tch, written by the light of a few pine knots and with as
much care as if it had been an important state paper,--for whatever
Sam Hardwicke did he tried to do well,--was in these words:--

TO MAJOR GENERAL JACKSON,

Commanding Department of the South-West,

MOBILE, ALABAMA.

GENERAL:

I arrived with my party to-day. In Pensacola, I found the
British hospitably entertained, not only by the people, but
by Governor Mauriquez himself. They are actually enlisting
the savages in their service, arming them with rifles and
knives and attempting to make regular soldiers out of them.
I saw a British captain drilling about fifty Indians in the
public square of the town at noon to-day.

I beg to report, also, that the British occupy the defensive
works of the town, including Fort Barrancas, from the
flagstaffs of which float both the British and the Spanish
ensigns, as if the two were allies in this war.

I am unable to report as yet what the strength of the
British force here is. I have observed men from seven
different companies, in the streets, but have been unable to
learn, without direct inquiry, which would excite suspicion,
whether all these companies are present in full strength, or
whether there are also others here.

The ships in the bay, so far as I can make them out, are the
Hermes, Captain Percy, 22 guns; the Sophia, Captain Lockyer,
18 guns; the Carron, 20 guns; and the Childers, 18 guns.

I shall diligently seek to discover the plans and purposes
of the expedition, and will not neglect to report to you
promptly, whatever I may be able to find out. At present it
is evident only that an expedition is fitting out here
against some point on our coast.

I shall send this by a trusty messenger at daybreak.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

(Signed,)

SAMUEL HARDWICKE,

Commanding Scouting Party.

This document was duly dated from "Fishing Camp, Five miles below
Pensacola," and when it was written, Sam quietly waked Bob Sharp.

"Bob," he said, "I have an important duty for you to do."

"I'm your man, Sam, for anything that turns up."

"Yes, I know that," replied Sam, "and that is why I picked you out
for this business. The choice lay between you and Sid Russell, and I
chose you, because I shall need a very rapid walker a little later to
carry a still more imp