He was looking for us—doubtless he knew by previous experience the effect the reading of that oath produced upon Southern women—and he burst out laughing as our procession filed back into his room.
“Why, general,” we began, “we couldn’t take that horrid thing! We are Southerners, and our kinsmen and friends are Southern soldiers.”
“I almost knew you wouldn’t take that oath, ladies, when I sent you there.”
“General,” I said, “this is the most remarkable position I ever knew people to be in—where you can’t go back, and can’t go forward, and can’t stay where you are. I don’t know what you are to do with us, general, unless you hang us to get us out of the way.”
He laughed heartily.
“I must do something a little better than that for you. My orderly will take you back to the tavern, and you will hear from me in an hour.”
We went with Mrs. Drummond and Miss Oglesby to their room. Before the hour was up we were escorted to another interview with General Kelly. The general beamed on us.
“Here is a telegram I received in your absence,” he said, handing it to us:
“Mrs. and Miss Duncan are dear friends of mine. Can you see them through? If not, tell them I will be in Harper’s Ferry to-night. Answer.
“Hosmer.”
“Here is my answer,” said the general: