C Company was just ahead at supper. As nonchalantly as possible the two young soldiers of B Company began their leisurely stroll through the "hostile" camp of C Company. Could they hope to "get away" with this daring trick? CHAPTER IX PLANNING FOR THE NIGHT ATTACK For a distance of several yards the soldier boys proceeded through the darkness without appearing to attract any attention. The officers and soldiers of C Company were finishing their hasty, cheerless meal. There was nothing strange about two soldiers having finished ahead of the rest and deciding for a stroll through the camp. The darkness was the greatest protection of our young friends. They refrained from going very close to any group. Added to this, their campaign sombreros were so well drawn down over their faces as to hide a good deal of their features, and this without exciting suspicion. Hal and Noll were two thirds of the way through the camp, when there came a sharp hail that made Private Overton quiver inside: "Hey, there!" There could be no doubt that the hail was intended for the soldier boys, though neither gave any heed, even by as much as turning. "Look out Overton, of B Company, doesn't catch you!" jeered the same voice. Noll threw one hand behind him, waving it. "Don't go more than ten or twenty yards beyond our lines, men," warned Captain Freeman, looking up from the hard tack at which he had been munching. Hal wheeled about, saluting respectfully, but did not trust himself to speak. Then the chums continued their slow stroll. Three minutes later they were just beyond the edge of the camp, halting beside a bush. "Here's our chance," whispered Hal, glancing just past the roots of the bush. A little gully started there. Twenty feet further on it was more than six feet deep. Hal passed around the bush, dropping into the gully. In another moment Noll had leisurely joined him. Now, they traveled faster over the bed of the gully, though they were careful to go cat-footed, for they had yet to pass sentries, very likely outposts, and there was a grave risk of their running into some scouting detachment from C Company. The gully ran for some two hundred yards. Then the soldier boys came out in the open once more. "More caution than ever now," whispered Hal, detaining his bunkie by a strong grip on the arm. "We must be beyond their guard line," Noll returned in a whisper. "Don't you believe it! Freeman isn't the captain to maintain lax guard. Don't attempt to stand up. Crouch low, and get all the cover you can behind bushes. Better let me lead. I'll halt often and listen." With great stealth the pair had covered another two hundred yards or so, when there came a sharp hail of: "Halt! Who's there." The challenge had come from some one invisible to the bunkies. Hal instantly and noiselessly dropped to the ground, lying as flat as he could. Noll imitated his example. "Halt! Who's there?" came the insistent challenge.