eighborhood. Overton and Terry will go with you as guides,
so that you may strike the exact spot without loss of time."

Captain Cortland dispatched a soldier to go at once to Sergeant Hupner's
squad room, with orders to turn out the men in that room at once and
under arms, with fifty rounds of ammunition per man.

This done, Captain Cortland hastened to his own quarters, soon returning
with his sword hanging at his belt and his revolver in its holster.

"While you are gone, Cortland," said Colonel North, "Silsbee and I will
make whatever other investigations we can think of."

In an almost incredibly short space of time Sergeant Hupner's squad was
ready, and turned into officers' row.

"Overton and Terry, you will walk ahead of the detachment, and I will go
with you," Captain Cortland announced. "Sergeant Hupner, march your
detachment in column of twos, twenty paces to the rear of the guides.
Forward!"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE STIRRING GAME AT DAWN

"THERE is the ledge, sir, right in yonder," announced Hal, peering
through the darkness. A wind was coming up and the stars had faded. It
was in the darkest hour before dawn.

Captain Cortland stepped back, holding out one hand as a signal.

Sergeant Hupner saw, and halted his detachment, marching almost without
a sound.

"Remain here, guides, with the detachment," directed the company
commander, in a whisper. "Sergeant Hupner, you and I will go forward and
reconnoitre."

As soon as the officer and the non-commissioned officer had departed
Private Bill Hooper growled out:

"What kind of a fool chase is this you've got us into, Overton?"

"Silence in the ranks," hissed Corporal Cotter sharply. "Not a word!"

Fifteen minutes later Captain Cortland and the sergeant returned.

"Take twelve of the men, now, Sergeant. You know where to post them,"
directed Captain Cortland briskly. "As soon as you have done so return
to me."

Hupner marched off in the darkness with his dozen men. In a few minutes
he was back.

"We'll want until daylight now for the rest of our work," announced the
company commander.

Slowly enough the time passed. No word was spoken. All was as still
around the little military force as though they had been isolated in the
center of a vast desert.

Then the first faint signs of dawn came. Some of the soldiers were
seated on the ground, gaping and with difficulty refraining from going
to sleep, for these men of Uncle Sam's Army had been