"I dare by the authority of the United States. You will please keep quiet while the negro drives you back to the house."
"I won't keep quiet! I'll—"
"Oh, Martha, shut up!" broke in the colonel. "You'll only make matters worse."
"What, Dick Bradner, do you turn against me?" was the indignant query. "Have you no backbone left to stand up against these—these vile Northern mudsills?"
"If you don't keep quiet I'll have you bound and gagged, Madam," said Captain Fordick, after whispering to Artie.
"You won't do—"
"Yes, I will. Cameron and Waltling, advance and bind this woman. If she says another word, gag her."
For one moment the lady of the plantation glared at the speaker. Then her courage gave way, and she sank back and burst into tears.
"Oh, please—please don't touch me!" she moaned. "I'll—I'll keep quiet—I didn't mean anything by what I said."
"Very well then—see you remain silent." The captain of the mounted infantry turned to the negro driver. "Turn back to where you came from, and lose no time in driving."