change his mind may do so, and return to camp when we leave here. I want
only those men who are willing and anxious to see this thing through, to
follow me to the end"--he paused--"and that end may well be disaster. You
have three days and three nights in which to reach Marietta, and you may
travel as you see fit. Avoid forming groups of more than four. The course
is east into the Cumberland Mountains, then south to the Tennessee River.
Cross the river and travel by train, from whatever station you come to,
through Chattanooga to Marietta. I will follow the same general course. Be
at the hotel in Marietta not later than Thursday evening, ready to start
the next morning. Have you any questions to ask about the route?"

There were questions, many of them. Over and over again he traced the
course they were to follow; told them what they might find at certain
points, what to avoid.

"I will supply you with all the Confederate money you will need. Carry none
of our money with you."

"And if we are questioned?" asked Brown. Tom recognized his voice; then, in
another flash of lightning he caught a glimpse of his face. That one
glimpse was to change the course of Tom's adventures.

"I am coming to that presently," answered Andrews. "Buy whatever you need,
and hire any sort of conveyance that you may think safe. But don't be
lavish with the money I'm giving you--it may have to last a long time. It
should be more than enough, but we can't tell what will happen. And now
about being questioned: If you have to answer questions, say that you come
from Fleming County, Kentucky; that you are on your way to join the
Southern troops. I happen to know that no men from Fleming County are in
the Southern army, and so there will be little risk of meeting anyone from