"There was no chance to back out now, and gathering my breath for the effort, said I—
"'General, I regret to say, that your horse is dead.'
"'Dead! did you say?' echoed the General, rising.
"'Yes, sir; I was compelled to have him shot.'
"'Shot! did you say, sir?' advancing; 'shot! compelled to have him shot, sir! By G—d, sir, I would like to know, sir, who would compel you to have a horse of mine shot, sir.'
"'He was glandered,' said I timidly.
"'Sir! sir!! sir!!! d——d lie, sir,—mouth as sweet as sugar. D——d lie, sir,' retorted the General.
"The General was furiously mad, his eyes flashing, and all the while he took quick and long steps up and down his marquee.
"I attempted an explanation, but he would listen to none; and kept on repeating 'glandered!' 'shot!' and scowling at times at me;—saying, too, 'By G—d, sir, this matter must be investigated.'