Just think of a sergeant becoming
one of us! Oh, I forgot, you aren't an officer, but you must know how
I feel!"
Cleary expressed his sympathy, and Sam bade him and his host
good-night. On his way back through a path in the jungle he thought he
heard a light step behind him, but when he looked back he could see
nothing. When he arrived at the headquarters' tent he found all the
higher officers of the army there, and Stroud whispered to him that
they had heard that Gomaldo would take the offensive the next morning,
and that consequently a general advance was ordered for daybreak in
order that they might forestall him. The general was rather taken by
surprise and his final plans were not ready, but it was arranged that
at four o'clock each regiment should advance, and that orders
containing further details would be sent to them by six o'clock at the
latest. Burton remained in the general's tent to perfect the orders,
and Sam went to the tent which he occupied with Major Stroud to enjoy a
few hours' sleep.
"I'm afraid we're not quite ready," said Sam.
"No army ever is," replied Stroud laconically.
"I wish the general were a little livelier and quicker," said Sam,
blushing at his own blasphemy.
"And thinner?" said Stroud, smiling, as he twisted his white mustache
and smoothed his imperial. "Oh, he'll do very well. He's a good solid
point to rally round and fall back on, and then we always know where to
find him, for he can't get away very far if he tries.
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