ss.

"Remember," he said, "that on an errand like yours, presence of mind
counts for at least fifty per cent. Have a quick tongue. Always be ready
with a tale that looks true."

"An' remember, too," said Sergeant Whitley, "that however tight a place
you get into you can get into one tighter. Think of that and it will
encourage you to pull right out of the hole."

The two wrung his hand and Major Hertford also gave him his warmest
wishes. The horse chosen for him was a bay of tremendous power, and Dick
knew that he would serve him well. He carried double blankets strapped
to the saddle, pistols in holsters with another in his belt, an
abundance of ammunition, and food for several days in his saddle bags.
Then he returned to General Thomas, who handed him a thin strip of
tissue paper.

"It is written in indelible ink," he said, "and it contains a statement
of our forces and their positions here in the eastern part of the state.
It also tells General Buell what reinforcements he can expect. If you
are in imminent danger of capture destroy the paper, but to provide for
such a chance, in case you escape afterward, I will read the dispatches
to you."

He read them over several times and then questioned Dick. But the boy's
memory was good. In fact, every word of the dispatches was burnt into
his brain, and nothing could make him forget them.

"And now, my lad," said General Thomas, giving him his hand, "you may
help us greatly. I would not send a boy upon such an errand, but the
demands of war are terrible and must be obeyed."

The strong grasp of the general's hand imparted fresh enthusiasm to
Dick, and for the present he did not have the slightest doubt that
he would get safely through. He wore a strong suit of home-made brown
jeans, a black felt cap with ear-flaps, and high boots. The dispatch was
pinned into a small inside pocket of his vest.

He rode quickly out of camp, giving the sentinels the pass word, and the
head of the horse was pointed west slightly by north. The ground was now
frozen and he did not have the mud to hold him back.

The horse evidently had been longing for action. Such thews and
sinews as his needed exercise. He stretched out his long neck, neighed
joyously, and broke of his own accord into an easy canter. It was a
lonely road, and Dick was glad that it was so. The fewer people he met
the better it was in every way for him.

He shared the vigor and spirit of his horse. His breath turned