CHAPTER IV
THE JOKING SCOUT
"CAN you see the enemy, Overton?"
"I can't see a thing, Corporal."
"Move forward cautiously. Don't make a sound. If you do you'll betray our position."
"How far shall I go, Corporal?"
"Move ahead until you run into signs of the enemy. Above all, bear in mind that you mustn't betray our presence to the enemy."
Private Hal Overton gripped his rifle tightly in the darkness as he all but wriggled forward over the ground.
It was all very real business to the soldiers engaged in this mimic warfare. If nothing more serious happened, any big mistake on the part of a soldier in this sham warfare would bring upon him the displeasure of his officers.