ws.

"Wait," was the answer.

The night was an anxious one. Morning came, but still nothing was heard of
any reinforcements.

"We will wait another day," said Morgan.

About noon cheering was heard, and Morgan's men nearly went wild with
enthusiasm, as nearly two hundred splendidly mounted men came galloping
into camp.

When the captain in command reported, Morgan thanked him in the warmest
terms, and then looking eagerly around, said: "Where is Lieutenant
Pennington? I do not see him."

"Lieutenant Pennington," answered the Captain, "asked leave to take twenty
men and scout toward Cave City. I gave him permission to do so. He has an
idea that the railroad might be reached and broken at that point."

"Ah! I have thought so myself," replied Morgan. "I shall wait for his
report with interest."

The arrival of the two fresh companies had raised the command to as large,
or larger, than it was when it started from Corinth, and every man was
eager to go on. It was nearly night when Calhoun reported with his little
company. He was jubilant over what he had discovered.

"Colonel," he said, "we can easily capture Cave City, and thus sever the
connection between Louisville and Nashville. The place is lightly
guarded."

"Oh! If we could only take the place, and capture the train on which my
gallant men taken prisoners at Lebanon are being taken North, I should be
supremely happy," said Morgan, with much feeling.

"Perhaps we can," replied Calhoun, with enthusiasm.

"How about going farther north than Cave City?" asked Morgan.

Calhoun shook his head. "It will not do," he replied; "all the towns are
too strongly held for your small force to cope with."

"At least we can try Cave City," answered Morgan, and orders were given
for the command to be ready to march at sundown. The vicinity of Cave City
was reached about two o'clock in the morning. The column was halted and
the men were ordered to rest until daylight.

As soon as it was light, Calhoun, with a soldier named Emory, was sent in
advance to the place. They were disguised as countrymen, and were to
linger around the depot, and when the charge came they were to prevent the
telegraph operator from sending warning of the raid.

Dressed in homespun clothes, and riding sorry steeds, Calhoun and Emory
played their part to perfection. Their entrance into the little place
caused no comment, and excited no suspicion. Sauntering into the depot,
they gazed curiously a