human
Major Lyon, I think I am safe in making you a proposal,
gpt
What sort of a proposal, Captain Brentford?
human
I think you would rather recross the creek and join your command than go ahead to where I am to take you.
gpt
That goes without saying.
human
Exactly. And that being so, supposing we try to come to terms.
gpt
I must confess I don't understand you,
human
It is too bad that I must speak plainer. You wish to return to the Union lines. Very well, what is it worth to you?
gpt
Worth to me?
human
That is what I said. I am a plain-spoken man, and to me a spade is a spade and not an instrument for upturning the soil.
gpt
But I don't understand you, Captain Brentford. If you mean what is it worth in money, let me state that I am not worth ten dollars, all told, at the present moment.
human
I know exactly what you have in your pocket, a five dollar goldpiece and four dollars in United States scrip that won't be worth anything after the Confederacy gets done with the North.
gpt
Then what are you driving at?
human
You have something else about you which might prove of far more value to me than money.
gpt
And that is--
human
Information. Now do you understand?
gpt
So you wish me to buy my liberty through what information I may be able to give you concerning the Union troops and their proposed movements?
human
I did not put it that way.
gpt
You suggested it, then.
human
We will let it stand at that. Captain Brentford's face took on a sharp look.
gpt
What do you say to it?
human
I say, Captain Brentford, that you are a scoundrel to suggest such a thing to me.
gpt
A scoundrel!
human
Yes, a scoundrel. Perhaps, were you placed as I am placed, you would barter your very soul to gain your liberty; I am made of different stuff--and I thank God for it!
gpt
Don't get on a high horse, Major, it will do you no good.
human
I mean what I say, and I shall stick to it. Try your best, you'll get no military information out of me.
gpt
You forget that your very life is in my hands.
human
I forget nothing, Deck replied, but a cold chill crept down his backbone, as he looked into those black eyes, now blazing like those of a snake.
gpt
I do not doubt but that you would kill me, as you killed that officer at General Rosecrans' headquarters, if you saw fit to do so.
human
I would kill you if I thought it in the line of my duty. I was sent forth by General Bragg to obtain certain information, and to obtain it at any cost. I propose to obey orders. As a major in the Union cavalry you must know certain things, and you have got to tell me--or take the consequences. We will finish this business before we stir another step,