sure to
know her. "Then call my attention to the fact when you next see me,"
she cried as she touched up her horse.

"With great pleasure," I answered, raising my hat, and with that we
were off to join our waiting comrades. It seemed that General Forrest
was somewhat concerned for our safety, knowing that the country was
strange to us, and he had sent William Forrest's company of
Independents to watch the road for us so that we might come to no harm.
While engaged in carrying out this order they saw the lady and her
escort far ahead of them, and a detachment was sent to investigate, the
rest of the company remaining to see whether other Federals would
follow. Thus they came upon us in the very nick of time, for I judge
that the Federal officer would have held us prisoners, in spite of the
information we had for him, for he was very gruff and surly.

We reached the recruiting camp at Murfreesborough without further
incident, and Harry and I soon settled down to the routine of duties
that fell to our share. Harry served General Forrest temporarily as a
courier, while I was billeted with Captain Bill Forrest's company of
Independents, sometimes known as the Forty Thieves, owing to their
ability as foragers.

I had time to ramble about in the woods, and I took advantage of it
to explore the whole countryside in the neighborhood of the camp.
Returning one day from a ride that was partly on business and partly
for pleasure, I was informed that General Forrest had sent for me.
When I responded to his summons he was reading a late copy of the
Chattanooga _Rebel_, and was evidently much interested in what he read.
He handed the paper to me when he had finished, and pointed out an
article that was printed under a great display of black type.

A Federal scout, Leroy by name, and well known in both armies (so the
newspaper said), had entered General Bragg's lines under very peculiar
circumstances and had then managed to escape. Two pickets had been
found bound and gagged. The whole story appeared to be absurd.

It was stated, among other things, that the scout intended to turn his
attention to General Forrest. He directed my eye to this, and said he
wanted me to take the matter in hand. I inquired how the correspondent
knew the intentions of the scout.

"Why, he guessed 'em," replied General Forrest, "and he guessed right,
too. I've got information from one of my men who is thick with the
Yankees that this chap will soon be