oro', Ohio. He
had gone to work in a roundabout way to gain this information, because
he was afraid that if he asked Gus leading questions and told him what
use he intended to make of his answers, the deserter would refuse to
open his head. He had gained his point by strategy, and he did not
intend that Gus should go to Leavenworth if he could help it.

Bob's supply of rations being nearly exhausted, his men and the
deserters had a very scant dinner, and they did not get anything more to
eat until they reached the fort. About ten o'clock that night they were
challenged by one of the sentries, and, not knowing the countersign,
were obliged to wait until the corporal of the guard was called. Having
at last been admitted inside of the stockade, Bob marched up in front of
head-quarters, where he ordered a halt, and he and George dismounted and
went in to report to the colonel. Bob was very much astonished at the
manner in which the officer greeted the new scout, and so was the
orderly. They had never before seen him unbend to anybody as he did to
George. Having never been admitted into head-quarters except when they
had business there--some report to make, some orders to receive or some
sharp reprimand to listen to--they knew the commandant only as a stern,
exacting officer who seemed to care for nothing but the "regulations,"
and they had never imagined that he could be cordial or friendly with
any one. But now they saw their mistake. The colonel got up from his
seat, shook the boy warmly by the hand, told him he was glad to see
him, called him by his Christian name and pointed him to an easy-chair,
while Bob was left to stand at attention until the colonel got ready to
attend to him.

"You are all ready for business I see, George," said the colonel as he
resumed his seat at the table. "Well, I'll give you a taste of army-life
by sending you out on a scout to-morrow. I will tell you about it pretty
soon. There's your room," he added, pointing to an apartment adjoining
his own, "and when you get ready you can bring in your luggage. The
officer of the day will show you where to put your horse. You will have
to be your own servant, unless you are willing to hire a civilian and
pay him out of your own pocket. I saw that you came in with Corporal
Owens: did he arrest you?"

"He was going to, sir," replied George, "but let me off when I showed
him my furlough."

"Corporal," continued the colonel, turning to Bob, who stood lo