"Datto" was the only word the Moro could make out, but he understood that, and again pointed inside. "Banga tim no satti du," remarked Hal softly to his chum. Then Sergeant Hal bent low, making an elaborate bow before the gateway. Noll Terry "caught on" and followed suit. The Moro sentries grinned. Nor did they offer any objection when the Army boys strolled off into the tempest-ridden darkness. "Now, what?" whispered Noll, as the Army boys halted under a tree. "Noll, the biggest game in the world, now--to get back out of the trap into which we've stepped!" CHAPTER XXIII DOOMING THE DATTO "Noll, you remember the first sentry inside the gully at this end?" "Yes." "Have you the nerve to stay near him while I try to get back to camp alone?" "I have nerve enough to do anything that a soldier may be called upon to do." "I was sure of it," Hal replied. "But what's the game?" "You are to keep close to that sentry until just before daylight," continued Hal. "Then, if nothing happens, slip out and make your way back to camp as best you can. But if Captain Freeman allows me to lead the expedition through that gully, you are to be on hand to silence that sentry at the first sound of our coming." "I think I can do that," Sergeant Terry replied thoughtfully. "I'll either win out or give up my life without a murmur." "Noll, if you prefer it, you can try to reach camp, and I'll stay by that first sentry inside the gully." "No, Hal; I think you are far more apt to succeed in reaching camp than I. I'm satisfied with the second part in the game. Both parts are big enough." "Very well! Good-bye, chum. Take care of yourself!" They had yet a little distance to go before they came upon the Moro sentry beyond the inner mouth of the gully. As they approached him they strolled along in leisurely fashion. The sentry, who appeared to be a good-natured, rather stupid fellow, surveyed the chums with a grin. He pointed to the sky, then made a motion of shivering. Clearly this native believed the pretended brown men to be foolish fellows for remaining out in such a downpour. "Hastu maki not," observed Hal. "No beni," replied Noll, and Hal stepped away in the darkness. He did not appear to be headed for the gully, but Noll distracted the attention of the sentry for a few moments, and out of the corner of his eye Terry caught a glimpse of Hal's body moving into the mouth of the gully. A moment later Hal was out of sight and sound. Noll and the sentry stood side by side. Presently, as neither could understand the other's speech, Noll and the Moro fell to "conversing" by means of signs. Yet, in this line, they could go little beyond the weather. Noll presently made a hit with the real brown man by shaking his fist in the direction of the American camp, then drawing his hand across his throat with an eloquent gesture of throat-cutting. Sergeant Hal Overton not only got out of the gully, but also satisfied himself that the slopes were not guarded.