But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture of Prince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: “Ah! Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think of him?” Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite in the command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answered pleasantly: “He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was once beaten by him in a race. But,” continued Calhoun, with a laugh, “my advice is to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back, sure. That horse has more tricks than you dream of.” “I am not worrying,” replied Mathews. “One of your scouts has just had to fork over five dollars to one of my men, on a bet they made at Crab Orchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps you would like to bet I can’t keep him?” “Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain Shackelford will have his horse back in less than two months,” answered Calhoun, dryly. “Done!” exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and the stakes were placed in the hands of Captain Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to the officers, but all of them looked upon it as a very foolish bet on the part of Calhoun. “That twenty-five is gone,” said Huffman to Calhoun, as he pocketed the stakes, “but I am sure of having fifty dollars for at least two months.” “I reckon I shall lose,” said Calhoun, “but Mathews had better not let Shackelford get sight of his horse.” “Why?” asked a dozen voices in concert. “Because that horse is up to more antics than a trick horse in a circus. You will see, if we ever run across my cousin in our raids.” “I don’t know what you mean,” said one of the officers, “but your cousin will have a fine time getting that horse away from Jim Mathews.” “Wait and see,” was Calhoun’s answer. It was not many days before they knew what Calhoun meant. A few days sufficed to rest Morgan’s command, and it was not the nature of Morgan to remain long idle. He had to be doing something. It was known that the Confederate armies were about ready to make the long-talked-of forward movement into Kentucky. In fact, General Kirby Smith had already set out from Knoxville to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg was nearly ready to take the initiative from Chattanooga. The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered, and owing to the raids of Morgan and Forrest, the men were on short rations. General Buell was at his wits’ end. He knew that General Bragg was preparing to advance, but thought he would not attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attacking him. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere in Middle Tennessee, and concentrated his forces for that event.