CHAPTER XI.

_The Prison—The Wheel-room—Caged_ _The Life and Death Struggle._

WE left Miss Hayward in the little boat, in the custody of Walker and stupid Dick. For several hours they sped rapidly onward with the stream. They encountered the party of rebels of which we have made mention, but, as Walker, or Colonel Brown, was the officer highest in rank, no one attempted to interfere with his project. The boat kept its course until it came upon a broad flat which appeared to be some five or six miles in length, and perhaps one in breadth. This, Walker informed Miss Hayward, was the “Valley of Bohannan!”

“And,” said he, “your brother is confined in yonder mill!”

Miss Hayward gazed a moment upon the structure, and then burst forth in the same wild strain she had sung so frequently during her boat voyage.

“It is folly for you to attempt to attract his notice by your voice. He is a close prisoner and a maniac, and nothing but your constant presence and attention will ever cause his reason to return!”

“What do you intend to do with him and myself?” asked Miss Hayward.

“I intend to take you to your brother. I intend to let you see him in a wretched garret, with no hope of recovery, or of even life, unless you come to his aid. I intend to permit you to _gaze_ upon this scene, but not even to speak with your brother, or to assist him in any manner, until you are my wife. Then you shall be free to attend to all his wants, to provide for his comfort, to restore him to reason, to life and to liberty.”

Miss Hayward bent her head upon her hands and wept.

“I will not ask for your final decision now!” continued Walker. “I will wait until you have seen your brother, which will be in a few moments.”

The boat was drawn to the shore, and Walker, turning to Dick, said:

“I will dispense with you now. Go to Joe’s farm. Follow my instructions as to storing the house with provisions, and at least one comfortable bed. Miss Hayward, it is a beautiful place of which I speak, and, in case of your refusal to perform all that I wish voluntarily, or to save your brother, I shall be compelled to take advantage of a friend’s mansion, in case I can not effect my escape with you to Arkansas. This I doubt being able to do, and more, I don’t know that I shall run the risk, as I am only a subordinate, and some of my superiors _might_ order your release. You perceive that I intend to make sure of my prize now that she is in my keeping. As my wife she will be permitted all proper liberty, but until you are such, by your own voluntary act, I must keep you safely from approach by any one.”

Dick had left his master. Walker and Miss Hayward arrived at the log-hut adjoining the mill, and entered it. Old Madge was there, but she looked pale and frightened.

“Come here, Madge. What is the matter?” asked Walker.

“The devil’s broke loose!” replied Madge, trembling violently.

“Come, don’t be alarmed; I am Walker. I am the one who sent you the hundred dollars to keep the man safely. You have done so, I hope.”

“He has just broke loose, and run into the woods.”

“How did that happen?”

“Oh, he heard a voice singing outside, and, in his fever-delirium, said it was an angel calling him to heaven, and he burst from his room and rushed up yonder.”

Walker and the old woman conversed together in undertones for a few moments, when he turned to Miss Hayward and said:

“Your brother, in his delirium, broke his chains, and is at large in the mountains. He will not return here, and I think it doubtful if I can find him. He will, most likely, make his way to the Federal camps. But, come with me; you shall see where he was confined, and then learn my further intentions.”

Walker seized the unresisting maiden by the arm, and drew her into the