They had much to say to each other, and talked longer than they thought, but were about to part, mutually agreeing to withdraw their men, when they were startled by the sound of rapid firing. Looking up they saw that Fred’s men were being charged by a large force of Confederates. They were in full retreat, firing as they galloped back. Fred was alone in the midst of his enemies. The Confederates proved to be a full squadron in command of Major Conway. He was accompanied by Captain Mathews. No sooner did they see Fred than they shouted in their delight. “The hoss is mine again!” cried Mathews. “And this spy and sneak is in my power at last,” exclaimed Conway, pointing at Fred; “and what is better I have you, my fine fellow,” said Conway, turning to Calhoun. “I have long known that you were holding treasonable conferences with the enemy, and have only been waiting for indubitable proof. I have it now. “Lieutenant,” turning to one of his officers, “arrest Lieutenant Pennington, and on your life see that he does not escape.” The enormity of the charge dumbfounded Calhoun. He could scarcely believe his ears. He began to protest, but was cut short by Conway, who ordered the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten men and to conduct Calhoun straightway to General Bragg at Tullahoma. “Tell the General,” he said, “that I have positive proof of Lieutenant Pennington’s treasonable intercourse with the enemy. The case is so important I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to him. As soon as I see General Morgan I will file formal charges.” The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders to take Calhoun direct to Bragg, but he said nothing, and choosing his escort, was soon on the way to Tullahoma with his prisoner. Major Conway’s real object in sending Calhoun to Tullahoma was to bring the case directly to the notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan to take action. He knew that his charge would not be believed in Morgan’s command, but he would see that there was plenty of evidence at the right time. Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most heinous offence of which an officer could be guilty, it is no wonder that Calhoun’s heart sank within him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma. “Better to have been hanged as a spy by the Federals than to be shot as a traitor by my own men,” he muttered to himself. The thought of dying such a disgraceful death was maddening. When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by General Bragg was not exactly such as he had expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a great stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant who had Calhoun in charge reported to him, and told him the verbal message which Major Conway had sent, he flew into a furious rage. “What does Major Conway mean by sending a prisoner to me with such a message as that?” he sputtered. “What is General Morgan about that he has not attended to this, and presented his charges in due form.