"Why not send for a couple of regiments ?" "How are we to send, Major ?" asked Clayley, looking on the major's proposition as ridiculous under the circumstances.

"Have you a pigeon in your pocket ?" "Why ?--how?
There's Hercules runs like a hare; stick one of your fellows in the saddle, and I'll warrant him to camp in an hour." "You are right, Major," said I, catching at the major's proposal; "thank you for the thought.

If he could only pass that point in the woods! I hate it, but it is our only chance." The last sentence I muttered to myself.
"Why do you hate it, Captain ?" inquired the major, who had overheard me.
"You might not understand my reasons, Major." I was thinking upon the disgrace of being trapped as I was, and on my first scout, too.
"Who will volunteer to ride an express to camp ?" I inquired, addressing the men.
Twenty of them leaped out simultaneously.
"Which of you remembers the course, that you could follow it in a gallop ?" I asked.
The Frenchman, Raoul, stood forth, touching his cap.
"I know a shorter one, Captain, by Mata Cordera." "Ha! Raoul, you know the country.

You are the man." I now remembered that this man joined us at Sacrificios, just after the landing of the expedition.

He had been living in the country previous to our arrival, and was well acquainted with it.
"Are you a good horseman ?" I inquired.
"I have seen five years of cavalry service." "True.