to do next."

Of course it goes without saying that Rodney and Dick did soldiers' duty
during the light at Wilson's Creek and in the subsequent movements of
Price's troops, which resulted in the siege and capture of Lexington;
but they did not see Tom Percival or hear of him, nor did they find
opportunity to visit Dick Graham's home.

While General Fremont was fortifying St. Louis so that he could hold it
with a small force, and use the greater portion of his army in the
movements he was planning against Price, the latter heard a piece of
news that sent him Northward by rapid marches.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CONSCRIPTION ACT.

Price's men had not been long on the march before Dick Graham, who
seemed to have a way of finding out things that were hidden from almost
everybody else, told Rodney, confidentially, that their objective point
was Warrensburg, and that Price's motive in going there was to capture
money to the amount of a hundred thousand dollars, which was being
conveyed by a detachment of Federal troops to Lexington. The prospect of
securing so valuable a prize was an incentive, and men who were so weary
that the near approach of an enemy would not have kept them from falling
out of the ranks, marched night and day without a murmur of complaint.
Some of the way they moved at double-quick; but they might as well have
spared themselves the pains, for when they reached Warrensburg they
found the place deserted.

"This shows how impossible it is to trust anybody these times," said
Rodney, in deep disgust.

Their regiment having gone into camp, the two friends were strolling
about the town to see what they could find, and the first thing they
discovered was not at all calculated to allay the indignation they felt
at being outwitted by the vigilant Federals. It was a rough charcoal
sketch on the wall of a building they passed during their walk. It
represented a lean, long-haired, ragged rebel dancing in an ecstacy of
rage over an empty money-box. The soldier who drew the sketch was an
artist of no mean order, and the picture told its story as plainly as
words.

"It proves that the Yankees knew we were coming and what we were coming
for," continued Rodney. "It's an insult, and I hope we will not go back
until we have thrashed them for it most soundly."

The army rested for two days at Warrensburg, and then moved upon
Lexington, whither the money had been