“‘You are a keen fellow, and know the world, I perceive,’ he said.
“And taking the flask, he poured out nearly a glass full of the brandy, and drank it.
“‘Do you intend to keep that article of brandy?’ he said.
“‘For my friends, captain,’ I replied, with a wink which he evidently understood.
“‘Let me see your papers again.’
“I unfolded them, and he glanced at them.
“‘All right—they are in regular form. There is the key of the sutler’s shop, on that nail. Take possession.’
“And my friend the captain emptied a second glass of the brandy, and made me a sign that I could go.
“I bowed profoundly; took the key; and went and opened the sutler’s shop; after which I strolled out to look at the prisoners in the area. The sentinel had seen me visit the officer of the day, and go to the sutler’s shop.
“Thus he did not interfere with me when I went into the area, as I was obviously a good Union man and an employee of the post.