"It seems almost foolish to allow two such excellent sergeants to go," returned Captain Freeman gravely. "You see, we need as good men in the camp as we do outside of it. However, let it be as you wish, Sergeant Overton. How many men do you think you will need with you?" "None, sir, except Sergeant Terry," spoke Hal. "Are two enough for safety, Sergeant, in your opinion." "Two men are safer than a dozen on scouting duty, I think, sir. Two men can get through in places where even four men would be caught at it." "But if caught, two are a small number for defensive purposes." "There won't be much defense possible, sir, if we're caught; but I think Sergeant Terry agrees with me that we ought not to be caught." "Will you take your rifle and bayonet, Sergeant?" "I'd rather not, sir. In fact, the plan that has come into my mind at this moment is for Sergeant Terry and myself to stain our faces and bodies with juice from the berries of the boka bush that is growing inside our lines. Then we'll rob two of the native prisoners of their clothing, under which we can each carry a service revolver and a creese. That is, sir, if you approve my plan." Captain Freeman was silent for some moments. "I'm afraid you're planning an especially desperate undertaking, Sergeant Overton. I quite understand your idea in dressing like natives. But if you are seen, you will be spoken to. It will be in the native tongue. What then? You can't answer in native speech." "But I think, sir," argued Hal, "that you'll agree that there are probably men from several tribes under the datto's command. In that case many different tribal dialects will be spoken. Noll--pardon me, sir--Sergeant Terry and I can answer in any heathen-sounding, guttural sort of words, and look stupid." "It's quite difficult, my lad, to improvise a pretended language on the spur of the moment." "Hakka kado me no tonga, lakka prada estig ferente," rejoined Hal Overton, with a grin. "Dikka mone peditti u nono mate ben," said Noll cheerfully. "What language is that, lads?" demanded Captain Freeman. "New Jersey hog-Latin, I imagine, sir," replied Sergeant Hal soberly. "I do not believe, gentlemen, that we can send better scouts than Sergeants Overton and Terry," said Captain Freeman. His two subordinates expressed their agreement. "Sergeants, you may go and prepare yourselves. Do it as speedily as you can, and report to me as soon as you are ready." There was sullen objection from two of the native prisoners, when their clothing was taken from them. Hal and Noll, however, loaned their blankets in exchange. "You know, Noll, if we don't succeed to-night, we shall have no further use for our blankets, anyway," Hal remarked dryly. "I've thought of that," Sergeant Terry nodded.