General Buell, one of your own Kentuckians, is advancing southward with
a strong Union force, and in a few days his outposts will be on Green
River. It will be of great advantage to Buell to know that the
Confederate army in the eastern part of the state is destroyed. He
can advance with freedom and, on the other hand, the Southern leader,
Albert Sidney Johnston, will be compelled to throw a portion of his
force to the eastward to protect his flank which has been uncovered by
our victory at Mill Spring. Do you understand?"
"I do, sir."
"Then you are to carry dispatches of the utmost importance from me to
General Buell. After you reach his camp--if you reach it--you will,
of course, be subject to his orders. I have learned that you know the
country well between here and Green River. Because of that, and because
of your intelligence, real intelligence, I mean, you are chosen for this
task. You are to change to citizen's clothes at once, and a horse of
great power and endurance has been selected for you. But you must use
all your faculties all the time. I warn you that the journey is full of
danger."
"I can carry it out," replied Dick with quiet confidence, "and I thank
you for choosing me."
"I believe you will succeed," said the general, who liked his tone.
"Return here in an hour with all your preparations made, and I will give
you the dispatches."
Warner was filled with envy that his comrade was to go on a secret
mission of great importance, but he generously wished him a full measure
of success.
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