revolvers, and the fleetest horse in the regiment. Jordan started upon his perilous journey at night, after the moon was down. He was to ride by night, and hide in the woods, or rest in loyal families, if they could be found, by day.

Before Jordan returned, another incident transpired, showing how great service Garfield’s life on the canal was to him, in another direction. One day a loyal scout presented himself at his head-quarters, and, grasping Colonel Garfield’s hand, exclaimed, in a jolly way:

“Jim!”

Garfield looked at him with surprise, for a moment, but did not recognise him.

“Who are you?” he inquired.

“Yer old companion, Jim,” answered the scout.

“My old companion!” ejaculated Garfield.

“Yis, yer old companion! Yer see, I was a scout in West Virginia, under Rosecrans; and hearing of the Sandy Valley expedition, and that James A. Garfield, of Ohio, had command of it, I thought as how that must be my old companion on the canal boat; and so I made tracks for yer.”

“Harry!” exclaimed Garfield, shaking his hand heartily, as he recognised one of Captain Letcher’s crew, whose name was Henry S. Brown, but known as “Harry” on the boat. The marks of a very dissipated life had obliterated the traces of his former self, so that it was not strange that Garfield did not recognise him. Brown was strongly attached to “Jim” on the canal, and now he desired, above all things, to serve him.

“Colonel Garfield,” at length Brown said, laying aside the familiar title by which he was known on the canal boat, and addressing him respectfully, as any loyal soldier would address his superior officer. “Colonel Garfield, I’m at yer service.”

“Just the man I want for a scout,” answered Garfield, heartily. He had confidence in Brown for that business, and trusted him at once.

On the following night, as Garfield lay in sound sleep, about midnight, Jordan came riding into camp from his dangerous trip. Alighting from his foaming steed, he rushed into his commander’s quarters, and shook him until he awoke.

“What! back safe?” exclaimed Garfield, as soon as he recognised Jordan. “Have you seen Colonel Cranor?”

“Yes, colonel; he can’t be mor’n two days ahind o’ me, nohow.”

“God bless you, Jordan! You have done us great service,” said Garfield, warmly.

“I thank ye, Colonel,” answered Jordan, his voice trembling; “that’s more pay’n I expected.”

He had returned safely; but the Providence which so wonderfully guarded his way out seemed to leave him to find his own way back; for, as he expressed it: “The Lord He cared more for the despatch nor He cared for me; and it was nat’ral He shu’d; ’cause my life only counts one, but the despatch—it stood for all Kentucky.”

The use of Jordan and Brown for scouts initiated Garfield into the condition of a successful “secret service.” When he became chief of General Rosecrans’ staff he organized a “secret service,” which Rosecrans