A dozen of the strong mountaineers volunteered to be drivers and guides, and the major was glad to have them.

Later, several horses were secured for the officers, but, meanwhile, the train was ready to depart.
Colonel Newcomb waved them farewell, the faithful and valiant Canby opened the throttle, and the train steamed away.

The men in the little column, although eager for their new task, watched its departure with a certain sadness at parting with their comrades.

The train became smaller and smaller, then it was only a spiral of smoke, and that, too, soon died on the clear western horizon.
"And now to find Thomas!" said Major Hertford, who retained Dick and Warner on his staff, practically its only members, in fact.

"It looks odd to hunt through the mountains for a general and his army, but we've got it to do, and we'll do it." The horses for the officers were obtained at the suggestion of Sergeant Whitley, and the little column turned southward through the wintry forest.