Chapter 10 No.10

The Departure-The Meeting-The Sister-The Breaking Hearts.

This is the heaviest blow of all.-Bulwer.

The morning dawned, and still Captain Hayward slept. Alibamo was seated by his side, gazing intently upon him. Nettleton was standing in the entrance of the tent. The reveille was beating, and all without gave evidence of preparation to continue the march. As the maiden gazed upon Hayward, she said in saddened tones:

"Would to God I knew the fate hanging over this poor man, or that, whatever it is, I might be permitted to share it with him. But, I fear we shall be separated to-day. That villain Branch will show no mercy when he is under no restraint. Nettleton!"

"Here, Miss Alibamo."

"Have you discovered nothing-no signs of friends?"

"Nothing, but I will not give up yet. We may expect aid at Springfield."

"I fear all is lost. Branch will not permit the captain to remain long in Springfield, as I am told the Union army is advancing. He will be hurried off South, and I suppose we shall be separated to-day. Very likely neither of us will be permitted to go with him."

"You will, miss."

"How do you know this?"

"I'll tell you. Last night I crept close to the tent of Branch and listened. I heard him giving directions to some one he was about to send forward. I heard him say you were to go with him, and that your room would be in the hotel at Springfield which is now used as the rebel hospital. And the captain is to be imprisoned in the cellar of the same building."

"Are you to go with us?"

"I shall go, but as soon as I find out what is to be done, I shall go somewhere else."

"You don't intend to leave the captain?"

"Yes, I do!"

"What! Forsake him now!"

"Who the devil said anything about forsaking him? There's a good deal of difference between leaving and forsaking, I take it."

"I know you will act for the best, my good fellow!"

"Strike tents!" echoed through the camp from without.

"Had we not better wake the captain, Miss Alibamo? It may be the only chance he will get to say anything."

"He is moving-he wakes!"

Captain Hayward opened his eyes, and gazed around. His face while sleeping had worn a smile, but it had faded.

"Good morning, dear friends," said Hayward. "You have been watching with me all night, I fear."

"We have slept, however-that is, I have slept," answered Alibamo.

"I fear but little. You must not do this, Alibamo; you will sink under the fatigues you impose upon yourself. You will require all your strength. And have you slept, Nettleton?"

"Do you think I'd be such a darn skunk as to sleep when I might be doing something? No, I ain't quite so mean as that."

"What have you been doing?"

"Making up my mind-that's all."

"And I have been dreaming, Alibamo. Oh! It was a heavenly vision!"

"What were you dreaming, captain?"

"I was standing upon the margin of the lake near my own dear home. Far out on the waters I heard a sound, low and musical as angels' whisperings. I could not catch the words; still its melody enchanted me, and filled my soul with rapture. Nearer and nearer it approached, and louder and louder became those strains, until the mingling of ten thousand angel voices seemed to make the very waters dance with rapturous delight. My brain grew dizzy, and I sank upon the ground. I raised my eyes, and gazing through the mist, tinted with rainbow hues reflected from the rays of the golden sunset, I saw a thousand fairy forms gliding from point to point, and trilling forth their lays. And on the brow of each I saw emblazoned forth the magic word of Liberty! The sight revived me, and springing up, I cried: 'Who are those lovely beings who come forth with my country's jewel glittering on their brow?' A voice replied: 'They are Columbia's daughters-their fetters have been broken-they are free again!' 'Let me embrace them-they are my sisters!' I cried, but at that moment I was seized by an iron hand, and borne from the spot. So rapidly was I whirled along that my senses fled. When I returned to consciousness, I found myself enveloped in a dismal cloud, while at my feet a thousand hissing serpents, which resembled lightning, coiled around, but could not harm me. I heard the dreadful thunders, as they burst over me, but still I feared not. I raised my eyes, and as a cloud rolled by it revealed to my astonished gaze the form of a man standing upon the very edge of a dark cloud, while below him was a precipice, millions of feet. My blood was chilled within me lest he should fall. I heard his cursings, and I saw him reaching forward. I looked farther, and upon another cloud I saw my sister standing. She was clothed in white, and on her brow a golden wreath was shining. The clouds were rolling fast together, and he, that fiend-like form upon the other side, was reaching forward, and exulting in the thought how soon he would have her in his grasp, and hurl her down that awful chasm. My brain was reeling, and my heart bursting within me as I gazed upon this scene. I tried to speak, but terror held me dumb. She was almost in his grasp, when my sister raised a dagger, I heard a voice exclaim, 'Hold fast that steel!' I looked, and emblazoned on its polished blade, read the word virtue! The villain saw it, and sprang back with a cry of terror. I saw the cloud on which he stood turning to blood, while that upon the other side was tinged with glorious beauty. The thunder rent the dismal pall, and breaking it in pieces, I saw the villain hurled into the depths below, while hideous fiends held their orgies around him. And then commenced the strains I heard upon the lake. My sister joined the chorus, and gazing on me, smiled. Columbia's daughters came and bore that loved one to my heart, and as I clasped her close, I woke, suffocating with excessive joy!"

"O captain! that dream should make you happy-very happy. It fills my heart with joy!"

"Why so, Alibamo?"

"Because your troubles will end in the same manner. I feel sure they will."

"It cannot be!"

"And why not?"

"Because my sister was prominent in my vision, she can be in no manner connected with me here!"

"She may hear of your misfortune and visit you here."

"God forbid. No! she has no means of hearing from me. And, if she had, I would rather die a thousand deaths than have that angel sister gaze upon my sufferings. It would add to them a thousand fold, and that would drive me mad."

"Are you ready to depart?" asked Branch, who entered the tent at that moment.

"Quite ready. Am I to walk?" asked Hayward.

"No, you are to ride. Do you prefer a horse or a carriage?"

"It matters very little, as the distance is not far," answered Hayward.

"Then I will send a horse around to your tent. I intend also to grant you a great favor!"

"I shall decline any favors at your hands!" replied Hayward.

"You did not hear what that favor is to be!"

"Well, sir!"

"I intend to permit Alibamo to accompany you as far as Springfield. But to-morrow you are to take your last farewell of her. I have my plans for both you and her arranged."

Branch left the tent. In a few moments horses were brought, and Hayward, with some difficulty gained the saddle. Nettleton helped Alibamo into her seat. By this time Branch came up in company with some twenty horsemen, who were to act as the guard, and the party prepared to depart.

"Is not this young man to accompany us? He has attended to the captain's wounds, and appears familiar with the business. He is a poor, foolish fellow, and will be of little service as a soldier!" said Alibamo, pointing to Nettleton.

"Yes, he can go, if he will walk!" replied Branch.

"Will you go?" asked Alibamo.

"Well, I don't care much about it one way or t'other. But if you want me to go with you very much, I will, Miss Alibamo," replied Nettleton.

The party set off, and Nettleton trudged along after them, with his usual rickety and unsteady motion, whistling as he proceeded.

They had proceeded about two miles from camp upon the Springfield road, when Branch ordered a halt.

"Where are those hand-cuffs?" he asked.

"Here, sir!" replied one of the soldiers.

"Place them on his hands. No! not that way. Chain his hands behind him! But wait. I will reserve them for future use. Leave his hands free."

Hayward spoke not. In the course of three or four hours they reached Springfield, and halted in front of the hotel building which had been used as a rebel hospital since the battle at Wilson's creek.

"Dismount!" said Branch, in a voice of excitement, mingled with hatred.

Hayward obeyed.

"Is Davis here?" asked Branch.

"Here, sir!" replied a soldier, stepping forward.

"Has the person I wrote for arrived?"

"Yes, she is in a room above!" was the reply.

"O my God!" groaned Alibamo.

"Take that woman away," said Branch, pointing toward Alibamo. Then he added, as she was being led away,

"You shall see your captain to-morrow. And I will show you an amusing sight. You know it is Friday, hangman's day." Then turning to Hayward, he added:

"Now will I bend your proud heart. I will show you a pretty sight, presently, and to-morrow, at three o'clock, we will have a grand review in the fair ground! Come, follow me."

Hayward turned to speak with Nettleton, who had been standing beside him but a moment before, but he had disappeared.

"Why do you delay?" asked Branch.

"Because it pleases me to do so," replied Hayward.

"Bring a set of chains. Put them on his ankles!" The order was obeyed.

"Drag him along!"

"I will follow you, sir," replied Hayward.

He soon reached the main hall of the building, and, as Hayward followed his captor, the chains clanked heavily upon the floor, and echoed dimly throughout the building.

"You shall behold a friend now, and you will think better of my generosity!" said Branch, as he threw open a side-door. Hayward entered.

A wild scream rang through the room, and a lovely female sprang forward, into the arms of Hayward.

"My brother! O my brother!" were the only words spoken, and she became unconscious.

"Mamie-Mamie-Great God! why are you here? Mamie-sister, look up-speak to me-speak, or I shall die-Mamie-O God! she is dead-dead!"

And Hayward sank to the floor, still holding his sister to his heart, and burst into tears.

"Ah! ha! ha! ha! Humbled at last!" cried Branch, as he left the room.

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