“Yes, indeed. I think he is in command there, isn’t he?”
“I can’t say as to that,” replied Joseph. “At any rate he is the man we are to see.”
“You haven’t got the dispatches yet, have you?” asked Robert.
“No. I am going after them now. I’ll meet you right here in about ten minutes and then we’ll be all ready to start.”
The young volunteer swung himself gracefully into his saddle and a moment later The Swallow was bearing him swiftly toward headquarters. True to his word he was back again in ten minutes and without further delay the four horsemen set out. They soon crossed the Rock River and struck across country for Galena.
So long as enough light remained for them to see their way they kept on. They had not started until late afternoon, however, so before a great many miles had been covered it became necessary to call a halt. Camp was pitched and preparations made for the night. Lots were drawn and the night divided into four parts, each member of the party standing guard for one quarter of the time. Though no sign of the enemy had been seen it was felt to be very necessary to have a watch. Roving bands of Black Hawk’s warriors infested the country and it was never possible to tell just when and where they would be encountered.
Soon after daylight the journey was continued. The little band kept close together and a sharp lookout was maintained at all times. They followed the old trail from Chicago to Galena and toward noon came to Kellogg’s Grove Fort, on Plum River. They stopped there for their noonday meal and then soon after proceeded on their way. Excellent progress was made and several hours before sundown they spied a small blockhouse, called Apple River Fort, about fourteen miles east of Galena.
“That’s Apple River Fort!” exclaimed John Mason as the sturdy little building appeared in the distance. “We’ve made good time and we’ll be in Galena before long.”
“If we reach there before dark it will be time enough,” said Joseph.
“Plenty of time,” agreed Mason. “Why——”