“Lieutenant Scoville admitted that himself.  So there is on our side —­men like Perkins.”

“No, I mean Yankee officers who have at least permitted the worst wrongs in many parts of our unhappy land.”  “Well,” thought Miss Lou, as she helped Zany set the table, “after my experience I shall believe what I see.  What’s more, I mean to see the world before I die and judge of everything for myself.  Now if the general on our side, with his staff, will only come to supper, I shall get quite an education in one day.”

Mrs. Baron retired to her room and would have nothing whatever to do with her present guests, but Aun’ Suke did not need her orders now, nor did any of her assistants.

Chunk had again returned to his haunts and had made havoc in the poultry-yard.  Now he worked like a beaver, meantime enjoining Aun’ Suke “ter sabe de plumpest chicken ob de lot fer my Boss.  Marse Scoville brung ’em all yere, you knows.  Hi! but we uns had ter git out sud’n dough dis mawnin’.”

“Does you tink de Linkum men git druv off agin?”

“How you talks!  Aun’ Suke.  Hi!  Druv off!  Why, de ridge des black wid um—­anuff ter eat Mad Whately en all he men alibe.  Dey des ridin’ troo de kintry freein’ we uns.”

“Well, I hopes I kin stay free till night, anyhow,” said Aun’ Suke, pausing in her work to make a dab at a little darky with her wooden spoon sceptre.  “Firs’ Marse Scoville whirl in en say I free; den old miss whirl in en say I ain’; now conies de gin’ral ob de hull lot en I’se free agin.  Wat’s mo’, de freer I git de harder I has ter wuk.  My haid gwine roun’ lak dat ar brass rewster on de barn, wen’ de win’ blow norf en souf ter oncet.”

“No mattah ‘bout yo’ haid, Aun’ Suke.  Dat ain’ no ‘count.  Hit’s yo’ han’s dat de gin’ral want busy.”

“No mattah ’bout my haid, eh?  Tek dat on yo’n den,” and she cracked Chunk’s skull sharply.

“Dat’s right, Aun’ Suke, keep de flies away,” remarked Chunk quietly.  “You git all de freedom you wants ef you does ez I sez.”

“Mo’n I wants ef I’ve got ter min’ ev’ybody, eben dem w’at’s neber growed up.”

“I des step ter de gin’ral en say you hab dejections ‘bout cookin’ he dinner.  Den I tell ’im ter order out a char’ot ter tek you ter glory.”

“G’lang! imperdence,” said Aun’ Suke, resuming her duties.

“La!  Aun’ Suke,” spoke up Zany, who had been listening for a moment, “doan yer know Chunk de boss ob de hull bizness?  He des pickin’ chickens now ter let de gen’ral res’ a while.  Bimeby he git on he hoss en lead de hull Linkum army wid yo’ wooden spoon.”

Chunk started for her, but the fleet-footed girl was soon back in the dining-room.

When the early dinner was almost ready Mr. Baron said to his sister: 

“Surely, there’s no reason why you and Louise should appear.”

“Very good reason, brother.  I shall make these Northern officers feel that they have eaten salt with us and so are bound to give us their protection.  Moreover, I wish to gain every particle of information that I can.  It may be useful to our general when he appears.  Bring out your wine and brandy, for they loosen tongues.”