"I am not enlisted in the army, sir. I am too young."
"Ah! You would not be in our service," the General returned, with a smile. "But you are a Union sympathizer?"
"Yes, sir, I am," replied Al, firmly.
"Well, you appear to be a pretty bright boy," the General observed, shrewdly. "I think it will be as well not to have you at large for a few days. Corporal, lock these young men in that brick storehouse a block below here, on the left side of the street. Mount a guard, give them supper, and keep them securely till further orders."
As they were being marched out, they passed the short guerilla who had championed them in the morning. He was lounging by the doorstep. Al motioned to him and he caught step with them.
"We are very grateful to you for taking our part down there where we were captured," said he. "We'd have been killed if it hadn't been for you."
"Maybe," said the other, somewhat embarrassed. "But I didn't like the way you were taken."
"How do you mean?"
"Oh, havin' that dough-faced shipmate o' yours come in to give yeh up,—pervidin' we'd shoot yeh!"