There was no mistaking the determination in his tones, and there was a look of unwilling admiration in the eyes of the messenger as he turned to depart.
"You are foolish," he said, "but you have had your chance. You and your companions are doomed."
"That may be," replied Frank, "but if we are, we'll take a lot of you along with us."
They separated and returned to their respective camps.
"Get ready now, boys, for the fight of your lives," Frank admonished his comrades, after he had told them of what had passed between him and the flag bearer.
"Let them come," said Bart. "We're good for a lot of them if our bullets hold out."
"And when they're gone, we've got our bayonets," put in Tom.
"And our knives may do some damage," added Billy, as his hand rested on the haft of his.
With every faculty alert and their eyes fixed upon their enemies, the Army Boys waited for the expected rush.
"What are they waiting for?" muttered Tom peevishly. "Are they getting cold feet? Or are they waiting for another gang of hoboes to join them before they care to tackle us?"