nd a creese.
That is, sir, if you approve my plan."

Captain Freeman was silent for some moments.

"I'm afraid you're planning an especially desperate undertaking,
Sergeant Overton. I quite understand your idea in dressing like natives.
But if you are seen, you will be spoken to. It will be in the native
tongue. What then? You can't answer in native speech."

"But I think, sir," argued Hal, "that you'll agree that there are
probably men from several tribes under the datto's command. In that case
many different tribal dialects will be spoken. Noll--pardon me,
sir--Sergeant Terry and I can answer in any heathen-sounding, guttural
sort of words, and look stupid."

"It's quite difficult, my lad, to improvise a pretended language on the
spur of the moment."

"Hakka kado me no tonga, lakka prada estig ferente," rejoined Hal
Overton, with a grin.

"Dikka mone peditti u nono mate ben," said Noll cheerfully.

"What language is that, lads?" demanded Captain Freeman.

"New Jersey hog-Latin, I imagine, sir," replied Sergeant Hal soberly.

"I do not believe, gentlemen, that we can send better scouts than
Sergeants Overton and Terry," said Captain Freeman.

His two subordinates expressed their agreement.

"Sergeants, you may go and prepare yourselves. Do it as speedily as you
can, and report to me as soon as you are ready."

There was sullen objection from two of the native prisoners, when their
clothing was taken from them. Hal and Noll, however, loaned their
blankets in exchange.

"You know, Noll, if we don't succeed to-night, we shall have no further
use for our blankets, anyway," Hal remarked dryly.

"I've thought of that," Sergeant Terry nodded.

After they had dyed their skin and hair with the juice of the boka the
two Army boys next distributed a liberal amount of dirt on themselves,
then drew on the borrowed clothing, consisting only of shirts and short
trousers. Inside their clothing each tucked a sharp-edged creese, also a
loaded service revolver.

"You'll do, in the dark," nodded Captain Freeman, after looking them
over keenly. "Of course, you won't show yourselves in a strong light,
anyway. Now, you don't need instructions. You understand your errand."

Captain Freeman himself took the two Army boys through the darkness to
the trench.

"I am turning these fellows loose, men," the captain announced. "But
don't allow any of the others to go through the lines."

To the captain's relief, the disguises