"Had you a pass through our lines?"
"No, sir."
"Have you reported to any of our officers, or taken the oath?"
"No, sir."
"Don't you know you are violating military law, and are liable to be arrested?"
The man says nothing. The three children, who have watched the reading of the "discharge" as though it were a safeguard, turn their frightened faces upon me, and his wife moves nearer and says pleadingly:
"Oh, sir, he is sick. He can't fight any more, and will never go again. He is willing to take the oath, and was going down to take it last week."
"Why did you not go?"
"I heard there would be an officer up at Boydsville, and that I could take it before him. I acknowledge I ought to have gone down before."
"Well, you have answered so frankly against your self that I will take your word for this. Go down to the fort by Thursday, report yourself to the commanding officer, and take the oath."