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the honorable thing, sir?”
    Lee’s face reddened. “I took an oath, sir. An oath to obey all lawful orders. Every action being ordered of me is in compliance with laws passed by the Congress, signed by the President and upheld by the Supreme Court. Can you say the same?”
    “The congress is owned, the president installed by the army and the supreme court packed with those who would agree to any expansion of the power of the few at the expense of the many!”
    “They are the laws of this land,” Lee insisted.
    Chamberlain shook his head. “This republic was founded by men who argued that unjust laws must be opposed.”
    “Do not lecture me on honor. A traitor, a civilian, a college professor, and a northerner. You have no concept of honor.” Lee deliberately turned his back on Chamberlain.
    Mosby, finishing giving orders for his men to release the prisoners in the fort, smiled at Chamberlain. “You could challenge him to a duel now.”
    “What would be the point of that?”
    “If you were a southerner, you wouldn’t even ask that question. But then if you were a southerner, you would know that men such as Lee who grow up owning slaves come to believe that all other men can be equally inferior to themselves. They also have very strong opinions on the protection of property, said property most importantly including slaves. He will not listen to any argument that you and I could make.” Mosby gazed around ruefully. “As God is my witness, I would love to seize this fort and make a stand here. Imagine the ruckus that would raise. More than government censorship could cover up. But they would overwhelm us sooner or later, and we would have no means of retreat.”
    Chamberlain eyed the massive fortifications. “The defenders of the Alamo inspired the Texican Rebellion.”
    “Little good that did those defenders,” Mosby noted dryly. “I am a fox, sir, and a fox does not allow himself to be trapped in a hole with no chance of escape.”
    “The fox has his wisdom,” Chamberlain agreed. “I am in no position to argue with yours.”
    A man hurried up to Mosby. “There’s no sign of anyone stirring in the barracks, colonel. We’re watching the doors, but we can’t seal them without making too much noise.”
    “Keep a close watch. How are the prisoners coming?”
    Another man arrived just in time to answer that question. “Good, for the most part, but there’s not nearly enough horses in the garrison for them all. We’ll need to take some wagons.”
    “Hellfire and damnation,” Mosby muttered. “Get the wagons ready. Quickly and quietly. Damn this night. It covers our movements but its silence betrays almost our every action. Chamberlain, go check on the released prisoners. Make certain that Lincoln is among them.”
    “Yes, colonel.” Chamberlain ran toward where the cells should be, the sword scabbard slapping annoyingly against one leg until he reached down to hold on to it tightly. He found a crowd milling around, Mosby’s men making constant efforts to keep everyone as silent as possible. Even in the darkness, one tall, thin shape stood out among the others. “Mr. Lincoln, sir?”
    The man turned, revealing a familiar and homely face. “At your service, sir. You are not one of our jailors despite your garb. No! I see now that you are the one who spoke up at our mock trial. Life on the plantations did not suit you?”
    Chamberlain could not help grinning at the question. “I was fortunate enough to escape the fate intended for me, Mr. Lincoln, and to find those who are friends to us and to the Republic. You are needed in Illinois, Mr. Lincoln.”
    “May I ask who it is who needs me?”
    “The people of this country, sir.”
    A smile appeared and grew. While Lincoln was indeed unattractive, the smile transformed him as much as anything could. “I will serve no other masters, save liberty and the Republic governed by our Constitution. Can you get me to Illinois?”
    “We will try, sir.” A