"But if I order you to report to me?"
"Do you recognize me as a Union soldier, Colonel?"
"What has that got to do with it?"
"You would hardly have the right to command a rebel spy to betray his cause," said I.
"But you may be a rebel deserter," said he, smiling.
"If I were a rebel deserter, why should I not claim to be one, after having reached safety?"
"But you may have intended to go home, or you may have been lost, and if so you are properly a prisoner of war."
"How should a lost rebel know what I know about the composition of the Union army?"
"I know your case seems pretty strong; but why not give me the benefit of your knowledge? Some of my men are now almost in the presence of the enemy."
"General Morell advised me to report only to him, unless our advanced troops should be in any danger."