"I am afraid I can only repeat, general, that our foolhardy freak has
put us in collision with your sentries," said Lagrange, with a slight
hauteur, that replaced his former jauntiness; "and we were very properly
made prisoners. If you will accept my parole, I have no doubt our
commander will proceed to exchange a couple of gallant fellows of yours,
whom I have had the honor of meeting within our own lines, and whom you
must miss probably more than I fear our superiors miss us."
"Whatever brought you here, gentlemen," said Brant drily, "I am
glad, for your sakes, that you are in uniform, although it does not,
unfortunately, relieve me of an unpleasant duty."
"I don't think I understand you," returned Lagrange, coldly.
"If you had not been in uniform, you would probably have been shot down
as spies, without the trouble of capture," said Brant quietly.
"Do you mean to imply, sir"--began Lagrange sternly.
"I mean to say that the existence of a Confederate spy between this
camp and the division headquarters is sufficiently well known to us to
justify the strongest action."
"And pray, how can that affect us?" said Lagrange haughtily.
"I need not inform so old a soldier as Colonel Lagrange that the aiding,
abetting, and even receiving information from a spy or traitor within
one's lines is an equally dangerous service.
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