"Have you lived in these parts long?"
"Yes, I was raised in this county."
"You have taken the oath to the Lincoln Government, I suppose?"
"Yes, we all do that. I was obliged to do it, but I don't consider it binding at all. I have been in the Confederate army fifteen months! You didn't know that, did you, boys?"
"No; you had better keep that thing to yourself, for if the Yankees find it out they'll hang you."
"Pshaw! I am not afraid of their finding it out. But, come boys, I see that supper is ready; sit up and eat some supper."
The lady of the house had prepared us a meal worthy of veterans in a nobler cause than we feigned to represent. The table was bountifully supplied. In times of peace a better table would rarely have been set. It had been a long time since our eyes had rested upon such a meal. I think, however, that we did the subject justice.
Having finished our supper and shoved back, the Sergeant began to show signs of drowsiness, and in a few minutes was asleep in his chair. "That's a brave, gallant soldier," said I. "Very few men have the daring and the courage that he possesses; but I see that the poor fellow is tired out with his hardships, and has gone to sleep."
"Poor soldier!" exclaimed the lady. "How the poor soldiers do have to suffer!"
"Yes, and there are very few persons, outside of the army, that realize the hardships and sufferings that the soldiers have to endure."