"Oh! yes; he is rapidly recovering. His wound is not so serious as at first supposed. It is true he is quite weak from loss of blood, but still strong enough to be dangerous. It is my advice that he be removed from the main army, as his friends will spare no trouble to rescue him. We are to have a battle very soon, I suppose, and we may lose him, even if not defeated, as the body-guard will dash to the point where he is held, and attempt his rescue; and you know, general, we might almost as well attempt to meet lightning as that fanatical set of cut-throats. They are, I am told, the choicest men out of a hundred thousand, and fight for the mere love of the fun." "Where can we remove Hayward, that he will be secure until he entirely recovers?" "From this point to Springfield, and thence through Arkansas to Memphis." "But he is a spy, and must hang!" replied Price. "Such ought to be his fate, I confess. But policy dictates otherwise. He is much beloved by the army, and their revenge would be terrible." "Do you _fear_ their revenge, Captain Branch?" "Not for myself, general, but for those of our army who might be taken prisoners. The federals would hang a thousand of our friends in retaliation. Besides, he is worth much more as an exchange than as a corpse." "Your argument is logical, Captain Branch; but Hayward insulted me grossly, at one time, and my heart burns for revenge." "True, but you can scarcely revenge yourself on such a man. Torture him, and his lip curls as if in very scorn of pain. Threaten him with death, and his proud eye flashes as he replies, 'My country will remember me!' Taunt him--spit upon him--and he does not notice it, except by a haughty air which seems to say, 'I despise you, and take nothing as an insult from those I loathe!'" "Is there no way to humble him?" asked Price. "No way! His proud spirit cannot be broken!" "I will see! I shall visit him in a few moments, and if he accedes to my wishes, very well; if not, he shall be thrown into the dungeon, and there left to rot and die. As you say, sudden death would have no terrors to such a soul, but the damp and darkness of a prison cell will curb that proud spirit. Let me finish this dispatch, and then we will visit him." Captain Hayward was sitting in his tent, his head bowed upon his hands, apparently buried in deep thought. "Alibamo," said Hayward, raising his head, "what think you will be my fate?" "I hope for a rescue!" replied the maiden. "You are of a hopeful nature, my sweet girl, and I thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank! That is a poor word, Alibamo, for kindness such as yours. You have watched with me constantly, and, like a bright angel, have ministered to my wants. Your presence has cheered me in my sad hours, when pain and suffering had unmanned me. And I love you, Alibamo, almost as much as I love my own darling sister."