s if I might be goin' wrong,
an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."

"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
such a task better than any in this encampment."

"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."

"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
to aid my father?"

"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
prepared for the exertion."

"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.

"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."

Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.

Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.

It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
another for us to obey the command.

It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
through such an army as Gener