“Captain Walker, I shall place the prisoner in your charge. You will forward at once.” These words were spoken by the colonel. Walker bit his lip, and was silent. He then commanded the guard to forward, muttering as he did so: “The second most agreeable job. I’ll revenge myself upon him.” As the guard formed around Lieutenant Wells, he turned to Miss Hayward, and said: “Oh! dear lady, you have inadvertently confessed that you had some regard for me. This is not a time to speak of such things, but I will now say to you, that which has never before passed my lips, excepting to your brother. I love you, with a devotion, ardent as it is pure and holy; and by that love I swear, and beg you to believe, that I have never harmed your brother!” Miss Hayward turned toward him, and made a movement as if to reach his side, but Walker held aloft the bloody knife, which met her gaze, and, with a shudder, she turned to Alibamo. “Forward!” cried Walker, and Edward Wells, the once popular officer and general favorite, was urged on, bound and guarded, charged with, and generally believed guilty of, the foulest of crimes. But yesterday he was on the road to honor and fame; now he was marching forward to a disgraceful death. The entire division was soon in motion. Nettleton now approached Miss Hayward, and said: “Miss Mamie, I am going to do all for you such a darn sk— I mean such a chap as me _can_ do; but, I’m feard that ain’t much. But you’re going now where there ain’t no danger, and if you please, I’m a going to stay behind and hunt for the captain.” “Oh! thank you, William,” sobbed Miss Hayward. “How can I ever repay you, dear friend?” “Don’t—don’t!” said William. A choking sensation came over him, and, unable to say more, he turned away, only to be comforted by Miss Sally Long, who placed her hands upon his shoulders, and said: “William, if you will find the captain, I’ll _love you dearly_!” Nettleton started back, opened his eyes wide—so he did his mouth, as if attempting to speak. His lower jaw wagged two or three times, but no sound was heard. Then turning his eyes, he saw the gaze of all fixed upon him, and started off suddenly upon a run, exclaiming as he did so: “Who ever thought it possible that _I_ should ever be loved by Sally—such a darn skunk—a sweet gal, I mean!” Nettleton did not pause until he had overtaken the colonel, of whom he requested permission to remain and make a more thorough search for his captain. “No, William,” was the reply. “We will not be a mile distant before the enemy’s scouts will be here, and you will be taken prisoner.” “No fear, they don’t notice such as me!” “But your uniform will be sufficient.” “Oh! I always go prepared. I have another suit _under_ this, one as I got from the bushwhack I laid out the other night, as he came noseing around Captain Hayward’s tramping ground, and I shall put that on top.” “Well, do as you like, but be careful!”