General Curtis wants you to go on an expedition,” said General Vandever, when the youths reported to him. “Are you ready for it?”
“Certainly, General,” replied Harry; “anything that you order we 'll do if we can.”
“It is n't an order,” said the general, smiling, “as it is one of those things that come outside of orders.”
Then he paused, and the youths waited for him to continue, which he did in a moment.
“It's an expedition into the enemy's country, where you 'll run a good deal of risk; but, as you are not enlisted into the service, you can undertake it without compromising yourselves to the same extent that a soldier would. You 'll have to go in disguise, and conceal your real character. There's where the risk comes in.”
The general left them, while he strolled outside his tent, to give them an opportunity to consider the proposal.
“I'm ready to go, Jack,” said Harry, “provided you are.”
“Of course I'm ready enough,” was the reply, “and feel sure we shall get through all right. We can play our old game that we succeeded with last year, though we may have to vary it a good deal, according to circumstances.” When the general returned they announced their decision. He immediately accompanied them to General Curtis's tent, and they received their instructions.
“I want you to go to Fort Scott, in Kansas, about one hundred miles northwest from here; go as quickly as you can, but don't press your horses or appear to be in a great hurry. Take two days for the trip, or three, if necessary, and when you get there do as the commander of the post directs you. I will see that you are provided with 'butternut' clothes during the day; and if you are using military saddles on your horses, you had better change them for common ones of the country.
“I have heard of the cleverness you have shown on previous occasions,” the general continued, “and have no doubt you will get through all right and come back safely. But it will require courage and presence of mind, as you are likely to meet scouting parties of the enemy, and must be prepared to play your characters well.”