The little man's feelings were considerably ruffled, and Hal hastened to assuage them.
"Don't think for a minute we are not grateful," he said. "If we succeed in getting safely away we'll owe you a deep debt of thanks."
"Rats!" exclaimed Stubbs. "I don't want any thanks. All I want is to get you fellows out of here."
"But how are you going to get away?"
"Don't you worry about me. I'll get away, all right—a newspaper man can go any place, any way and any time."
"Except in times of war."
"Well, perhaps so," admitted Stubbs. "However, I have my pass. I'll get away, all right, but not until I have found some news for the Gazette."
"But you are not paid to get killed," said Hal.
"No," was the reply, "but I am paid to get news. Now, I'll go out under the tent first, and if the coast is clear, I'll whistle twice, like this." He whistled softly.
The boys signified that they understood. Stubbs held out his hands, and both lads grasped them.