"And my sister?" asked William.
"She, too, must have been taken captive!"
"Then, by heavens, we have much to live for!" cried William, starting to his feet.
"Much to live for? Yes—our country—our hopes—revenge! Oh! William, could you have seen that sight, you would feel as I now feel. Could you have felt the burning fires that seared my heart as I lifted the dying form of her I loved so truly, in my arms, and vainly begged her not to leave me yet, you would feel as I now feel. Could you have heard the cry of agony wrung from my wretched breast when I knew I no longer had a wife, you would feel as I do now. Oh! William, it is terrible—terrible!"
"What course did you pursue?" asked William.
"I consigned our loved ones to the grave, disguised myself, staining my skin with walnut bark, and then started forth for vengeance!"
"And what have you accomplished?"
"But little as yet. I have not met the man. I could have killed, but if discovered, or even suspected, it would prevent the carrying out of my plans. Price has employed me as a spy, and thus I have access through his lines. My plans are first, to find your father and your sister. I am almost certain she is with the rebel army, and that I heard her sweet voice, last night, singing a mournful song."
"Oh! if she lives—but let us go. I will enter the lines of the rebel army this very night. I will go, and if my sister is there, she shall be saved, or I will perish with her!"