to keep two or
three constantly waiting on him."

To this I made no reply, but ate my breakfast fast, and returned to the
hospital. I found Colonel Brown very restless. During the day several
men, from different cities and towns at a distance, called. Three
remained about two hours with him. They were from Charleston, on the
Kanawha river, Va. After they retired, he lay in a doze for about an
hour, when he was awakened by the arrival of four visitors, accompanied
by his physician. One made a stand at the door of the colonel, three
came in, while the doctor, with the fourth, passed along the gallery, to
see some other of the inmates. I soon, learned that two of the three
present were from Nashville, Tenn.; one a merchant, the other a negro
trader. When they began conversation, I stepped to the door. They talked
very rapidly. One said his friend from Paris, Tenn., would be down in a
few days with several others, from Clarksville. The colonel listened to
them with patience, and replied:

"They had better come, and not disappoint me."

These three left. In a few minutes the physician, in company with the
fourth, came to the door. The doctor made a short stay, leaving the
other man in the room with the colonel.

It was a matter of surprise to witness the liberty that was extended to
visitors, as well as the prisoner. He had a guard, it is true, but the
steward of the sick rooms had been ordered not to permit any one to
enter the apartment without a pass, signed by the Board of Trustees; yet
all who wished to visit were allowed a free ingress, and no questions
were asked. I had been taken there at first by Mrs. B., after which I
had free access. But to return.

CHAPTER VI.

The man left there by the doctor, I knew. After viewing him closely,
consider my surprise, when I recognised a person I had known from my
first remembrance. It was the man who was said by his son to have gone
up the river, and, as I supposed, had returned home. It was the usual
custom of this man, not to go with his flat boats, but being ladened and
committed to skilful pilots, he took passage upon a steamboat and waited
their arrival at the place of destination. He seemed very much
disconcerted in my presence, but I said nothing to strengthen his
suspicions that I knew him. He cast several glances at me, at every
convenient opportunity. When he left, it was near night. I was requested
by the colonel to go to my supper and then return. I we