"But I did think of that," retorted the defeated warrior. "The road was ambuscaded by my men, and the 'quad' was stopped and captured at the gate."
It was Colonel Howard's turn to look mystified. "How, then—" he began, looking at Fred.
"But, indeed Colonel," said that young gentleman, eagerly, "I only obeyed orders. I did get my signal."
"Lieutenant Young," said Colonel Camp, "you captured the signal-station by my orders, and held it to the end. Have you any explanation to offer of this extraordinary affair. And, by-the-way, what is the matter with your face?"
Lieutenant Young blushed and stammered.
"Well, Colonel, if you must know—it—it was the hornets."
"Hornets!"
"You see, while we were waiting, one of the men undertook to explore an old hornets' nest, and, the weather having been rather warm for the last week, why—er—they—er—proceeded to resume business."
"Exactly," said Colonel Camp, grimly. "And I suppose you used your handkerchief to protect yourself, and the boys mistook it for the signal."
"Well, it was something white," said Fred, apologetically, "and it was waving as though it meant business. I thought I'd better go on."