"General, I have a favor to ask. I would like a leave of absence for a week. I have an idea I want to work out."
Thomas sat looking at the boy a moment, and then said: "It is nothing rash, is it, my boy?"
"No more so than what I have done," answered Fred. "In fact, I don't know that I will do anything. It is only an idea I want to work on; it may be all wrong. That is the reason I can't explain it to you."
"You are not going to enter the enemy's lines as a spy, are you? If so, I forbid it. You are too young and too valuable to risk your life that way."
"No, General, at least I trust not. The rebels will have to get much farther north than they are now if I enter their lines, even if I carry out my idea."
"Very well, Fred; you have my consent, but be very careful."
"I shall try to be so, General. I only hope that the suspicions I have are groundless, and my journey will prove a pleasure trip."
Thus saying, Fred bade the general good day, and early the next morning he rode away, taking the road to Danville.