at is the work?"

"As you know, we are to move up to Winston's Gap. The general imagines a
detachment of Wheeler's cavalry is located somewhere at this side of the
Gap, or near Valley Head, strongly intrenched, to take us unaware. You
are to learn the truth of the situation."

"I will do my best."

"It was agreed between us that you should take a detachment of six men
with you, and one of the number was to be Captain Knox."

"That just suits me."

"The other men are to be sharpshooters from Captain's Knox's company."

"That will also be satisfactory."

"Before you go you are to come to the general for instructions. He is
just below here, at the Knob, as it is called. You must remember passing
the spot."

"Yes, I remember," answered Deck.

It was supper time, but the major did not wait for the meal. Calling a
negro orderly aside, he procured a bite and a strong cup of coffee, and
having swallowed both, set off on a gallop.

The conference with General Mitchell occupied the best part of quarter
of an hour. Deck was instructed to take the road leading to the
headwaters of Town Creek, to the northwest of Valley Head. He was to
pass over the creek or around it, and note with care all of the
approaches to Lookout Mountain in that vicinity. The mission might prove
dangerous, and the sharpshooters were to do their best to avoid a
capture by the enemy, should the Confederates develop in force and
surprise them.

With these instructions well understood, Deck returned to the Riverlawns
and summoned Life. The selection of the five sharpshooters was left to
the tall Kentuckian, and it is needless to state that the captain picked
out the most able fellows his company afforded. The horses had already
been watered and groomed, and the men had had supper; so after Deck's
own steed was cared for, they set off, the major and the captain side by
side, and the sharpshooters by column of twos in the rear.

At about eight o'clock the mountain was passed, and the seven cavalrymen
found themselves in a small valley, with rocks upon one side, and a
woods backed up by a small creek on the other. The trail lay along the
bank of the creek, and was easy to follow, even in the gathering
darkness.

"How long do you propose to travel--all night?" asked Life, presently.

"That will depend upon circumstances," answered Deck. "We may as well
push along while the trail is as clear as it is here."

"But we can't locate any enemy in the da