"But I have just become a soldier," added the major modestly.
"Then it runs in the blood, and it has got as far down as Deck," said Captain Gordon, laughing, as they came to the company.
The party mounted, and rode back at a gallop to the camp. The cooks of the company had prepared an unusually good breakfast, which was disposed of with a relish, stimulated by three days' feeding from the haversacks of the troopers. As soon as it was finished, the order was given to "break camp;" and, as it had been hardly more than a bivouac, the work was speedily accomplished, and the two companies were soon in line.
While these preparations were in progress, the major was studying his county map. What little baggage had been taken from the wagons was soon loaded again. There was little for the officers to do, after the orders had been given.
"We are about ready to march," said Captain Gordon, approaching the commander, who had seated himself on a log near the road.
"I am all ready," replied the major, as he glanced at Artie, who was holding his horse near him. "Of course Dingfield followed this by-road, which will take him to another by which he can reach Munfordville, if he is going there. We will take the same road; and if the Rangers are resting themselves in camp after the fatigues of the day and night, we may have a chance to pay our respects to them."
"I should like one more slap at them; for they ran away so rapidly that I did not get a fair hit at them," added the captain.
"But they are brave men, and we outnumber them two to one. Truman says they fought like tigers on the east road."
"That is true, and that is the reason I should like to meet them again; for I believe there is not a braver or more reliable body of men in the Union army than the Riverlawn Cavalry; and I am not a Kentuckian either."