“Very, and I now need friends,” answered Calhoun. “Come over here and tell me about it,” said the gentleman. Calhoun took a seat by his side, and the man whispered, “Are you a deserter, and are they after you?” “Yes,” said Calhoun. “Where are you going?” “To Columbus.” “That is a poor place to go to keep out of the hands of Lincoln’s minions,” answered the man. “I am not afraid,” said Calhoun. “What I want to know is where I can find friends in Columbus whom I can trust—true, firm friends of the South.” “My name is Pettis,” replied the man. “I reside in Columbus. Once let me be satisfied as to who you are and what you are wearing that uniform for and I may be able to help you.” “That is easily answered,” said Calhoun; “but first I must be fully satisfied as to you. Let me prove you, my brother.” Calhoun found that Mr. Pettis was high up in the order, and was violent in his hatred of the Lincoln government. He could be trusted. “I am not a Federal soldier,” said Calhoun after he had fully tested him. “I am wearing this uniform as a disguise. I am a Confederate officer.” “What! escaped from Johnson’s Island?” asked Mr. Pettis, in astonishment. “No, I am one of Morgan’s officers.” Mr. Pettis nearly jumped off the seat in surprise. “Morgan’s officers are all in the penitentiary,” he gasped. “One is not and never was,” answered Calhoun. Mr. Pettis regarded him closely, and then said: “It can’t be, but it must be. Is your name Pennington?” “It is,” replied Calhoun. “Why, the papers have been full of your escape. But the general opinion seemed to be that you wandered away in a delirium and died.” “Which you see is not so,” said Calhoun, with a smile. “How in the world did you get away?” “That is a secret which I cannot tell even you.” “Very well; but, Mr. Pennington, you must come home with me. You will find friends in Columbus, many of them, who will be delighted to meet you.” When Columbus was reached, Calhoun, on advice of Mr. Pettis, bought a suit of citizen’s clothes, for, said he, “We Knights hate the sight of that uniform; it’s the badge of tyranny.” Calhoun saw that he had found a friend indeed in Mr. Pettis. No Southerner could be more bitter toward the Lincoln government than he. He fairly worshipped Vallandigham, and said if he would only return to Ohio, he would be defended by a hundred thousand men. He was especially indignant over the way Morgan and his officers were treated. “We have schemed and schemed how to help him,” said he, “but see no way except we storm that cursed penitentiary as the Bastille was stormed. And,” he added, with emphasis, “the day is fast approaching when we will do it.”