The major had taken a piece of paper from his pocket, and by this time had written something on it to which he had signed his name.
"Is there any open place at the end of the hill where the captain is, to the right of the grove?"
"I don't know; I did not look about me much," replied Deck.
"The west end of the hill is a bare rock," interposed Colonel Coffee.
"On this paper I have written, 'Obey the verbal orders sent by Dexter Lyon.' That is all, except the captain's name and mine. Tell Captain Truman to prepare a fire, a large fire, on the rock at the west end of the hill, ready to light. Can the enemy see what he is doing, Colonel?"
"Not at all; the fire in the square sends no light beyond the grove."
"In precisely thirty minutes from the time you reach the top of the hill, Dexter, tell him to march upon the enemy, leaving a man to light the fire ten minutes later. Let him attack them vigorously," said the commander. "Do you understand it all, Dexter?"
"Understood."
"Then hasten to the hill."