ous trick. He
hates his Cousin Jerry, he hates me, and he hates the Deans, because
they were friends of mine." General Ward looked troubled.

"The Commandant says he has been positively informed that both the men
joined Daws Dillon in the fight that night. He has issued orders that
not only every guerilla captured shall be hung, but that, whenever a
Union citizen has been killed by one of them, four of such marauders
are to be taken to the spot and shot in retaliation. It is the only
means left, he says."

There was a long silence. The faces of both the lads had turned white
as each saw the drift of the General's meaning, and Harry strode
forward to his desk.

"Do you mean to say, General Ward--"

The General wheeled in his chair and pointed silently to an order that
lay on the desk, and as Harry started to read it, his voice broke.
Daniel Dean and Rebel Jerry were to be shot next morning at sunrise.

. . . . .

The General spoke very kindly to Harry.

"I have known this all day, but I did not wish to tell you until I had
done everything I could. I did not think it would be necessary to tell
you at all, for I thought there would be no trouble. I telegraphed the
Commandant, but"--he turned again to the window--"I have not been able
to get them a trial by court-martial, or even a stay in the execution.
You'd better go see your brother--he knows now--and you'd better send
word to your mother and sister."

Harry shook his head. His face was so drawn and ghastly as he stood
leaning heavily against the table that Chad moved unconsciously to his
side.

"Where is the Commandant?" he asked.

"In Frankfort," said the General. Chad's eyes kindled.

"Will you let me go see him to-night?"

"Certainly, and I will give you a message to him. Perhaps you can yet
save the boy, but there is no chance for the man Dillon." The General
took up a pen. Harry seemed to sway as he turned to go, and Chad put
one arm around him and went with him to the door.

"There have been some surprising desertions from the Confederate
ranks," said the General, as he wrote. "That's the trouble." he looked
at his watch as he handed the message over his shoulder to Chad. "You
have ten hours before sunrise and it is nearly sixty miles there and
back If you are not here with a stay of execution both will be shot. Do
you think that you can make it? Of course you need not bring the
message back yourself. You can get the Commandant to telegraph--" T