“What did they do that for?” asked Dan.
“Because they wanted to betray their friends into our hands,” said the man.
“But these ain’t friends of mine,” replied Dan, “I’ve been down on them ever since I have been here.”
“No matter. You know what we will do to them if we catch them, and the others will serve you the same way. I would rather be in my boots than in yours.”
“But you are going to lick them, ain’t you?”
“Lick them? Of course we are. That’s what we are going up here for. Have you got any friends there?”
“I’ve got a father and a mother.”
“Then they had better get out. We’re going to sweep everything clean. There won’t be hide nor hair left of a Union man to-night.”
“Now, if you will let me get off and go through the woods,” said Dan, “I can warn my relatives.”
“Can’t do it,” said the man, shaking his head. “Didn’t you hear what the captain said? If you were in the service you would know how to obey orders.”