_The Departure--The Meeting--The Sister--The Breaking Hearts._
This is the heaviest blow of all.--_Bulwer._
The morning dawned, and still Captain Hayward slept. Alibamo was seated
by his side, gazing intently upon him. Nettleton was standing in the
entrance of the tent. The reveille was beating, and all without gave
evidence of preparation to continue the march. As the maiden gazed upon
Hayward, she said in saddened tones:
"Would to God I knew the fate hanging over this poor man, or that,
whatever it is, I might be permitted to share it with him. But, I fear
we shall be separated to-day. That villain Branch will show no mercy
when he is under no restraint. Nettleton!"
"Here, Miss Alibamo."
"Have you discovered nothing--no signs of friends?"
"Nothing, but I will not give up yet. We may expect aid at Springfield."
"I fear all is lost. Branch will not permit the captain to remain long
in Springfield, as I am told the Union army is advancing. He will be
hurried off South, and I suppose we shall be separated to-day. Very
likely neither of us will be permitted to go with him."
"You will, miss."
"How do you know this?"
"I'll tell you. Last night I crept close to the tent of Branch and
listened. I heard him giving directions to some one he was about to send
forward. I heard him say you were to go with him, and that your room
would be in the hotel at Springfield which is now used as the rebel
hospital. And the captain is to be imprisoned in the cellar of the same
building."
"Are you to go with us?"
"I shall go, but as soon as I find out what is to be done, I shall go
somewhere else."
"You don't intend to leave the captain?"
"Yes, I do!"
"What! Forsake him now!"
"Who the devil said anything about forsaking him? There's a good deal of
difference between leaving and forsaking, I take it."
"I know you will act for the best, my good fellow!"
"Strike tents!" echoed through the camp from without.
"Had we not better wake the captain, Miss Alibamo? It may be the only
chance he will get to say anything."
"He is moving--he wakes!"
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? No, I ain't quite so mean as that."
"What have you been doing?"
"Making up my mind--that's all."
"And I have been dreaming, Alibamo. Oh! It was a heavenly vision!"
"What were you dreaming, captain?"
"I was standing upon the margin of the lake near my own dear home. Far
out on the waters I heard a sound, low and musical as angels'
whisperings. I could not catch the words; still its melody enchanted me,
and filled my soul with rapture. Nearer and nearer it approached, and
louder and louder became those strains, until the mingling of ten
thousand angel voices seemed to make the very waters dance with
rapturous delight. My brain grew dizzy, and I sank upon the ground. I
raised my eyes, and gazing through the mist, tinted with rainbow hues
reflected from the rays of the golden sunset, I saw a thousand fairy
forms gliding from point to point, and trilling forth their lays. And on
the brow of each I saw emblazoned forth the magic word of _Liberty_! The
sight revived me, and springing up, I cried: 'Who are those lovely
beings who come forth with my country's jewel glittering on their brow?'
A voice replied: 'They are Columbia's daughters--their fetters have been
broken--they are free again!' 'Let me embrace them--they are my
sisters!' I cried, but at that moment I was seized by an iron hand, and
borne from the spot. So rapidly was I whirled along that my senses fled.
When I returned to consciousness, I found myself enveloped in a dismal
cloud, while at my feet a thousand hissing serpents, which resembled
lightning, coiled around, but could not harm me. I heard the dreadful
thunders, as they burst over me, but still I feared not. I raised my
eyes, and as a cloud rolled by it revealed to my astonished gaze the
form of a man standing upon the very edge of a dark cloud, while below
him was a precipice, millions of feet. My blood was chilled within me
lest he should fall. I heard his cursings, and I saw him reaching
forward. I looked farther, and upon another cloud I saw _my_ sister
standing. She was clothed in white, and on her brow a golden wreath was
shining. The clouds were rolling fast together, and he, that fiend-like
form upon the other side, was reaching forward, and exulting in the
thought how soon he would have her in his grasp, and hurl her down that
awful chasm. My brain was reeling, and my heart bursting within me as I
gazed upon this scene. I tried to speak, but terror held me dumb. She
was almost in his grasp, when my sister raised a dagger, I heard a voice
exclaim, 'Hold fast that steel!' I looked, and emblazoned on its
polished blade, read the word _virtue_! The villain saw it, and sprang
back with a cry of terror. I saw the cloud on which he stood turning to
blood, while that upon the other side was tinged with glorious beauty.
The thunder rent the dismal pall, and breaking it in pieces, I saw the
villain hurled into the depths below, while hideous fiends held their
orgies around him. And then commenced the strains I heard upon the lake.
My sister joined the chorus, and gazing on me, smiled. Columbia's
daughters came and bore that loved one to my heart, and as I clasped her
close, I woke, suffocating with excessive joy!"
"O captain! _that_ dream should make you happy--very happy. It fills
_my_ heart with joy!"
"Why so, Alibamo?"
"Because your troubles will end in the same manner. I feel sure they
will."
"It cannot be!"
"And why not?"
"Because my sister was prominent in my vision, she can be in no manner
connected with me here!"
"She may hear of your misfortune and visit you here."
"God forbid. No! she has no means of hearing from me. And, if she had, I
would rather die a thousand deaths than have that angel sister gaze upon
my sufferings. It would add to them a thousand fold, and that would
drive me mad."
"Are you ready to depart?" asked Branch, who entered the tent at that
moment.
"Quite ready. Am I to walk?" asked Hayward.
"No, you are to ride. Do you prefer a horse or a carriage?"
"It matters very little, as the distance is not far," answered Hayward.
"Then I will send a horse around to your tent. I intend also to grant
you a great favor!"
"I shall decline any favors at your hands!" replied Hayward.
"You did not hear what that favor is to be!"
"Well, sir!"
"I intend to permit Alibamo to accompany you as far as Springfield. But
to-morrow you are to take your last farewell of her. I have my plans for
both you and her arranged."
Branch left the tent. In a few moments horses were brought, and Hayward,
with some difficulty gained the saddle. Nettleton helped Alibamo into
her seat. By this time Branch came up in company with some twenty
horsemen, who were to act as the guard, and the party prepared to
depart.
"Is not this young man to accompany us? He has attended to the captain's
wounds, and appears familiar with the business. He is a poor, foolish
fellow, and will be of little service as a soldier!" said Alibamo,
pointing to Nettleton.
"Yes, he can go, if he will walk!" replied Branch.
"Will you go?" asked Alibamo.
"Well, I don't care much about it one way or t'other. But if _you_ want
me to go with _you_ very much, I will, Miss Alibamo," replied Nettleton.
The party set off, and Nettleton trudged along after them, with his
usual rickety and unsteady motion, whistling as he proceeded.
They had proceeded about two miles from camp upon the Springfield road,
when Branch ordered a halt.
"Where are those hand-cuffs?" he asked.
"Here, sir!" replied one of the soldiers.
"Place them on his hands. No! not that way. Chain his hands behind him!
But wait. I will reserve them for future use. Leave his hands free."
Hayward spoke not. In the course of three or four hours they reached
Springfield, and halted in front of the hotel building which had been
used as a rebel hospital since the battle at Wilson's creek.
"Dismount!" said Branch, in a voice of excitement, mingled with hatred.
Hayward obeyed.
"Is Davis here?" asked Branch.
"Here, sir!" replied a soldier, stepping forward.
"Has the person I wrote for arrived?"
"Yes, she is in a room above!" was the reply.
"O my God!" groaned Alibamo.
"Take that woman away," said Branch, pointing toward Alibamo. Then he
added, as she was being led away,
"You shall see your captain to-morrow. And I will show you an amusing
sight. You know _it is Friday_, hangman's day." Then turning to Hayward,
he added:
"Now will I bend your proud heart. I will show you a pretty sight,
presently, _and to-morrow, at three o'clock, we will have a grand review
in the fair ground_! Come, follow me."
Hayward turned to speak with Nettleton, who had been standing beside him
but a moment before, but he had disappeared.
"Why do you delay?" asked Branch.
"Because it pleases me to do so," replied Hayward.
"Bring a set of chains. Put them on his ankles!" The order was obeyed.
"Drag him along!"
"I will follow you, sir," replied Hayward.
He soon reached the main hall of the building, and, as Hayward followed
his captor, the chains clanked heavily upon the floor, and echoed dimly
throughout the building.
"You shall behold a friend now, and you will think better of my
generosity!" said Branch, as he threw open a side-door. Hayward entered.
A wild scream rang through the room, and a lovely female sprang forward,
into the arms of Hayward.
"_My brother! O my brother!_" were the only words spoken, and she became
unconscious.
"Mamie--Mamie--Great God! why are you here? Mamie--sister, look
up--speak to me--speak, or I shall die--Mamie--O God! she is
dead--dead!"
And Hayward sank to the floor, still holding his sister to his heart,
and burst into tears.
"Ah! ha! ha! ha! Humbled at last!" cried Branch, as he left the room.