a few minutes, I said:  “Colonel, we want protection to go back to Mississippi after our wives, who are still held as slaves.”  He replied:  “You are both free men to go and come as you please.”  “Why,” said I, “Colonel, if we go back to Mississippi they will shoot the gizzards out of us.”  “Well,” said he, “I can not grant your request.  I would be overrun with similar applications; but I will tell you what you can do.  There are hundreds of just such men as you want, who would be glad of such a scout.”  We thanked him and left.

* * * * *

Going back for our wives.

After carefully considering the matter, we concluded to go back to Senatobia and see the captain of the Union troops there.  The next day, Friday, we hired a two horse wagon, and made preparations to start on our perilous undertaking Saturday morning.  It was our hope to find some one at Senatobia to go with us to Panola, and protect us in the effort to bring away our wives.  So, early in the morning, we set out.  Our first stop was at Big Springs camping ground, where we made preparations for refreshing ourselves and spending the night.  Just as we had finished building a fire, for cooking and keeping off the mosquitoes, two soldiers came riding up to the spring.  “Hello,” said one, “which way are you traveling?” “We are just from Memphis,” said George.  “Have you any whisky?” asked one of them.  We replied “yes.”  “Will you give a fellow a horn?” We answered the question by handing them the bottle.  While they were drinking, George and I stepped aside, and, after a few moments talk, we decided to put the question to them of going with us to get our wives.  I asked:  “Where are you from?” “Senatobia,” replied one.  We at once laid our cause before them, telling them what Col.  Walker had said regarding our getting some one to go with us on our enterprise.  They listened attentively, and when we had finished, one of them asked:  “How much whisky have you?” George answered:  “Two bottles.”  “What do you intend to do when you see the captain at Senatobia?” “Lay our complaint before him,” said I.  “Now my friend,” said one of the soldiers, “I am afraid if you go to the captain you will be defeated.  But I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  Give my comrade and me one of your bottles of whisky, and we will put you on a straight track.  The reason why I say this is that our captain has been sweetened by the rebel farmers.  He is invited out to tea by them every evening.  I know he will put you off.  But I will write a note to some comrades of mine who, I know, will bring you out safe.”  We agreed at once to this proposition, and gave them the whisky.  He wrote the note, and gave it to us, telling us to go to the last tent on the line in the camp, where we would find two boys to whom we should give it.  “They are brave,” said he, “and the only two I know of that can help you.  If they are not there don’t give the note to any one else, but wait till they come back, on Tuesday night.  I feel satisfied that they will go and help you out.”  With these words, they rode off.  George and I felt good over our prospects.