‘Waal, I allow they had a leetle gun and a pepperbox; but who wouldn’t these days?’ said Ephraim. ‘And as tew the plans, they warn’t nuthing but a road map of the valley and a small bit of paper with the news of the war so far as it’s got. I saw that, so I know.’ ‘But what about the struggle?’ put in the brigadier. ‘I’m coming tew that. Ye see, the kernel he questioned the two boys, he did. One of them war about nineteen and the other sixteen, I should say, or tharabouts. Fact is, they told him so; but he could git nuthing out of ’em but that they war jest out fer a spree. The leetle one up and told him straight, says he: “Southern gentlemen don’t lie.” That’s what he said.’ The officers all smiled. ‘Well?’ said the general as Ephraim paused. ‘Waal, sir, he wouldn’t begin tew believe ’em, and because he couldn’t find out nuthing agin ’em, he says: “Cut a couple of ropes from that balloon and string these cubs up tew the nighest tree.” That’s what he said.’ ‘What!’ vociferated the general. ‘Do you mean to tell me he gave orders for them to be hanged?’ ‘Jest that,’ nodded Ephraim; ‘and they war nuthing but boys, I let yew know. Waal, the men didn’t like the job, and thar war some hanging back instead of hanging up; and the kernel he got madder than ever, and when the older boy up and arsked him ter let ’em orf, he up and kicked him.’ ‘The brute!’ interjected the general, and Ephraim went on: ‘With that the leetler boy got mad, and he runs up tew the kernel and ketches him one, two, right in the face, and before he could turn, the other boy grabbed him round the legs and laid him on his back; and before yew could say “Abe Lincoln,” the two of ’em war off tew the woods.’ ‘Bravo!’ exclaimed the brigadier. ‘I am glad of it. Were they followed?’ ‘They war,’ replied Ephraim; ‘but I guess the men didn’t want tew ketch them, for they got clean off.’ ‘That is a very different story,’ commented General Shields, when Ephraim had brought his narrative to a close. ‘Still, there are some things to be explained. The presence of the balloon is itself suspicious, and it is incredible that they should have made it themselves.’ ‘That’s what they said, anyhow,’ remarked Ephraim. ‘Quite so; I understand that,’ said the general. ‘I suppose,’ he added after a pause, ‘you would have no objection to repeat your story if brought face to face with Colonel Spriggs?’ ‘Nary a objection,’ replied Ephraim with alacrity; ‘if ye fetch him back, I’ll say it all over agen.’ For, seeing the general’s mood, and having heard his avowed detestation of Spriggs, he began to wish that he had thrown himself upon the former’s generosity to start with. However, he thought within himself that there would be no difficulty about that when the time came.