"My idea is that it will be better if we do not go together. I'll start an hour ahead of you, or you can start an hour ahead of me. We'll lay out our route in advance so the one who goes last will know about how far ahead the other should be. He might even be able to lend a helping hand should whoever goes first get into trouble."
"Not a bad idea," Hal agreed. "Then I elect to go first."
Chester shrugged.
"Any way suits me," he said. "And when will you start?"
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Eight o'clock now," he said. "I'll start at nine."
"Then I shall start at ten," said Chester.
"Right," said Hal. "Now, as we have nothing to do in the meantime, suppose we take a walk about the camp."
"I'm agreeable," said Chester. "Come on."
For perhaps an hour they strolled about, looking over the huge encampment with critical eyes. Men slept on their arms that night, had been sleeping on them for a week, for there was no telling at what hour might come the order to advance.