"I wish I could cease thinking of her, now that death is staring me in the face. I do not fear to die, but I do fear to let her know that she no longer has a brother. O Alibamo! if you could see her once, you would not wonder that I love her! Why, she would hang upon my neck, and listen to each word, as if her life depended on her hearing every sound. And when I parted with her for the wars, it seemed as if her soul left with me. She did not weep, but clung to me, while her little form trembled like the lily torn by the tempest's blast. And her last words were, 'Heaven _must_ return to me my brother!'" "And if earth should not, heaven _will_!" sobbed Alibamo. "Well, I will talk no more of death. The grave looks cold and cheerless, and I shudder as I approach it in this manner. Nettleton, I shall give you some instructions which I know you will see faithfully carried out!" "You may depend upon it, captain. But you ain't dead yet, and--" "Major-General Sterling Price," was announced by an orderly. Price entered the tent. "Good evening, Captain Hayward. I am glad to see you so far recovered. I trust you will soon be able to receive and wear your sword again!" These words were spoken by Price in a tone of extreme kindness. Hayward looked up surprised, and replied: "I do not comprehend you, general!" "That is because you deem me your enemy!" "And are you not so? If I remember rightly, when we met at your camp on the Osage, you expressed a desire to get Captain Hayward in your power. You have him, now." "I did not know the man then. He was my enemy, but I can scarcely be an enemy to so brave a man. It is true I have much cause. You came to my camp in disguise, you deceived my orderly and obtained possession of important papers, you placed my scouts in the guard-house for your own safety; you visited and conversed with my officers, gaining all the intelligence you desired; you assisted a prisoner to escape, and meeting a party of my scouts you killed six with your own hand before you were shot down yourself. The papers which were on your person could not be found, and therefore they must have been sent by you to your general. All this was done with a boldness that wins my admiration, but still its punishment is death." "Which I expect to receive at your hands," replied Hayward, coldly. "Your life _may_ be spared!" said Price. "Not a great boon," replied Hayward. "Do you not wish to live for your sister's sake?" asked Branch. Hayward started, and a tremor ran through his frame. But in an instant he recovered his self-possession, and said: "I was conversing with General Price--not you, sir." Branch bit his lips, but did not speak. "Well, Captain Hayward, I must speak plainly, and I know you prefer I should do so. It is a pity such a man as you should die, and by the rope. I would much prefer to have met you on the battle-field, but it is too late now. The sentence of your crime is death, and but one thing can save you."