He had proceeded, however, but a few steps when he halted, and, scratching his head, his countenance assumed a most woful expression, and his eyes rolled wildly about.
“What is the matter, William?” asked Wells.
“_Got to go t’other way!_” was the melancholy reply.
“I can’t! It will break _her_ heart!” he replied, pointing to Sally.
“So it would, William, if any thing dreadful should happen to you!” replied Miss Long, as she dropped her eyes to the ground.
“There, didn’t I tell you so?” replied the faithful servant, his mouth gaping and his eyes expanding.
“William,” asked Wells, “do you really _love_ Miss Long?”
“Love her, lieutenant? That ain’t no name for it. Why, can’t you see yourself that she’s the sweetest darn sk— no, I mean the nicest critter in the world—exceptin’ Miss Mamie!”
“And does she love you, William?” asked Alibamo, smiling in spite of herself at the tableau enacting before her.
“_Of course I do!_” replied Sally, proudly and triumphantly, as if a victory had been won.
“There—there! Do you hear that? Now, don’t you pity me? I believe I am the most ugly cuss in the world. I never thought anybody would ever love _me_, and now I find out the gal as I wants most is just the one as does love me! Oh Lordy, I’m sick, I do believe!”
“All right!” Wells responded, with a smile.
“All right! Not by a blasted sight, sir! Did _you_ think it all right when you loved Miss Mamie, and thought you had to swing?”
“_I’ve got to be hung!_” he roared, but, whether with pain or delight, none could tell.
“Why, _you_ didn’t have any thing to do with hurting the captain?” cried Sally, as she advanced toward her beloved.
Nettleton gazed at her an instant with a most singular expression, and then replied:
“Miss Long, never let suspicion cross that delicate bo— mind of yours, but like the true turtle-dove, put your trust in the uprighteousness of your future lord and master, what is to be hanged all on account of the first time you wrapped them delicate arms of yourn around my long neck.”
“William, what do you mean by being hanged?” asked the General.
Nettleton then went on to relate the agreement he had made with Price, to return, and undergo the punishment which was about to be inflicted upon him when that General interfered. He declared his intention of returning at once, as his “furlough” had run out, and as a “man of honor” he must return.