"Do you mean to say that ye have been a prisoner all this time?" asked Sergeant Swords.
"Yes," said Diggs, after a moment's hesitation.
"Then what was ye doing with a gun in yer hand, when we come on ye and the others?" said Corporal Grimm.
"You are mistaken, it was some one else," said Diggs, becoming confused.
"No, I am not. We all saw you throw it away and run with the rest," said the Corporal.
"Well, it was one I had just picked up. I was tryin' to escape, when you came up, and I ran with the rest."
"But here ye are with the cartridge-box belted around you," said the Sergeant, "and you have the gray uniform on."
Diggs was too much confused to reply, and his eyes dropped under the searching glance of the soldiers.
"Diggs," said the old scout, with great earnestness in his tones, "I'm afraid it will go hard with you. You are a deserter and a spy. It's sorry business, Diggs."