It was my third attempt to get through your pickets, and this time I succeeded.

I found myself in thick brush near a cluster of tents, and overheard two officers talking.

One was a major by the name of Hardy--do you know him ?" "Yes," a swift little catch in her voice.
"The other was a shorter, heavier-set man, out-ranking Hardy." "Speaking with short, crisp sentences," she interrupted, "and wearing a heavy beard ?" "He spoke that way--yes; but as to the beard I could not say owing to the darkness." "It must have been General Johnston." "I thought as much.

The two were discussing the getting of despatches through to Beauregard, and decided no one could succeed but a fellow they called Billie, some relative or friend of Hardy's.

It was all arranged he should try it, and the major started off to complete arrangements.