"Maybe de col'nel wouldn't let me." "I can arrange that." "Den I don't want fo' to go to dat house; dat's whar I run away from." "But I thought you belonged to the Le Gaires of Louisiana ?" "Dat's what I did, sah; but I done tol' yo' I come up yere wid de army.
I was left dere till de captain come back; dose folks was friends o' his." "Oh, I see; well, will you go along as far as the end of the ravine ?" He looked out over the hills, and then back into my face, his eyes narrowing, his lips setting firm over the white teeth.

I little realized what was taking place in the fellow's brain, what real motive influenced his decision, or the issues involved.
"I reckon I will, sah, providin' de col'nel says so." There was, of course, no difficulty in obtaining the consent of that officer, and by nine o'clock we were ready to depart, ten picked men, young, vigorous lads, though veterans in service, led by Miles, together with the negro Le Gaire and myself.

Taking a lesson from the guerillas we were armed only with revolvers, intending to fight, if fight we must, at close quarters; and the brass buttons, and all insignia of rank liable to attract attention had been removed from our blouses.

Upon our heads we wore slouch hats.

I had decided to make the attempt on foot, as we could thus advance in greater silence.