cave. This was so. The Indian crept up as closely -as possible, and peered over the projecting point which shut Walker from -his view. He was observed. - -“And who are you?” yelled Walker. - -The Indian was perfectly familiar with the cave. He knew no person could -leave it by the narrow shelf or pathway. He could keep himself -concealed, and if Walker passed a certain point, before he could bring -his gun to bear, he could strike him dead. Walker was a prisoner, with a -watchful and relentless keeper. The Indian replied: - -“Ah, White Bird! Fall-leaf here! Fall-leaf save!” - -“Is it indeed my friend Fall-leaf?” cried Miss Hayward, joyfully. - -“Yes; Fall-leaf save you!” - -“Where is William Nettleton?” asked Mamie. - -“Gone—gone!” - -“Ah! then I have only _you_ to encounter,” yelled Walker, “and, if the -Fates favor me, I shall triumph. I know the Indian has not thought to -provide himself with provisions. I have enough to last us, with care, -for two weeks, and by that time he will starve, for no Federal fool ever -will find me _here_. He dare not leave in search of help, for I should -then effect my escape. So we will play our hands, and see if I do not -hold the trump card. Ha! ha! I can baffle any friend you have, Miss -Hayward.” - -“White Bird sing,” said the Indian. - -“Yes, I will sing. And as we are now near the main road, some one will -be sure to hear me.” - -“Me watch—me wait!” - -During the entire passage Miss Hayward had not failed to sing her -echo-song every few miles, hoping to attract attention and gain -assistance. Now that she was so near the public highway, she applied -herself anew to the task. Walker made frequent attempts to silence her, -but could not do it, as he feared, whenever he turned from his watch, -that the Indian would dart in upon him. - -Some two years previous, there was a superstitious belief prevailing in -that section of Missouri, that the spirit of a murdered lady appeared -upon the waters of the Gasconade, singing her mournful lays, and gliding -in her death-skiff along the waters. For some time past nothing had been -heard of the “lady-ghost;” but, when the songs of Miss Hayward were -heard, the simple inhabitants began to think that the “ghost-lady” had -returned, and, instead of seeking to gratify their curiosity, were -careful to keep as far as possible away. So it proved with regard to the -cave, after the singing commenced. - -Several days passed, and no succor appeared. The Indian kept faithful -watch, and so did Walker, that he might not be taken by surprise. - -Walker becoming convinced that Fall-leaf had no gun, several times -endeavored to bring his own to bear upon his vigilant foe, but this he -could not do without placing himself in a dangerous position. Both were -weary for want of sleep, and both would occasionally sink into a fitful -slumber; but, so intent was each upon his object, that the slightest -movement would rouse the sleepers, and each stand ready to meet his foe. -But, as Fall-leaf had no food, he began to grow faint—his firm frame -began visibly to weaken; still, he determined to maintain his watch as -long as life should last. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - _The Mountain Adventure._ - - -LET us return to the army, which we left near Lebanon. The main force -was to continue its march onward toward Rolla, while a battalion of -infantry, a section of artillery, and a company of cavalry struck to the -west of the main road, and started for the point from which the -messenger had arrived. It was a weary march, as the troops already had -proceeded twenty miles that day. But the dreadful atrocities related as -having been committed by the guerrillas fired the hearts of the brave -soldiers, and they pressed forward with a will. - -The troops at last reached the scene of the outrages, in the place known -as “Bohannan Mills Valley.” The deeds of blood and horror had not been -exaggerated by the messenger. Women had been murdered in their beds, old -men were lying stiff and cold, with their brains beaten out, and -children, helpless and weeping, were clinging to their dead bodies or -wandering distractedly around. - -The battalion which had been sent to this valley was the one to which -Lieutenant Wells and Adjutant Hinton belonged. Wells was still suffering -from the terrible anxiety of mind which he had recently undergone, but -did not permit his own troubles to interfere with his discharge of duty. -The troops camped in the little valley, to collect the scattered -families, whose remaining members it was determined to take along with -the army in its retreat. Soon word was brought by a mountaineer that the -guerrillas still were infesting the mountain, while the flames of a -burning mill, seen below, seemed to give evidence that the miscreants -still were at their work of blood. This decided the officers to scour -the mountain, if possible, to force the rebels to a fight, for there was -not a man in the Union ranks who did not pant for a chance to meet those -dastards, who, under the protecting folds of the Confederate flag, -committed atrocities at which humanity stood aghast. Wells was soon at -the head of a strong party of dismounted dragoons, and with them struck -off for the hills back of the burning mill. A weary march was brought to -a sudden halt by a deep water gully, over which no perceptible ford -offered a passage. Up and down it Wells passed to reconnoiter. It was an -ugly spot to be caught in by a wily foe, and the troops were so disposed -as to guard against a surprise. The men kept close under cover of the -dense undergrowth, so as not to betray their position should the -guerrillas come upon them. Lieutenant Wells and Adjutant Hinton were -proceeding up the watercourse, when a rattle of fire-arms arrested their -attention. It was evident some kind of a conflict was taking place over -the stream. The volley was not, however, answered by a return; only a -single shot was heard, and then a wild, frenzied shout, as if of -maddened men. After a brief interval, another shot was heard, and a -second paralyzed howl was followed by shouts and curses, plainly heard -by the two anxious senior officers. - -“It must be the guerrillas after the poor Unionists who have fled to the -mountain,” said Hinton. “Our men must not be idle when such work is -going on. You stay here, Wells, to watch further, while I go back to -bring up our boys.” - -Hinton hurried away, while Wells crept forward to the very edge of the -deep but narrow gully beyond which the sounds of conflict were heard. -Hardly had he secured a spot for observation, ere he was startled by the -crash of the undergrowth and the voices of men not ten rods away. On -toward the lieutenant’s place of concealment came the pursued and -pursuers. The first was but a single man, whom Wells several times -detected gliding along from tree to tree, keeping “under cover” like an -experienced woodsman. He was closely pursued by a band of the -guerrillas, all dismounted, who were making the hills echo with their -demoniac yells. Slowly the fugitive retired, holding his foes at bay by -his sagacious maneuvers. Wells became intensely excited over the scene, -and resolved to rush at once to the brave fellow’s aid, but there lay -before him the impassable gulf over which few men could bound. Finally -the hunted man struck the gully, and saw at a glance that his retreat -was cut off. The enemy saw it, too, for they set up a shout of -commingled derision and pleasure, which so maddened the fugitive that he -yelled: - -“Laugh away, you darn skunks. I’ll make more than one of your dirty -carcasses food for the crows before I go under.” And suiting the words -to action, he fired two successive shots from what, apparently, was a -double-barrel fowling-piece. Two of the guerrillas must have fallen, for -ferocious shrieks of agony followed. - -Wells could endure no more. There stood before him his brave friend -William Nettleton, hunted by a dozen fiends who must soon overpower him -if aid was not quickly given. He started backward for a couple of rods, -then rushed with almost flying swiftness up to the gully, and bounded -over its sharply-cut edge. For a moment his desperate leap arrested all -attention. Nettleton deemed it a new adversary coming upon him from an -unexpected quarter, and turned, knife in hand, to close in with his -antagonist. What was his astonishment to welcome Lieutenant Wells to his -arms! What a shout followed! The guerrillas quickly sought cover, not -knowing how many others might be lurking on the opposite side of the -ravine to give them a bloody welcome. - -“Wells, by the jumping jingo! Where _did_ you come from and where _is_ -you going to? Give us yer hand and lend us yer revolver. Ah, got two of -’em. _Hooray!_ Down on yer knees quicker’n lightnin’, for the -woman-murderers are after us, sharp!” - -Down the two men fell, just in time to escape a volley from the carbines -of a squad of the murderers. With the dexterity of a squirrel, Nettleton -rushed forward to a friendly tree, and fired quickly three shots from -the revolver. It was a surprise to the enemy, for two of their number -fell, so true had the aim been. The squad retreated to reload, but -Nettleton had no idea of permitting that, and was about to press his -advantage, when a powerfully-built rebel came rushing upon him, knife in -hand, from the right side of the tree, unseen by the undaunted man until -it was too late for the use of his fire-arm. In a moment they were -clasped in the death-struggle. Three or four of the guerrillas rushed to -the spot, only to be shot down by Wells’ deliberate aim. No more -appeared, and the two combatants were left to their fearful work. Each -had seized the knife-hand of the other. Then followed the strain of -muscle for the mastery. The guerrilla, counting upon his tremendous -strength, doubtless hoped for an easy victory; but in that ungainly form -he found a bundle of nerves tough as whale-bone—a human frame elastic as -india-rubber but as invincible as steel. - -Down toward the gully the combatants pressed. In vain did the rebel try -to force his antagonist to the earth. The supple form of Nettleton bent -under his adversary’s pressure, but his frame at length rebounded with a -force which bore the guerrilla to his knees. He drew the Federal down -with him, and on their knees the frightful combat was continued. Wells -would have advanced from his concealment to the rescue, but knew that a -rebel carbine would surely bring him down, and thus place it out of his -power to aid his friend at all. Slowly toward the chasm the men worked -their way, struggling like two serpents striving for the death-triumph. -It was an exciting but appalling spectacle, which the sudden roar of -fire-arms on the left did not serve to arrest. A shout followed, which -Wells recognized as that of his own men, who must have discovered a -crossing below, and have come upon the band of cut-throats unawares. -There was a sudden scattering of those concealed in the immediate -vicinity of the hand-to-hand contest, but one villain rushed from his -cover upon the writhing forms of the bleeding men, with the design of -dispatching the unconquered Federal. Wells was upon him like a tiger, -and in a moment cut him down with his sword. Hinton beheld the stroke, -and came rushing up to the spot just in time to behold the struggling -men go over the gully’s bank together. - -The two officers hurried to the bank. Some twenty feet below they could -distinguish the forms of the combatants, both apparently lifeless. -Without a moment’s hesitancy, Wells dropped from the brink, and fell -crashing through the dense jungle lining the water’s edge, to the bed of -the stream. He was stunned but not injured, and arose to his feet to -find Nettleton in a sitting posture. Beside him lay the big guerrilla, -silent in death. - -“I’ll be danged if that wan’t the ugliest cuss as ever I tusseled with, -breeches-holt, back-holt or rough-and-tumble.” This was his first -ejaculation. - -“Are you injured?” anxiously inquired Wells. - -“Wal, let’s take a reconnoissance. Here’s a hole in this arm, that’s -sp’iled the only good coat I ever had, dang it! Here’s a rip, too, in -the collar, whar that critter’s knife tried to cut my windpipe. He _did_ -scratch me thar, I believe,” he said, fingering his neck, down which the -blood flowed freely. “By Jemima, ef I haven’t lost a finger!” he added, -suddenly holding up his hand. “Now, that’s too bad, ef it is on the left -hand. I rayther think the reb got a mouthful when he chawed that off!” -And thus he would have continued for another ten minutes had not shouts -from above aroused him. - -“Who’s come?” he asked. - -“Hinton and the battalion.” - -“Glory! And have the rebs been caught in a trap?” - -“I don’t know how many, but from the shots and shouts I don’t think many -will be permitted to escape.” - -“All right. Now jist give us a lift, to see if my shanks is all right. -There, that’s the juniper. Jist look at my back, and see if you find any -holes that want plugging.” - -No “holes” were found, and the good-natured fellow came out of the -combat with only flesh-wounds, save the loss of one finger from the left -hand, which the guerrilla had bitten off. Nettleton was much exhausted, -and was finally drawn up out of the gully with no little difficulty, -when the men set up a shout which made the hills ring. - -“There, boys, that’ll pay for the bruises; and now I guess you’ll have -to do me another favor—jist rub my shanks and the hinges in my back with -a little whisky, if you can spare it.” - -In a moment a dozen pocket-flasks were produced and willing hands gave -him a good rubbing, which gave his limbs new strength. It was evident -that his muscles had been severely overtasked, for he was languid and -incapable of exertion. - -Nettleton now narrated the particulars of his and Fall-leaf’s -adventures. Soon the troops were out on the search for Captain Hayward, -while, assisted by a couple of comrades, the wounded hero of the hour -made his way down to the cabin of old Madge. The old creature received -him kindly and at once bestirred herself to make him strong again. The -air was soon odoriferous with the smell of distilling herbs. - -A prolonged shout, ere long, came rolling down the hill. Nettleton was -aroused from a sleep into which he had fallen. His two comrades at once -hurried out to ascertain its cause. Old Madge paused in her toil and -said: - -“The captain’s found, I s’pose.” - -“Hooray!” yelled the invalid, now an invalid no longer. Springing from -his bed he rushed out, and away he went up the hills in the direction of -the still continuing noise. His companions, astonished at his sudden -recovery, followed, and all were soon lost to sight. - -Harry Hayward was indeed found, and the cavalcade, bearing him on a rude -litter, after a half-hour’s time, made its appearance coming down the -mountain. Nettleton was at his side, crying like a baby. Wells held the -sick man’s hand, while his face, still expressing anxiety, beamed with -joy. Hayward was discovered hidden in a quiet, cool nook, where he lay -in a very exhausted condition. He had, in his fever-delirium, broken -away from Madge’s custody, but, no sooner was he out in the cool shade -of the trees and rocks than his mind became clear and composed. Weak and -ill as he was he still had strength to seek a place of safety from -pursuit, should it be attempted, as he supposed it would be. At -nightfall he had determined to seek out some respectable looking -farm-house, and on the morrow to cast himself upon the mercy of -strangers, knowing that even though that stranger might be a foe he -could not be more inhuman than men wearing the uniform of Confederate -officers. But the sufferer was spared further efforts. The shouts and -reports of fire-arms Hayward distinctly heard, and at once surmised that -a Union force was at hand. When the men scattered in squads for the -search through the mountain, the captain beheld one of the parties -passing before his hiding-place. It was his moment of deliverance. He -stepped out before the astonished soldiers, who, not recognizing the -apparition, did not at once welcome him. - -“My men, don’t you know me?” - -“Captain Hayward!” they shouted, as they rushed upon him, and clasped -him in their arms. - -He was borne toward Madge’s cabin, to be welcomed on the way by the -gathering men. Wells now appeared. The joy of that meeting can be -surmised. The welkin was made to ring with the glad notes of the -jubilant soldiers. These notes it was which aroused the sleeper in the -cabin, and when at length he appeared, struggling wearily up the hill, -the cavalcade paused to permit the overjoyed parties a few minutes of -undisturbed greeting. Nettleton was not even talkative—a circumstance -indicative of the depth of his feelings—and it was not until the captain -was fully domiciled in the cabin, that he could consent to talk of the -past and its painful incidents. He then narrated the events of Walker’s -plot, as we have here recorded them, ending with the tragedy of the -mill. It was a revelation of intense but most painful interest to the -sick man; but he bore the affliction of his sister’s loss with great -resolution, sustained by the conviction that He who doeth all things -well would not permit the evil one to triumph. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - _The Cave and the Contest for Life._ - - -AFTER two days spent in the cabin, Nettleton became excessively uneasy. -From something which had transpired, he conceived that old Madge knew -more of Walker’s whereabouts than she had yet confessed. This -conviction, once formed, was but the prelude to action. Without -informing any one of his purpose, he followed the old woman into the -woods—whither she went in pursuit of her medicaments—having in his hands -a stout rope. In a wild, retired spot, he confronted her. - -“Look here, old critter, you’re close-mouthed, when it would be better -for your health to talk a little. Now, you jist tell me where Captain -Walker has taken Miss Mamie. Talk straight, and not a gap in the fence.” - -“I don’t know where he has gone,” she answered, rather evasively. - -“That is, you are a nat’ral-born know-nothing. Well, it will assist your -memory, perhaps, to stretch your neck a little, jist to take the kinks -out, you know; so pass your shock of tow into this ’ere noose, while I -pull you up on that limb.” And suiting the action to the word he flung -the noose dextrously over her head. She was taken by surprise, and -trembling in every limb, asked: - -“Would you hang me?” - -“Sartain as there’s a tree and here’s a rope.” - -“I don’t know where Walker is, but I think he has a place of refuge down -the river, near the Ghost Swamp. There is a cave in the river’s bank, -opposite to the swamp, where I know his confederates occasionally -secrete themselves. He may have gone there; but, as he has been gone -over two days, I don’t see why he should be there now. It is my opinion, -however, that Miss Mamie, as you call her, is there, as it is the best -place to keep her.” - -“Ah, thank you, old Mrs. Crow’s-foot. There is something more on your -mind, isn’t there?” - -Madge looked at him inquiringly. - -“I know all about your friend’s visit; so do you jist play your cards -right, or I’ll catch ye niggin.” - -This allusion to her “friend” startled the old woman. - -“He was no friend of mine; he came along on his own account, and I only -gave him bread, as I give any one who is hungry.” - -“All right; only, what did he tell you?” - -She hesitated. Nettleton gave the rope a twitch, and looked up at the -limb. The hint was enough. - -“The man said he was up from below on a scout. He was anxious to know -what I knew about the voice of a woman which he said had been heard all -along the river. He heard it distinctly as he passed the road along the -river by the Ghost Swamp; others had heard it, and he believed that I -could tell him as to its meaning. I told him it was a sign that he was -singled out for death—that every person who heard it was called, and he -might, therefore, make up his mind that his time was come. With that he -left. I did not inform him of who was in my cabin, nor any thing about -what had happened here. So I hope you will let me go, and frighten me no -more.” - -Nettleton slowly lifted the noose from her neck, and, without another -word, walked back to the cabin. He called out Lieutenant Wells, who was -then watching at the captain’s bedside, and the two friends held a long -consultation together, which ended by an order for a guard of twenty to -be ready for a night expedition. - -By ten o’clock all were in readiness and on their way, taking the river -path down stream. Wells was in command. Nettleton acted as scout and -guide. All night long they pressed on, and daylight found them on the -hills opposite the spot indicated by Madge as the locality of the cave -in the bank. Asking Wells for his field-glass, Nettleton carefully -scrutinized the river’s bank opposite. After a short survey he suddenly -exclaimed: - -“_The Ingen_, as sure as Sacramento!” - -“What do you say?” inquired Wells. - -“Fall-leaf—see him—there he lays, and there is the cave. I’m blest if I -know what to make of it. I supposed, _of course_, that that red-skin was -roasted alive in the mill; but there he is, and here I goes.” - -So saying, down he dashed into the river, and forded its waters rapidly. -Once on the opposite side, he hurried up the bank, and soon reached the -ledge across which the Indian was lying. The poor fellow was but half -conscious from over-fatigue and hunger, yet his eyes were fixed with -cat-like vigilance upon the aperture of the cave, while his hand still -firmly clasped the knife upon which he relied to do his deadly work. - -Nettleton approached him silently, and touched his feet. At once the -Indian looked behind him. - -“Give Fall-leaf drink—quick!” was his hurried whisper, while the finger -on his lip indicated silence. - -Nettleton comprehended all at a glance. Passing his canteen and knapsack -to Fall-leaf, he beheld the Indian drink and eat with satisfaction. Not -a word passed between them. - -“Good! Fall-leaf _much_ weak; now strong again,” he whispered. - -“Where’s Miss Mamie?” - -The Indian pointed to the cavern. - -“Walker, too?” - -Fall-leaf nodded, and scowled so fiercely that Nettleton perceived the -savage wanted no interference in his case. - -“Shan’t I do the job for ye?” - -“No—Fall-leaf _mad_. Me kill ’em—you go way.” - -“That’s the talk, Ingen. You shall have your man; but, Jerusalem, don’t -I ache to git my paws on him!” - -A noise was now heard in the cave; it was Walker’s voice. “I’ll not -permit you to sing, I again tell you. If those men crossing the river -are Union soldiers, you shall not betray our whereabouts, and if -Fall-leaf moves I’ll shoot him!” - -“Bah, you ornery cuss; _I’m_ on your track now!” shouted Nettleton. - -“William—dear William!” cried the captive woman, recognizing his voice. - -“_Here!_” he responded, “and so chock full of the devil that if I don’t -get rid of it soon it will spile me. Walker, you dirty beast, dare you -fight me?” he yelled. - -“I dare fight any decent antagonist, but don’t care to dirty my hands -with you,” was the reply. - -“Oh, you nasty, miserable, thievin’ woman-stealer, man-assassinator. -I’ll cook your breakfast for you, but Fall-leaf shall eat it; _he’ll_ -dirty his hands with _you_!” - -“I defy you and all your crew,” growled the rebel. “If one of you dares -to show your head, you are a dead man!” - -“Blast yer picter, here’s a head—shoot it!” cried Nettleton, sticking -his head out in a manner to dare Walker’s fire. - -The scoundrel was prepared, and discharged his gun in an instant. Its -report had not ceased its echo ere Fall-leaf, with a bound like a -panther, dropped before the entrance of the hole. Walker stood there -with knife in hand, to foil any such attempt to storm his castle. A -quick blow with his foot sent the Indian headlong over the ledge. - -“Try that on me,” roared Nettleton, who, uninjured by the ball from -Walker’s musket, was at the Indian’s heels. - -No sooner said than done, and Nettleton received an unexpected blow in -the bowels from the rebel’s heavy boot which sent him almost instantly -over the ledge after Fall-leaf. - -That was the propitious moment for escape. Without a word to his -captive, he passed out upon the ledge, and had nearly reached its -terminus when Lieutenant Wells, followed by his men, confronted the -desperate man. Drawing his revolver, Wells cried: - -“Surrender or you are a dead man!” - -“I never will surrender to you,” was the fierce reply, as the now -cornered desperado began slowly to retire, backward, to regain his -stronghold. - -He had retreated fully half-way to the entrance, when his heel caught in -the rough floor of the ledge, and his balance was lost. For a moment he -sought to regain his foothold, but, finding it gone, he gave a shout and -leaped over the precipice. - -The soldiers looked over the ledge and saw his form disappear in the -trees beneath. Wells did not wait, but rushed to the cavern mouth. - -“Miss Mamie.” - -A form darkened the passage, and within stood Miss Hayward, smiling and -blushing as if just caught at her toilet. - -With a cry of joy Wells entered and clasped her to his bosom. - -“Safe and uninjured! Thank God—thank God!” answered the maiden. - -“Safe and restored; and, thank God, your brother, too, is recovered, and -is now in our hands, doing well!” - -“Then I am happy, indeed!” she could only reply, while tears of joy -checked further utterance. - -Wells had entirely forgotten Walker, in his moment of sweet communion -with his restored friend. But, a shout which came up from the depths -below recalled him to duty. It was a wild Indian war-whoop; then a -succession of ejaculations which the men could plainly distinguish. - -“Go in, Ingen!” “Walk along, Walker, you darn skunk you!” “There, that’s -a good un, Ingen!” “Now another in the corn-crib!” “There he goes!” -“Hooray for the Ingen!” - -All well knew the meaning of this, and a number of the men hastened to -the base of the cliff, by a long, roundabout path, which came up from -the river at the ford below. They arrived to find Walker slain, and -Fall-leaf badly cut in the face, arms and shoulders, but no serious -wounds on the body. Nettleton stood over his friend, bathing his wounds -in the clear waters of the river. - -“Ingen’s done for the cut-throat, sure. It was mean to shut me out; but -it was his game, ’cause he treed it. I’d give all I’ll ever be worth—” - -“Would you give Sally?” put in one of the men. - -“Dang Sally—no, dang my skin—that is, dang me if I wouldn’t give my -commission, boys, that’s it! give my commission to have had the -satisfaction of doin’ Fall-leaf’s work.” Nettleton looked savagely at -the body of the dead man, seeming to feel that he had made a personal -sacrifice in permitting the Indian to kill his enemy. - -It would appear that both Fall-leaf and Nettleton, when kicked off the -ledge, fell at its foot without injury, as the base was banked up to a -considerable distance with the decayed and water-soaked _débris_ of the -bank, down which they rolled into the water. They had recovered, and -stepped out into the stream to look up to the ledge, when they beheld -Wells and Walker confronted. In a moment the rebel staggered, and went -bounding off the ledge, and, like his two antagonists, came tumbling and -sliding down the declivity, landing at the water’s brink upon his feet. -There he was received by the Indian, with the wild whoop which startled -those above. Nettleton, in honor bound not to interfere, stood by while -the two fierce foes closed in deadly conflict. Walker, though a resolute -and strong man, was not equal in a knife fight to the supple savage. -After a few passes, Fall-leaf buried his knife in the rebel’s bosom. -Thus closed the career of a bad man—bad by nature, but rendered doubly -bad by the cause which he espoused. To serve that cause he had to betray -his country, desert his friends, stifle the voice of conscience, perjure -his honor, become a hypocrite and a deceiver: after that, all other -degrees of crime were easy. - -Wells followed the men at length, and appeared on the spot. He was -shocked at the sight before him, but conceded its justice. His own wish -was to have secured Walker for trial and punishment according to -military law; yet, it must be acknowledged that, many times, he felt -like wreaking condign personal vengeance on the head of the man who had -wrought so successfully in crime. He ordered the body to be buried in -the _débris_ at the foot of the cliff; and there it reposes to-day, with -no monument save the cave above, which will long remain as a witness to -the traitor’s crime and traitor’s doom. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - _The Body-Guard’s Sickness and Cure._ - - -SLOWLY the party wended its way back to the mill. Just at nightfall it -came in sight of the lowly hut which covered the treasure so dear to the -heart of the rescued maiden. How her eager arms longed to clasp her -brother’s form to her bosom—how her ears longed for the sound of his -voice! The wings of the swallow would have been slow for her pining -soul; but the moment of reunion came at last—the dead was made alive, -the lost restored. Miss Hayward, gallanted by Wells, pressed on ahead of -the troop, and their panting steeds at length stood riderless before the -cabin-door, for the riders had disappeared within. - -The meeting of brother and sister was one of mingled pleasure and pain. -Both had suffered so much that to think of it was pain. Captain Hayward -was greatly emaciated. Loss of blood, fever, hunger and exposure would -have ended a life less tenacious than his; but, despite his suffering, -the presence of friends, the rescue of his sister, the anticipated -happiness of her union with the man who had proven himself so well -worthy of her—all conspired to give an elasticity to his spirits more -potent than the infusions of herbs prepared by the not unskilled hands -of old Madge, who, from an enemy, had, “by the force of couldn’t help -herself,” as Nettleton declared, become a useful instrument at a -critical moment. - -And what about Nettleton? All day long after the morning’s experience at -the cave, he had plodded on soberly, somewhat absorbed in his own -reflections. Behind him sat Fall-leaf, who, from his weak state, was -well content to ride. The Indian, though perfectly silent and apparently -indifferent to all things, now that his work was done, still was -inwardly pleased at the rescue and the thought of the pleasure in store -for the captain, of whose safety he had been informed by Nettleton; and -he was quite willing to go into camp for a few days before putting out -again on his endless scouts. - -“Nettle be sick?” he at length asked of his companion. - -“Not by a darn sight, Ingen?” - -“Nettle _be_ sick—Fall-leaf knows it!” - -“You be danged to darnation, you red onion-head of a Delaware!” was the -somewhat excited answer, as he turned in the saddle and stared the -Indian in the face. - -Fall-leaf smiled. “Nettle want physic—Miss Long give Nettle physic,” he -obstinately persisted. - -“Now look here, Mr. Ingen, ef you wants to fight, jest you say so, and -I’ll be catawampussed ef I don’t lick you wuss’n a nigger what’s got a -mad woman arter him!” - -“Fall-leaf no want to fight Nettle. Maybe whip Nettle—den what Miss Long -say?” - -“Yoh—yoh! you mean, sneakin’ son of a brick-kiln! Ef you don’t stop that -clapper in your head, I’ll be switched ef I don’t put a peg through it!” -And he set his face firmly to the front, roweled the horse severely with -his spurs, and dashed ahead at a speed quite uncomfortable to the -provoking Delaware. - -When the cavalcade reached the cabin, Nettleton did not obtrude himself -upon the party within. For an hour or more they were alone. At length -Hayward asked: “Where is my brave preserver? Why is he not here to enjoy -our happiness? And Fall-leaf, too; I would thank him as he deserves, the -noble and devoted savage.” - -Search was made. Fall-leaf was found out by the camp-fire, undergoing -the process of the lotion-cure for his wounds, at the hands of Madge, -who was carefully washing the bruised and cut flesh of the red-man. All -inquiries for Nettleton were fruitless; he was not to be found. It was -ascertained, at length, that his horse also was gone. Many were the -surmises as to the cause of his absence, and fears were expressed for -his safety. - -Morning came, and the party, now rejoined by the entire battalion, -prepared to move, by easy stages, from the valley toward the line of -march pursued by the retreating army. Captain Hayward was made quite -comfortable in a camp-wagon, with his sister for companion and nurse. -Fall-leaf pushed out far ahead to scout and secure the command from -surprise. Adjutant Hinton and Wells were tireless in their devotion to -the comfort and safety of their charge. It was a pleasant journey—that -week of slow progress toward Tipton. At length, however, the village -hove in sight. The white tents dotting the hills and valleys proved that -the division was there. While yet a long way off, a party of horsemen, -accompanied by ladies, was seen dashing off at full speed toward the -spot where the battalion had halted for its noon bivouac. Wells caught -sight of the party, and with his glass made out the gaunt form of -Nettleton far in advance. Behind him on the same horse rode a female, -whose identity the officer could not fix. Nearer and nearer the horsemen -came, until, after an exciting race, they dashed into the camp—Nettleton -and Sally Long! They were received with a wild huzza from the entire -troop, and none shouted louder than Nettleton himself. - -“Hooray! hooray! By the eternal jingo!” he cried, leaping from the -horse, and leaving Miss Sally sitting there alone, before the eyes of -the joyous and excited troops. Making his way to the captain’s -“marquee”—as the men had named the wagon—he was welcomed by Hayward in a -manner which quickly turned his servant’s joy to mourning, for the -embrace of real affection bestowed quite upset Nettleton’s confidence. - -“I’m nothin’ but a great darn skunk, any how!” he exclaimed, as, -breaking away from the captain’s embrace, he started for his horse and -the neglected Sally. - -“Nettle be sick!” - -He turned to behold Fall-leaf gazing upon him in mock compassion. - -“Not by a danged sight, you infernal lump of glory!” he now shouted, as, -clasping the Indian in his arms, he gave the red-man a hug which brought -forth a grunt. - -“Ugh! Nettle make Fall-leaf sick! Guess Nettle got full of Miss Sally -now!” - -“Yes, sar; and thar she is, in all her glory!” was the rejoinder, as the -“body-guard” pointed, in evident pride, to the smiling woman. - -“Gentlemen of the jury! let me present to you my wife—the dangdest sk— -no, the most blissful woman you ever saw.” - -“Your _wife_!” exclaimed a dozen voices at once. - -“Yes, my wife! Hitched to me tighter’n a handle to the jug, by Chaplain -Disbrow, two days ago, by the eternal jingo!” - -This was enough for the men. All order gave way before the hilarious -uproar which followed. They pressed around Sally to offer their -congratulations, which the delighted wife received with great -good-nature and dignity, still sitting where she had been left—behind -the saddle, on the horse. - -At this moment the party first descried rode up. It was composed of Mrs. -Hinton, Miss Morton and a number of friends eager to welcome the captain -and his sister, of whose fortunes Nettleton had most unexpectedly, three -days before, brought the news to camp. That it was a joyous meeting may -well be assumed. - - * * * * * - -Does not our story here end? To say that Miss Mamie Hayward soon became -Mrs. Wells, in the presence of the whole division—that a grand gala-day -followed—is but half the truth, however; for, at the same time, another -bridegroom was there in the form of the pale but happy Captain Henry -Hayward, who took to be his comforter and his much-needed nurse, the -woman who loved him most truly—Miss Nettie Morton. It was, indeed, a -most happy consummation of a drama which promised, at one time, to end -only in sorrow and broken hearts. - -Not the least happy of all that throng, nor the least noted, was - - NETTLETON, THE CAPTAIN’S BODY-GUARD. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Punctuation and hyphenation have been made consistent. - -The spelling has been retained with the exception of the following: - - hight -> height - iutruder -> intruder - turkle-dove -> turtle-dove - disppointment -> disappointment - _he’ll_ dirty has hands -> _he’ll_ dirty his hands - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRISONER OF THE MILL*** - - -******* This file should be named 51318-0.txt or 51318-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/1/3/1/51318 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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