"Good for you, Mark," said Mr. Chittenden. "Stay right here and get entirely well. Then you can help me, as I have some important orders to fill for supplies for General Hindman." "Thank you. You are very kind," replied Mark. "So kind that I am afraid I shall trespass on your hospitality longer than is well." As he said it, his eyes wandered over to where Grace was sitting. CHAPTER XVII TRAILING RED JERRY Lawrence sat reading a letter. It was from Harry and told of his adventures since their parting. It closed as follows: "Captain, I want to come to you. Bruno and I are becoming too well known in this section. Then it has been very quiet here since Porter and most of his men fled south. I understand General McNeil and most of his force have been ordered to Southeastern Missouri, so there is little here for me to do. Try and get me transferred if you can. I have a mate now, a boy about my age, by the name of Jack Harwood. He is a good one, and is crazy to come with me. See if you can't get him transferred too." Dan came in just as Lawrence finished reading the letter. "What do you think of that, Dan?" asked Lawrence, handing it to him. Dan read it. "Don't see what you can do for him when you can't keep me," said Dan, lugubriously. He had been in the dumps ever since he thought that he and Lawrence might have to part. "Cheer up, Dan," said Lawrence. "I have good news for you. General Schofield finds so much requiring his attention that he will not be able to take the field in person for some time yet. He has requested me to take a force of fifty men and scout down through the Ozarks and then make my way to General Blount in Northwest Arkansas. Of course, you will go with me." Dan was so excited that he took three chews of tobacco, one right after the other. "You can send for Harry now, can't you?" asked Dan. "Yes, and to please him I will also ask for a transfer for that mate of his. He must be a good one to have Harry like him so well." Lawrence had no trouble in getting Harry Semans and Jack Harwood, scouts, transferred to his command. When the transfer came Harry was overjoyed, and lost no time in reporting at Rolla, where Lawrence was organizing his company. "Hello, you here already?" cried Lawrence, as Harry made his appearance. "Mighty glad to see you and Bruno, too. How are you, old fellow?" and Lawrence patted the dog's head and heartily shook the paw extended to him. "Here is Jack, Captain, you mustn't forget him," said Harry introducing his companion. "Ah! Jack, glad to meet you," said Lawrence so heartily and cheerily that Jack's heart was at once won. "Anyone that Harry recommends needs nothing more. You are more than welcome." "I can never hope to equal Harry," replied Jack, modestly, "but where he leads I can follow." "The trouble is he wants to go ahead where there is danger," laughed Harry. "I reckon I will have to put leading strings on both of you," replied Lawrence, with a smile.