"I cannot tell, dear sister. But let me enjoin on you to be firm whatever may occur. Even though you see me march upon the scaffold, be firm, and hope. Remember what you said; it will _only_ be death! If my enemies wish to torture me, the more keenly feel, the more they will exult. Hark! Some one approaches. We shall not long remain in ignorance. Remember, darling, let not a word or even a tear betray more than ordinary emotion." The door was thrown open, and Branch entered. Hayward seated himself upon a rude box and Mamie knelt by his side. "How is your wound, captain?" asked Branch. "It troubles me very little, sir!" was the reply. "I do not believe you. You say that to spare your sister pain. You are suffering, and you know it!" growled Branch. Hayward frowned, but did not speak. His sister crept close to his breast. "Do you know the federal army are within two days march of this place?" continued Branch. "I did not know it!" answered Hayward. "Don't you wish they would come upon us to-night? We have only twenty-two hundred men here, and they with forty thousand _might_ defeat us, and rescue you and your lovely sister." Hayward made no reply. "Oh! I will open your mouth presently. You saw the Fair-Ground as we passed? You won't speak? Well, I will. If you could only look inside the high board enclosure, you might discover a platform, surrounding a large tree. From one of the limbs a rope is hanging. It is for your neck. You are to die to-morrow at three o'clock." Hayward did not move a muscle, but Mamie, with a groan of agony, half suppressed, threw her arms around her brother's neck, and clung the closer. "It will be interesting to die thus, noble captain, knowing that your friends are but a few miles distant. And those lovely arms which now encircle you, will not wish to clasp your neck when you are cold in death. They shall be removed to mine!" Mamie had started to her feet, and staggering forward, she knelt before the wretch, and sobbed: "Oh! spare my brother!" "Mamie!" shrieked Hayward. "Up!" The maiden started, and sprang into her brother's arms again. "Forgive a moment of weakness, my brother!" she said, as she caressed him. "Miss Hayward," said Branch, "Your brother's life may be saved. General Price offered him a pardon, if he would accept a commission in our army. Persuade him to accept it." Miss Hayward glanced at her brother, and then turning to Branch, she replied: "And become companion with such as you?" "Is not that preferable to death?" "I'll answer you no more!" said Mamie, turning to her brother. "Well, I will leave you to pleasant reflections. To-morrow at one o'clock you will leave this place, and have the pleasure of a cart ride as far as the gallows. Your sister may remain with you to-night, and enjoy the ride with you to-morrow. After that I shall take charge of her." Branch left the room. "It is all over now, brother!"