"I may as well tell you," I answered at last, "and my men will corroborate all I say. We came here under special orders hoping to capture General Johnston, who, we were informed, was quartered here for the night. We had no other object--"
"Until you saw Billie."
I wheeled upon him so fiercely that the fellow took a step backward.
"Captain Le Gaire, you have said enough--all I shall permit you to say. Miss Hardy had no connection whatever with this affair. If it is true that you are engaged to the lady, then you should be defending instead of attacking her."
"I should hardly come to you for instructions."
"Then take them from Major Hardy."
"Oh, hell, Hardy don't understand. He's as blind as a bat, but you cannot pull the wool over my eyes, Mr. Yankee spy. I've seen some of your fine work before. If I wasn't a prisoner under guard I'd give you a lesson you'd remember as long as you lived."
I stood holding my breath, looking at him, scarcely less angry than he, yet outwardly cool.
"You would give me a lesson?"
"I spoke plainly enough, I hope. This is a personal matter between us, and you know it, and a Southern gentleman settles his own affairs. Only a Yankee coward would hide behind his authority."