Colonel Winchester flushed a deep crimson, and bit his lips savagely.
“Madame,” he said, “we are not robbers and plunderers. These are regular soldiers belonging to General Grant's army.”
“Does it make any difference? Your armies come to ravage and destroy the South.”
Colonel Winchester flushed again but, remembering his self-control, he said politely:
“Madame, I hope that our actions will prove to you that we have been maligned. We have not come here to rob you or disturb you in any manner. We merely wished to inquire of you if you had seen any other Southern armed forces in this vicinity.”
“And do you think, sir,” she replied in the same uncompromising tones, “if I had seen them that I would tell you anything about it?”
“No, Madame,” replied the Colonel bowing, “whatever I may have thought before I entered your portico I do not think so now.”
“Then it gives me pleasure to bid you good evening, sir,” she said, and shut the door in his face.
Colonel Winchester laughed rather sorely.
“She had rather the better of me,” he said, “but we can't make war on women. Come on, lads, we'll ride ahead, and camp under the trees. It's easy to obtain plenty of fuel for fires.”