"Only once. I put one Yankee cavalryman out of commission."
"Good! How would you like to take Dupont's place?" asked Hindman, abruptly.
"General, I would make a poor spy. I could be identified too easily," and Mark touched his crippled arm.
"Where did you get that?"
"In one of the little partisan battles in Missouri," answered Mark, without hesitation.
"I am sorry," answered Hindman. "I wished to send some dispatches back with you."
"I can take them," promptly answered Mark. "And, if you wish, I can act as dispatch-bearer for you in Missouri. I am well acquainted in the State, and am known to most of the guerrilla leaders. It is through them I receive and deliver my dispatches. I am careful never to enter a Federal camp. I am at present staying at Chittenden's, and will cheerfully execute any commission you may send me. I have carried dispatches for Colonel Clay several times."
"Just the thing. Consider yourself engaged," cried the General. "I recall now that I have heard Colonel Clay speak of you. I am sorry the Colonel is away on special duty."
Mark was not the least bit sorry, but his looks did not show it. Clay would not have known him in his disguise, and would have denounced him as an impostor.
"General, one thing more," said Mark. "Mr. Chittenden, in looking over the effects of Dupont, found several little trinkets that his family might wish to have. There was also one hundred dollars in Federal money and two thousand dollars in Confederate money on his person. Here is everything."