After a while I saw a guard approach, and saw two little boys in their midst, but did not see the Yankees that I had been looking for.

The two little boys were rushed upon the platform.

I saw that they were handcuffed.

"Are they spies ?" I was appalled; I was horrified; nay, more, I was sick at heart.

One was about fourteen and the other about sixteen years old, I should judge.
The ropes were promptly adjusted around their necks by the provost marshal.