I did not care to tell the young man that, under the circumstances, I preferred to dispense with his escort, and so only said, "O, yes. I thought I would like to take a look at them; and I can tell you, some of those rebels are sharp, if they are backwoodsmen. If you don't look out, they will be getting away from you some day."
The officers both laughed, and the lieutenant said, "I guess not; they are always talking about doing that, but they never do it; we have them too fast."
This was a point which I did not care to argue with him just then, so saying adieu to the commander of the prison, the lieutenant and I stepped aboard the boat, and were soon on our way back to Sandusky.
As we were crossing to the town, the lieutenant again proposed that we should take a drive that afternoon. I, however, excused myself, and gave him to understand that I had engagements which would prevent me from meeting him again, he young man, therefore, to my infinite relief, for his attentions were beginning to be troublesome, stated that he would return to Cincinnati by the first train ; and, when I parted from him in the hotel, I sincerely hoped that he would do so, for I did not wish to have him watching my movements.
I now wrote a letter to Colonel Baker, in which I stated that the man I was looking for was not at Johnson's Island, and that I thought I would go on to Indianapolis, and visit the prison camp there. After I had dined, not seeing the lieutenant, I inquired for him, and was told that he had gone. Being, therefore, in no danger of meeting him again, I went to the telegraph office, and sent despatches to the Detroit and Buffalo agents, to notify them that I had visited the prison and executed my commission there, and one to St. Louis, in accordance with the instructions under which I was acting, for the agent there to send certain parties to meet me at Indianapolis. The next morning I was off for Indianapolis, to continue the search I had begun in Sandusky, although I desired very much to remain in the last named city for the purpose of watching the progress of events, and, perhaps, of taking part in any fighting that might occur. I very well knew that by acting as a spy and as a bearer of despatches I was performing much more valuable service than I would as a soldier, and yet, at the prospect of a battle, all my fighting blood was up,
