"I am glad you did. You shall have all the buttermilk you want. You are not a-gwine to _walk_ to Salem, are you?"
"Yes. I've got another horse there, and I don't like to trouble any body for the use of one."
"Well, now, you are not a-gwine to walk down thar; we've got heaps o' horses and mules, and you shall have one to ride. Bob! Bob!" calling to a darky in the yard, "you run right quick to the cotton-gin and fetch your master."
While Bob went on a double-quick for his master, the lady ordered me some buttermilk and wheat biscuit. While I was eating, the planter came in.
"Lord bless you, John!" exclaimed the lady, as her husband entered, "here is one of _our soldiers_, and he has had a fight with the Yankee pickets and has killed three of them! He says he's gwine to walk to Salem after another hoss. I tell him that he's not a-gwine to walk when we've got heaps o' mules! I think any of our soldiers that has killed _three Yankees_ is entitled to a mule to ride!"
"You can have a mule in welcome; there's no occasion for you to walk," said the planter.
"Thank you!" said I, "I am under very great obligations to you for your kindness, but it may not be possible for me to return this way. I will not take a mule, but I am a thousand times obliged to you."
With many blessings from them, and an urgent invitation to call if I returned, I took my departure. When about twelve miles from Grand Junction, I was overtaken by a squad of thirteen rebel cavalry, including one Sergeant, under command of a Lieutenant.
"How are you, boys?" said I, as they came up.
"Fine!" said the Lieutenant. "How do you do?"
"I'm getting _pretty near well_, I thank you."
"To the 13th Tennessee Infantry, Col. Vaughn's regiment."
"Ah--yes, yes; he's all right. I remember of seeing him in Corinth last spring," said the Sergeant; "I have a cousin in the same regiment."
"To Jackson's First Battalion of Cavalry," answered the Lieutenant. "Where are you gwine?"
"I am gwine down to my regiment," said I. "I have been sick, and have been home in Osceola, Mississippi County, Arkansas, and I am gwine down to Salem to report myself to the nearest head-quarters. I have heard that there is some of our forces there, and I want to find out where my regiment is."