At this moment there was a commotion in the tent of Nettleton. The voice of the negro was heard, exclaiming: “I he’rd you, massa Nettleton. There ain’t no use in you denyin’ it. I he’rd massa cap’n say, ‘Oh, Nettleton, ye kill me!’ Oh Lord, if eber I get out ob _dis_ scrape, ye’ll neber catch dis chile in such another one.” “Is the nigger crazy? What is the darn skunk talking about?” “Oh, you needn’t make b’lieve ignoramus on dis ’ere question. I he’rd ye.” “Now, look a here, you unconscionable dark; if you have got any thing to say, spit it out. Don’t make a darn skunk of yourself.” “Oh! won’t I fotch ye up in de morning? Yes, sah!” “Are you going to speak, and say what you mean?” “Oh, golly! You go back on de cap’n dat way!” “What cap’n? Out with it, or I’ll break your head and every bone in your body,” exclaimed Nettleton, in a state of undisguised excitement. “Serve dis nigger as ye did de cap’n, and den put his body in de riber!” The negro had scarcely uttered these words when Nettleton seized him. He set up a terrible howl, which brought Captain Walker to their tent. “What is all this fuss about?” asked Walker. The negro went on to explain as follows: “Why, ye see, massa cap’n, I went ober to dat yar house across de riber, to see Miss Julia, a col’d gal dat used to be my sweetheart. Well, I see’d de Johnnies comin’, and I ran down to de riber to come on dis side, but dey come so close to me dat dis chile hid behind a big log. Den dey stop right by me, and say, ‘Golly, we can’t cotch nobody.’ Den I he’rd some one on de oder side ob de riber say, “Oh, Nettleton, you—” “Silence this stuff! You have been drunk. If you speak upon this subject again, I’ll cut your black throat.” “I’se dumb, massa cap’n.” Quiet had now been restored, and all parties retired for the few hours that intervened before morning. But it was evident all were not asleep. Several times a stealthy step was heard, and a shadow flitted past the white canvas tent, dimly seen by the pale starlight. Morning came at last, and all was astir. Captain Hayward had not yet returned. The inquiry was made if any one had seen him. “I have not seen him since last evening at twilight,” replied Walker, “at which time he acted very strangely, and talked about the injustice of war. I am inclined to think he has deserted and joined the enemy.” “Oh, you darn skunk!” yelled Nettleton, as he sprang forward, and was about to strike the speaker. But, checking himself, he added: “It’s well you wear them gilt things on your shoulders, or I’d teach you to call _my_ cap’n such names.” “If you would save yourself trouble you had better remain quiet, Nettleton,” replied Walker, as he fixed his eyes significantly upon him. “_I_ knows where Cap’n Hayward am,” said the negro, stepping forward. “Where is he?” sobbed Miss Hayward, pressing forward, in her eagerness. “He is—” “Silence!” yelled Walker. “Let him speak,” said the colonel. “Go on, George. Where is the captain?”