“We are not very particular.”
“What do you say, sergeant?”
“My orders are to permit no stragglers from other camps to pass these lines, and I shall obey my orders to the letter,” replied the official, who, for some reason or other, seemed to be prejudiced against Somers’s friends.
“Stragglers!” exclaimed the sensitive Allan. “I think we have gone far enough.”
“I think you have,” added the sergeant; “and, if you don’t leave at once, it will be my duty to arrest you.”
“Whew!” exclaimed Owen. “That would be carrying the joke altogether too far. I think my pater ought to be satisfied with what we have done.”
“Move on,” said the sergeant.
They did move on; and Somers, attended by the officer of the guard, walked towards headquarters.
“Those are the coolest fellows that ever came near my lines,” said the sergeant. “Men without a pass looking out for one who has a pass!”
“Well, they are good fellows; but I played a joke upon them, which makes them a little sour towards me,” replied the scout. “I am even with them now.”