"What proof can you give me that you are not deceiving me?" he asked
sternly.
"I do not know, General," said I, "that I can give you any proof; I
wish I could; perhaps you can so question me as to satisfy you."
The general sent a courier to the front. He then wrote a line on a piece
of paper, and handed the note to another courier, who rushed off to the
rear. In a few minutes an officer rode up from the rear; he saluted
General Davidson, who spoke earnestly to him in a low tone. I could
easily guess that he was speaking of me.
Then, the officer approached me, and asked many questions about my
service:--where I was from--where was my regiment from--who was its
colonel--who was my captain--how I had come to the army ahead of my
regiment, etc. To all these questions I gave brief and quick replies.
Then the officer asked for a detailed account of my scout, which I gave
him in as few words as I knew how to use. When I spoke of Nick, his eye
brightened; when I spoke of giving Nick a note, he nodded his head. Then
he asked, "What did you write?"
"The word _going_," I said.
"Have you a pencil?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Here, take this, and write the word _going_," he said, handing me a
small blank-book.
On a leaf of the book I wrote the word, and my signature below.
Then the officer took another book from his pocket, and looked
attentively at both books.
Then he said: "General, I think there is something in what he says.
Better be careful of your advance."