The speaker was a powerful person, and had emerged from the bridge just in time to hear the last sentence of Charles Campbell.
“So, sir,” he continued, “you would desert us, and join the Yankees, and all for your foolish regard for this vixen!”
“Colonel Price, if you were not an officer I would make you _eat_ your words. I have served you faithfully, and you have no right to question my loyalty. I do _not_ intend to desert, neither is this lady a _vixen_ any more than you are a _coward_.”
Price started, bit his lips, and frowned fiercely. At length he asked:
“Why did you propose visiting Springfield with this——lady?”
“I intended to accompany her a portion of the way, and then to return to my duty.”
“Why does _she_ wish to visit Springfield?”
“Because her father and sister are both in St. Louis, and she wishes to rejoin them.”
“Did not yonder cottage belong to her father?”
“He was one of the most bitter opposers in this section. And you love his abolition daughter?”
“Enough. You will return to camp this moment. I will take charge of this young lady. When I rejoin you, I shall put your loyalty and your _courage_ to the test. Do you see yonder boat?”
He pointed up the river. A small boat was seen floating down the stream, in which three men were sitting erect, and the form of a fourth, lying prostrate.
“How do you propose testing my loyalty, Colonel Price?”
“That boat contains a Yankee officer. He is to be hung up by the neck. You shall perform the job.”
“Is not that man _wounded_, Colonel Price?”
“_Then I will not perform the base thing you propose._”
Price drew a revolver, and pointing it to the head of Campbell, commanded him to start at once for camp. He had scarcely done so, when a powerful Indian sprung from concealment, and snatched the weapon from his hand. At the same time he seized Price, as if he had been a child, and hurled him into the water below. Without waiting to watch the result of this sudden immersion upon the chivalrous colonel, he caught the maiden in his arms, and bounded off in the direction of Springfield. As he started, he beckoned to the young man and muttered:
Price floundered about in the water for a moment, and finally succeeded in reaching the shore just as the boat came up.