"Tell my cook to prepare rations for three days for six men. Take care that they are properly placed in our haversacks--then bring the horses around to my tent-door. Stay, here is a suit of clothing I wish you to put on, and wherever we go, understand you belong in Springfield, and have just left the hospital there. After we pass our lines, you know you are a rebel, so lay aside that rifle, and take the shot gun I gave you. 'Swasey's nigger' will not be armed at all. Go." In a few moments the officers had changed their uniforms for the rougher dress. Their horses were brought up, and they at once took their leave of camp, followed by the negro and William Nettleton. CHAPTER IV. _The Journey--The Cowardly Negro--Nettleton's Method--Meeting the Rebels--He will fight--Powder discovered--The Arrival._ The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! Where got'st thou that goose look?--_Shakespeare._ The party rode rapidly to the river, and were soon upon the opposite shore. Turning to the east, they passed along a narrow road which wound its course along the river's bank. For fifteen or twenty miles the horsemen did not pause, and not a word was spoken. At last Captain Hayward ordered a halt, and the party dismounted. The horses were secured to the surrounding trees, and Nettleton and the negro left to guard them. "Come with me, comrades," said Hayward, as he took his course toward the river's bank. In a moment they were seated by the side of the rapid Osage, entirely concealed by the thick growth of underbrush by which they were surrounded. "It is better that our servants should not hear our conversation," remarked Hayward. "And now, gentlemen, we must lay our plans. I wish every one to speak freely. You know our object, of course." "I know its nature; but perhaps you can give us details we are not acquainted with," answered Lieut. Elsler.