some point in the Moro line
where we can break through--some point so weakly guarded that we can be
on our way before the brown rascals can gather in force enough to put up
a hard fight. This fact can be determined only through the work of a
scouting party."

"I shall be delighted, sir, to volunteer for scouting duty," spoke up
Lieutenant Prescott.

"And I also, sir," added Lieutenant Holmes.

"Thank you. I knew that you would both be ready," replied the commanding
officer. "Yet we must remember that, while our scouts are out to-night,
this camp is also extremely liable to attack. If the latter be the case,
I do not see how I can spare either of my officers. Now, I have cause to
remember a time when, in the mountains of Colorado, when on practice
field duty, two of our non-commissioned officers especially
distinguished themselves as scouts. I believe that both of the young men
still possess that ability in marked degree. It seems to me that the
choice of a leader for a scouting party lies between Sergeants Overton
and Terry."

"Thank you, sir," broke in Sergeant Hal gravely. "May I suggest, sir,
that there is no need of making a choice between us? I would like to go
on this duty, sir, and I'd rather have Sergeant Terry with me than any
other enlisted man in the regiment."

"I'm ready, sir," declared Noll promptly.

"It seems almost foolish to allow two such excellent sergeants to go,"
returned Captain Freeman gravely. "You see, we need as good men in the
camp as we do outside of it. However, let it be as you wish, Sergeant
Overton. How many men do you think you will need with you?"

"None, sir, except Sergeant Terry," spoke Hal.

"Are two enough for safety, Sergeant, in your opinion."

"Two men are safer than a dozen on scouting duty, I think, sir. Two men
can get through in places where even four men would be caught at it."

"But if caught, two are a small number for defensive purposes."

"There won't be much defense possible, sir, if we're caught; but I think
Sergeant Terry agrees with me that we ought not to be caught."

"Will you take your rifle and bayonet, Sergeant?"

"I'd rather not, sir. In fact, the plan that has come into my
mind at this moment is for Sergeant Terry and myself to stain our faces
and bodies with juice from the berries of the boka bush that is growing
inside our lines. Then we'll rob two of the native prisoners of their
clothing, under which we can each carry a service revolver a