But he did not mind it.

The powerful horse that had borne him so well carried him safely on to his destination, and before the sundown of that day the young messenger was standing before General Don Carlos Buell, one of the most puzzling characters whom he was to meet in the whole course of the war.

He had found Thomas a silent man, but he found Buell even more so.

He received Dick in an ordinary tent, thanked him as he saluted and handed him the dispatch, and then read General Thomas' message.
Dick saw before him a shortish, thickset man, grim of feature, who did not ask him a word until he had finished the dispatch.
"You know what this contains ?" he said, when he came to the end.
"Yes, General Thomas made me memorize it, that I might destroy it if I were too hard pressed." "He tells us that Johnston is preparing for some great blow and he gives the numbers and present location of the hostile forces.

Valuable information for us, if it is used.