nosing around here, and I want to
give him the worth of his money. I don't want the other side to know
how many men I've got, and I don't want 'em to know that my superior
officer has refused to honor my requisition for arms and horses. I'd
cut a purty figure with the Yankees if they know'd that some of my men
had muskets that were used in the Revolutionary War. If they found this
out I'd never whip another fight. And there's another thing: I don't
want to have it said that any Yankee scout can stick his nose in my
camp and not git it pulled. That's why I sent for you; I want you to
catch this fellow and fetch him to me."

[Illustration: "I want you to catch this fellow and fetch him to me."]

I tried hard to get out of the difficulty. I protested that I didn't
know the scout from a side of sole leather. But the General said that
this was one of his reasons for detailing me to perform this duty. He
said he would have given it to Jasper Goodrum, of the Independents, but
everybody in Tennessee knew Goodrum.

"He was born and raised around here," the General said, "and he's got a
tongue like a bell-clapper. Now, you're not much of a talker, and your
face gives you the look of a big baby that has got out of its mammy's
yard and don't know how to git back." I suppose I must have turned red
under this back-handed compliment, for he went on, "I wish I had a
thousand like you. I watched you that day on the hill and at the river,
and you may put it down that I'll trust you anywhere."

I tried to thank the General for his confidence, but he stayed me by a
gesture. He settled all the details that could be thought of
beforehand, and, as I turned to go, he rose from his chair and followed
me to the door. "If you have to shoot that fellow," he said, "do it and
don't wait too long before you do it; and if you have to shoot two or
three men, don't let that stand in your way--charge 'em up to me. But
you must catch that fellow; I want to string him up just to show the
balance of 'em that they can't fool with me."

As everything had been arranged to my hand I was soon going about the
camp and the town arrayed in jeans clothes and looking like anything
but a soldier. I had thought to surprise Whistling Jim, the negro, with
my garb, but, as it turned out, the surprise was mine, for that night,
when I went to see whether the horses had been properly groomed and
fed, I found the door of the stable unlocked. I was not only surprised
but