“I have no fear! No doubt they have been bribed to conspire with you! But, vent your spite! Go on!”
“Then, Captain Walker, I will briefly enumerate the circumstances which have been developed, as well as the _facts_. The morning we left Grand Prairie you were in command of the squad which escorted the prisoner, Lieutenant Edward Wells. You had not proceeded far when you were overtaken by two men. It was a very easy matter to secure an audience with you as you were in the rear of the division. They suggested that you should deliver Lieutenant Wells to them, as their commander had an especial spite against him, and wished to secure his person. You asked these men (I refer to the two ruffians now in chains and standing by your side,) how they dared to approach you on such a subject, and they replied that they had _witnessed your act_ the evening previous, and that you need not put on airs with them! You then requested these fellows to meet you the next evening at the upper hedge. You instructed them to secure a number of pounds of powder for some purpose, which you would then explain. You met them the next evening. You gave them instructions. They were about to act upon them, when your outcries from the cell in which _you_ had been placed, and which Lieutenant Wells had left only a short time previously, attracted the attention of the guard, and you were rescued. Prior to this you had offered to assist Lieutenant Wells to escape, but you wished him to return to his cell and remain until two or three o’clock. The fiendish act was to be committed between twelve and one. You _pretended_ friendship, that all suspicion of the act might be diverted from you. Have I spoken correctly, sir?”
“No doubt you have spoken according to the story of those ruffians!” replied Walker. “You can not bring against me any _respectable_ proof. I look to a court for the justice which I have no reason to expect here.”
Walker, who had been shaking like a guilty wretch during the speech of the commander, turned in the direction indicated. The rough garb had fallen from the ruffians; their chains were thrown aside, and, to his astonishment and horror, there stood two of the regimental Union officers, ADJUTANT HINTON, the husband of Alibamo, and his friend, CAPTAIN CLARK!