Harry Hazelton

“ To say that Miss Mamie Hayward soon became Mrs. Wells, in the presence of the whole division—that a grand gala-day followed—is but half the truth, however; for, at the same time, another bridegroom was there in the form of the pale but happy Captain Henry Hayward, who took to be his comforter and his much-needed nurse, the woman who loved him most truly—Miss Nettie Morton. It was, indeed, a most happy consummation of a drama which promised, at one time, to end only in sorrow and broken hearts.
Not the least happy of all that throng, nor the least noted, was
Nettleton, the Captain’s Body-Guard. ”

“ Mamie sprang suddenly to the ground. In doing so, she had collected all her strength, and, as she sprang, the concussion had thrown Branch backward, and he was falling over the ledge. He caught a small sapling in his fall, and there the villain hung, suspended over this dreadful gulf, only by the frail twig. He turned upward an imploring glance, but did not speak. He gazed below, and a thrill of terror shook his frame.
"Your hour has come!" cried Hayward, as he approached the edge of the cliff.
"No! no! me—me!" cried the Indian, stepping forward.
"Oh! save me!" groaned Branch. ”

“ Captain Hayward was greatly emaciated. Loss of blood, fever, hunger and exposure would have ended a life less tenacious than his; but, despite his suffering, the presence of friends, the rescue of his sister, the anticipated happiness of her union with the man who had proven himself so well worthy of her—all conspired to give an elasticity to his spirits more potent than the infusions of herbs prepared by the not unskilled hands of old Madge, who, from an enemy, had, “by the force of couldn’t help herself,” as Nettleton declared, become a useful instrument at a critical moment. ”

“ It is our notes of victory. Do you not love those sounds?"
"They become only such as you. The most barbarous savage would scorn to exult thus over a single fallen foe!" said Alibamo, her eyes flashing with indignation.
"Oh! taunt! I love to hear it. It makes my hatred for your captain deeper. And for every word of insult you have spoken, or do speak to me, I'll revenge myself on him. And you shall see it all. See, he moves—he opens his eyes! Let him gaze around."
"Harry! Harry!" called Hayward in a faint voice. ”

“ You have wronged me deeply, by aiding this wretched villain, your captain, to abduct me. I despise, loathe him; and, sooner than become his wife, I would permit my brother to die as he is, for I know that he would curse me were I to save him at such a sacrifice. It will be but death, and I shall suffer very little, for my brother’s pure soul will scarce have taken its flight, ere mine will follow!”
“Miss Hayward!”
“Silence, Captain Walker. Soldiers, you have human hearts, and this man has not. I appeal to you. Save me! ”

“ Then turning to William he said:
"Go back to the horses, and don't kill any one else to-night!"
"I won't, captain, unless they are enemies or cowards," replied William, as he turned to depart.
"I would trust that fellow with my life," said Hayward, gazing after Nettleton.
"But you were saying, captain, if you did not return by eleven o'clock, we should know you were arrested. What shall we do in that case?"
"You can do nothing. Return to camp and leave me to my fate. However, I apprehend no such danger. But, Harry, you spoke of a beauty whom you love, and who is a prisoner. ”

“ Miss Hayward did not raise her head, but reached forth her hand toward Wells, which, quickly kneeling by her side, he took, and pressed to his lips.
“Oh, heaven bless you!” he moaned. “You do not believe me capable of the dreadful crime with which I am charged?”
Miss Hayward tried to speak, but convulsive sobs choked her utterance.
“No, my ever kind and dear friend,” replied Alibamo, “she does not believe you guilty. Nor am I satisfied that Captain Hayward has been killed. I am under the impression that he was wounded and taken prisoner by some rebels, who were lurking near our camp.” ”

“ Branch ran directly toward a narrow pathway, which was the only passage to the valley below, and which wound down the steep by the side of a sharp, rocky ledge. Beneath this ledge was a frightful chasm, at the bottom of which were a hundred sharp rocks, which had been broken off the height, and fallen into the depths below.
"Ah! I will triumph yet!" cried Branch, as he reached the ledge, and was about to spring down the narrow pathway. But, Fall-leaf confronted him, and Branch sprang back.
"Ah! the rock—the precipice!" he cried, and darting for the ledge he stood upon its very verge. ”

“ In a few moments she had cleared the camp, and arrived in the center of the garden, where stood the doomed man’s prison. As she neared the door, the guard asked:
“Is that you, Miss Hayward?”
“It is!” came the low response.
“Approach and fear nothing.”
She had barely reached the threshold, when two forms, darting from beneath the hedge, threw a heavy blanket over her head, thus entirely smothering any attempt, on her part, to give the alarm. Who and what her captors were, she could not divine, or what might be their purpose. Strange to say, her reason did not forsake her. ”

“ Captain Hayward opened his eyes, and gazed around. His face while sleeping had worn a smile, but it had faded.
"Good morning, dear friends," said Hayward. "You have been watching with me all night, I fear."
"We have slept, however—that is, I have slept," answered Alibamo.
"I fear but little. You must not do this, Alibamo; you will sink under the fatigues you impose upon yourself. You will require all your strength. And have you slept, Nettleton?"
"Do you think I'd be such a darn skunk as to sleep when I might be doing something? ”

“ It seemed as if the fiend which urged on the actions of that bad man, had, from very shame, left his breast, and he silently took the lead, and with Alibamo by his side, the squadron set off at a rapid rate.
For many miles they kept on their course toward the camp of the rebels. At length they turned their direction across the mountain. As they ascended to the summit, Alibamo asked:
"Whither are you going, Branch?"
"Look yonder. Don't you see the army moving. It is our army. We are going to Springfield."
"You are retreating like cowards as you are!" replied Alibamo, with a sneer. ”

“ What was his astonishment to welcome Lieutenant Wells to his arms! What a shout followed! The guerrillas quickly sought cover, not knowing how many others might be lurking on the opposite side of the ravine to give them a bloody welcome.
“Wells, by the jumping jingo! Where did you come from and where is you going to? Give us yer hand and lend us yer revolver. Ah, got two of ’em. Hooray! Down on yer knees quicker’n lightnin’, for the woman-murderers are after us, sharp!”
Down the two men fell, just in time to escape a volley from the carbines of a squad of the murderers. ”

“ As Branch saw the prostrate form of Hayward upon the ground, he cried:
"By heavens, it is the very man we want—it is Captain Hayward!"
"Ride over his body—trample him into the earth!" shouted one of the infuriated soldiers.
"No! no!" shrieked Branch. "If he yet lives he must be reserved for torture! It is our general's command. Let no one dare to disobey it. Ah! the fiends befriend me! There is Alibamo, and her horse has fallen!" ”

“ In vain did the rebel try to force his antagonist to the earth. The supple form of Nettleton bent under his adversary’s pressure, but his frame at length rebounded with a force which bore the guerrilla to his knees. He drew the Federal down with him, and on their knees the frightful combat was continued. Wells would have advanced from his concealment to the rescue, but knew that a rebel carbine would surely bring him down, and thus place it out of his power to aid his friend at all. Slowly toward the chasm the men worked their way, struggling like two serpents striving for the death-triumph. ”

“ It was at this moment that the brother of Alibamo, as narrated in the second chapter, creeping near the rock, had overheard her words, and had cried, "Then you are not my sister!"
"It is my brother! my own brother's voice. He has been near—has heard all!" shrieked Alibamo. Then checking herself, she said, in a low tone: "He thinks you a rebel, Harry! He forswears me! How can I undeceive him?"
"The guard has fired upon him. The camp is aroused—they are beating the long-roll. ”

“ He could keep himself concealed, and if Walker passed a certain point, before he could bring his gun to bear, he could strike him dead. Walker was a prisoner, with a watchful and relentless keeper. The Indian replied:
“Ah, White Bird! Fall-leaf here! Fall-leaf save!”
“Is it indeed my friend Fall-leaf?” cried Miss Hayward, joyfully.
“Yes; Fall-leaf save you!”
“Where is William Nettleton?” asked Mamie.
“Gone—gone!”
“Ah! then I have only you to encounter,” yelled Walker, “and, if the Fates favor me, I shall triumph. I know the Indian has not thought to provide himself with provisions. ”

“ Then, as if suddenly recollecting herself, she turned to the attendant and said:
"Oh! do not betray me, I beg—I implore!"
"I ain't no such darn skunk. Let me tell you something."
The attendant spoke in a whisper. Alibamo started, clasped his hand, kissed it convulsively. "Dear, good fellow!" she said through her tears.
"There—oh! don't—O Christopher!—I shall have to blubber, and then all will be up with us!" cried the fellow, as he twisted and hopped around the tent like one suffering pain. ”

“ The Indian pointed to the cavern.
“Walker, too?”
Fall-leaf nodded, and scowled so fiercely that Nettleton perceived the savage wanted no interference in his case.
“Shan’t I do the job for ye?”
“No—Fall-leaf mad. Me kill ’em—you go way.”
“That’s the talk, Ingen. You shall have your man; but, Jerusalem, don’t I ache to git my paws on him!”
A noise was now heard in the cave; it was Walker’s voice. “I’ll not permit you to sing, I again tell you. If those men crossing the river are Union soldiers, you shall not betray our whereabouts, and if Fall-leaf moves I’ll shoot him!” ”