"Captain," said the soldier, "there ain't no use in trying to make _women_ mind you. They're darn skunks any way--better let 'em alone." "Hayward is awake!" said Branch. "Speak to him--see if he will reply." "Captain, do you know me?" asked Alibamo. A faint smile overspread the captain's face, but he did not reply. "Can you not speak? Oh! let me hear your voice once more! Say at least, that you forgive me--for I have brought all this upon you!" Alibamo bent over the wounded man, weeping as if her heart would break. Hayward closed his eyes, and did not reply. "What the devil are _you_ blubbering about?" growled Branch addressing himself to the attendant soldier. "Cos I'm a darn skunk," sobbed the attendant, scarcely able to speak. "My good friend, do you sympathize with this noble captain?" "Yes--yes--ma'am," sobbed the soldier. "I don't believe he's half so much of a darn skunk as some other folks!" "There, don't weep," said Alibamo, in a soothing manner, as she laid her hand gently upon his arm. "I am glad to meet one good heart here!" "Don't--don't, Miss Alibamo. There's something inside of me that's swelling up, and if you talk that way, I know it will burst, and I shall bellow like a bull. Oh! I wish I wasn't such a darn skunk! But I ain't no account, no way, so don't call me a good heart, cos nobody ever said that to me afore, only cap---- only you, and I ain't nothing but a cowardly skunk!" "Why have you so much sympathy for your enemy?" asked Branch. "Because I don't think it's fair to strike a man when he's down!" "I'll tell you, Branch," said Alibamo, "why he has so much sympathy for the captain--a feeling you cannot understand. God has given him a noble heart, and he can feel for the unfortunate, even though it be an enemy." "Did you ever see Hayward before!" asked Branch of the soldier, eying him sharply. "I seed him in the fight. Lord didn't he make his sword fly. More than a dozen sojers lay down when he hit 'em. It made my hair stand up, I tell you. By thunder, _wasn't_ he brave! I'll bet if there had been six just like him, he'd licked our crowd. If he is a dam skunk of a federal, he is a trump card it'll do to go a big pile on." "Give me--water!" said Hayward, in a feeble voice, opening his eyes. "Quick, some water," said Alibamo. She placed the cup to his lips, and he drank. "I have been dreaming!" said Hayward. "Oh! it was sweet!" "Of what did you dream?" asked Alibamo. "Of home--Mamie--Mamie!" "He is conscious. His answer was direct," said Branch. "Do you know me, captain?" asked Alibamo. "Yes--where is Harry?" "He is not here!" "I want him--I feel sick! Call him. William Nettleton!" called Hayward, in a low tone. "Here, captain!----Won't--won't I do just as well? I'll do anything I can for you," said the attendant, springing forward. Had the rebel officer been less absorbed in the prisoner's state he must surely have observed the agitation of the attendant.