Both he and Dick raised their heads and
listened for the answer, which they felt sure was ready. The long,
sinister hoot in reply came from a point considerably farther away,
but at about the same height on the slope.
"They have two forces, sir," said the sergeant to Colonel Winchester,
"and I think they're about to unite."
"As a wilderness fighter, what would you suggest, Sergeant?"
"To wait here a little and lie hidden in the brush. We're rightly afraid
of an ambush if we go on, then why not make the same danger theirs?
I think it likely that the other force is coming this way. Anyway,
we can tell in a minute or two, 'cause them owls are sure to hoot again.
If I'm right, we can catch 'em napping."
"An excellent idea, Sergeant. Ah! there are the signals you predicted!"
The owl hooted again from the same point directly in front, and then came
the reply of the other, now nearer. The sergeant drew a deep breath of
satisfaction.
"Yes, sir, I was right," he said. "Their meeting place is straight in
front. Will you let me slip forward a little through the brush and see?"
"Go ahead, Sergeant.
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