CHAPTER XXI
A SURPRISE AND AN ESCAPE
“Your father?” cried Jeanne, in amazement. “Is Colonel Peyton your father?”
The young man bowed in assent.
“And he condemns you to death?” went on the girl, a horrified expression on her face. “How could he do such a thing? Oh, how could he?”
“By George,” broke from one of the Confederates. “This is a pretty mess! Boys, the old man has sentenced his own son to death as a spy.”
The soldiers crowded about the prisoner. Jeanne drew close to him and laid her hand pityingly upon his arm.
“I will tell Bob,” she said. “Perhaps she can persuade your father not to do this monstrous thing.”
“Bob! Is Bob here?” The Lieutenant looked up eagerly and then shook his head. “No,” he said, “she must not know. It would break her heart. After all what has he done but what is just? Had it been any other Federal we would commend him for doing his duty. He could not do other than he has done. But say nothing to Bob. Add this to your other kindness, Miss Jeanne. And, as this will probably be the last opportunity I shall ever have, let me thank you also for sending me to your home.”
“Then you really went there,” cried Jeanne. “You saw my father and my mother? How did they look? Were they well? When did you leave them? Oh, Lieutenant Peyton, do tell me all about them.”
“They are all well, or were when I left them which was two months ago. They were as kind to me as if I had been their own son. I shall never forget them. But they were worried because they had not heard from you. After you left Memphis no word came to them. Child, why do you treat such parents so? Why are you here in place of being at home? It is wrong to subject them to so much uneasiness. They cannot think what has happened to you?”