"August of what year?" I asked. "August eighteen sixty-one, very naturally." "Gentlemen," said I, "bear with me, I beg you. I am not myself. I am going through deep waters, I know nothing." "We know," said the doctor; "and we are going to see you through." Then he added: "Captain Haskell came from Abbeville. He has men in his company from several of the districts; possibly some of them would know you, and you might know them." I did not want to know them. I said nothing. The doctor's suggestion was not to my liking. Why should I join these men? What, to me, was this captain? What was I to him? So far as I know, I had no interest in this war. So far as I could know myself, my tastes did not seem to set strongly in the direction of soldiering. Those men could get along without my help. Why could I not find a different occupation? Anything would be better than getting killed in a cause I did not understand. Then, too, I was threatened with the wretched condition of an object of common curiosity. If I was going to be gazed at by this officer and his men,--if I was to be regarded as a freak,--my way certainly did not lie with theirs. "Frank," said the Captain's brother, "would it hurt Jones to go out of the tent for a moment?" "Not at all," said the doctor; "a good suggestion." "Why should I go out?" I asked. "Only to look about you," he replied. The doctor helped me to my feet. I was surprised to find myself so strong. Dr. Frost took my arm; all of us went out. I looked around. Near us but little could be seen--only a few fires on the ground. But far off--a mile or so, I don't know--the whole world was shining with fires; long lines of them to the right and the left. We returned into the tent. Not a word had been spoken. Captain Haskell now said to me: "Pardon me for now leaving you. Command me, if I can be of any help; I trust you will not think me too bold in advising you to make no hasty decision which you might regret afterward; good-by." "Good-by, Captain," I replied; "I must trust the doctor." The Captain's brother lingered. Dr. Frost was busy with him for a while, over some writing; I inferred that the surgeon was making a report. When this matter was ended the doctor said to me, "This officer also is a Captain Haskell; he is assistant adjutant-general of Gregg's brigade, and is a brother of Captain William Haskell." The adjutant now came nearer and sat by me. "Yes," said he; "but I was in my brother's company at first. We all shall be glad to help you if we can." "Captain," said I, "your goodness touches me keenly. I admire it the more because I know that I am nothing to you gentlemen." "Why," said he, "your case is a very interesting one, especially to Dr. Frost, and we are all good friends; the doctor was in Company H himself--was its first orderly sergeant. Frank called our attention to your case in order that we might try to help you, and we should be glad to help."