call it I{2}. And, continuing, we have:

I{2} equals the letter F
E equals the letter G
I{3} equals the letter H
I{4} equals the letter I
E{2} equals the letter J
L equals the letter K
W{2} equals the letter L
H{2} equals the letter M
O{2} equals the letter N
I{5} equals the letter O
I{6} equals the letter P
E{3} equals the letter Q
I{7} equals the letter R
I{8} equals the letter S
W{3} equals the letter T

"Now, using these letters for the symbols in the cipher:

EIO{2}W{2} x I{8}W{3} {triangle} NI{7}W{3} x
OII{6}I{5}W{3} x ENI{7}I{7}I{4}I{8}I{5}O{2}
N x I{7}IE x I{4}O{2}I{2} x
N x HI{5} x IO{2}E x
N x O x E x WNW{3} x
W x I{8}E{3}XHN {crescent} x
L x I{3} O{2}XW{3}I{5}W{3}NW{2} x

I{4}I{2} x I{8}W{3}I{7}I{4}LI x NW{3}x
I{5}O{2}HI x O{2}I{4}EI{3}W{3} x
HNI{7}I{7} {circle+} W{2}

"We translate it freely thus, and I'll underline only the words in the
cipher:

Gen'l Stuart (Sandy River?)

(The present) Depot Garrison (of Osage Court House is)
One Reg(iment) (of) Inf(antry)
One Co(mpany of) Eng(ineers)
One Four G(un) Bat(tery)
Two Sq(uadrons) (of) Cav(alry)
Eleven Hun(dred men) Total
If (you) strike (strike) at once (and at) night!

(Signed) Carryl.

"Do you see, Colonel, how very simple it is, after all?"

The Colonel, red and astounded, hung over the paper, laboriously
verifying the cipher and checking off each symbol with its alphabetical
equivalent.

"What's that mark?" he demanded; "this symbol----"

"It stands for the letter U, sir."

"How do you know?"

The Messenger, seated sideways on the camp table, one small foot
swinging, looked down and bit her lip.

"Must I tell you?"

"As you please. And I'll say now that your solving this intricate and
devilish cipher is, to me, a more utterly amazing performance than the
rebel use of bees as messengers."

She shook her head slowly.

"It need not amaze you.... I was born in Sandy River.... And in happier
times--when my parents were living--I spent the school vacations
there.... We had always kept bees.... There was--in those days--a boy.
We were very young and--romantic. We exchanged vows--and bees--and
messages in cipher.... I knew this cipher as soon as I saw it. I
invented it--long ago--for him and me."

"W-well," stammered the bewildered Colonel, "I don't see how----"

"I do, sir. Our girl an