“Down in Tennessee, when you got away with Lieutenant Haines’s horse so slick.”
Calhoun’s face darkened. “Did you have anything to do with the persecution of the Osbornes?” he asked, threateningly.
“Not I. That was the blamedest, meanest trick I ever knew Haines to do. But he was dead gone on the girl. I half believe he would have turned Reb if he could have got her.”
“I saw Haines the other day,” remarked Calhoun.
“Where?” asked the Sergeant.
“In Nashville. I had the pleasure of knocking him down.”
The Sergeant chuckled. “Served him right. He threatened to have me reduced to the ranks because I told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, the way he persecuted that girl.”
“Are you in his company now?”
“No; he is the captain of another company. Glad of it.”
“Sergeant Latham, I would like to continue this conversation, but time presses. Give me your parole, and I will be going.”