d Jack. "I left him behind when I
came to make my report."

"I have the honor to report, General," said little Tom Binns, standing
at the salute when he appeared, "that the enemy now has reason to
believe that General Bean is advancing for Cripple Creek and will camp
there to-night."

"How do you know that, my boy?" said the General.

"The signal station next to me on the side nearest Hardport flashed the
news that General Bean had changed his course, sir," replied Tom. "I
didn't think they ought to hear that at General Bliss's headquarters, so
I changed the message in relaying it, and said that it was now
positively determined that General Bean was heading for Cripple Creek,
and would proceed to occupy the bridge. In fact, I added that his
pickets were already in sight."

"Excellent!" laughed the General. "But how did you get here, my boy? I
don't see how you escaped falling into their hands."

"That was the last message we got before dark, sir," said Tom. "After
that we all got orders to report at their Scout headquarters, and I
decided to try to make my way back here. On the way I ran into one of
their outposts, and a man with a motorcycle chased me. But he had a
puncture--I think that was because I dropped my knife in the road--and
he had to stop to repair that. While he was doing it, I worked up behind
him, and I managed to get the motorcycle and came on. I knew he'd have a
good chance to catch me, because I didn't know the roads very well."

"Ha, ha!" laughed General Harkness. The incident seemed to amuse him
immensely, for he laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks. "I wish
I had a whole army of you, my boy. We'd have little trouble with the
enemy, then. Now you two can go back to Bremerton. That is likely to be
nearer the scene of battle in the morning than this town, and you have
both done a good day's work in any case. I am highly pleased with you.
Carry my compliments to Captain Durland, and say to him that I shall be
glad to see him in my headquarters in the morning. He will have to find
out where they are, for I don't know myself at this moment. I shall
probably be up most of the night myself, but do you be off now, and get
a good night's rest. You have earned it."

So once more Jack drove the grey car to Bremerton. He was almost reeling
with fatigue by this time, for it was nearly nine o'clock, and he had
done enough since noon to tire out a full-grown man.

"That was mighty clever work of y