Harry Hazelton

“ But in an instant he recovered his self-possession, and said:
"I was conversing with General Price—not you, sir."
Branch bit his lips, but did not speak.
"Well, Captain Hayward, I must speak plainly, and I know you prefer I should do so. It is a pity such a man as you should die, and by the rope. I would much prefer to have met you on the battle-field, but it is too late now. The sentence of your crime is death, and but one thing can save you." ”

“ 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. ”

“ Harry seized the apron, and commenced waving it, and Alibamo began to sing.
"Silence!" cried Hayward, who came up at that moment. "Silence that traitorous song. And give me that ensign of abolitionism. For shame, young man. Love has made you blind. Don't you see that the lady's apron which you are waving is a federal flag? It may be very romantic to meet young ladies at midnight on a moonlit-rock, and whisper love-tales; but you, sir, must not wave such things as this, merely to conciliate angry brothers. Now, go to camp, sir, and if I catch you at such tricks again, I shall order your arrest. ”

“ 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 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. ”

“ But let me enjoin on you to be firm whatever may occur. Even though you see me march upon the scaffold, be firm, and hope. Remember what you said; it will only be death! If my enemies wish to torture me, the more keenly feel, the more they will exult. Hark! Some one approaches. We shall not long remain in ignorance. Remember, darling, let not a word or even a tear betray more than ordinary emotion."
The door was thrown open, and Branch entered. Hayward seated himself upon a rude box and Mamie knelt by his side.
"How is your wound, captain?" asked Branch. ”

“ At last Captain Hayward ordered a halt, and the party dismounted. The horses were secured to the surrounding trees, and Nettleton and the negro left to guard them.
"Come with me, comrades," said Hayward, as he took his course toward the river's bank.
In a moment they were seated by the side of the rapid Osage, entirely concealed by the thick growth of underbrush by which they were surrounded.
"It is better that our servants should not hear our conversation," remarked Hayward. "And now, gentlemen, we must lay our plans. I wish every one to speak freely. You know our object, of course." ”

“ For some hours, Hayward and his sister were permitted to remain alone. Night was fast approaching. Nothing was heard without, but the coarse laugh and jests of the soldiers. As Hayward held his sister in his arms, he murmured:
"Would to God she could ever remain unconscious, or die to-night. I feel that a fate far worse than death awaits her, when I am gone, and to-morrow will surely be the fatal day. Oh, may God in his mercy protect this darling one!" ”

“ 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!" ”

“ The best thing you can do is to keep quiet. We shall conceal our horses when we arrive within a few miles of the camp, and you must remain with them. If you do so, you will be safe, but if you attempt to return alone, you will be caught and whipped to death."
"Oh! golly! massa, dis chile will do just what massa cap'n tell him. But is ye gwan to lebe dis chile all stark, staring, breving alone?"
"All alone, George, and your only safety will be in keeping perfectly quiet so that you will not be discovered."
"Can't Massa Nettleton stay?"
"William," said Hayward, "give that fellow a lecture." ”

“ Walker only waited to see this, and then, almost dragging Miss Hayward along, he reached the river, drew the boat into the stream, and was once more floating with the current.
“Look, Miss Mamie, is not that a lovely sight?” he cried, pointing to the mill, now thoroughly enveloped in flames. “Nettleton is there, and Fall-leaf is there, and they have been brought there by you. They will perish in those flames, and you must be responsible for their murder. When will you learn that it is useless to oppose me, and cease to do so? ”

“ Oh, see! Pity a friendless girl who kneels to you and begs you to tell her that you have not deprived her of a dear brother. Speak to me, Edward. I did love you, and you would not harm him.”
Wells could not speak. He had never spoken to Miss Hayward of his love for her; but now, in the delirium of her grief, she had confessed her love for him. Oh, what a moment!
Walker advanced to raise Miss Hayward from her bended position before Wells.
“Paws off, ye darn skunk!” yelled Nettleton, as he hurled Walker to the ground. “I alone am her protector now.” ”

“ At that instant six of the frightened horsemen, who were riding for their lives, came flashing up, and, reaching the cart, they halted. The dark form which had so suddenly appeared, had as suddenly vanished. It had been distinctly seen by Alibamo, although not by Branch.
As the party rode up, one of them said:
"Why, Branch, what are you doing with these beauties? And one of them unconscious, too."
"Taking them to a place of safety," was the crusty reply.
"You had better take them back to Springfield. The federals will not harm females." ”

“ When the cavalcade reached the cabin, Nettleton did not obtrude himself upon the party within. For an hour or more they were alone. At length Hayward asked: “Where is my brave preserver? Why is he not here to enjoy our happiness? And Fall-leaf, too; I would thank him as he deserves, the noble and devoted savage.”
Search was made. Fall-leaf was found out by the camp-fire, undergoing the process of the lotion-cure for his wounds, at the hands of Madge, who was carefully washing the bruised and cut flesh of the red-man. All inquiries for Nettleton were fruitless; he was not to be found. ”

“ 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? ”

“ If I remember rightly, when we met at your camp on the Osage, you expressed a desire to get Captain Hayward in your power. You have him, now."
"I did not know the man then. He was my enemy, but I can scarcely be an enemy to so brave a man. It is true I have much cause. You came to my camp in disguise, you deceived my orderly and obtained possession of important papers, you placed my scouts in the guard-house for your own safety; you visited and conversed with my officers, gaining all the intelligence you desired ”

“ He will be fastened. You must feed him daily, just enough to keep life in him. I will give you a hundred to start upon—more money than you ever saw, old woman, and when I return, if you have well done your duty as keeper, I will give you another hundred. Will you be faithful and keep the prisoner in safety from rescue?”
“I swear it by my magic art!”
“Bah! blast your art! Swear it by the gold you will receive, and I’ll believe you. But come!”
Green reëntered the mill followed by old Madge. He seized the helpless Hayward and bore him to an upper loft. ”

“ The letters would have told our friends in the United States what was up. But, in some way of his own, Don Luis managed to catch the messengers and get hold of the letters."
"Then," added Harry Hazelton, "we thought we were doomed if we didn't yield to Don Luis's commands. Even at that, we were prepared to accept death sooner than sell ourselves out. Death would have been the cheapest way out of the scrape. But at last we found a way of helping Don Luis in the way he wanted, and of getting square with the rascal at the same time. Tell them what I mean, Tom." ”

“ General Price offered him a pardon, if he would accept a commission in our army. Persuade him to accept it."
Miss Hayward glanced at her brother, and then turning to Branch, she replied:
"And become companion with such as you?"
"Is not that preferable to death?"
"I'll answer you no more!" said Mamie, turning to her brother.
"Well, I will leave you to pleasant reflections. To-morrow at one o'clock you will leave this place, and have the pleasure of a cart ride as far as the gallows. Your sister may remain with you to-night, and enjoy the ride with you to-morrow. ”

“ From there it is left to the captain to make further arrangements."
Hayward had started to his feet, and his eyes met those of Branch. There was lightning in that gaze, but it was met with equal sternness.
"Do you object to Captain Branch?" asked Price.
"Yes. I object to anyone who is so great a coward as to strike a wounded, senseless man, merely to revenge himself upon a woman!"
"What do you mean?" asked Price.
"I will tell you. This woman prisoner hates Branch, and I do not wonder. She taunts him, and what woman of spirit would not? ”

“ 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. ”

“ You are suffering still from the wound you received in the Warsaw skirmish, and it makes you low-spirited. No doubt your sister will be perfectly safe, and I know she had much rather be with you, to assist you should you need her aid, than to be safe in St. Louis, enduring the tortures of suspense.”
Hayward made no reply. At this moment, a female, delicate and fair, came tripping lightly into the tent, her face wreathed in smiles, and her eyes sparkling with delight; but, as she caught sight of Hayward, she paused, and gazed upon him for a moment, exhibiting the most intense interest ”

“ 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. ”

“ In a short time an ambulance was overtaken, and Branch said:
"Place Hayward in that ambulance. If he is carried on horseback, he will die, and I shall lose my revenge!"
"Let me handle the darn skunk!" said one of the party, as he advanced through the crowd. "I'm used to handlin' just such darned skunks as he is!"
"Be careful!" said Branch, as this peculiar looking object lifted Hayward from the horse.
"Oh! guess there's no occasion to be too careful. Such dam skunks as him ain't so easy killed."
Hayward was placed in the ambulance.
"Who will volunteer to remain with him?" asked Branch. ”

“ 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. ”