The information was important. It was just what Lawrence wanted, but what to do with the man and still keep him deceived puzzled Lawrence. This problem was solved by a native coming along driving a raw-boned horse before a rickety wagon. Lawrence stopped him. The disabled guerrilla was lifted into the wagon and taken to the nearest farmhouse. Here Lawrence left instructions for them to send for a physician to set the broken leg. "Now I've done all I can for you," he told him, "and I must leave you, for my business is very important. I shall see that your message to Colonel Thompson is safely delivered." No sooner were they out of sight than Lawrence said, "Now, boys, for Lexington." When Lawrence made his report, Colonel Huston, in command at Lexington, acted with promptness. It was decided to send a force to strike Coffee at Lone Jack before Thompson and Quantrell could join him. The utmost that could be done was to gather a little force of about seven hundred and fifty. This force was placed in command of Major Emery Foster. There was another force of about the same number under the command of Colonel Fitz Henry Warren at Clinton. Clinton being about the same distance from Lone Jack as Lexington, Warren was ordered to march there and join Foster, and the two forces combined to attack Coffee without delay. In the meantime General Blunt, in command at Fort Scott, Kansas, had learned that Coffee had slipped past Springfield and was making north, and he started in pursuit with a thousand men. A third force under Colonel Burris of the Kansas Infantry was ordered to move from Kansas City and try to catch Thompson and Quantrell before they could join Coffee. Thus it looked as if the Confederates were hemmed in, and if everything went right, could be captured. Lawrence decided to join the expedition under Foster. Foster's little army left Lexington on the morning of the fifteenth of August, and by a rapid march reached the vicinity of Lone Jack by evening. Here at nine o'clock at night he surprised Coffee in camp, routing him, his men fleeing in confusion. Foster took possession of the abandoned camp and waited until morning. Warren had not been heard from. Lawrence still was in command of his scouts, and he volunteered to see if he could find Warren. The night was dark and they had to be careful. "If we only had Harry and Bruno," sighed Lawrence to Dan, as they were groping their way along as best they could. "If we had we wouldn't be going at this snail pace," answered Dan. They could find nothing of Warren and started to return. On the way back they came to a cross road and halted in doubt as to which road to take. While debating, the sound of approaching horses was heard. "Halt," commanded Lawrence as two guerrillas rode up. "Who are yo' uns?" they asked, surprised. "We 'uns are from Thompson. I was afraid yo' uns were Yanks. Whar is Coffee?" "The Yanks struck his camp a few hours ago and made us git." "Many hurt?"