shall part from you with regret. I have letters for Governor Clark of
Missouri, and Governor Reynolds of Illinois; also one to General
Atkinson at Jefferson Barracks, detailing my views on the present
Indian situation. These are confidential, and I hesitate to entrust
them to the regular mail service. I had intended sending them down
river in charge of a non-commissioned officer, but shall now utilize
your services instead--that is, if you are willing to assume their
care?"

"Very gladly, of course."

"I thought as much. Each of these is to be delivered in person.
Captain Thockmorton informs me that he will be prepared to depart
within an hour. You can be ready in that time?"

I smiled.

"In much less. I have little with me but a field kit, sir. It will
not require long to pack that."

"Then return here at the first whistle, and the letters will be ready
for you. That will be all now."

I turned toward the door, but paused irresolutely. The major was
already bent over his task, and writing rapidly.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but as I am still to remain on duty, I presume
I must travel in uniform?"

He glanced up, his eyes quizzical, the pen still grasped in his fingers.