“Lieutenant,” he said, “I shall move at once in accordance with instructions, but I would prefer that you remain here and that one of my men reported to General Lawrence in your stead.”
“Very well, sir,” was Hal’s reply, although he could not fathom the colonel’s reasons.
Colonel Adams explained:
“I lost most of my officers in the crossing of the canal. I can use you to great advantage. By the way, I don’t seem to recall your name.”
“Paine, sir.”
“Very good. Lieutenant, you will report at once to Captain Graham, of the —th marines.”
He saluted and walked away. He was somewhat surprised, for he did not know that a body of marines had crossed the river with the infantry so recently.
“I’ll bet a hat my friends Jenkins and Smith are around some place,” he told himself as he strode rapidly ahead.
He located the body of marines with little difficulty and reported at once to Captain Graham. As the lad had predicted to himself, Lieutenants Smith and Jenkins were there, and were almost the first to see him.
“Well, I see you’re on the job,” exclaimed Smith, stepping forward as Hal left Captain Graham after reporting and delivering his message from Colonel Adams.