"Come right in here."
Entering the room he closed the door behind them, and made a minute
survey of the windows, and other points of vantage for eavesdroppers.
This done, he returned to where Rachel was watching his operations
with much curiosity, and said:
"Let's set down. I guess no one'll overhear us, ef we're keerful.
"Hev ye enny idee who I am?" he asked abruptly, as they sat down
on one of the rude benches with which the room was furnished.
"Not the slightest," she answered, "except that you appear on the
roll as 'James Brown, No. 23,' no company or regiment given."
"Very good. D'ye reckon thet enny o' them in thar hev?"--pointing
over his shoulder with his thumb to the ward.
"Of course I can not tell as to that. I never hear them say anything
about you. They seem to think that you are one of the loyal East
Tennesseans that are plentiful about here."
"I've been afeered fur the last few days that some uv 'em were
Rebels in disguise, an' thet they sort o' suspicioned me. I hev
seed two on 'em eyein' me mouty hard. One has a red head, an'
'tother a long black beard."
"I can perhaps set your anxiety at rest on that score. They ARE
Southerners, but loyal ones. They were forced into the Rebel army,
but made their escape at the first opportunity.
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