CHAPTER XIV

THE SENTRY


"Now, boys," said Sergeant Jimmy, when they had dipped down into a
hollow among the many hills in the big valley, "we've got to have some
plan of action, and some system to this. We've got to have a leader,
too. Military rule must prevail, even among friends."

"You act as leader!" suggested Bob Dalton.

"That's right!" chimed in all the others.

"We'll make you captain, for the time being," added Roger.

"Thank you for the honor," said Jimmy with a smile. "I'll wait, I
guess, until my promotion comes regularly. But if you really want me
to take the lead and--"

"Of course we want you!" exclaimed Franz, while Iggy added:

"Besser as we should have him for to leader us dan a Germans."

"Well, I'm glad you think that much of me!" laughed Jimmy. "Now then,
if I'm to lead I'll have to give orders. And do you all agree to obey
them--at least if they don't seem against your better judgment?"