Hal and Chester received their instructions for the morrow
along with the rest.
Returning to their own quarters again, they were attracted by the sound
of confusion a short distance away.
"Something up," said Chester. "Let's have a look."
Nothing loath, Hal followed his chum.
In the light of a large camp fire they made out a crowd of soldiers
gathered about in a large circle. Howls of amusement and hilarious
laughter rose on the air. Hal and Chester pushed closer and were able to
ascertain the cause of merriment.
In the center six French soldiers held a blanket and in the center of
this blanket was a man. He rose and fell as the six men alternately
released the blanket and then drew it taut again. He was yelling at the
top of his voice to be let alone and threatening dire vengeance on his
tormentors when he would be able to get at them. But he was laughing and
taking the joke good naturedly.
Hal and Chester joined the circle of spectators and derived as much
amusement as the others from the proceedings. At length, tiring of their
present victim, the men lowered him to the ground. One of them, a large,
strapping fellow, perhaps thirty years of age, cast his eye around the
circle of faces.
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