CHAPTER IX.
_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, asnothing was discovered. Upon questioning the guard, he stated that hewas suddenly seized, and thrown violently to the ground. But, before hecould recover his surprise and fire, the form had disappeared among thetrees. Some believed that spies were lurking about camp, while othersattributed the alarm entirely to the imagination or fear of the guard.
The morning dawned, bright and beautiful. Hayward had entirely returnedto consciousness; but was unable to converse, and appeared to noticenothing which transpired around him. He did not even speak to, orrecognize, his fair attendant, Alibamo. At times his words were ofhome--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 otherattendant, who still were permitted to remain with him. At last theyreached the grand prairie, west of Springfield, and encamped for thenight.
"Is Captain Hayward sufficiently recovered to converse?" asked Price ofBranch.
"Oh! yes; he is rapidly recovering. His wound is not so serious as atfirst supposed. It is true he is quite weak from loss of blood, butstill strong enough to be dangerous. It is my advice that he be removedfrom 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, evenif not defeated, as the body-guard will dash to the point where he isheld, and attempt his rescue; and you know, general, we might almost aswell attempt to meet lightning as that fanatical set of cut-throats.They are, I am told, the choicest men out of a hundred thousand, andfight for the mere love of the fun."
"Where can we remove Hayward, that he will be secure until he entirelyrecovers?"
"From this point to Springfield, and thence through Arkansas toMemphis."
"But he is a spy, and must hang!" replied Price.
"Such ought to be his fate, I confess. But policy dictates otherwise. Heis 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 takenprisoners. The federals would hang a thousand of our friends inretaliation. Besides, he is worth much more as an exchange than as acorpse."
"Your argument is logical, Captain Branch; but Hayward insulted megrossly, 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 haughtyair which seems to say, 'I despise you, and take nothing as an insultfrom 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 mywishes, very well; if not, he shall be thrown into the dungeon, andthere left to rot and die. As you say, sudden death would have noterrors to such a soul, but the damp and darkness of a prison cell willcurb that proud spirit. Let me finish this dispatch, and then we willvisit 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 myfate?"
"I hope for a rescue!" replied the maiden.
"You are of a hopeful nature, my sweet girl, and I thank you for yourwords of encouragement. Thank! That is a poor word, Alibamo, forkindness such as yours. You have watched with me constantly, and, like abright angel, have ministered to my wants. Your presence has cheered mein my sad hours, when pain and suffering had unmanned me. And I loveyou, Alibamo, almost as much as I love my own darling sister."
"Your sister!" repeated Alibamo, with evident pain. "Yes--I know youlove 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 ofhope the first night after your capture."
"Nettleton," said Hayward, addressing his attendant, "have you heard mespoken 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 fellerlike 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 veryfar from you now, say, he'd be d----d if Captain Hayward should die anysuch 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 thedarn 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 thesedam water-drops out of my eyes, cos I'm a darn skunk anyway, and ain'tworth any such words from you."
"Nettleton, how have you managed to remain with me so long without beingsuspected?"
"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 Idon't!"
"How did you get with me at all?"
"Why, after the fight was over I stood right still, and nobody noticedme, except one feller who said, 'Git out of my way, greeney.' And so Ifollowed on after the rest of 'em, and managed to keep with you eversince. And if I can only do you some good, I shall think I ain't quitesuch 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 fromhere?"
"Not far--merely in Ohio."
"If by chance you are rescued and removed to the Union camp, do you notwish 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. Ishall 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 inthe face. I do not fear to die, but I do fear to let her know that sheno longer has a brother. O Alibamo! if you could see her once, you wouldnot wonder that I love her! Why, she would hang upon my neck, and listento each word, as if her life depended on her hearing every sound. Andwhen I parted with her for the wars, it seemed as if her soul left withme. She did not weep, but clung to me, while her little form trembledlike 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 giveyou 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. Itrust you will soon be able to receive and wear your sword again!" Thesewords were spoken by Price in a tone of extreme kindness. Hayward lookedup 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 onthe 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 anenemy to so brave a man. It is true I have much cause. You came to mycamp in disguise, you deceived my orderly and obtained possession ofimportant papers, you placed my scouts in the guard-house for your ownsafety; you visited and conversed with my officers, gaining all theintelligence you desired; you assisted a prisoner to escape, and meetinga party of my scouts you killed six with your own hand before you wereshot down yourself. The papers which were on your person could not befound, 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 itspunishment 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 instanthe 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 Ishould do so. It is a pity such a man as you should die, and by therope. I would much prefer to have met you on the battle-field, but it istoo late now. The sentence of your crime is death, and but one thing cansave 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 wasnot 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 ofus _must_ be _wrong_. I believe I have thoroughly examined this matter,and I can but feel that if you would do the same, impartially andwithout prejudice, you would feel as I do. Understand, our interests atthe South are different from yours at the North. We do _not_ wish tointerfere with _your_ government or your interests. We only ask agovernment of our own, and that you should not interfere with _our_interests. We do not march our armies into _your_ territories, and wefeel that you have no right to march into _ours_. It will not damage thegreat North to permit the Southern States to form a government of theirown, one that will correspond with their interests; and, so long as wecould derive great benefit from it, why should you object? The North isprosperous, because its government is in accordance with its interestsand institutions. The South is _not_ prosperous, because the North,governing the whole, has forced upon us a government antagonistic to ourinterests and institutions. Why not give us a chance for ourselves? Butyou 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. Youmay tell me what the proposition is which you wish to make."
"You are a brave man, and I would like your services and influence inour army and cause. I do not wish you to act against your feelings orprinciples; 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 abrigade!"
"General Price," replied Hayward in a mild tone, "I thank you for thedelicate manner in which you have made this proposition. I cannot deemit 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 thismatter as you do, and consequently cannot accept your offer or entertainit for a moment. My country, my whole country, right or wrong, is mymotto. There is but one flag, and that is the Stars and Stripes, forme."
"I regret it, as I really _do not_ wish to see so brave a man die soyoung!"
"A truce to compliments, General Price. I have done that which I deemedmy duty. If you have a duty to perform, and the performance of it callsfor my blood, don't let 'my bravery' influence you!"
"Will you give your parole of honor never to take up arms against usagain, 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, throughArkansas. At Memphis you will be imprisoned, and detained for thepresent. There will be little hope of exchange, however, as you are aspy, and must eventually suffer death."
"Why am I not at once executed?"
"Because the federal forces hold some of our prisoners, on whom theywould retaliate."
"Will I be permitted to communicate with my friends or send them wordwhere 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 isleft to the captain to make further arrangements."
Hayward had started to his feet, and his eyes met those of Branch. Therewas 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 awounded, 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 ofrevenge, by striking me in the face with his sword-scabbard, when I wassenseless and tied on my horse. He thought _she_ would suffer, because Idid--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. Ifyou 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 itwill bring for us. But still, let us hope. I am glad we go toSpringfield."
The Border Spy; or, The Beautiful Captive of the Rebel Camp Page 9
