“What good would that do? He couldn’t find my men?”
“Do you know where Raybold’s is, Somers?” asked the major.
“Certainly I do—just by the mountains on the Salem road,” replied Somers, who had given good attention to the conversation.
“Right; you will do,” added the captain.
And Somers went with Skinley.
CHAPTER XX.
SKINLEY, THE TEXAN.
SOMERS readily understood that he was sent off by the major for a purpose; but De Banyan had no opportunity to explain his intention before he went. It was plain that a very important part in the plan for frustrating the object of the guerillas had been entrusted to him, but he had not a single word of instructions.
As Somers mounted his horse, he saw De Banyan and Tippy leave the estate and ride off in the direction of the railroad, and he doubted not that he had been sent to delay the pay-master, and assure him that the road to the army was perfectly safe. After the full and unequivocal endorsement of Tippy, the major was fully established in the confidence of the guerilla, who unreservedly communicated to him his hopes and his expectations.