Yet we could not fail to overhear what was said, and to at once realize the importance of the information.

I spoke of it to Major Hardy, but he felt himself still under parole, bound by his word of honor.

I was under no such obligation, however, and, for the moment it seemed as though my whole duty demanded that I should escape immediately, and bear this news to the nearest Confederate commander.

Nothing else, no other obligation appeared as important as this.

It was not that I wished to harm you, or to betray you to possible death or imprisonment, but it seemed to me all that was personal should be forgotten in duty to the cause of the South.