"I will undertake it, certainly, father, if you think me capable of it,"
Walter said. "It is dull enough here, now that the wet weather has
thoroughly set in, and I shall really like the adventure. When am I to
set out?"

"Tomorrow. Your instructions, and the letters you are to carry, will be
drawn up tonight, and you can set off after breakfast. I shall ride with
you, with a part of the troop, until you are past the point where you are
likely to fall in with any body of the enemy's cavalry. After that you
will, of course, shift for yourself. We think you had best travel on
foot, dressed as a peasant. In that way you will attract no attention,
and pass through towns occupied by the enemy without questioning."

"I think, father, I will take Larry with me, if you have no objection. He
would be the real thing, and could do most of the talking. Besides,
sometimes it is very useful to have someone to send with a message, or to
put on guard when one went in anywhere."

"Take him, by all means, Walter, and, indeed, I agree with you that you
may find him very useful."

Accordingly, the following morning Walter and Larry, dressed as young
peasants, mounted, and with the troop started from the camp. No signs of
any parties of the enemy were seen during their ride, and after
proceeding some five-and-twenty miles, they dismounted, and with a hearty
farewell from Captain Davenant, and a cheer from the men, they started on
foot.

The letters of which Walter was the bearer had been written on very small
pieces of paper, and had been sewn up inside the collar of his coat. His