“Good! I shall be on hand!” Ugly Jim then approached the tent of Miss Hayward, and requested an audience alone with that lady. It so happened that she was alone, Alibamo having gone to visit her husband, and Sally being at the time strolling through the camp with Nettleton. “If you wish to learn all the particulars about your brother, I think you can do so,” said Jim, in a tone of great kindness. “Oh! in what manner?” asked Miss Hayward, eagerly. “I don’t exactly know. But I will tell you what I _do_ know. You see I am on guard to-night from twelve till two, over the cell of Walker. I don’t like the villain any way, but, he told me if I would get you to come to him, he would tell you all he knows of the matter!” “Certainly I will go. Call Alibamo, and we will go together, at once!” “I will,” answered Jim, as he turned to depart. Then pausing, he added: “Miss Hayward, now I recollect that Walker said you must come alone. He declared he would not commit himself by speaking before any one.” “I dare not go alone!” “Poor child!” exclaimed Jim, as he wiped his eyes. “Do you think you _can_ be alone when this old soldier, as folks call ‘ugly Jim,’ is near you? I know my face is ugly, but I don’t think my heart is! Besides, you won’t _see_ the wretch himself. You will only talk to him through a crack between the logs, and I shall be as close to you as Walker will allow. Of course he wont let _me_ hear what he says, but I shan’t let you be out of my sight, so there will be no danger!” “Why can we not go at once?” asked Miss Hayward. “Because I don’t go on post until twelve o’clock, and the other guard wouldn’t let you speak to him.” “Then I will come at quarter past twelve. But I shall rely upon you for protection!” “You may do that, miss. And I really think you do right. I know Walker is a _very_ bad man, but he has got to die, and may be he wants to make a confession to relieve his mind, and to ask your pardon. And I always think it best to give a dying man a chance to relieve his mind, and confess.” “You may expect me!” Jim bowed, and left the tent. Twelve o’clock came; the guard was relieved, and “ugly Jim” had taken the place of his _sick friend_, in front of Walker’s prison. All was quiet, save the clanking of a chain, a few hurried whispers, and the opening and closing of a heavy door, which sounds were in close proximity to Walker’s dungeon. The words “_C. S. A. and Bars_” were answered by “_Union against Oppression_,” and two dark forms glided to concealment beside the thorn hedge, while the guard remained at the door. * * * * *