"Oh, well, we are doing all we can," said Beany. "I don't just see what more we can do. We can't help our age."
"No, but if we are not told just where to stay, and where to go, I mean to take a little stroll around to-night," said Porky.
The boys went over to the General, who stood looking across the valley and saluted. He looked, and gravely returned the salute.
"Good-night, boys," he said.
"Good-night, sir," said the boys, and then as an afterthought, "May we walk around a bit, sir?"
The General was busy studying the vast field below him as the flashes of light revealed it.
"Yes, if you don't get lost," he said absently, "and be on hand at eight to-morrow morning. I may be ready to go on then."
"Yes, sir," said both boys cheerfully. What luck! The General certainly didn't know what he was getting himself into.
"The whole night to ourselves, and no bounds, and only we mustn't get lost!" chuckled Porky.
"Peach pie!" murmured Beany. "Let's be off! Where will we go first?"