thered me mightily. I did not want to write to old Pigey, for
fear that he might take some course to prevent me from collecting the
greenbacks due me in the Regiment, and I did not like to tell him in
person. Well, I have been putting it off and off for nearly a week past
since my return--my mind made up to tell him all about it, but delaying
as long as possible, until this afternoon he happened to see me, and in
about half an hour afterward sent for me. It was after three o'clock, an
unsafe time with the General, and I expected there would be the d----l
to pay. From the way in which he asked me to be seated, shook hands with
me, and went on inquiring about my stock and business, and so forth, I
saw at once that he knew nothing of it. All the while I was fairly
trembling in my boots. At last says he:

"'Well, how did you leave the horse?' and without waiting for an answer,
went on to say that he was a favorite animal, highly recommended by the
Ohio Captain he had purchased him from, and wound up by repeating the
inquiry.

"There was no chance to back out now, and gathering my breath for the
effort, said I--

"'General, I regret to say, that your horse is dead.'

"'Dead! did you say?' echoed the General, rising.

"'Yes, sir; I was compelled to have him shot.'

"'Shot! did you say, sir?' advancing; 'shot! compelled to have him shot,
sir! By G--d, sir, I would like to know, sir, who would _compel_ you to
have a horse of mine shot, sir.'

"'He was glandered,' said I timidly.

"'Sir! sir!! sir!!! d----d lie, sir,--mouth as sweet as sugar. D----d
lie, sir,' retorted the General.

"The General was furiously mad, his eyes flashing, and all the while he
took quick and long steps up and down his marquee.

"I attempted an explanation, but he would listen to none; and kept on
repeating 'glandered!' 'shot!' and scowling at times at me;--saying,
too, 'By G--d, sir, this matter must be investigated.'

"'General,' said I, at length, 'in justice to myself, I would like'----

"'Justice to yourself!' shouted the General, looking at me as if he
believed me mean enough to murder my grandmother. 'Who the h--l ever
heard of a sutler being entitled to any justice?----you, sir, I'll teach
you justice. Get out of my tent, sir.'

"I thought it best not to wait for another opportunity to get away, and
as I sloped I heard the General swearing at me until I had passed the
Surgeon's tent. You see what makes the matter worse with the Ge