Nor was he wrong. Uncle John looked around quickly and beheld Chester's face peering into the tent. Chester laid a finger to his lips and Uncle John nodded. Then Chester beckoned Uncle John to come toward him and the latter did so. Chester enlarged the opening in the tent with his knife and Uncle John stepped into the open.
"Follow me," whispered the lad.
Uncle John asked no questions, but obeyed. Two hundred yards from the tent, Chester halted.
"Now you stay right here till I come back," he said.
He hastened away to join his friends, who were still talking to Uncle
John's guard.
He joined in the conversation for a moment and then announced that they might as well turn in. They told the guard good night and walked back to where Chester had left Uncle John. The latter greeted them with silent joy; he realized that to make a sound might betray them, and he was tired of standing there by himself.
Colonel Anderson motioned to the others to follow and led the way forward.
Swiftly and silently the four shadowy forms made their way along in the shelter of the innumerable tents; and finally they passed beyond the farthest row and into the open. Rapidly they covered the ground toward the outposts, and nearing them, slowed down.
Then they walked forward, talking quietly among themselves, as though they were just out for an evening stroll. And then—
"Halt!" came a hoarse command.