"I can not answer intelligently," I said, "I may wish to return for more supplies, within two or three months, and I can not say how long it will take to disburse these supplies judiciously." "Very well," and he took my papers to his chief clerk, and soon brought me back passes, saying, "There are your passes, and they'll bring you back any time this year." He gave me also an order for free transportation. I left his office praising God for another victory. I was met in the door of the sanitary rooms with "Did you succeed in getting a half-fare pass?" "A free pass to Cairo and return," I said, "and free transportation for all my supplies from President Arthur." The clerk clapped his hands, cheering: "You are a favored one; not one of us would have got that favor." Not till then did they know of my leaving home with only fifteen dollars; yet it was sufficient. A few hours more landed me in Cairo, where the wharf was lined with cannon, and piles of shells and balls. My first work was to find a soldiers' home, and visit hospitals. Oh, what scenes at once were presented to my view! Here were the groans of the wounded and dying soldiers. Some were praying--a few were swearing; and yet even these would patiently listen to reading the promises of Jesus and his loving invitations, and become calm. CHAPTER X. HOSPITAL WORK. Our last chapter left us in hospital world at Cairo. A portion of the freedmen's camp of three thousand the officers proposed to remove to Island No. 10, and wished me to take most of my supplies to that place. While waiting for their arrival I visited the United States Hospital at Mound City, a few miles up the Ohio River. Here, too, were dying soldiers, one of whom especially attracted my attention, as he was perfectly sane and rather unusually intelligent. I immediately addressed him: "My son, are you prepared to go hence?" "Mother," he said, "that is a matter which I ought to have attended to long ago, but I did not, and now it is too late! I am dying." "Oh, do not say _too late_! Remember the condition is, '_Believe_ and thou _shalt be saved_;' 'As thou hast _believed_, so shall it be unto thee.' These are the sure promises of our merciful Redeemer. Remember the thief on the cross looked at him with repenting spirit and living faith, and said, 'Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom;' and the quick reply was, 'This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.' Can you not trust such a Redeemer?--such a loving Father as is our God, who saves to the uttermost all who ask with believing hearts?" He firmly held my hand and said, "I will try." Our prayers were mingled in asking for the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, and while he was asking for the forgiveness of all his sins, that he might receive an evidence of acceptance, he seemed encouraged and gave me the names and address of his parents, for me to write them of his hope, in departing, of a better future.