Just as Lawrence was ready to start for the Ozarks he received a message from General Schofield, saying that Red Jerry and his band were making a great deal of trouble along the Osage; that he had lately surprised and nearly annihilated a force of seventy-five men under a Captain Dunlay, and that the victory had encouraged him to commit further excesses. "Can't you go and teach him a lesson he won't forget, before you start for the Ozarks?" asked the General. "Here, what do you think of this, Dan?" asked Lawrence, handing the message to his lieutenant. "Let's go by all means," replied Dan, his face brightening. "I am just aching to get a chance at that fellow." "The same here," exclaimed Lawrence. Hearing that Captain Dunlay, who had been in command of the force Red Jerry had routed, was in Rolla, Lawrence hunted him up to learn all he could of his whereabouts, and the supposed number of his band. When Dunlay heard Lawrence was to go after Red Jerry with fifty men he was astonished. "Captain," he exclaimed, "It's suicidal! Your force will simply be exterminated. Red Jerry has at least two hundred men and they fight like devils." "Never mind the number of his men, or how they fight," said Lawrence. "What I want to know is where I will be most likely to find him." "I can tell you where I found him," snapped Dunlay, nettled at what Lawrence had said, "and I wish you joy when you meet him." "No offence, Captain," replied Lawrence. "Just tell me what you know about his hiding places." The Captain told all he knew, and when Lawrence thanked him and went away, Dunlay turned to a brother officer standing by and remarked, "That young popinjay will be wiser before many days." The next morning Lawrence was on his way bright and early. It was not until the afternoon of the second day that he began to hear anything of Red Jerry. He then learned that he had attacked and was chasing a small scouting party towards Versailles. "Dan, we are in luck," said Lawrence. "Jerry will not be expecting a force from this way, and we may meet him on the way back." The meeting took place quicker than Lawrence expected. Towards evening there came from the front the sound of several shots, and in a few minutes Harry Semans, who was in command of the advance guard, came galloping up. "Guerrillas ahead, Captain," he reported. "How many?" "I only saw four, but I reckon there are more back. Bruno had hardly given a warning of danger ahead when these four came around a bend in the road at full gallop. They seemed surprised at seeing us, and after firing one volley wheeled their horses and went tearing back. The boys were eager to pursue, but I held them back, fearing an ambuscade." "You did right, Harry. We have a wary foe to contend with, up to all sorts of tricks. We can't be too careful." Leaving the troop in charge of Dan, Lawrence rode forward with Harry to where the advance had halted. "Seen anyone since I left?" asked Harry.