“Pennington again, as I am alive!” gasped the astonished Lieutenant.
After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejected and crestfallen among the prisoners.
“Cheer up, Lieutenant,” said Calhoun, pleasantly; “we are going to parole you. You will soon be at liberty.”
“How often do you want to parole a fellow? This will be the third time,” growled Haines. “Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you off the face of the earth sure this time. We would, too, if it hadn’t been for that cowardly regiment which broke.”
“An ‘if’ has stood in between many a man and success,” answered Calhoun. “How long ago were you exchanged?”
“About two months,” replied Haines, “and here I am in for it again. I expected to win a captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shall die a lieutenant.”
“Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet, [pg 125]who knows? To change the subject, have you met the charming Miss Osborne since your return to the army?”
A change came over the face of Haines—one that transformed his rather handsome features into those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it and wondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself, and answered:
“Yes, but trouble has come upon the family. Mr. Osborne refused to take the oath of allegiance, and as he was looked upon as a dangerous character, he has been sent North as a prisoner.”
“To wear his life away in some Northern bastile!” exclaimed Calhoun, in a fury. “Monstrous!”