"And I," said Captain Anderson, answering Hal's exclamation, "thought you
also were safe in the hands of the Germans."

"Well," said Hal, with a faint smile, "it seems that the enemy did wrong
to believe they had any of us safely."

"It does, indeed," the captain smiled back; "but come, tell me how you
escaped. I have asked Chester, but he has been so worried about you that
he has failed to do so."

"We haven't time now," replied Hal. "We are on a reconnaissance, and must
proceed immediately."

"It will be unnecessary," replied Anderson dryly. "I have just come from
that way and am in a position to tell you, or General French, either, for
that matter, all you desire to know."

"Are you sure?" asked Hal.

"Positive," replied the captain briefly.

"In that event," said Hal, "we may as well return, for we shall be
wasting time and possibly sacrificing men, to linger here longer."

He turned to his men. "Mount!" he ordered.

The troop sprang to the saddle. Ordering them to face about, the lad
commanded:

"Forward!"