“Are you ready?” asked Wells, rising.
“I wish you to return to your cell, and when all is ready, say two or three o’clock, I will come for you.”
“But I will not go!” was the firm reply.
Walker perceived his mistake, and quickly added:
“As you please, sir.” And turning, he was about to leave the tent, when he was confronted by the “officer of the day.”
“Captain Walker,” he said, sternly, “you feel an especial interest in Lieutenant Wells. I did not suppose so, but learned the fact from your conversation. I am glad you do feel so great a friendship for him. You shall have opportunity to make it manifest. You shall become his Pythias!”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“This: that the sentence of Lieutenant Wells will be read to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock. In the mean time, you, as his dear friend, do not wish to see him confined, and will most cheerfully take his place in the prison, and wear his chains. If the lieutenant is present to-morrow at four, you, as his hostage, will be released. If he should escape, as you have advised, of course you will be held as an aider and abettor in that escape; and when you receive that punishment your guilt deserves, you will have the consolation of knowing that you suffer for the benefit of your very dear friend! Soldiers,” commanded the officer, “place the irons upon Captain Walker, and convey him to the guard-room in the old log-building.”
“Are you mad? You dare not do it!” yelled Walker, as he foamed with rage. But the soldiers promptly obeyed the command, and Walker was taken from the tent.
“This indignity shall be avenged!” but he was carried quickly forward, and the guard-room door soon closed upon him.