"Advance two friends, but two only, to be recognized." As the bunkies came up they saw Corporal Cotter and two privates eyeing them. "Oh, if it's the kid soldiers, they're all right," spoke Corporal Cotter easily. "Corporal," begged Hal, "show us the quickest, easiest cut to camp. I've news for Captain Cortland." "Been scouting some more?" laughed Cotter. "My news, Corporal, is for the company commander." "That's all right, kid. See the grove yonder?" "Surely." "Right in the middle of that you'll find the tent of the company officers. They're asleep, I guess. Sergeant Hupner is commander of the guard, and Lieutenant Prescott is officer of the day." "Thank you. Corporal." "Proceed!" Two minutes later the bunkies were halted by one of the camp sentries. Then they hurried direct into camp. At a distance of some twenty yards young Lieutenant Prescott was found seated on the ground, talking in low tones with Sergeant Hupner. The young West Pointer leaped quickly to his feet when he saw the soldier boys approaching. "Sir," announced Hal, saluting, "we report our return to the company." "You've completed this afternoon's duty?" "Yes, sir--and much more." "How more?" queried Lieutenant Dick Prescott, eyeing them closely. "Lieutenant, we desire, sir, to speak with Captain Cortland at once." "It's as important as that?" asked Prescott. "Judge for yourself, sir. We have just returned from C Company's camp, and we've heard Captain Freeman and his officers discussing the plan by which they expect to attack this camp to-night and bag B Company whole hog." "You've been to C Company's camp?" repeated Lieutenant Prescott, eyeing the rookies closely. "Wasn't that exceeding your instructions by a very wide margin?" "We didn't go there by design, sir. It's a long story." "And you do well to remind me that I am wasting time in not calling Captain Cortland," continued the young lieutenant. "Wait here, men." It was barely more than a minute when Lieutenant Prescott came back with Captain Cortland and Lieutenant Hampton. "What's this I hear, Overton?" demanded B Company's commander. "C Company expects to bag us here to-night?" "Yes, sir." "How?" Hal briefly sketched the plan, as he understood it, of attacking the camp by moving up through the ravine. "We've a sentry down at the ravine," declared Captain Cortland. "But, Mr. Prescott, I believe you would do well to rouse enough men to create an emergency outpost beyond the other end of the ravine. Also send a small scouting detachment out considerably beyond the ravine. But instruct the scouts to be prepared for a quick recall at any moment." Lieutenant Prescott saluted his superior officer, then hastened away to rout out the needed men and post them. "Go on with your story, Overton. Better give it all to us in order, but be brief in the telling, my man."