You saved the colors--_but you failed to save the man!_ You had better have let him die--as an honorable soldier." There was silence for a moment, and the General asked: "Is it true that you were actuated by a debt of gratitude ?" "Yes," answered the Southerner, throwing back his head.

"And a greater debt than I can ever hope to pay.

His mercy to--my little girl." Without relaxing for a moment his grip on the points of the case, no matter what human elements might be drawn into it, the General instantly rose and shot out an accusing forefinger at the Confederate.
"And the pass he gave--_to you!_" Their eyes clashed but the Southerner lowered his own not a whit and backed them, furthermore, with honest anger.
"_To her!_" he answered, and drove the reply home with clenched jaws.
The General relaxed--and smiled.
"Another fine distinction," he said, resuming his seat.

He knocked the ashes from his cigar and presently looked up with another one of those terribly vital questions which came so simply from his lips.

"Did you ever penetrate the Federal lines by means of a uniform--of blue ?" The Confederate drew back as he felt the assault on his rights as a soldier.
"As to that, General Grant, there is--" "Answer me!" came the sharp command.