“Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could be lost, and our cause not greatly suffer?” “Certainly. The further the enemy advances into the South, the more vulnerable he becomes. Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can keep forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting their lines of communication.” “Morgan, you are joking!” exclaimed several of the officers. “No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky before many days; and if I do, there will be consternation in the ranks of the Yankees.” “Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a thousand men?” asked Breckinridge, in a tone which showed his doubt. “I shall make the attempt with less than half of that number,” replied Morgan, coolly. A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue asked: “Will Beauregard let you make the hazardous attempt?” “Yes, with my own squadron, but he will risk no more men in the venture.” “Well, good-bye, John, if you try it,” said one of the officers, laughing. “Why good-bye, Colonel?” “Because the Yankees will get you sure.” “Perhaps!” answered Morgan, dryly, as he arose to go. “The whole South will ring with the praises of that man one of these days,” remarked Breckinridge, after Morgan had made his exit. “A perfect dare-devil. I am proud he is a Kentuckian,” remarked Trabue. Not knowing the flattering words spoken of him, Morgan wended his way to his headquarters, where he was informed by the orderly who took his horse that a young Confederate officer had been waiting for some time to see him. “He said he must see you,” continued the orderly, “and if necessary he would wait all night.” “All right, I will see what he wants,” replied Morgan, as he turned and entered his headquarters. There he was greeted by a young man, not much more than a boy, who wore the uniform of a Confederate lieutenant. Morgan gave him a swift glance, and then exclaimed: “Bless my heart! if this isn’t Calhoun Pennington, son of my old friend Judge Pennington! I am more than glad to see you. I have heard of some of your exploits, and often wondered why you did not seek to take service with me. Let’s see! You were on the staff of the late lamented Governor Johnson, were you not?” “Yes,” replied Calhoun; and his voice trembled, and tears came into his eyes in spite of himself, as he thought of the death of his beloved chief. “A grand man, a brave man,” said Morgan, gently. “Now that he has gone, what do you propose doing?” “That is what I have come to see you about. General Beauregard has offered me a position on his staff, but I wanted to see you before I accepted.” “What! a position on the staff of General Beauregard! That is a rare honor for one so young as you are. Of course you are going to accept?”