I thought it never would open. A volley crashed into us, and Sands pitched down upon his face, clutching at the man next him as he fell. I glanced back anxiously--a dark, confused mass of men, without military formation, were running across the open space toward us. “'Bout face!” I shouted. “Load at will--fire!” We poured one scattering volley into them. It halted their movement for a moment, and then the door opened a scant crack. “Is this you, Caton?” “Yes; for God's sake, open up!” The heavy door swung slowly inward, and with a wild rush to be first, we surged headlong into the hall. CHAPTER XXX A UNION OF YANK AND REB As the heavy door clanged behind us some one upon the outside began pounding upon it, while with deadly chug a bullet crashed into the oaken panel. “Donnerwetter!” shouted a deep voice, wildly. “Captain, I am yet out mit der bullets.” With a crash I flung aside the thick iron bar which answered as a lock, and drew in the Sergeant, yet panting heavily from his hard run. “By Chiminy, dot vas a narrow squeak,” he exclaimed, as I released my grasp upon him and hurled the door back into its place. A dim light swinging suspended from the ceiling of the great wide hall revealed clearly the scene within. As I turned I beheld Brennan for the first time, and his face remains a memory. Standing with his back to the stair-railing, a revolver grasped tightly in either hand, his eyes burning, his countenance flushed with anger, and clouded by doubt, he appeared almost like one distracted. At sight of me he gave up all attempt to control his raging temper. “What does all this mean?” he demanded hoarsely. “Who are these men? Caton, if you have betrayed us, by God, I will shoot you dead.” “There is no betrayal,” returned the Lieutenant, coolly. “These men are friends.” “Friends?” he laughed cynically. “Friends? in that uniform, and you attired in a Rebel cavalry jacket? Friends? that fellow over there?” and he pointed derisively at me with his pistol barrel. “Damn you, but I believe you are all a pack of lying thieves!” Caton's face burned. He took one step toward him, his hands clinched, and when he spoke his clear voice shook with intense indignation. “Major Brennan,” he said, coldly deliberate, “you are my superior officer, but you go beyond all privilege of rank in those words. I say these men are friends; they have sunk the issues of war in order that they may answer the call of humanity. If you dare impeach my motives any further, I shall hurl back the cowardly insult in your face. I will take no such words, sir, from any living man.” Brennan looked at him, his lips struggling with the utterance that would not come. Knowing well the danger of such delay, I hastily pushed aside the ring of men, and fronted him, determined to end this foolishness then and there.