Hal and Noll had been looking on from a little distance. Now they caught Captain Cortland's signal to come up, and obeyed.
"Are these the two young men you sent, sir, on that wild-goose chase off over the rocks?" asked Captain Freeman, pointing over towards the bunkies.
"They sure are," nodded the hunter.
Captain Freeman turned, fixing the quaking Raynes with a glance that brought the victim scant comfort.
"Corporal Raynes, you were despoiled by Overton while on outpost night before last. Then, yesterday afternoon, you fixed up a practical joke on Overton and Terry in order to pay Overton back for his conduct to you the night before?" queried Captain Freeman.
"Yes, sir," admitted Raynes, feeling as though he would like to sink about a mile into the ground.
"Corporal Raynes," continued his captain, half scathingly and half quizzically, "you have proved a most valuable man to your company during this period of field duty. First, while on outpost duty, you allow yourself to be despoiled of your rifle, shoes and canteen. Then, in your humorous efforts to get even, you perpetrate a near-joke that sends the enemy's two best scouts where they will be right on hand to learn our plans and betray us to the enemy. Corporal Raynes, you have covered yourself with glory indeed! Return to your company."
Like wildfire the story spread down the line. Raynes had to endure jeering looks from nearly two hundred men.
"Ain't it fearful how these kids gain glory from the very things that other folks do to smash 'em?" demanded Private Bill Hooper hoarsely in the ear of Private Dowley.
"It's a long lane of luck that has no turning," growled Dowley.