"Keep away to the right," said Donald. "Keep in the valley and in
the shadow," and he drew off the beaten highway, with Adrian
close behind.
On the soft earth their horses' hoofs made no sound and in a
couple of minutes more they descended into a little valley and
the noise of the alarm passed out of hearing.
"It was a mighty close shave," declared Adrian a few minutes
later, when they pulled their horses down to a walk to allow them
to catch their breath.
"Sure was," from Donald, "but we got the information we went
after."
Half an hour later they were challenged by the American pickets,
which had been thrown even further forward than where the boys
had passed through the lines. They stated their mission and were
at once sent under guard to the officer of the day.
"Oh, it's you!" was the lieutenant's salutation as he saw who it
was. "Did you get what you went after?"
"Yes, sir," from Donald. "The enemy has halted at Tejeria,
fifteen miles away."
"Well done. I'll send an orderly to carry the report to
headquarters. You boys are entitled to a rest."
"Where's Billie?" asked Adrian, looking around after the orderly
had departed.
"Who?"
"Billie. Our chum."
"Oh, yes," replied the lieutenant.
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