Here, to my dismay, I discovered
that the outposts had been recently changed.
But I used the same story that had gained admission for me. In a sack
tied to my saddle were the food supplies I had bought from the negroes
during the day. These, I explained to the outposts, were intended as
presents for my mother and sisters back on the farm. They examined the
sack, and, finding nothing contraband in it, allowed me to pass.
I now made all possible speed northward, keeping out of sight of houses
and of strangers. On the second day I passed several detachments of
Forrest's troops, but my training as a scout enabled me to keep them
from seeing me.
Though my mare had proven herself an animal of splendid endurance, I
had to stop and rest her occasionally. At such times I kept closely
hidden. It was on the second morning after leaving Forrest's command
that I sighted the advance guard of Smith's army. They halted me when I
rode up, and for a time I had more trouble with them than I had had
with any of Forrest's men. I was not alarmed, however, and when the
captain told me that he would have to send me to the rear, I surprised
him by asking to see General Smith.
"Are you anxious to see a big, fighting general?" he asked in
amazement.
"Yes," I said. "I hear that General Smith can whip Forrest, and I would
like to see any man who can do that.
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