To greet them with a volley would be murder, and I motioned the men to open the door just wide enough to permit of my slipping through.
I walked forward to the edge of the porch, and stood there, leaning against a pillar.

The approaching party was sufficiently close by this time so that I saw that one of the three in advance was Bell.

Apparently I remained unobserved, but as they came to the gravel driveway I spoke.
"That will be quite far enough, gentlemen, until you explain your purpose." They pulled up, astonished at the sound of my voice, those behind bunching about the first three, all staring open-mouthed at my uniform.
Several voices asked, "What does this mean ?" "Who the hell are you ?" "One at a time, please," I returned, enjoying their surprise.

"This house is garrisoned by Federal troops at present, and we are not receiving callers--put that back! There are riflemen at every window." "Don't be a fool, Brown," growled the man in the centre, glancing aside, and then facing back toward me.

"Are you in command ?" "I am here to receive any communication." "What troops have you ?" I bowed smiling.
"Sufficient for the purpose." Bell, evidently short-sighted, was staring at me through glasses, and broke in, "It's Galesworth, the Yankee lieutenant I told you about, Colonel.