"Come, soldier, get up; we want to talk to you."
I got awake, finally, and without offering to get up, asked them what they wanted, in a tone expressive of no pleasure at their intrusion. They then began to question me as to who I was, where I was going, what my regiment was, and so on: all of which I answered promptly and carefully. Pausing a little, one winked at the other, who nodded in return; then addressing me, he said:
"Well, my friend, we want you to go to camp with us."
"I have been to your camp," said I, "and came from it, over here to stay all night."
"Well," said the spokesman, "we want you to go back with us."
"I do n't propose to go back there to-night," I responded.
"Well," he continued, "I think you will have to go."
They had not yet drawn their pistols, and, without giving them time to do so, I seized my own, under the blanket, and jumped to the floor, ready to fire.
"Now," said I, "get out of this house, and do it quickly, or I will shoot you."
They began at once to stammer apologies for their conduct, but I shut them up: