"We would like to find out just now what the Rebel Johnston is doing down in front of Pennsylvania."
Covode was ready to change the subject, and follow the Secretary's lead, and at once spoke for me:
"Well, here's the boy to find out all about it."
He didn't seem to think it necessary to consult me about the matter at all. Mr. Cameron, looking at me quizzically, said:
"I will have you in mind, and get you something as soon as I can find a suitable place."
Then turning about, as the attendant brought in a message from another urgent Congressman, he said, in an authoritative manner:
"Covode, you go to Army Headquarters and tell them I sent you there with this young man. They can use him to advantage, perhaps. I will see you again."
I wasn't exactly satisfied with this outlook. I had thought that I was through with the spy business, and had no desire to undertake any more lonely and isolated trips through the enemy's country.
Since my return I had found that nearly all the young fellows of my acquaintance were either in the army, or about to enter it, and I had naturally imbibed the military fever which prevailed at this time. I reckon every one of us expected, as a matter of course, to become colonels or generals in short order, for gallant service in front of the enemy, so it was not at all to my liking that I was being steered in the direction of the rear of the Rebel lines again.
In my case, it was a doubly-dangerous undertaking, as I had so recently been well advertised all over the South in their papers, and was, of course, liable to be recognized and hung as a spy if I should be captured any place in their lines. As I walked with Mr. Covode from the old War Department Building I said something to him about my misgivings, but in his hearty way he assured me by saying: "Oh, this isn't going to last long." And then in a confidential manner he said: "Old Simon wants to find out something; you just go ahead and do as he wants you to, and it will be all right."