Hal gave the moving order instantly, the lieutenant cutting off the column obliquely and thus rejoining its head.
"The impudence of that fellow!" growled Lieutenant Prescott, under his breath, but Sergeant Hal heard the words.
Two or three minutes later, when the plantation buildings were out of sight, the young sergeant chanced to look back along the line.
As he did so something in the sky caught his attention.
"Look at that, sir," urged Hal, stepping out of the way of the column and pointing backward.
Lieutenant Prescott uttered an exclamation of anger.
"I wish we had men to spare. I certainly would send some of them back to that confounded Draney!" quivered Prescott.
The object at which both gazed was a blood-red kite, flying high, and apparently sent up not far from the Draney house.
"It must be a signal, sir," suggested Sergeant Hal.
"Of course it is!" stormed the lieutenant. "It's the easiest way in the world of sending the news to the brown fiends swarming around Seaforth's that a military column has passed Draney's place."