“I replied—‘It seems that the tongue of slander has reached you concerning me; will you hear evidence in my favor?’
“His reply was peremptorily, ‘No, sir!’
“I inquired, ‘Will you then read documents?’
“Answer in same manner—‘No, sir!’
“He then inquired—‘Does the order allow you to go by St. Louis?’
“I answered, ‘No, sir.’
“‘Then,’ said he, ‘see that you don’t go that way!’
“I replied, ‘I don’t expect to.’
“He said, ‘see that you don’t!’ And then added, ‘You may think yourself very fortunate that you are not hung, and should feel that you are very mercifully dealt by!’
So the conversation ended, and I returned home and wrote the following note to Colonel Kettle: