"Right," said Hal; "and the thing to do now is to find a fire before we
freeze to death."
They rode forward.
Suddenly in the moonlight a squad of armed men sprang up before them as
though by magic.
"Halt!" rang out a command.
The lads drew up their horses and raised their hands above their heads.
"Who are you?" came a voice.
"British officers," replied Hal, "on our way to Soissons with a dispatch
for General Joffre."
"Advance!" came the command, and the two lads obeyed.
An officer approached and looked at them closely. At sight of their
civilian clothes he stepped back.
"How do I know you are British officers?" he asked.
"Because I say so," replied Hal angrily. "Take us to your commanding
officer at once. We have just come across the river. Do you want us to
freeze to death here in the cold?"
"But he was not to be disturbed," replied the officer hesitatingly.
"Well, you lead us to his tent and we'll do the disturbing," said Chester
gruffly. "Hurry up, man."
Without further words the young officer motioned for the lads to follow
him, and, dismounting, they did so.
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