WAR
safe way out. But, do you mind a little talk first?"
"Why, n—no, suh," says the handsome young rebel, "though you Yankees are rather queer, aren't you?—to let a man go who has been inside your lines and seen—"
"You are not going to tell what you have seen," says Jon.
"Why am I not, suh?" says the rebel, very haughty.
"Because you are a gentleman—as any one can see—as most of you are."
"I promise nothin', suh!" says the captive.
"Certainly not," says Jon. "But—look here, I hope you will not go back to the army. Do as you please, of course. But if you have a mother or a sister or a sweetheart, give me your parol, voluntarily, and go back to them. Every man killed and wounded in this war from now on, will be nothing less than murder—"
"Why, suh?" demands the young Confederate.
332
