ne."

The others lent a hand and dragged the unwilling captive forward. As they
would have put him on the blanket, the youngster--for such the captive
proved to be--protested.

"Some other time, fellows," he said. "I'm sick to-night. I hadn't ought
to be out at all, but I couldn't stay in the tent any longer. I'll let
you toss me in the blanket some other time, but please let me alone
to-night."

From where Hal and Chester stood it was plain to see that the boy was
telling the truth. His face was deathly pale and he looked very ill.

"Great Scott," said Hal, "they shouldn't torment him. He is telling
the truth."

"Certainly he is," Chester agreed. "I believe the boy is very ill."

But the young French boy's protest fell on unheeding ears.

With loud guffaws the men grabbed hold of the blanket and sent the
captive spinning aloft. Two, three times he rose and fell, and upon the
last was still in the blanket. Apparently the men who held the blanket
had not noticed this, however, for they were preparing to toss him aloft
again. But Hal had detected the lad's condition. He decided it was time
for some one to interfere, and as no one else apparently was ready to
call a halt on the proceeding, he determined to take a hand himself.

Quickly he shed his overcoat and then tossed off his jacket and passed
them to Chester.

"Hold 'em!" he said, and sprang forward.

At the edge of the circle he halted and gazed at the big Frenchman, who
had chanced to turn in his direction.

"Let the boy go," he said. "Can't you see that he is unconscious?"

The big Frenchman grinned at him. When Hal had taken off his coat, he had
removed all signs of his rank and the soldier had no means of knowing he
was an officer.

"One more toss," said the Frenchman.

Hal stepped close to him.

"The boy is unconscious," said the Frenchman, and added: "Then we'll
take you."

He nodded to the others in signal that it was time to toss; but before he
could move, Hal had seized him by the wrist and whirled him around.

"You heard me," the lad said quietly. "I meant what I said."

He gave the Frenchman's arm a quick twist and the man dropped his hold on
the blanket. The Frenchman's hold on the blanket released, the lad upon
it tumbled to the ground, where he lay still. Instantly several others
bent over and gave their attention to bringing him to. The man whom Hal
had confronted turned on him angrily.

"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.