Nathan turned pale. Barnabas and McNicol heard the sentence without moving a muscle. A file of the Royal Greens stepped forward, bringing their musket butts to earth with a dull clatter. But just as several Tories laid hold of the victims to place them in position, an unexpected interference came from Godfrey Spencer. "Colonel Butler," he exclaimed, "let me speak to you before this goes any further." "Stop, you fool," muttered Glass, trying to push the lad back. "Let me go," Godfrey whispered fiercely. "If you don't, I'll tell all." "What do you want to say?" asked Colonel Butler. "Oh, it's you, Lieutenant Spencer!" "Sir, I beg you to spare these men," pleaded Godfrey. "With justice to yourself, you can waive the question of their bearing arms, since their object in coming to the cabin to-night was in no wise contrary to the terms of the surrender. We came for the same purpose, and the meeting was accidental. Simon Glass has lied deliberately, and I can vouch for it that he would have shot the prisoners at once, had they given themselves up." Glass ground his teeth with rage, and had looks been able to kill, the lad must have fallen dead. "I can't understand this hurried march of your little detachment from the Jersies to Wyoming," replied Colonel Butler. "You told me you were sent by Major Langdon, and now I infer that this cabin was connected with your mission; also, that the prisoners marched from the Jersies with the same purpose in view. I would like a further explanation." "That I can't give, sir," Godfrey answered firmly. "Perhaps you can?" and the Colonel turned to Barnabas. The old man shook his head. "It's a private matter, sir," he replied, "an' my lips are sealed. But what this young lieutenant says is all true." Colonel Butler looked puzzled and vexed. "Whom did Major Langdon put in command of the party?" he sharply inquired of Godfrey. "Simon Glass, sir." "And why were you--an officer of rank--sent along as a subordinate?" "I don't know, sir. I don't even know fully the object of the expedition." "Glass, you can explain this mystery," exclaimed the Colonel, losing patience. "Sir, would you have me betray my trust?" demanded Glass, with well-feigned indignation. "You saw my papers yesterday. You know that they are signed by Major Langdon, and that I am acting under his orders." "And under mine as well, sir," replied the Colonel, with a frown. "There can be no independent commands while I have control here. Come, we'll drop the question of Major Langdon's authority. I want you to do some work for me to-morrow. You are just the man for it, and you can have the force you led out of the fort when my back was turned." "I am at your service, sir," Glass replied in a mollified tone. The Colonel nodded. "You may as well camp here for the balance of the night, and start early in the morning. Scour the whole upper part of the valley, and burn every cabin and house to its foundations."