“At a little house not fifty rods from here, just the other side of the pike.”
Without a word, Nettleton bounded like a deer in the direction the Federal forces had taken. But a dozen shots were fired after him, and he fell. He was soon secured, when it was ascertained that one bullet had cut the neck badly, and another had struck the ankle, although it had not broken the bone. He was still able to walk, and, after being bound, he was dragged forward toward Cassville.
A march of forty miles was almost too much even for the tough Nettleton, more especially as he had received a severe shot in the ankle; but he bore up firmly, and at last arrived at the outskirts of the rebel camp. He had become very lame, and rolled about like a ship in a heavy sea. As he entered the camp, many were the jeers and taunts which hailed this specimen of the Yankee soldier. Nettleton made no reply, although his countenance bespoke his contempt.
“By thunder!” yelled one of the Confederate soldiers, “that is the very fellow who fooled us at Springfield. Hang him! Hang him!”
An explanation was soon made, and Nettleton’s fate appeared certain, as a “drumhead” court-martial had already been convened. Sentence was soon given—the Yankee spy was to be hung upon the spot!
A rough scaffolding was formed, under a large tree, and a rope, with the fatal noose attached, thrown over a limb. Nettleton ascended the platform in silence, although his frame trembled.
“I never saw a Yankee yet that did not fear to die,” exclaimed one of the bystanders.
“Then you see one now, you darn skunk,” replied Nettleton.
“Why do you tremble, then?” asked the Confederate.
“I was thinking of the captain, and of his poor sister ‘Mamie.’”
“Ha! ha! ha! This booby is in love. A romantic spy. And the idol of his passion is called ‘Mamie!’”
“You lie, you dog!” yelled Nettleton. “I only—”
“What is all this?” asked a stately-looking officer, who had just approached, and before whom all the rest fell back.
“Why was he not brought to _my_ quarters?”
“Because Raines ordered a drumhead court-martial.”
“Release the man until I have conversed with him.”
Nettleton was released, and, as he descended from the scaffolding, he was recognized by General Price.