.

THE OPEN DOOR.
"Dick," said Colonel Winchester the next morning, "I think you are the best scout and trailer among my young officers.

Mr.Pennington, you are probably the best on the plains, and I've no doubt, Warner, that you would do well in the mountains, but for the hills, forests and rivers I'll have to choose Dick.

I've another errand for you, my boy.

You're to go on foot, and you're to take this dispatch to Admiral Porter, who commands the iron-clads in the river near the city.