"He is my brother-in-law, standing in about the same relation to Plain Hill that I do to Greeltop."
"The negro that brought the paper is still here," said the lieutenant.
The man was sent for at the request of the colonel. Major Lyon directed Captain Gordon to have all the horses fed, and to let the men have their suppers as soon as possible. Captain Truman had marched with nearly the whole of his company half an hour before, and must be near his destination by this time. The major and his companions had dismounted, and retired to the headquarters tent.
"It is you who have brought this message, is it, Clover?" asked Colonel Coffee, as the man was shown into the tent by a sentinel. "This man is Hasbrook's steward," he added, turning to the commander.
He was a mulatto of rather dark shade, was well-dressed, and looked like an intelligent person.
"I brought the paper, sir," replied Clover. "Mr. Hasbrook sent me over with it, and told me to carry it to your house; but when I came to this camp I asked the soldier in front about it, and he sent for the officer. When I found the camp was of a Union company, I asked the captain to read the note, and he did so."
"You did well, Clover; to have gone to my house would have delayed the relief," added the magnate.
"The company started off at full gallop, and I stopped to see you," continued the steward.
"But what do you know about the approach of the guerillas, Clover?" asked the colonel impatiently.