"Advance, Sergeant Overton, to be recognized."
Thus assured that he would not be shot down by mistake, Hal walked slowly but openly in the direction of the voice from the trench.
"If you can recognize me, Galbraith, you're a wonder," laughed Hal, as he came within the soldier's range of vision.
"You, Sergeant Overton. Great Scott, I don't recognize anything but the voice. I know that, however; pass on, Sergeant."
Hal went at once to Captain Freeman, whom, however, he had to awaken. Lieutenants Prescott and Holmes were quickly added to the lightning conference that followed.
The officers listened almost in amazement to the yarn that Sergeant Overton rapidly spun for them.
"We made no mistake in detailing you two sergeants to investigate the position of the enemy," remarked Captain Freeman warmly. "Now our course is clear. You understand my plan, gentlemen?"
The two young lieutenants quickly assented.
"We shall have to abandon our transport wagons, though I think we shall have no difficulty in recovering them later," went on the commanding officer. "Waken all the men, and have each man carry as much ammunition as he can pack. The Gatling gun goes with us, of course."
"And the wounded men, sir?" asked Lieutenant Prescott.