Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/357

THE FIGHT IN THE CABIN fronting me, sword in hand, and eyes gleaming in triumph.

"Surrender, you dirty Yankee spy," he shouted. "We've got you this time."

In my excitement I laughed at the fellow, despising the cowardice of his words, and scarcely realizing the power he possessed.

"All right, Lieutenant," I returned, holding out my hands, "this happens to be your turn."

"Yes, it is, and I know how to take it. You'll not have another chance to get away. Munn, you and Corbett tie that fellow. He's caught red-handed, and it won't require even a court martial to condemn him."

The two cavalrymen strapped me up, until I lay like a log on the ﬂoor, yet the full significance of this did not burst upon me until their work had been accomplished, and I again caught sight of Dunn’s face.

"What does this mean?" I insisted indignantly. "Am I not to be treated as a prisoner of war?"

"You'll be treated for what you are. You've done the work of a spy, and you end as a spy."

"But I am not one, and you know it. I came here as a scout in uniform. I have made no attempt whatever to assume disguise: I am in uniform now."

He laughed sneeringly, turning contemptuously away.

"That might be accepted at headquarters if you ever got there, King, but I mean to see you don't have any opportunity to escape so easily. You've had your turn: now it's mine."

I shut my teeth tightly, not even yet believing him in [ 337 ]