IN THE MIDST OF THE "HOSTILES"
It was a pretty fix, indeed!
"Confound that lying old hunter down at the cabin!" ground Noll
wrathfully behind his teeth.
Then both bunkies from B Company held their very breath.
Out beyond the ledge, near the mouth of the cave, a figure paced. Hal,
as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, was sure that this man
was Captain Freeman. Just a little later the young soldier was sure of
it, for another figure approached and saluted.
"Captain, I have to report that I have placed the guard as you
directed."
"That's Lieutenant Holmes. Pretty nearly as fine a fellow as our own
second lieutenant, Prescott," thought Hal.
"You impressed upon each of the men the cautions that I want observed?"
queried Captain Freeman.
"Yes, sir," answered Lieutenant Holmes, "and I took the liberty of
adding another caution on my own account."
"What was that, Mr. Holmes?"
"I told each member of the guard, when I left him, to look well to it
that that young scout of B Company, Overton, didn't get his rifle."
Captain Freeman laughed quietly, then added:
"Overton is a very capable young soldier, Mr. Holmes, and a good man in
the service. But just now, while these manoeuvres are on, I'd like to
make a prisoner of him, I can tell you."
"Wouldn't you, though?" shivered Hal, listening from where he crouched,
while Noll pressed his bunkie's arm again. "And I'm very much afraid,
captain, that you're likely to have your wish!"
"Ah, here comes the other member of our council. Good evening, Ray."
"Good evening, sir," replied the first lieutenant of C Company.
"Ray," continued Captain Freeman, "we were just discussing Overton,
the scout of B Company, who made off with the arms of our outpost last
night."
"Well, sir, we have some pretty fair scouts of our own to-night,"
laughed Lieutenant Ray. "I'd like to wager a month's pay that not a
soul of B Company knows where this command is to-night. On the other
hand, we know to a dot where B Company is encamped."
"And we'll have the enemy potted by eleven o'clock to-night," promised
Captain Freeman in a tone of conviction. "But that's the least we're
obliged to do after the disgraceful treatment that we had to stand
last night. Unless our scouts bring different word by half past nine
to-night, we'll slip in on 'em while they're asleep, rush the sentries
and have B Company's camp for our own almost before the first blank
cartridge has been exploded. It's fine work to roll in on your enemy
and demolish him while he's asleep and dreaming of home."
All three of the officers laughed heartily.
"Their camp is well chosen, too," continued Captain Freeman. "In behind
the rocks, just the other side of the blasted twin oaks, makes an ideal
camp for a single company of infantry."
"By which route do you plan to approach, sir?" asked Lieutenant Ray.
"Through the ravine from the east," replied Captain Freeman, "for the
simple reason that Cortland would least of all expect an attack from
that quarter."
"It couldn't be better," declared Ray.
A fourth man now joined the group, saluting all three.
"What is it, my man?" inquired Freeman.
"Supper is ready for the officers, sir."
"Very good, Stubbles. We'll come at once."
Stubbles was Captain Freeman's "dog-robber," or field cook, one of the
privates of C Company.
The steps of the departing officers soon quieted down and ceased.
"Oh, Noll, we've got to get out of here now," breathed Private Overton
in an agitated tone in his bunkie's ear.
"Of course," retorted Private Terry. "We'll get out by airship, I
suppose?"
"No joking, old fellow. We've simply got to get out, and then we've got
to run all the way to the blasted twin oaks. You remember the place?"
"Perfectly," nodded Noll, though his bunkie could not see his head in
the deep darkness of the interior of the cave.
"We've got to get there on the jump," Hal whispered. "Not a minute to
lose!"
"Regardless of the fact that C Company is in camp all around us?"
quizzed Noll.
"Noll, I tell you, we've got to get through the lines at once!"
"Make a break and run for it, trusting to luck and our ability to knock
a lot of men down?" queried Terry.
"No, sir! We've got to get out, and away from here, without letting a
soul from C Company know that we've been within miles of here to-night!"
"What nice, new problems you do put up!" murmured Noll ironically.
"What earthly show, bunkie, have we to get out of here without being
seen?"
"Oh, we may be seen," admitted Hal, a new and desperate scheme flashing
through his brain.
"Then----" began Noll.
"But not recognized, bunkie. See here, Noll, I'm going softly down to
the mouth of the cave. From here you can see me, against what light
there is in the sky. Watch me. If I wave my hand, come to me. Bring
your rifle, too, but unfix the bayonet and return it to your belt."
"But what----"
"Noll, the company is at supper now. The men have something especial
to think of while they're eating. If we just lounge through the camp
together, with our hats well forward over our faces, and keep from
going too close to the groups, I don't believe any one will give us any
thought, or recognize us in the dark. Understand, we'll just saunter
until we get outside the lines. Then we'll vanish and duck as softly
and swiftly as we can."
"By Jove, it's worth trying!" glowed Noll.
"Yes; because it's the only single chance there is of our getting back
to B Company in time with the news. Wait--and watch!"
First Hal carefully took his own bayonet from the muzzle of his rifle,
returning it to place at his belt. Then, on hands and knees, he crept
forward to the mouth of the cave, cautiously peering beyond.
At last he signaled back.
In another moment Noll was by his side.
"Now, step out, old fellow," whispered Hal, rising. "Don't betray any
sign of trying to escape attention. But, if you're spoken to, make
believe you don't hear. Keep up your nerve, bunkie! This is real work
for good old B Company and victory!"
In another instant the two soldier boys stepped carelessly out into
plain sight, their sombreros drawn well down over their eyes.
C Company was just ahead at supper. As nonchalantly as possible the two
young soldiers of B Company began their leisurely stroll through the
"hostile" camp of C Company.
Could they hope to "get away" with this daring trick?