For the first time we now ascertained from the prisoners why they had so mysteriously disappeared from the map after leaving Weatherford and after being seen and talked to by Sergt. Varily on the Bear Creek Road--and why we got no trace of them the next night in Cleburne. It seems that just before reaching the town, upon the advice of the wily driver of their get-away wagon--they had turned off the Bear Creek Road and following a blind trail to the right had reached the little settlement of Buchanan--and bivouacking there that night--had come into the Cleburne-Hillsboro road again the next morning--shortly before I sighted them at the small creek or "branch" near H. During all of that miserable night while we were searching the slums and dives of Cleburne, they were at a comfortable, blazing bivouac fire not more than three or four miles away, debating the probabilities of their being followed. At the first opportunity I proved the two citizens--who had been "kidnapped" from the train near Hillsboro--to be deserters-- While giving them the "Third degree" in camp the first night after leaving H---- they were thrown off their guard by my suddenly shouting-- "Stand Attention, Sir! when talking to an officer"! Which he did _instantly_. I then had them stripped and found Government shirts and socks on both of them-- They then made a "clean breast" of it, declaring that they were recruits of Troop "K" and had been enlisted but two or three months; all of which accounted for their non-military appearance when it was decided to hold them on suspicion-- It also accounted for the inability of any one, either in the detachment, or among the old deserters of Troop "B", to identify them. Turning out the prisoners in the morning they were placed in column and the order was repeated-- "Shoot dead instantly any man who starts to leave the road without my permission". It had the desired effect. Wherever I could find one they were placed in jail. In passing through Cleburne and stopping off to pay some bills--suspicion having been attracted to another man, I "rounded him up"--and after some strenuous "Third Degree" questioning--he proved to be a deserter from "Troop F" who had preceded the others by a few days-- I had now ten deserters, and the "old man" driver of the freight wagon. As we approached Weatherford--I began to give some thought to the two alleged detectives or constables (?), and ransacked my brain as to the method for their capture. The rascally old driver had, after much diplomatic persuasion, informed me that these men were really constables and acting detectives, and one was even then acting as Deputy Sheriff of the County, and lived just outside of W---- While I was doubtful as to my power to arrest either, I determined to make a show of frightening them, and to report their case to the Civil Authorities for their disposal-- I commenced a vigorous search-- Riding into a ranch, pointed out by the prisoners, I inquired--"does Mr.