"But this Mr. Hilton who lives back in the house we passed, he's not a soldier, you say?"
"No, suh. No, suh."
"You're sure he's a good friend of the Union men?"
"He sho'ly am."
"Then I'm going back there," said Noel, stopping as he spoke and turning abruptly about.
Nick in surprise also stopped and looked at his companion. "Is yo' all a Union sojer?"
"I am, and I want to go where I can find somebody who will be good to me for a day or two. You say you're sure Mr. Hilton will be glad to see me?"
"I can't jes' say as how he will be glad to see yo'," replied the negro, shaking his head slowly.
"But you said he would," interrupted Noel.
"No, suh; 'scuse me. What I done say was dat he would be good to yo'. I don' know as Massa Hilton will be glad to see a Union sojer des' now."