that; Thad thought as he
waited; waving his handkerchief and fixing his eyes on the far-away
figure of the khaki-clad scout with the flags.

He even found himself hoping that the one sent to a more distant station
might meet with some unexpected delay on the way; so that, becoming
weary of looking for a sign, Allan would presently amuse himself by
taking a view of other quarters.

Five minutes later, and Thad's heart gave a throb. He could see that his
wish was coming true, for the sun flashed more brightly than ever as it
glanced from the moving lens of the field glass. Allan was now surveying
the landscape around him, and gradually his attention must be drawing
nearer the island.

So Thad began to make the circular movement, followed by a downward
plunge of his handkerchief, that would surprise Allan when he noticed
it, for he was bound to understand what it signified.

A few seconds of suspense, and then Thad breathed with relief.

He had seen the other focus his glasses straight toward the tree, in the
dead upper branches of which, he, Thad, was clinging, and wildly waving
his improvised signal flag.

"He sees me! Good for that!" Thad said to himself; while his heart was
pounding wildly within its prison, because of the excitement that had
seized him in its grip.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE WIGWAG TELEGRAPH.

Thad now devoted himself to the task of communicating all he had to say
to his second in command, and as briefly as possible. Time was a factor
in the affair; and it would not pay to waste more minutes than were
absolutely necessary. The full particulars must be kept, to thrill the
patrol as they sat around the next blazing camp-fire, each one telling
his individual part of the story.

Fortunately Thad and Allan had long been practicing this exchange of
flag signals together; and in this way had become fairly expert in the
use of the little telegraphic code that takes the place of the
dot-and-dash of the wire process. With but his handkerchief to use in
place of the flag, Thad knew he would be hampered more or less; but he
had faith in the ability of his chum to grasp the truth, once he caught
an inkling of the peril that threatened.

And now Allan was signaling that he understood the chief wished to send
an important message, which he was ready to receive.

So Thad commenced by asking:

"Who have you close by to send with a message to Rockford?"

Allan asked him to repeat; and no wonder, for