“The old aunty was in the yard, a smooth, hard, flat piece of ground, fenced off by a low fence, about four rails high, which a man could easily step over. I saluted her with:
“'How do you do, aunty, do you live here?'
“'Yes, sa, I lives heah—me and Ham, my ole man. What is you, massa? Is you Union or is you “Sesh?”'
“'Oh! I am a Union man,' I replied.
“'Den I is glad to see you. I'll jes' call Ham. He runned away when he seed you. He's feared; yes, he's dat. He isn't gwine wid de “Sesh” any mo'.'
“'Well, aunty, have you a Union officer in your cabin, sick?'
“'Well, now, massa, I'se jes' got to know who you is afore I 'fess on dat case.'
“'Well, aunty, I am Daniel Lyon, sometimes called “Uncle Daniel.”'
“'Afore God, is dat you, Massa Lyon? Jes' get off yo' hoss an' wait rite heah; I be back in a bit.'
“She hobbled in, evidently to speak to the Colonel. I waited quietly until she returned. Just then the others came in sight, and I sent the boy to halt them. Aunty came out so excited that she could hardly speak.