The excitement appealed to me, and the knowledge that this service was to be performed directly under the eye of the great General of the West, was in itself an inspiration.

If I lived to come back it meant promotion, the praise of the army, a line on the page of history--enough surely to arouse the ambition of youth.
It was early in the afternoon when I reached the position of my regiment, and reported to the colonel, asking the privilege of selecting a detail.

Then, as I sat at mess, I studied my men, mentally picking from among them those best adapted to the desperate task.

I chose those I had seen in action, young, unmarried fellows, and for "non-com," Sergeant Miles, a slender, silent man of thirty, in whom I had implicit confidence.

I checked the names over, satisfying myself I had made no mistake.