His two subordinates expressed their agreement.
"Sergeants, you may go and prepare yourselves. Do it as speedily as you can, and report to me as soon as you are ready."
There was sullen objection from two of the native prisoners, when their clothing was taken from them. Hal and Noll, however, loaned their blankets in exchange.
"You know, Noll, if we don't succeed to-night, we shall have no further use for our blankets, anyway," Hal remarked dryly.
"I've thought of that," Sergeant Terry nodded.
After they had dyed their skin and hair with the juice of the boka the two Army boys next distributed a liberal amount of dirt on themselves, then drew on the borrowed clothing, consisting only of shirts and short trousers. Inside their clothing each tucked a sharp-edged creese, also a loaded service revolver.
"You'll do, in the dark," nodded Captain Freeman, after looking them over keenly. "Of course, you won't show yourselves in a strong light, anyway. Now, you don't need instructions. You understand your errand."
Captain Freeman himself took the two Army boys through the darkness to the trench.
"I am turning these fellows loose, men," the captain announced. "But don't allow any of the others to go through the lines."
To the captain's relief, the disguises appeared to "work" well in the dark, for the men on guard in the trench merely saluted.