I soon saw that it was my companion and not myself whom they were after.

Presently Colonel Shook, that being the commandant's name, went into the adjacent stockade and the boys about began to be hearty and sympathetic.

I made them a regular Douglas Democratic speech.

They brought some "red licker" and I asked for some sugar for a toddy, not failing to cite the familiar Sut Lovingood saying that "there were about seventeen round the door who said they'd take sugar in their'n." The drink warmed me to my work, making me quicker, if not bolder, in invention.

Then the colonel not reappearing as soon as I hoped he would, for all along my fear was the wires, I went to him.
"Colonel Shook," I said, "you need not bother about this friend of mine.