When there was a favorable opportunity the engineers often took a little time off to go bathing in one of the rivers or brooks that was handy, taking care, of course, to select only a place where the water was clean and pure—not an easy thing to do in a locality where so many dead bodies of soldiers were to be found.
Dave and all of his chums from Oak Hall formed the party which went bathing. They had found a tributary to one of the larger streams, and this was fed mostly by springs. The water was consequently quite cold, but was absolutely pure, and for this they were thankful. They lost no time in disrobing, and then one after another plunged in.
“I’m going up the stream a way and do a bit of exploring,” said Ben presently, and sloshed along through the water and over the rocks. And presently one after another followed until only Dave was left behind. He was more interested in getting a good bath than in doing any exploring, and, sitting down on a rock in the water, he proceeded to make himself just as much at home as though he was in one of the bathtubs at the Wadsworth mansion.
Although Dave did not know it, the departure of the Oak Hall chums for the bathing-place had been noticed by Nat Poole, who chanced along at that particular time. Walking through the brushwood, Nat presently approached the place where the young engineers had gone in bathing.
“Gee, I guess here is a chance to play a good trick on those fellows,” observed the money lender’s son, with a sickly grin.
Not far from where Nat was standing rested Dave’s uniform and his other garments. Watching his opportunity, when Dave was not looking in that direction, Nat leaped forth from behind the bushes and gathered up the things in his arms.
The rascal might have escaped undetected had it not been for a mishap which overtook him when he least expected it. With the uniform and other things piled high in his arms he could not see where he was stepping, and suddenly one foot went down in a crevice between the rocks, and he pitched headlong.
The noise Nat made was not great, but it was sufficient to attract Dave’s attention, and looking in that direction he saw in an instant what was occurring.
“Hi, you! Drop those things!” he cried, and then, leaping up, he made a dash for the bank of the stream.
Much startled, Nat Poole arose to his feet. He had now no longer any desire to take the garments, his one thought being to get away without being recognized. So far Dave had not seen his face and now he did what he could to hide his features.