"There will have been very few homes in the South far away from armies; to conquer the South you must overrun her territory."
"Doctor, you are gloomy to-night, and I confess that I am also. I wonder what's the matter with us."
"I don't admit being unusually gloomy," said the Doctor; "true, I have been seeing pain and wretchedness recently, and so have you. Our trades, however, ought to have accustomed us to such by this time, if ever."
"I don't think I should ever become accustomed to blood; I don't wish to," said I.
"You need never fight another battle," said he.
"How can I avoid battle?" I asked.
"Your services as a scout are worth more than forty cents a day; you ought not to fight at all."
"You think fighting more dangerous than scouting?"
"Fighting and scouting are more dangerous than scouting."
"But what can I do? If I am recalled by General Grover, I shall likely be required to do both."