one,
too."

With which he opened up the wireless and began repeating the call
letters.

When headquarters had responded, the lieutenant gave them the glad
tidings of the Boche retreat. That done, he proceeded to give the
details of the wrecking of the tractor and of their escape to the second
mountain.

"Ought to be aviators," the operator at headquarters came back at him on
his own account, and then added: "Wait for orders."

These came a few minutes later.

"Divide as follows: Lieutenant and two men return here; other two go
forward at safe distance with portable, and report to-night."

Lieutenant Mackinson read them the message.

"Well," he asked, "which two are to accompany me back, and which two are
to stay on the heels of the Boches?"

"I've got a scent like a deerhound," averred Slim.

"And I was born to be a scout," declared Jerry.

"You two spoke first," announced the lieutenant pleasantly, "so I guess
that shall be your end of it, if that's what you want."

"Fine!" exclaimed Jerry and Slim in unison.

"Anyway," added the lieutenant, "I guess there'll be enough serious work
for the rest of us when we get back. For instance," winking at the
others, "there's that smashed tractor, Frank, that you will have to
explain."

"Not so long as you were in charge of the party," Hoskins retorted
quickly. And Lieutenant Mackinson, unable to determine whether the
remark was a facetious evasion of responsibility or an indirect
compliment to himself, on the ground that no act of his would be
questioned, pursued his bantering no further.

"I guess," he said, "that Joe, Frank and I had better start back at
once. You two will have to wait here some time before you can begin
trailing that army. I'm sorry we can't stay with you, but I feel that we
ought to report back as soon as possible."

And so the three of them began the preparations for their return, while
Jerry and Slim watched and studied the movements of the regiments they
were to follow.

"They seem to be pretty well tired out," said Slim at last. "Guess they
didn't have any sleep at all last night."

"We're going to find it pretty heavy tramping through that snow, too,"
Jerry answered. "And with the wireless and rations we'll be carrying a
hefty weight."

"Well, boys; we're off," announced Lieutenant Mackinson, and the
separating parties shook hands all around. "Take care of yourselves," he
admonished, "and we'll look for you back by to-morrow."