"Now, let me tell you, orderly, _I_ think it is all folly for Price to meet the federal army, even if he has a strong position. You know they have sixty--some say eighty thousand men, and four hundred big guns--and yet Price thinks he can successfully meet--What do I see! Why, this paper states that the federal forces only number thirty or thirty-five thousand, and that they have less than two hundred guns! Oh! this is a mistake. Those men who brought this information, I will swear, are Union spies, and are deceiving General Price, merely to get him to fight. Now, I _know_ the federals have more men than represented here, and if Price has determined to meet them with their sixty thousand what will he do if led to believe there are only thirty thousand? Why, he would advance at once and lead us all to death." "What shall we do?" asked the orderly, evidently alarmed. "Why, Price _must not see these papers_!" "How can it be prevented?" "Let me keep them!" "But the spies are down at their tent, and as soon as the general comes, they will return and tell him all." "How many are there?" "Only two!" "They must not be permitted to deceive the general, and lead us all to certain destruction. Have them arrested at once, and put them in the outer guard-house--stay, and to prevent their communicating this false information to the men--as it would soon reach Price--have them gagged!" "I will!" replied the orderly. He left the tent, and soon returned, saying: "They seemed somewhat surprised when I told them they were found out. But they are properly attended to." "I do not think that our general's position here is as strong as he thinks it to be. Have you a drawing of his defences?" "Oh! yes," replied the orderly. "Here is one I drew for my own gratification." "I will examine it at my leisure," remarked Hayward, as he glanced over the paper, and then placed it in his pocket. "But, now be very careful and make no mention of this matter to Price. What is that?" "That singing?" "Yes--that is an extraordinary voice, and is that of a female!" "Oh! yes--that is a captive bird. But, if you will walk in that direction, I will introduce you to Captain Branch, and perhaps you can get an opportunity to converse with her." Captain Hayward and the orderly left the tent, and proceeded in the direction from which the sound emanated. At last Hayward paused and said: "By heaven, that will never do; she is singing the Star-spangled Banner!" "Oh! she _will_ do just what she pleases, in spite of any of us. You had better not say anything to her against that song, or you will get more of her tongue than will be agreeable to your feelings." They paused before the tent, around which were lounging a number of officers. The orderly introduced Hayward to Captain Branch, and said: "The gentleman is somewhat curious to see your beauty." "He shall be gratified. Walk in, sir!"