I will accept your offer as frankly as it was made.

I had intended telegraphing for money as soon as I was among our own people, but there would be delay in receiving it, and it will be much more pleasant to push on at once." "By the way, you cannot cross at Florence, for I hear that Hood has fallen back across the river, the forces advancing against him from this side being too strong to be resisted.

But I think that this is no disadvantage to you, for it would have been far more difficult to pass the Federals and get to Florence than to make for some point on the river as far as possible from the contending armies." "We talked that over the last time you were here, doctor, and you know we agreed it was better to run the risk of falling into the hands of the Yankee troops than into those of one of those partisan bands whose exploits are always performed at a distance from the army.

However, if Hood has retreated across the Tennessee, there is an end of that plan, and we must take some other route.

Which do you advise ?" "The Yankees will be strong all around the great bend of the river to the west of Florence and along the line to the east, which would, of course, be your direct way.