"There is no danger of that," said the General, "for that was General Jackson that drank the wine with us, and has just left. He heard all you said about joining his cavalry. If you want to go, boys, you will have no trouble in doing so."
"Well, General," said I, "since you are acquainted with General Jackson, can't you give us a pass that will make us all safe after we get out of the Yankee lines?"
"I'm on parole of honor," he replied, "and I have no right to do that."
"There would be no harm in it; the Yankees would never find it out." Pulling out my wallet, I said, "General, how much did you pay for that wine? We must have another bottle—not at your expense, but mine. It's my treat this time."
"Oh, no! no, no!" said the General, "I'll pay for the wine! Mr. Adams, bring us another bottle. Boys, you come over to-morrow and I'll have your passes fixed out for you!"
I assured him that we would, and, having drank the wine, we left and returned to camp, considerably elated with our adventure.
Unfortunately, Billy Jackson and the spy both got away. The only good that I could then do was to find the "hole in the fence" where they had gone out, and prevent a repetition of it.
I knew that Mrs. Dr. Coleman was a daughter of General Neely, and I thought that she, probably, knew where Jackson and his spy went out through our lines. I had been there a number of times, and had become considerably acquainted, and Mrs. Coleman had not yet found out that I belonged to the Federal army. Doctor Coleman was a practicing physician, and was absent from home the most of the time, visiting his patients.
The next morning I went over to see her. After we had conversed awhile, I said to her, "'Melia, did you see Billy Jackson in town yesterday?"
"Yes, did you?"