"Friends," cried Frank, instantly.
"'Alt, friends, while I 'as a look at you," said the sentry.
"Call your officer, please. We are carrying despatches," said Frank.
"I'll call 'im, all right. My word! You ain't nothin' but kiddies, you ain't! 'Ere! Corporal of the guard! I sye! Corporal of the guard!"
He raised his voice in the shout, and a minute or so later a corporal appeared.
"Came up to me, sir," said the sentry. "Said as 'ow they wanted me to call the officer of the guard. Carryin' despatches, they sye they is."
"All right," said the corporal, briskly. "Come with me, my lads. Step smartly when you're told or you may be shot," in a genial voice.
They followed him through a field that seemed deserted, then came to a small cluster of tents, where they stopped.
"Wait here," said the corporal. "I'll bring the lieutenant."
They did not have long to wait before a young officer approached them.