"We must send out a detachment for the lieutenant by all means," said the major, when the captain had finished. "But do you think we can locate him in the dark?"
"It may be difficult, but I don't think it's impossible, major."
"Are you too tired to undertake the task?"
"I'd have to be a good deal more tired before I'd forget a fellow-soldier who was in Gilmore's fix," answered Ben, warmly. "Just let me swallow a cup of coffee and a sandwich, and I'll be on the way."
"Sorry, but there is no coffee in camp. I can supply you with a little bread, though, and your cooks are getting some pork into shape for eating."
"Then I'll take a pork chop, some bread, and a drink of water, and let it go at that. But I'd rather have the hot coffee."
"Want a little whiskey?"
"You know I don't drink, major," and so speaking, Ben hurried off. Inside of ten minutes he had had his "bite," as he expressed it, and then he called Stummer, Casey, and half a dozen others to him and told them of what he wished to do. All were eager to go along, regardless of the possible danger.
In order to reach the spot where Gilmore had been
