"And who in h—ll ar you?" asked the corn-cracker, planting himself squarely in my way.
"I'm on the same side of politics with you, Union to the core!" I replied.
"Ye ar! Union! Then give us yer fist," said he, grasping me by the hand; "by —— it does a feller good to see a man dressed in yer cloes thet haint 'fraid to say he's Union, so close to South Car'lina, tu, as this ar! Come, hev a drink: come boys—all round—let's liquor!"
"Excuse me now, my dear fellow—some other time I'll be glad to join you."
"Jest as ye say, but thar's my fist, enyhow."
He gave me another hearty shake of the hand, and the crowd parting, I made my way with the Colonel out of the room. We were followed by Miles, the landlord, who, when we had reached the front of the entrance-way, said, "I'm right sorry for this row, gentlemen; the boys will hev a time when they gets together."
"Oh, never mind;" said the Colonel, who had recovered his coolness; "but why are all these people here?"
"Thar's a barbacue cumin' off to-morrer on the camp-ground, and the house is cram full."
"Is that so?" said the Colonel, then turning to me he added, "Moye has taken the railroad somewhere else; I must get to a telegraph office at once, to head him off. The nearest one is Wilmington. With all these rowdies here, it will not do to leave the horses alone—will you stay and keep an eye on them over to-morrow?"
"Yes, I will, cheerfully."