But let it pass.

I ask no names.

In these bad times we cannot afford to despise any man's aid." He pulled out a chart of Virginia, and I marked for him our posts, and indicated the line of my own journey.
"Have you ever been in the wars, Mr.Garvald ?" he asked.
I told him no.
"Well, you have a very pretty natural gift for the military art.

Your men will screen the frontier line, and behind that screen I will get our militia force in order, while meantime you are reconnoitring the enemy.

It's a very fair piece of strategy.