“You two youngsters certainly do have all the luck,” said the lieutenant, “while we old heads sit back here and do nothing.”
“It seems to me that you have been doing your share,” said Hal.
“And to me, too,” Chester agreed.
“Oh, well,” laughed the lieutenant. “I have seen considerable action. I don’t suppose I should complain. But how do you propose to gather this information? I suppose you realize that you have quite a sizable job on your hands?”
“Yes, we realize that,” Hal replied, “and we thought perhaps you could help us with an idea or two.”
The lieutenant was silent for some moments. Finally he said:
“I believe that I should not go alone, were I in your place. The enemy will be constantly on the lookout for spies. My plan would be to make quite a detour along the river, crossing by a bold dash and riding right into the heart of the enemy’s country, at whatever point it might be practically unprotected.”
“A good idea,” said Hal. “But, in that event, we should have to have a larger party.”
“Exactly,” said Lieutenant Anderson. “And I, for one, offer my services. I suppose we should have at least twenty-five men.”
A few moments later Hal was back in General French’s headquarters.