These came a few minutes later.
"Divide as follows: Lieutenant and two men return here; other two go forward at safe distance with portable, and report to-night."
Lieutenant Mackinson read them the message.
"Well," he asked, "which two are to accompany me back, and which two are to stay on the heels of the Boches?"
"I've got a scent like a deerhound," averred Slim.
"And I was born to be a scout," declared Jerry.
"You two spoke first," announced the lieutenant pleasantly, "so I guess that shall be your end of it, if that's what you want."
"Fine!" exclaimed Jerry and Slim in unison.
"Anyway," added the lieutenant, "I guess there'll be enough serious work for the rest of us when we get back. For instance," winking at the others, "there's that smashed tractor, Frank, that you will have to explain."
"Not so long as you were in charge of the party," Hoskins retorted quickly. And Lieutenant Mackinson, unable to determine whether the remark was a facetious evasion of responsibility or an indirect compliment to himself, on the ground that no act of his would be questioned, pursued his bantering no further.