He espied a small squadron of Germans approaching him at a quick trot.
Making sure that his revolvers were ready for instant action, the lad
trudged bravely on. The mounted troops passed him at a distance of
perhaps a hundred yards, and the officer in command waved his sword in
greeting as they went by.
"So far, so good," muttered the lad to himself.
Small bodies of troops passed him at more frequent intervals now. But
feeling perfectly safe in his German uniform, with shoulder straps of
captain, the lad continued boldly on.
At last, some distance ahead, he made out a large encampment.
"Guess this is the place I am headed for," he told himself.
He approached boldly and soon mingled with the German officers, who were
taking life easy, war, seemingly, being far from their thoughts. The
place, to Hal, looked as if it might be a drill ground, with a large body
of troops on parade.
He walked about for an hour or more and was not challenged once, although
once or twice passing officers nodded pleasantly to him.
"Either they mistake me for someone else, or they are a very pleasant and
courteous set," the lad told himself. "However, I didn't come here to
learn how they behave themselves. I won't get any information this way.
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