Chapter 9 No.9

The Friends-The Proposal-The Rejection-The Fate.

'Tis sweet to die for one's country!-Old Maxim.

The alarm caused by the firing of the gun had entirely subsided, as nothing was discovered. Upon questioning the guard, he stated that he was suddenly seized, and thrown violently to the ground. But, before he could recover his surprise and fire, the form had disappeared among the trees. Some believed that spies were lurking about camp, while others attributed the alarm entirely to the imagination or fear of the guard.

The morning dawned, bright and beautiful. Hayward had entirely returned to consciousness; but was unable to converse, and appeared to notice nothing which transpired around him. He did not even speak to, or recognize, his fair attendant, Alibamo. At times his words were of home-his friends were called upon-and then he would remain silent.

The army took up its line of march. Hayward was transported as before, and at each night was kindly cared for by Alibamo and the other attendant, who still were permitted to remain with him. At last they reached the grand prairie, west of Springfield, and encamped for the night.

"Is Captain Hayward sufficiently recovered to converse?" asked Price of Branch.

"Oh! yes; he is rapidly recovering. His wound is not so serious as at first supposed. It is true he is quite weak from loss of blood, but still strong enough to be dangerous. It is my advice that he be removed from the main army, as his friends will spare no trouble to rescue him. We are to have a battle very soon, I suppose, and we may lose him, even if not defeated, as the body-guard will dash to the point where he is held, and attempt his rescue; and you know, general, we might almost as well attempt to meet lightning as that fanatical set of cut-throats. They are, I am told, the choicest men out of a hundred thousand, and fight for the mere love of the fun."

"Where can we remove Hayward, that he will be secure until he entirely recovers?"

"From this point to Springfield, and thence through Arkansas to Memphis."

"But he is a spy, and must hang!" replied Price.

"Such ought to be his fate, I confess. But policy dictates otherwise. He is much beloved by the army, and their revenge would be terrible."

"Do you fear their revenge, Captain Branch?"

"Not for myself, general, but for those of our army who might be taken prisoners. The federals would hang a thousand of our friends in retaliation. Besides, he is worth much more as an exchange than as a corpse."

"Your argument is logical, Captain Branch; but Hayward insulted me grossly, at one time, and my heart burns for revenge."

"True, but you can scarcely revenge yourself on such a man. Torture him, and his lip curls as if in very scorn of pain. Threaten him with death, and his proud eye flashes as he replies, 'My country will remember me!' Taunt him-spit upon him-and he does not notice it, except by a haughty air which seems to say, 'I despise you, and take nothing as an insult from those I loathe!'"

"Is there no way to humble him?" asked Price.

"No way! His proud spirit cannot be broken!"

"I will see! I shall visit him in a few moments, and if he accedes to my wishes, very well; if not, he shall be thrown into the dungeon, and there left to rot and die. As you say, sudden death would have no terrors to such a soul, but the damp and darkness of a prison cell will curb that proud spirit. Let me finish this dispatch, and then we will visit him."

Captain Hayward was sitting in his tent, his head bowed upon his hands, apparently buried in deep thought.

"Alibamo," said Hayward, raising his head, "what think you will be my fate?"

"I hope for a rescue!" replied the maiden.

"You are of a hopeful nature, my sweet girl, and I thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank! That is a poor word, Alibamo, for kindness such as yours. You have watched with me constantly, and, like a bright angel, have ministered to my wants. Your presence has cheered me in my sad hours, when pain and suffering had unmanned me. And I love you, Alibamo, almost as much as I love my own darling sister."

"Your sister!" repeated Alibamo, with evident pain. "Yes-I know you love her, for you have often spoken of her in your delirium."

"Have you received any word from our friends?"

"Not one word since that mysterious hand extended to me those words of hope the first night after your capture."

"Nettleton," said Hayward, addressing his attendant, "have you heard me spoken of among the soldiers?"

"Yes, captain, the darn skunks talk about you considerable."

"'What do they say?"

"Why, I heerd some on em say it was a darn shame that a bold feller like you should be--"

"Hung up like a dog! Why don't you finish the sentence?"

"Well, that's just what they did say. But I heerd one what ain't very far from you now, say, he'd be d--d if Captain Hayward should die any such way, and when he had waited till the last minute, if no help came, he would put a bullet right through your heart, and save you from the darn rope, anyway!"

"Brave boy! You have a noble heart," said Hayward, grasping his hand.

"No I hain't. Don't say so, captain, cos when you do, I can't keep these dam water-drops out of my eyes, cos I'm a darn skunk anyway, and ain't worth any such words from you."

"Nettleton, how have you managed to remain with me so long without being suspected?"

"O Lord! I'm such a darn skunk nobody would ever think of suspecting me! They think I don't know any more than a half-grown calf. And I spose I don't!"

"How did you get with me at all?"

"Why, after the fight was over I stood right still, and nobody noticed me, except one feller who said, 'Git out of my way, greeney.' And so I followed on after the rest of 'em, and managed to keep with you ever since. And if I can only do you some good, I shall think I ain't quite such a darn skunk after all."

"Nettleton, I wish you would not use that expression quite so often."

"What expression, captain?"

"Why, darn skunk!"

"Well I won't, captain, only I know that I am a darn skunk, any way."

"Captain," said Alibamo, "you spoke of your sister. Is she far from here?"

"Not far-merely in Ohio."

"If by chance you are rescued and removed to the Union camp, do you not wish her sent for?"

"No-not for the world!"

"She would come if sent for, would she not?"

"Yes, if she lived to get here. But, do not think of such a thing. I shall never see her. But when I am dead, let her know it, but not how I died. To know that I am dead will break her heart."

Alibamo sobbed audibly.

"Why are you weeping, Alibamo."

"I was thinking of your sister?"

"I wish I could cease thinking of her, now that death is staring me in the face. I do not fear to die, but I do fear to let her know that she no longer has a brother. O Alibamo! if you could see her once, you would not wonder that I love her! Why, she would hang upon my neck, and listen to each word, as if her life depended on her hearing every sound. And when I parted with her for the wars, it seemed as if her soul left with me. She did not weep, but clung to me, while her little form trembled like the lily torn by the tempest's blast. And her last words were, 'Heaven must return to me my brother!'"

"And if earth should not, heaven will!" sobbed Alibamo.

"Well, I will talk no more of death. The grave looks cold and cheerless, and I shudder as I approach it in this manner. Nettleton, I shall give you some instructions which I know you will see faithfully carried out!"

"You may depend upon it, captain. But you ain't dead yet, and-"

"Major-General Sterling Price," was announced by an orderly.

Price entered the tent.

"Good evening, Captain Hayward. I am glad to see you so far recovered. I trust you will soon be able to receive and wear your sword again!" These words were spoken by Price in a tone of extreme kindness. Hayward looked up surprised, and replied:

"I do not comprehend you, general!"

"That is because you deem me your enemy!"

"And are you not so? If I remember rightly, when we met at your camp on the Osage, you expressed a desire to get Captain Hayward in your power. You have him, now."

"I did not know the man then. He was my enemy, but I can scarcely be an enemy to so brave a man. It is true I have much cause. You came to my camp in disguise, you deceived my orderly and obtained possession of important papers, you placed my scouts in the guard-house for your own safety; you visited and conversed with my officers, gaining all the intelligence you desired; you assisted a prisoner to escape, and meeting a party of my scouts you killed six with your own hand before you were shot down yourself. The papers which were on your person could not be found, and therefore they must have been sent by you to your general. All this was done with a boldness that wins my admiration, but still its punishment is death."

"Which I expect to receive at your hands," replied Hayward, coldly.

"Your life may be spared!" said Price.

"Not a great boon," replied Hayward.

"Do you not wish to live for your sister's sake?" asked Branch.

Hayward started, and a tremor ran through his frame. But in an instant he recovered his self-possession, and said:

"I was conversing with General Price-not you, sir."

Branch bit his lips, but did not speak.

"Well, Captain Hayward, I must speak plainly, and I know you prefer I should do so. It is a pity such a man as you should die, and by the rope. I would much prefer to have met you on the battle-field, but it is too late now. The sentence of your crime is death, and but one thing can save you."

"You need not trouble yourself to name that one thing," said Hayward.

"I see, you understand me. But, the proposition I was about to make was not intended to insult you. I honestly believe that I am right, while you believe that you are. Both of us have sense and judgment. One of us must be wrong. I believe I have thoroughly examined this matter, and I can but feel that if you would do the same, impartially and without prejudice, you would feel as I do. Understand, our interests at the South are different from yours at the North. We do not wish to interfere with your government or your interests. We only ask a government of our own, and that you should not interfere with our interests. We do not march our armies into your territories, and we feel that you have no right to march into ours. It will not damage the great North to permit the Southern States to form a government of their own, one that will correspond with their interests; and, so long as we could derive great benefit from it, why should you object? The North is prosperous, because its government is in accordance with its interests and institutions. The South is not prosperous, because the North, governing the whole, has forced upon us a government antagonistic to our interests and institutions. Why not give us a chance for ourselves? But you will not; and so we are compelled to strike for our rights."

"If you truly feel as you speak, you are an honest enemy, at least. You may tell me what the proposition is which you wish to make."

"You are a brave man, and I would like your services and influence in our army and cause. I do not wish you to act against your feelings or principles; but, I heartily wish you could view our cause as I view it, and come with us. You shall have command of a regiment-perhaps of a brigade!"

"General Price," replied Hayward in a mild tone, "I thank you for the delicate manner in which you have made this proposition. I cannot deem it an insult, as your manner is that of a man who makes an offer, sincerely and in good faith, not as a bribe. But I cannot view this matter as you do, and consequently cannot accept your offer or entertain it for a moment. My country, my whole country, right or wrong, is my motto. There is but one flag, and that is the Stars and Stripes, for me."

"I regret it, as I really do not wish to see so brave a man die so young!"

"A truce to compliments, General Price. I have done that which I deemed my duty. If you have a duty to perform, and the performance of it calls for my blood, don't let 'my bravery' influence you!"

"Will you give your parole of honor never to take up arms against us again, if I release you?" asked Price.

"No, sir!" was the firm but mild reply.

"You are proud, Captain Hayward!"

"That is not to the purpose, General Price. I shall do nothing, excepting to escape if I can. I ask but one favor of you."

"What is that favor?"

"That you will tell me what is to be my fate!"

"I will do so. To-morrow you start for Springfield under a strong guard. The next day you will be sent forward on your way to Memphis, through Arkansas. At Memphis you will be imprisoned, and detained for the present. There will be little hope of exchange, however, as you are a spy, and must eventually suffer death."

"Why am I not at once executed?"

"Because the federal forces hold some of our prisoners, on whom they would retaliate."

"Will I be permitted to communicate with my friends or send them word where I have been taken?"

"That cannot be permitted," answered Price.

"Under whose charge am I to be sent?" asked Hayward.

"Under that of Captain Branch as far as Springfield. From there it is left to the captain to make further arrangements."

Hayward had started to his feet, and his eyes met those of Branch. There was lightning in that gaze, but it was met with equal sternness.

"Do you object to Captain Branch?" asked Price.

"Yes. I object to anyone who is so great a coward as to strike a wounded, senseless man, merely to revenge himself upon a woman!"

"What do you mean?" asked Price.

"I will tell you. This woman prisoner hates Branch, and I do not wonder. She taunts him, and what woman of spirit would not? He would strike her, if he dare, and because he dare not, he took the noble method of revenge, by striking me in the face with his sword-scabbard, when I was senseless and tied on my horse. He thought she would suffer, because I did-the base, cowardly cur."

"Of this I knew nothing. Is it true, Captain Branch?" asked Price.

"It is not true, but false as hell, and Hayward knows it is false?" replied Branch, in a rage.

"Well, with this I have nothing to do. Good night, Captain Hayward. If you should make up your mind to accept my terms, let me hear from you."

Price left the tent with Branch.

"Let us sleep, friends, and prepare for to-morrow. God knows what it will bring for us. But still, let us hope. I am glad we go to Springfield."

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