"By Jove!" the lad muttered to himself. "I don't like to sit back here while all this is going on."
He turned to Colonel English.
"Colonel," he said, "I wonder if you will permit me to take a hand in the attack? I assure you that I am no novice at the game."
The colonel considered the point a moment.
"All right," he said at last, "but mind that you do not expose yourself needlessly. You must remember that General Rhodes looks to you for a report on the pending engagement. Here, I'll give you instructions for Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, of the Fourth regiment. That will enable you to get into the midst of things. You may remain with the regiment as long as you see fit, remembering only that I wish you to report to me an hour after daylight."
"Very well, sir," said Hal.
He leaped lightly from the colonel's automobile, appropriated a horse from a trooper who stood near and dashed forward in the darkness.
Colonel Johnson's force was some distance ahead, and it was perhaps fifteen minutes later that Hal came up with him. He gave the instructions that Colonel English had confided in him, and then said:
"Colonel, if you don't mind I'll stay with you through this battle."
Colonel Johnson would have protested, but Hal continued with a smile: