"You managed fust-rate, my boy; and if you live to be as old as the white-haired owner of this place, you will be a brigadier-general; and I hope I shall be an orderly sergeant under you." "You are a good deal more likely to become a brigadier-general than I am, though I may get to be a corporal some time. You may be major-general; for you understand war much better than most of us." "That can't never be, Deck. I hain't got the eddication to be anything more than a non-commissioned officer," said Knox, shaking his head, and hurrying on his horse. "It wouldn't be just the thing for a brigadier-general to say 'eddication,'" replied Deck. "What would you call it? I didn't pay much attention to my eddication when I was a young cub, and have been sorry for it ever sence. What do you call it, Deck?" "Ed-u-ca-tion." "But I can't say it like that." "Yes, you can. You have a brother named Edward, and you call him Ed when you speak of him. Now say this, Life, 'Ed, you can.'" "'Ed, you can.'" "Good! Now say, 'Ed, you, Kate,'" which was the name he had given the mare he rode. "'Ed, you, Kate.'" "Exactly; and it is just as easy to say 'educate' as 'eddicate.' Try it." He did it as well as though he had been to college. "You will be a brigadier-general if you keep on; for you know more now than half of them who pronounce their words correctly," added Deck, reining in his horse as they came to another road. "This is the one we are to follow, I think." "I reckon 'tis; and we won't edicate--ed-u-cate--no more jest now." "I don't see anything of any guerillas yet." "They hain't got along," replied Knox, as he reined in his horse and looked about him. There was something peculiar about the place which attracted the attention of the Kentuckian. The road passed through a round open space. On one side was a broad gateway that led by a winding driveway to the front door of the colonel's mansion. "This would be a nice place to meet them gorillas," said Knox, as he looked about him. "Now get in there, Deck," and he pointed to the open gateway, and led his mate into it. "You hold Kate while I look inter this thing afoot;" and he slid from his horse to the ground. He followed the road, concealing himself as much as possible in the shadow of the trees. CHAPTER XXXI LIFE KNOX ON THE MOUNTAIN ROAD Life Knox contrived in one way or another to keep his tall form out of sight of any person who happened to be in the vicinity of his operations. Deck Lyon had told him the nature of the present enterprise, so that he understood perfectly the work in which he was engaged. When he reached the east end of the valley, behind the colonel's mansion, he was aware that Captain Gordon, with Lieutenant Belthorpe's platoon of the company, was posted here; but they were so well concealed, in accordance with the orders, that he could not see them, or even the pickets sent out by the officer.