l.

"I have already learned that lesson," replied Deck.

"I have learned it now; and my lips will hereafter be like the shell of
an oyster," added Lieutenant Herndon, who was such a pleasant fellow
that he had already excited the admiration of his associate on the
staff.

"I am exceedingly anxious to learn upon what point the enemy on the
other side of the river are moving," continued General Woodbine,
speaking in a very low tone so that the sentinel outside the tent could
not hear him. "I satisfied myself this morning that they are moving to
the southward; but they would be obliged to follow the road to Oak
Forest if Crittenden intended to recross the Cumberland, and make a
raid into Kentucky to obtain supplies; therefore I am entirely in the
dark."

"I should say that it would not be a difficult matter to obtain the
information you need, General," suggested Deck.

"How?" demanded the commander, fixing an earnest gaze upon the face of
the lieutenant.

"The Confederate army is so crippled for the want of horses and mules
that it can move only at a snail's pace," answered Deck. "A company
could be sent over"--

"Quite impossible!" exclaimed the general. "We have no boats, though
they might be obtained farther down the stream."

"A couple of scouts, then," added the lieutenant.

"Whom could I send on such an errand?" asked the commander with a
smile.

"Me for one; and I should be willing to go alone if I knew the
country," replied Deck very promptly. "My horse Ceph would take me over
the river."

"Have you forgotten the dead horses that strewed the shores of the
stream, and the four men who were drowned in trying to cross in a
boat?"

"Those men were no boatmen, and I have had some experience in that
line. I am willing to take my chances of getting over, sir."

The subject was discussed for a full hour longer, and Deck carried his
point; but he concluded that he was unwilling to risk the loss of Ceph,
and would go over in Cuffy's boat, and find a horse on the other side.
It was decided that he must have some one with him who was acquainted
with the region they were to visit, even to a considerable distance
into the State of Tennessee. Life Knox was sent for; and he informed
the general that he had travelled all over the country mentioned
several times when he was buying horses for a trader, though it was
many years before. He was willing to go anywhere and do anything with
Deck.

"I suppose you know v