"Don't trouble yourself as to what I will do _after_ you are dead, for if this must be so, I shall go with you." The door was thrown open and Branch entered. "It is twelve o'clock," he said. "Make ready!" "We _are_ ready, sir!" answered Hayward. "It is a pity you should die, Hayward. I tell you what I will do. Let me marry that lovely sister of yours, and I will set you free!" "Dog!" echoed Hayward. "What do you say, Miss Hayward?" "I repeat my brother's word most heartily!" replied Mamie. "Oh! you scornful little devil, you are a copy of your brother. But you will both repent your words. What ho! guards!" Four of the guard entered the room. "Take them along," said Branch. "We will walk," replied Hayward. As he led his sister from the room he said: "Think of our dreams!" Hayward walked erect, almost carrying, rather than leading his sister. When he reached the street he said: "Branch, my sister will not be able to endure this scene. Let her remain here!" "No, no," begged Mamie, "let me go with you, brother--I will be very calm--see I can walk alone." But that pale face and trembling form seemed little calculated to undergo the terrible scenes which must follow. Alibamo was already seated in a rough cart which stood before the door. Hayward assisted his sister into it, and then entered himself, but stood erect, while the females were provided with seats. As they were driven onward, Branch rode by their side upon his horse. A crowd were following after them, and taunts and jeers were heard on every side. "Oh! that I had a sword within my grasp, and was free from these shackles for a moment, I would teach those curs civility," cried Hayward. "Oh! it won't matter to you long," said Branch. The procession had proceeded about a mile from Springfield on the road running west. They were ascending the hill, upon the summit of which was a thick wood, when Hayward said: "Do you see those lines of infantry just within that grove. They are rebel soldiers; it is the guard _necessary_ at the execution of _one_ man! Branch, don't you fear that these two half-fainting women will rescue me?" "They might do it--they are the only ones who can!" replied Branch. The cart had passed the wood through a line of soldiers formed on either side, and reaching the Fair-Ground, it was driven within the enclosure, and halted near the scaffold. Miss Hayward had been hopeful until this moment, but her feelings gave way, and throwing her arms around her brother, she cried: "Oh! is there no way in which you can escape this terrible fate?" "Yes," said Branch. "Accept my terms." "Dog, still!" replied Hayward, his eyes flashing with indignation. "Hayward, I will save you, if possible," said Alibamo. "Branch, you say you love me. Release Captain Hayward, and I will become your wife."