, as always,
he made upon Dick the impression of strength and indomitable courage.

"Sit down," he said, waving his hand toward a camp stool.

Dick, after saluting, sat down in silence.

"I hear," said the general, "that you behaved very well in the battle,
and that you are a lad of courage and intelligence. Courage is common,
intelligence, real intelligence, is rare. You were at Bull Run also, so
I hear."

"I was, and the army fought well there too, but late in the day it was
seized with a sudden panic."

"Something that may happen at any time to raw troops. But we'll pass to
the question in hand. The campaign here in the mountains is ended for
this winter, but great matters are afoot further west. A courier arrived
last night stating that General Grant and Commodore Foote were preparing
to advance by water from Cairo, Illinois, and attempt the reduction of
the Confederate forts on the Cumberland and Tennessee. General Buell,
one of your own Kentuckians, is advancing southward with a strong Union
force, and in a few days his outposts will be on Green River. It will
be of great advantage to Buell to know that the Confederate army in the
eastern part of the state is destroyed. He can advance with freedom and,
on the other hand, the Southern leader, Albert Sidney Johnston, will be
compelled to throw a portion of his force to the eastward to protect
his flank which has been uncovered by our victory at Mill Spring. Do you
understand?"

"I do, sir."

"Then you are to carry dispatches of the utmost importance from me to
General Buell. After you reach his camp--if you reach it--you will,
of course, be subject to his orders. I have learned that you know the
country well between here and Green River. Because of that, and because
of your intelligence, real intelligence, I mean, you are chosen for this
task. You are to change to citizen's clothes at once, and a horse of
great power and endurance has been selected for you. But you must use
all your faculties all the time. I warn you that the journey is full of
danger."

"I can carry it out," replied Dick with quiet confidence, "and I thank
you for choosing me."

"I believe you will succeed," said the general, who liked his tone.
"Return here in an hour with all your preparations made, and I will give
you the dispatches."

Warner was filled with envy that his comrade was to go on a secret
mission of great importance, but he generously wished him a full measure
of succe