[454] Clairborne had no idea of doing, and kept on, when .he doctor fired on him and gave chase, shouting at the top of his voice. The negro was making good time toward camp, when, all at once, he was confronted by a whole regiment of soldiers, who ordered him to halt. For a moment the scout was dumbfounded, and thought his hour had come, but the next he sang out:
The Yankees are coming! the Yankees are coming!“Where? Where?” inquired the rebels. “Just up in front of Dr. Roberts' house, in a piece of woods. Dr. Roberts sent me down to tell you to come up quick, or they'll kill the whole of us.” “ Come in!-come into camp!” said the soldiers. “No-no,” said the cute African, “I've got to go down and tell the cavalry pickets, and can't wait a second.” So off he sprang, with a bound, running for dear life — the rebs, discovering the ruse, chasing him for three miles, and he running six, when he got safely into camp, but minus his chickens, which he had dropped at the first fire.