It was the fourth of July when the army reached Augusta, and a salute was fired in honor of the national independence. Our young friends found their horses all right and safe in the hands of the friends to whom they had been intrusted, and it is safe to say that both Harry and Jack rejoiced to be once more in the saddle.
The old fever for scouting came upon them, and as the army was short of provisions they proceeded to hunt up something for feeding purposes. In the outskirts of the town they found a deposit of corn which had been carefully concealed, and had already missed the sharp eyes of several squads of soldiers. There were nearly a hundred bushels of it, and following up their success they came upon another store of still larger amount. In a clump of forest, half a mile or so out of Augusta, they unearthed more than a wagon-load of bacon; and altogether their labors were of material advantage to the little army, which had been disappointed by the failure of the transports and gun-boats to ascend the river.
After their return from the discovery of the bacon, an old negro sidled up to Harry and said he could tell him something he would like to know.
“Out with it,” said Harry. “Don't keep me waiting. What is it you want to tell me?”
“Hole on a bit, young massa,” said the negro. “Dere ain't no hurry 'bout it.”
“Well, I'm in a hurry,” said Harry, “and if you've any talking to do, fire away.”
“Now just look a-heah,” said the darky, “an' I'll tell yer. 'Fi tell somethin' yer want to know real bad, 'll yer give me my free-papers?”
“Certainly,” was Harry's reply; “if you give us any information that's true and useful, you 'll get your free-papers fast enough.”
“Dat's all I want ter know,” continued the colored citizen; “and dis is what I'se gwine ter say.”
Harry listened patiently while the negro with much circumlocution told him of a barn full of provisions which had been accumulated, about two miles out of town, waiting for a favorable opportunity to ship them to the rebel army or to Memphis, which was then the depot from which a large part of the forces in the West were supplied. When convinced that the negro was telling the truth, Harry quickly reported the circumstance to General Vandever and a detail of cavalry was sent to take possession. The negro did n't want to go along with the party, as it would involve him in suspicion which would be bad for him in future, but he gave such minute directions that there was no mistaking the place.