“Spies do not always carry arms. Papers are more to their taste. You say you came to see an uncle. Where does he live? Why did you visit him at night?” “I knew {065}that the enemy lay near us, and I didn't want to be taken prisoner.” “Where is this uncle?” “He lives back of the bluff, on the right hand side of the road.” “We'll invite him into our camp, and see if he'll own the relationship.” [Illustration: 0073] The boy's face flushed with wounded pride, as he answered scornfully: “We call our old servants uncle and aunt. He is an old colored man, and lives on this side of the river--one of our old slaves, whom my father freed.” “We'll send you to the guard-house until more is known about you,” was the stern retort. The boy was removed to the guard-house. To Ralph he was {066}an object of much interest. His sympathies went out to him and he longed to say something comforting. And so when his turn to act as corporal of the guard, with the abrupt frankness of youth, he blurted out: “What were you doing over here the other night?” [Illustration: 0074] “I have given an account of myself to your superiors.” “Don't be so lofty. I don't mean to be inquisitive, but I thought you might like to know that I am awful sorry I brought you into this trouble.” The boys face softened. “I don't know as you could do anything else under the circumstances. {067}I suppose, in fact, I know, I'd have done just as you did. Perhaps worse,” he muttered. “I might have shot you.” “Then you don't hold any grudge against me?” “Well, I can't pretend that I'm grateful to you for my detention in this hole, but I can't blame you, either.” “Were you really going to see the old slave you told the colonel about?” An indescribable expression flitted across the boy's features. “I said so once. My word is usually taken, where I am known. Why do you ask?” “Oh, from curiosity, I suppose. You look too young to be very dangerous.” “I'm as old as you are. You look too young to be carrying arms against your countrymen.” “Oh, I'm going to help put down this rebellion.” “A hard job you've selected. It is not a rebellion; it's an uprising against meddlesome Yankee interference.” Ralph's eyes flashed fire. “You don't mean to say that you justify the South, do you?” “I not only justify it, but am proud to belong to a people who can never be subdued. Your people are trying to force us to give up our rights, but we won't be driven. We have thousands of men in the field, who do not know how to fear. And when their places are vacant, more are waiting to fill them. We despise the North, and want to be a separate people.” “You despise a government that has always protected you in all your rights. You have no cause for wishing to be disunited. How dare you talk so to me?” “'Dare?' Am I not your equal? Why should I not speak when I am insulted?” “Don't talk treason to me again, then.”