“I am watching for a chance.”
For awhile he made no talk, remaining silent as though thinking, then said, “See here; suppose we chum together? I see that you are a lieutenant. My name is Gordon; I am an assistant surgeon. You’ve got confidence and courage. I’ve got some sense and lots of strength, besides a good arm and leg. Any objection to my following your lead?”
“No,” I said, “I like you; I think that you’ve got the right stuff and I may need you.”
He smiled quizzically, and inquired, “Had much to eat?”
“No, I feel as empty as a vacuum.”
“Stay here, and I will see what I can do.”
Making his way through the crowd, he disappeared.
It was stifling hot, and the newcomers injected into this small area had crowded it unmercifully.
Meanwhile I thought over the situation, and tried to form a general plan for escape. I also thought over the possibilities of Jot’s being in that sector of the enemy’s lines. I inferred from the questions asked me under examination, that he was known in that sector and that his loyalty to the German cause had been questioned.
I was turning over in my mind some of the incidents of our long acquaintance, and wondering at its contradictory phases. In the midst of my reflections I felt my arm grasped by Gordon who exclaimed softly, “Wake up, Lieutenant! There’s something doing!”