Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/367



LL Dunn's pretended bravado seemed to desert him at these words, and I saw Corbett grin, as he watched the indecision in his officer's face.

"Shall we string the Yank up, sir?" he asked, endeavoring to speak with outward respect.

The other did not answer. He was listening to the hoof-beats of horses advancing around the north side of the house. Suddenly Donald trotted into the midst of the group, two men behind him, and drew rein sharply. His eyes swept over the faces, and the shadow rose].

"What is the meaning of this?" he questioned. "Jean, what are you doing here? Dunn, I should like some explanation of this."

"I am not under your orders," growled the Lieutenant, in a last effort at independence. "I belong to the regular service."

Donald leaned forward and looked at the man contemptuously.

"Which you continually manage to disgrace," he said coldly. "But we'll not discuss either rank or authority. Lieutenant King, what did these fellows propose to do with you?"

"Hang me as a spy," I answered, with a shiver. "It [ 347 ]