y duty, general."

"You did well on that scout, too; and I'm going to send you out on
another, if you have any fancy for such work."

"I will do the best I can."

"But, my brave fellow, I wish you to be very careful; for we can't afford
to lose officers like you."

"I am always careful, general," said Somers with a smile.

"Can you handle a boat?"

"Yes, sir; I was brought up among boats."

"You will go over the river. There is rebel cavalry over there, and very
likely a considerable force of infantry. I am inclined to think they are
building batteries in the woods, to close up the navigation of the river,
or perhaps to shell us out of our position. In a word, I am instructed to
solve the problem, and I have selected you to do the work. What do you
say?"

"I am all ready, sir, to undertake that, or any service to which I may be
ordered."

"That's the right spirit, Captain Somers; and I thank you for the
promptness with which you enter into my plans. I am satisfied, captain,
that you will discharge the duty to my entire satisfaction."

"Thank you, sir."

"Well, Captain Somers, you shall take what force you think necessary. As
it will not be prudent for you to go over before dark, you may make up
your plan, and I will listen to the details before you go. How many boats
shall you want, captain?"

"Only one, sir," replied Somers promptly; though he was wondering with
all his might how the general happened to make so many blunders in regard
to his military title, for he had called him captain four or five times.

"Only one? You will need force enough to protect you, captain," replied
the general.

Captain again!

"I do not intend to fight the whole rebel army, if it is over there. I do
not propose to take more than half a dozen men with me."

"I think that is a sensible view of the enterprise; for the more men you
take, the greater your chances of being discovered. Select your own men,
Captain Somers."

Captain Somers! The general had certainly forgotten that he was only a
first lieutenant, or else he was amusing himself at his modest
subordinate's expense.

"I know of several men in our regiment who are just what I want," replied
Somers, hardly able to speak from embarrassment, on account of the
general's often-repeated mistake.

"Very well; you shall have the necessary authority to select whom you
please. You may go now, and arrange your plans."

Somers saluted the general, and was about to retir