The other officer was a larger man, of about the same age, and of a more cheerful temper, if one could judge in a single opportunity. He seemed to be on a very familiar footing with the officer whom I have first mentioned. General Morell did not present me to either of the two officers. In the middle of the tent was a camp-table, upon which a map was spread, and around which the three officers were sitting. General Morell allowed me to stand, cap in hand, while I listened to some words of a conversation which I supposed had been practically finished before I entered. "I believe that you clearly understand what is needed," said the smaller officer. "Perfectly," said General Morell. The larger man contented himself with merely nodding. "Then," said the first speaker, "it only remains to know certainly whether we have the means in hand." The larger man now spoke: "The work can be done; if not in one way, then in another. A reconnaissance would effect with certainty our present purpose. Why risk possible failure with a single man?" "We cannot be too prudent," replied the other; "we must not divulge our intentions. Lee would know at once the meaning of a reconnaissance." "We might make more than one, and let him guess which is serious." "No; the way to go about it is not by force. If General Morell has confidence in his means, let General Morell proceed in his own way." "I have confidence," said General Morell; "but, of course, any plan might fail. The only thing in life that is certain is death. I should say that we have nine chances out of ten." "Then do it your own way," said the small officer, rising; the others rose also. "I must tell you good night, gentlemen." The three now left the tent, while I remained. I had not been unobservant. No names had been spoken, nor any title given to the officers, and I suspected that very high titles had been suppressed. Exactly who these officers were, I could not know, but that they were in great authority was not to be doubted; I made a wild guess that one was General Porter and the smaller man some trusted staff-officer from army headquarters[4]. [4] Doubtless this officer was General McClellan himself. Mr. Berwick describes very well McClellan's person, which--from the poor cuts in the newspapers--had made an impression, yet a vague impression. It is not a matter for wonder that Mr. Berwick had never before been in the presence of the great general. [ED.] General Morell returned alone. He motioned me to a seat at the table, then sat opposite me. For a time he seemed preoccupied. At length he looked me full in the face, and said gravely, "Berwick, it is absolutely necessary for us here on this flank to get accurate information of the enemy's strength, and as soon as possible." "The whole line of the enemy?" I asked. "No; the strength of his left--the position and forces of his left wing." "A difficult undertaking, General," said I.