"How long do you keep it up at a time?" asked Alfred.
"Usually an hour; but I presume there will be no more firing after we reach the battery. The revelations of that stone will necessitate some revision and calculation," was the answer.
Arriving at the dug-outs, the first care of the commandant was to give orders for the housing of the boys, and Frisky was provided with a cozy place.
"I suppose he'll go back to the cottage this evening or tomorrow. The old man said that he returned to the house every day," said Ralph.
There was no thought now of going back to the camp. Their belongings, what few they had, were still there, and the thing uppermost in their minds, after they were comfortably settled, was to devise a way to have them sent over.
"Why not write a letter to Capt. Rose, and ask him to see that they are packed up and sent to us?" proposed Alfred.
A letter was, therefore, prepared, setting forth their adventures briefly, in which their compliments were sent to Col. Winston, with the request that their things should be forwarded.
"How are we to have the things directed?" queried Ralph.
"I will ask one of the men," said Alfred.