Roxy Hastings — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROXY HASTINGS, = 69 quisite permission—though not unaccompanied by a repe- tition of the warning which the colonel had given him as to the risk of losing his money. - “I might send you under flag into the enemy’s lines,” said the general, “but of course you could go no farther than the commanding general’s headquarters, to whom your business would have to be made known. I doubt whether he would consent to your request, as the trans- mission of so large a sum to a single prisoner would excite suspicion as to the object for which it was intended.” “Thank you, I will wait,” replied Lee, ‘‘and try a secret negotiation with some of the flag bearers.” He did so. He was permitted to remain in the camp with the New York regiment with which. his brother had been connected, and daily to visit headquarters. On the fourth day a flag was received to. ask the privilege of dis- interring and removing the body of an officer, who had died of his wounds. With the military men who came on this errand there was a young surgeon by the name of Pickard, whose face and demeanor impressed Lee favorably, and he watched his opportunity for obtaining an interview with him and making known his wishes. Pickard, though surprised, saw no objection to the under- taking, which he said he would further as far as he could. “I cannot go to the city myself,” he said, “for I have lately had a furlough, but I think I could send it safely, especially if the value of the package be kept secret.” “ Yet your messenger ought to know it, to induce care- fulness.” “Very true. Among the licensed venders "who come daily within the lines from the city there is an old negro by the name of Luke, the soul of honesty and good faith, who would be glad to earn a few dollars in that way. The money would be as safe in his hands as in your own, provided his possession of such atreasure was unknown to others. Therefore, if you conclude to send it say nothing to any of our men here, for the story will be very sure to spread.”’ “I will send it, of course, and am most happy of the chance. I will bring you the parcel in an hour, and with it twenty dollars for Luke, which you can pay him at your discretion, either before or after his errand is done.” “Tt is very liberal. I will pay him half down, and the remainder when he brings me your brother’s receipt for the package.” “ All right,” said Charley, gleefully. “And now for your- cS (E(@) “EOmMIcboo