All the rest of the afternoon they sat there talking over the situation and trying to hit upon some plan of escape; but no feasible scheme occurred to either.
Night came and food was brought them. The lads did not turn in early, for they were in no mood for sleep. Well into the night they sat up talking.
In the midst of the conversation Hal became conscious of the fact that an object of some kind was trying to crawl under the tent from the outside. Silently he called Chester's attention to the spot where the canvas was being tampered with.
Presently a head appeared beneath the rear of the tent, followed by a man's head and shoulders. His face was not turned toward the lads, so they did not recognize him; but they did not move from their chairs.
Now the apparition succeeded in drawing his legs within the tent, and, rising to his feet, turned toward them. In spite of their surprise, however, the boys were too cool to exclaim aloud, but both muttered beneath their breath:
"Stubbs!"
The newcomer was indeed the little American war correspondent.
He laid a cautious finger to his lips and came toward them. Both lads arose and silently took him by the hand.
"I've come to get you out," whispered Stubbs.
"How did you get here?" asked Hal in a low voice.