Uncle Billy drew himself up proudly, and the years seemed to fall from his shoulders.
"I is no traitor, sah!" he said quietly, "Is I a traitor, sah, because I is willin' ter die fer two li'l chillun, who is so like mah young massa?"
"What!" shouted the general. "You admit it?"
"Yassah!"
General Steinberg's face grew purple and he waved his arms about angrily.
"Then you shall die in their stead!" he shouted. "Sergeant! Take that black hound out and shoot him! See that my order is carried out at once!"
The sergeant saluted and turned to Uncle Billy.
"Come!" he said.
With bowed head the old negro walked slowly from the hut. Outside the squad of soldiers encircled him, and he was led away.
With his back to a wall and the line of soldiers facing him, their rifles grounded by their sides, Uncle Billy's face turned chalky, and he trembled.