Sam replied that he was.

"I didn't understand it so," replied Jackson, "when Walker recommended
you for this service. However, it is all the better so, because _I_
know your devotion, and Tandy has assured me of your competence. Sit
down, our talk is likely to be a long one."

When Sam was comfortably seated, with his hat "hung up on the floor,"
as Tandy Walker would have said, the general resumed.

"You understand of course," he said, "that whatever I say to you, must
be kept a profound secret, now and hereafter, whether you go on the
expedition I have in mind or not."

"You may depend upon my discretion, sir. I think I know how to be
silent."

"Do you? Then you have learned a good lesson well. Take care that you
never forget it. Let me tell you in the outset that the task I want
you to undertake is a difficult and perhaps a dangerous one. It will
require patience, pluck, intelligence and _tact_. Tandy Walker tells
me that you have these qualities, and he ought to know, perhaps, but I
shall find out for myself before we have done talking. I shall tell
you what the circumstances are and what I wish to have done. Then you
must decide whether or not you wish to undertake it; and if you do,
you must take what time you wish for consideration, and then tell me
what your plans are for its accomplishment. I shall then be able to
judge whether or not you are likely to succeed. You understand me of
course?"