"I don't see what else I can do," was the cool reply, and as he spoke, Artie raised his hands. But he also walked to the window,--to find it locked, and another negro standing guard outside. "There is where you show your sense, Captain. Joe, advance and receive the captain's sabre and his pistol." "You spoke about what was done with the guerillas at Greeger Lake. Are you going to rob me of my weapons?" "No, you shall have them back,--when the proper time comes. If I let you keep them, you might attempt to commit suicide when left alone." "Which means that you are going to make a prisoner of me?" "Which means exactly that, Captain. I trust you enjoy the prospect." "I think it is a foolish movement on your part. Do you not know that this country is overrun with Union troops, some of which are bound to come to this place sooner or later?" "Let them come; we do not care," burst out Mrs. Bradner. "My poor brother's loss shall be avenged!" she added tragically. "Did your brother belong to those guerillas?" questioned Artie, a light breaking in on his mind. "He was at the head of the command which participated in the unfortunate engagement at Greeger Lake," responded the woman, tartly. "He would have won had he not been outnumbered, four to one." "Was your brother Major Gossley?" continued Artie. "He was and is. His command is now with General Bragg--and will soon help to wipe out this horde of villanous mudsills, who have entered our State," resumed the lady of the house, grandiloquently. "Do you remember my brother in person?" "I remember him very well. There was a miller at Greeger Lake named Price. He had hidden away his money, and your brother made him give it up by threatening to hang him. The man was dragged to a tree and a rope placed about his neck. When the Riverlawns captured the command, your brother was compelled to give Price back his money." At these plain words, the lady of the house grew furious. "It is a falsehood--a base, malicious, Yankee falsehood!" she screamed. "Dick, why don't you bind him and give him--a--a--the lash?" "I'll bind him fast enough," answered the colonel. "After that, we'll see what is best to be done. Joe, is there a rope handy?" "Yes, Mars'r," answered the foremost of the negroes. "Take it and bind the prisoner's hands behind him. Sam, keep him well covered, and I will do the same. Between two fires, he will keep quiet enough, I'll warrant." Without delay, the negro Joe procured the rope and walked up behind Artie. Resistance just then would have been foolish, and Artie's weapons were soon taken from him, after which he was made a close prisoner. The rope had scarcely been adjusted, when there came a loud knocking on the front door of the house. CHAPTER XV GOSSLEY THE GUERILLA "Who can that be?" asked the lady of the mansion, nervously, as the knock was repeated. "I will go and see," answered Colonel Bradner. He turned to the two negroes. "See that he doesn't get away from you."