"Your sister!" repeated Alibamo, with evident pain. "Yes--I know you love her, for you have often spoken of her in your delirium." "Have you received any word from our friends?" "Not one word since that mysterious hand extended to me those words of hope the first night after your capture." "Nettleton," said Hayward, addressing his attendant, "have you heard me spoken of among the soldiers?" "Yes, captain, the darn skunks talk about you considerable." "'What do they say?" "Why, I heerd some on em say it was a darn shame that a bold feller like you should be----" "Hung up like a dog! Why don't you finish the sentence?" "Well, that's just what they did say. But I heerd one what ain't very far from you now, say, he'd be d----d if Captain Hayward should die any such way, and when he had waited till the last minute, if no help came, he would put a bullet right through your heart, and save you from the darn rope, anyway!" "Brave boy! You have a noble heart," said Hayward, grasping his hand. "No I hain't. Don't say so, captain, cos when you do, I can't keep these dam water-drops out of my eyes, cos I'm a darn skunk anyway, and ain't worth any such words from you." "Nettleton, how have you managed to remain with me so long without being suspected?" "O Lord! I'm such a darn skunk nobody would ever think of suspecting me! They think I don't know any more than a half-grown calf. And I spose I don't!" "How did you get with me at all?" "Why, after the fight was over I stood right still, and nobody noticed me, except one feller who said, 'Git out of my way, greeney.' And so I followed on after the rest of 'em, and managed to keep with you ever since. And if I can only do you some good, I shall think I ain't quite such a darn skunk after all." "Nettleton, I wish you would not use that expression quite so often." "What expression, captain?" "Why, darn skunk!" "Well I won't, captain, only I know that I am a darn skunk, any way." "Captain," said Alibamo, "you spoke of your sister. Is she far from here?" "Not far--merely in Ohio." "If by chance you are rescued and removed to the Union camp, do you not wish her sent for?" "No--not for the world!" "She _would_ come if sent for, would she not?" "Yes, if she _lived_ to get here. But, do not think of such a thing. I shall never see her. But when I am dead, let her know it, but not _how_ I died. To know that I _am_ dead will break her heart." Alibamo sobbed audibly. "Why are you weeping, Alibamo." "I was thinking of your sister?"