Allan Pinkerton, The spy in the rebellion; being a true history of the spy system of the United States Army during the late rebellion, revealing many secrets of the war hitherto not made public, compiled from official reports prepared for President Lincoln , General McClellan and the Provost-Marshal-General .

After finishing the last remark, Uncle Gallus straightened himself up and stood erect, with the air of a man who had been unjustly injured, and who was disposed to vindicate himself now and there.

“ I tell you, uncle,” finally replied Scobell, “there are times when one must be careful what you say, and who you say it to.”

“Dat am a faca!” ejaculated the old man.

“Now, if I knowed you was all right,” Scobell continued, “I might talk, but 'tain't smart to tell your business to strangers.”

“Dat am a faca, young man,” observed Uncle Gallus, shaking his head with a knowing look; “but den I spose you's a friend to Uncle Abe, ain't you now?” he queried.

“And if I am,” said Scobell, “what do you want?”

“ Light and Liberty,” replied the old man impressively, “and foa de L'ud I b'lieve de day am nigh when it am a comina”

At these words, Scobell stepped forward and said in a low voice:

Do you belong to the League?

“I does,” answered Uncle Gallus; “I dun jined it in dis berry place.”

“How often do you meet?” inquired Scobell.

“We meets ebery two weeks, down at Uncle Dicky Bassett's-he libs on de bluff ob de ribber ”