At that instant six of the frightened horsemen, who were riding for their lives, came flashing up, and, reaching the cart, they halted. The dark form which had so suddenly appeared, had as suddenly vanished. It had been distinctly seen by Alibamo, although not by Branch. As the party rode up, one of them said: "Why, Branch, what are you doing with these beauties? And one of them unconscious, too." "Taking them to a place of safety," was the crusty reply. "You had better take them back to Springfield. The federals will not harm females." "No--no! that is not my purpose. They are relatives of Union officers, and I intend to keep them as hostages for the safety of our friends." "Where do you purpose taking them!" "To the dwelling of Captain Rogers, on the edge of the prairie, just west of the Wilson's creek battle-ground." Another slight noise was heard among the underbrush, and Alibamo made a significant motion to some person, or to some imaginary object, and then all was silent. Miss Hayward had partially recovered under the cooling effects of the water with which Alibamo had been bathing her brow. She opened her eyes, and then, with a shudder, closed them again. At length she said in a feeble tone: "O brother! press me closer to your heart; I am cold--very cold!" "Miss Hayward, your brother yet lives, and will be with you soon!" whispered Alibamo, as she bent over the fast recovering maiden. "Oh! yes, my brother must live--he does live!" cried Mamie, starting up. "Who is your brother?" asked one of the party. Miss Hayward gazed upon the questioner, but turning away, she hid her face in the bosom of Alibamo and wept. "I will answer for her!" replied Alibamo. "He is an officer in the Union army. He was taken prisoner while endeavoring to rescue me, who also have been kept as a _hostage_ by that villain, Branch. It was the intention of Gen. Price to release or exchange this young lady's brother, but, he, to gratify his own fiend-like propensities, was about to disobey the express orders of the general, and hang young Hayward." A groan broke from Miss Hayward, but Alibamo quickly replied: "Don't fear, darling, the Body-guard came just in time to rescue him, and he will soon be with us!" "Are you _sure_ of that?" asked one of the party. "I _know_ it will be so. There will be large parties sent in every direction, and you will be surely overtaken!" answered Alibamo. "Let us forward, then," replied one of the rebels, his cheeks blenching with fear. "Stay one moment," answered another. "Branch," he continued, "you have the reputation of a bad man. I shall not permit you to keep these ladies, if I can prevent it. Let me accompany them back to Springfield, and restore them to the arms of their friends!" "Indeed!" replied Branch with bitterness. "You are very kind, and I have no doubt the ladies will thank you. But I do not understand exactly _how_ you are going to prevent me from doing as I please. Pray be good enough to explain."