My heart bounding with anticipation, within five minutes I was riding beside him, back to the river road, and along the rear of our extended line.  He was a pleasant, genial fellow, but knew nothing of why I had been summoned, his orders being simply to bring me at once.  Two hours of hard riding, and we came to a double log cabin, with a squad of horsemen in front, and a considerable infantry guard near by.  A sentry paced back and forth in front of the steps, and several officers were sitting on the porch.  Dismounting, my companion handed the reins of both horses to a trooper, and led the way in.  A word to the sentinel, and we faced the group above.  One, a sharp-featured man, with very dark complexion, rose to his feet.

“What is it, Kent?”

“This is Lieutenant Galesworth, of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry.  The general will wish to see him at once.”

The dark-featured man glanced at me, and turned back into the house, and Kent introduced me to the others, none of whom I recognized.  This was not Sheridan’s staff, but before I could question any of them, the messenger returned, and motioned for me to follow.  It was a large room, low-ceilinged, with three windows, the walls of bare logs whitewashed, the floor freshly swept, the only furniture a table and a few chairs.  But two men were present, although a sentinel stood motionless at the door,—­a broad-shouldered colonel of engineers, with gray moustache and wearing glasses, sitting at a table littered with papers, and a short stocky man, attired in a simple blue blouse, with no insignia of rank visible, his back toward me, gazing out of a window.  I took a single step within, and halted.  The short man wheeled about at the slight sound, his eyes on my face; I recognized instantly the closely trimmed beard, the inevitable cigar between the lips, and, with a leap of the heart, my hand rose to the salute.

“Lieutenant Galesworth?”

“Yes, General.”

“Very well; you may retire, Colonel Trout, and, sentry, close the door.”

His keen gray eyes scrutinized my face, betraying no emotion, but he advanced closer, one hand upon the table.

“General Sheridan informs me he has found you a valuable scout, always ready for any service, however dangerous.”

“I have endeavored to carry out my orders, General,” I answered quietly.

“So I am told,” in the same even voice.  “The army is full of good men, brave men, but not all possess sufficient intelligence and willingness to carry out an independent enterprise.  Just now I require such a man, and Sheridan recommends you.  How old are you?”

I answered, and barely waiting the sound of my voice, he went on: 

“You have scouted over this country?”

“I have, sir.”

“How far to the south?”

“About five miles beyond the Three Corners.”

“Not far enough, is it, Parker?” turning to the officer at the table.