it is), I
shall try to reach Kentucky. My force when I start will not reach five
hundred. If I could be joined by a thousand when I reach Kentucky, I
believe I could sweep clear to the Ohio River. But with the short time at
your disposal that will be impossible. But join me at Glasgow with all you
can. I expect to be in Glasgow by the tenth of May at the latest."

"All right," replied Calhoun, "I will try to meet you there at that time,
with at least one or two good companies."

Little did Morgan think at the time how badly he would need those
companies.

At last all was ready, and amid shouts of "Good-bye" and "Success to you,"
Calhoun vaulted into the saddle and rode away eastward.

CHAPTER II.

THROUGH THE LINES.

At the time Calhoun started for Kentucky, General Halleck was
concentrating his immense army at Pittsburg Landing, preparatory to an
attack on Corinth. Federal gunboats patrolled the Tennessee River as far
up as Eastport. General Mitchell held the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
between Decatur and Stevenson, but between Corinth and Decatur there was
no large body of Federals, and the country was open to excursions of
Confederate cavalry. In Middle Tennessee every important place was held by
detachments of Federal troops. To attempt to ride through the lines was an
exceedingly dangerous undertaking, but that is what Calhoun had to do to
reach Kentucky. He expected to meet with little danger until he attempted
to cross the lines of General Mitchell, which extended along the railroads
that ran from Nashville southward. The country through which he had to
pass was intensely Southern, and the Yankee cavalry did not venture far
from the railroads.

When Calhoun left Corinth, he rode straight eastward, until he reached
Tuscumbia, Alabama. Here he found little trouble in finding means to cross
the Tennessee River. Once across the river he took a northeast course,
which would take him through Rogersville. Now and then he met small squads
of Confederate cavalry. They were scouting through the country, and did
not seem to be under very strict military discipline, doing much as they
pleased.

Now and then he came across a party of recruits making their way to the
Confederate army at Corinth. They were mostly country boys, rough,
uncouth, and with little or no education. They knew or cared little of the
causes which had led up to the war; b