Captain Sam: The Boy Scouts of 1814

Jackson's private office, and was received wit

eported in command of some young

ied that

service. However, it is all the better so, because I know your devotion, and Tandy

hat "hung up on the floor," as Tandy Wal

to you, must be kept a profound secret, now and hereafte

discretion, sir. I think

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

I think,"

. The Indians tell big stories, so big that I can place no reliance upon them, and what I want is accurate information about affairs at Pensacola. If there is a British force there, it means to make an attack on Mobile or New Orleans. I must know the exact facts, whatever they are, so that I may take proper precautions. I must know the size of the force, the number of their ships, and on what terms they have been received by the Spaniards. If they are made welcome at Pensacola, and permitted by the Spaniards to make that a convenient base of operations against us, the government may see fit to authorize me to

m, "if, after hearing my plan, you t

general, "when will you be rea

ast as the general plan is concerned; little t

at is your pla

ind out what is going on there. I shouldn't wish to be a spy, general, but this is scarcely that, I think. The enemy has been received by a power professing to be friendly. That power has given us no notice of hostility, and until that is done I see no i

e law, I see," s

which that officer must understand much better than he did. "No sir, I have read no law except a

be," replied Jackson, "if I may judge of

ame," answered Sam, risin

and," resumed Jackson. "You'll nee

can make out without them very well. I've

all the lighter. How many

it may be necessary to send some of them back with news. My bro

nize for defence there. Send your news there. You had better march directly from this place, so that y

ought one with

to provide you with one is the most serious problem I have to solve in t

if I may take an axe or two a

ow

've done it before, and kn

ds in such a country as this, where he must first create his army and

rivate," replied Sam, "though

ing order at once. Take all of your boys, unless some of them have already enlisted,-it won't do to take actual soldiers with you,