"Where?" demanded Hal, somewhat anxiously.

"Straight ahead, sir," replied Stubbs, pointing down the road.

"We thank you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "and we shall now leave you to
gather your news while we proceed to reconnoiter."

"And leave me here?" cried Stubbs.

"Why, certainly. You are paid to get the news for your paper, are you
not?"

"But I'm not paid to be shot by the Germans," replied Stubbs vehemently.
"Take me with you."

How much truth there was in Stubbs' account of a large force of the enemy
approaching, Hal, of course, did not know. But the little man appeared so
greatly worried that Hal was moved to motion him to one of the spare
horses, which had followed the troop.

Stubbs clambered into the saddle with difficulty, and, once astride the
animal, he maneuvered so as to get right in among the British cavalrymen,
who smiled tolerantly as they surrounded him. Then, at a word from Hal,
the troop moved forward at a slow trot.

They rode for perhaps fifteen minutes, and so far Hal had seen no signs
of an enemy, nor was there any evidence that a large force had passed
that way recently. He turned to Stubbs.