"Calmly! What do you mean by that word? Ah! those chains! I have not been dreaming! It is a terrible reality. What means this, brother?" "Come here, Mamie, come close to my heart, and let me talk with you." She obeyed, but as Hayward placed his arms around her, she said: "Oh! that iron is so cold--it chills my heart. Let me remove those chains, brother." "No, sister. Let them alone, and listen to me!" "First answer _me_! Are these men your friends?" Hayward could not reply. His feelings almost overcame him, and he did not wish his sister to discover any emotion on his part. "You are silent. These men are _not_ your friends, and you are a prisoner! Oh! my heart will break!" and she sobbed convulsively. "Don't weep so, dear sister. Don't weep." "I cannot help it. Oh! let me weep--let me rest upon your heart, brother, and weep my life away! It will be sweet to die here!" "You must _not_ die, Mamie, but live for me. I hope to-morrow I shall be free. I have friends who will not forsake me!" "And you are a prisoner!" she sobbed. "Yes, but try and compose yourself. I have much to say to you!" "Yes, I will be calm--I will listen, for I feel that a terrible fate hangs over you, my brother. Oh! I am glad that I am here. I'll weep no more, but I will comfort you. There, do not look so pale, your little sister is with you, and will share your fate, whatever it may be." Hayward bowed his head, while a convulsive tremor shook his frame. "Come, I'll weep no more--I'll comfort you. Think, brother, it can only be death, and your spirit will scarcely have taken its flight to that better world, ere mine will meet you there. Oh! we shall not long be separated." "Mamie, we will talk no more of death. I do not believe such will be my fate. I have already been informed that friends are at work. I shall be rescued from this place, and if I am not, my sentence is not immediate death. So weep no more, but listen. How came you here, Mamie?" "I received a letter telling me that my brother had been wounded in battle, and that you wished me to come direct to Springfield. I saw by the papers that the Union army were marching for this place, and I supposed you were with them, and that I should arrive here about the same time you did. I did not hesitate a moment, but came forward according to my directions to Rolla. I was there met by two men who brought me to this place." "Ah! I see it all now. That villain Branch must have taken your letter from my pocket while I was insensible, and thus learning your address, sent for you!" "But to what end, brother? He is not your friend or you would not call him villain!"