Captain Lynchman affected strategy, and while he carefully watched the recruits, he treated them with the utmost consideration. His future movements depended upon the information to be brought by Tippy, the scout. After the horses had been cared for, the guerillas retired for the night, some of them taking the beds, sofas, and divans, others stretching themselves on the floors; but there was no part of the house which was not occupied by them, and there was no opportunity for our travellers to “cut” their unpleasant associates during the night, as they had hoped and expected to do.
Early in the morning, Tippy, the scout, arrived. All the guerillas were at the stables, attending to the horses, when his coming was announced. The men were ordered to be ready to mount at an instant’s notice; while Captain Lynchman hastened to the house, to receive the intelligence brought by the scout, who was eating his breakfast in the kitchen.
“De Banyan, I shall want you,” said the leader; “your work will commence about this time. It will take the greenback train an hour or two to get ready for a start. Come with me.”
“I am ready for anything,” replied the major; and followed by Somers, he repaired to the house with the guerilla chief.
They entered by the front door, and taking possession of the drawing-room, the captain ordered Skinley, who seemed to be the commissary-general of the gang, to send the scout into the room.
“Skinley, you’ll be deaf now,” said Captain Lynchman.
“I reckon they ain’t none so deef as them that won’t hear,” responded the Texan.
“Then you won’t hear what Tippy has to say. Bring him in.”
“Tippy’s half starved, cap’n; they don’t feed ’em much up among the Yanks.”
“Let him eat, but tell him to be quick.”