"You continue to improve, Doctor, and I believe that your last remark is worth remembering. At least, I shall remember it, and when this trouble is over, no matter what the result may be, I will hold you to account for it. And to prove that I am in earnest I'll lend you the weight of this." And with that I cut at his face with a switch. His horse shied and the apple tree sprout whistled in the air. He said something about hoping to meet me again and rode off at a brisk canter. I knew that I had acted unwisely, felt it even while the impulse was rising fresh and strong within me, but I was in no humor to bear with him. I rode along more slowly than I was disposed, to let him pass out of my sight, for every time I looked up and saw him I felt a new anger. And I was relieved when a turn in the road placed him beyond my view. I heard a galloping behind, and, looking round, I saw the old General coming with a cavalryman's recklessness. He dashed up and did not draw rein until he was almost upon me. "Whoa! I have been trying to overtake you, Hawes. What did I tell you? Didn't I say that the country was gone? I'll swear I don't know what we are coming to when a man is shot down in the road like that." "General, did you overtake me to ride to town with me?" "I did; yes, sir." "Then you mustn't talk that way." "I beg your pardon, sir. Perhaps I should not have expressed myself in that manner. Let us ride along and discuss it quietly. Tell me what you know." "It were better, General----" "Never mind about your grammar and your bookish phrasing. Tell me what led up to it." "Must I tell you that your daughter is----" "By G----, sir, what do you mean?" "You needn't turn on me, sir." "Surely not. Pardon me. What about it?" "I don't know that I ought to tell you--a man of more judgment wouldn't--but I suppose I must now that I have gone so far. Alf is in love with your daughter, and on that account Stuart insulted him, abused him at the point of a pistol." Then I told him all that I could, all but the fact that Stuart had spoken slightingly of the girl, for I knew that this would only enrage him and, indeed, set him harder against Alf, as he would doubtless believe that my friend had simply forged a mean excuse. For some distance after I had told him the story, he rode along in silence, troubled of countenance and with his head hanging low. But just before we came into the town he looked up and said: "Poor fool, I can't help him." "But you can see that justice is done." "Mr. Hawes, in this instance we may take different views of justice. Pardon me, but your friendship--and, indeed, I can but honor you for it--your friendship may cry out against justice." "I admit, General, that my friendship is strong, although I have known the young man but a short time, yet I think that I respect justice."