Once upon a time the general of an army found himself in a serious
position. He was shut up in a fortified town and his food supply was very
low. In order to find out something of the position, strength, and plans
of the enemy, he sent two young soldiers out as scouts.
After many hardships the scouts came within sight of the enemy’s lines.
While they were looking down on the hostile camp from the top of a high
tree, two officers came riding toward them. When they reached the tree
in which the frightened scouts were hidden, the officers stopped to rest
their horses in the shade. Never dreaming that their conversation could
be overheard, they discussed their plans freely and rode away. As soon as
it was safe, the two scouts came to the ground.
“What a lucky escape!” said one. “We might both have been captured. This
teaches us a lesson. We will separate. Then if one is captured, the other
can carry our information to the general.”
So they separated, and in due time one of the scouts came into the
general’s presence.
“Well,” said the general, “how many men have the enemy?”
“Ever and ever so many,” answered the scout.
“Cavalry? Artillery? What?” asked the general sharply.
“Both,” replied the scout.
“Where are they?” asked the general.
“On the other side of the wood,” said the scout.
“But can’t you give me a better idea of their number and position?” cried
the impatient officer.
“I only know that there are ever and ever so many of them, and that they
are scattered all over the countryside,” was the answer.
“Well, did you learn anything of their plans?” asked the almost
discouraged general.
“Yes,” answered the scout eagerly. “I heard two officers talking. They
are going to besiege us, attack Clifton, and wait for reënforcements.”
“But what are they going to do first?” asked the anxious general.
“I don’t remember,” was the answer.
“I know no more than I did before you started! To think of the chance you
have lost!” exclaimed the officer.
Just then the second scout entered.
“What have you to report?” asked the general.
The young man drew a piece of paper toward him and by a rough sketch and
a few words of explanation, showed the general the position and number
of the enemy, so that he saw at a glance their strength and weakness.
Then he added: “The officers that discussed their plans under our tree
say that they will wait for reënforcements. Then part of their army will
besiege us closely, keeping us busy, while the main army will capture
Clifton.”
“You have saved our army!” cried the delighted general. “From to-day you
are ranked as captain. We will break through their lines before their
reënforcements come up, and march to the relief of Clifton!”
Then turning to the first scout, he said: “You saw and heard exactly the
same things as this young man, but instead of bringing me news worth
while, you brought only a confused report. Do you know why you failed and
he succeeded?”
“Yes,” was the answer, “he’s a born scout. I’m not.”
“Nonsense!” replied the general. “He has trained himself to _see
exactly_, to _hear exactly_, and to _repeat exactly_. That’s all that is
needed to make a born scout.”