"William," said Hayward, "give that fellow a lecture." "Yes, captain. Look a here, you disgrace of your country," said Nettleton, as he rode up to the side of the negro, "look a here; if I hear you open your mouth again, I'll cram the muzzle of my gun down your throat, and then shoot it off. Lord wouldn't there be a splutterin of nigger!" "I'se dumb, Cap'n Nettleton." "Well, talk no more. Come, comrades, double quick." Captain Hayward struck his horse and dashed forward, followed by the entire party. It was about two o'clock in the morning, as they were riding rapidly along, when Nettleton rode up to the side of Captain Hayward and said: "Captain, don't you see them sneaks ahead?" The captain looked toward the spot indicated and replied: "_Stumps_, you mean, William." "No, golly massa, dem's no stumps; dem's hooman beins. Dar, don't you hear dat horse whinner?" "Halt!" said Hayward. "Look to your pistols--have your swords ready--there are about twenty of them. They see us, and are awaiting our approach. It is too late to conceal ourselves. Forward!" The party moved onward at a slackened pace. When they had arrived within forty yards of the horsemen, Captain Hayward said: "Halt here a moment. I will ride forward." In an instant he had reached them. He rode up carelessly and fearlessly. "Halt!" cried the leader, addressing Hayward. "To what purpose, sir?" demanded Hayward. "For examination!" was the response. "The moon is shining brightly. You can easily examine my face and uniform. But perhaps you prefer to examine these?" said Hayward, drawing his revolver with one hand and his sword with the other. "Precisely!" was the reply, "unless _you_ pass examination first." "Well, sir, as I don't intend to submit myself to any such process, we will commence with these at once. Forward, boys!" shouted Hayward, turning to his own party, "_here are a set of d----d home guards_!" Hayward was well satisfied that the party was no other than a portion of Price's army, and his rough allusion to the "home guards" was intended to impress them with the fact that he and his party were also of the rebel army. The ruse succeeded. As the remainder of Hayward's party were approaching, with drawn swords, the officer in command of the other squad, said: "Don't trouble them. I think we are all cut from the same piece of cloth." "Then you are _not_ what I suppose?" asked Hayward. "We are of the confederate army, and have just come from camp." "Indeed! then you need not fear us!" said Hayward, laughing. "That is, if you will give a good account of yourselves. Halt, boys, don't annihilate them." The leader of the twenty joined in the laugh, as he saw the remaining five approach. "Oh! Lord! massa," said the negro as he approached, "don't--don't--if dem's home guards we will be--" Somehow in turning, just at that instant the gun which Nettleton carried, came in violent contact with the darkey's nose, which checked his further utterance.