The lieutenant was silent for some moments. Finally he said:
"I believe that I should not go alone, were I in your place. The enemy will be constantly on the lookout for spies. My plan would be to make quite a detour along the river, crossing by a bold dash and riding right into the heart of the enemy's country, at whatever point it might be practically unprotected."
"A good idea," said Hal. "But, in that event, we should have to have a larger party."
"Exactly," said Lieutenant Anderson. "And I, for one, offer my services. I suppose we should have at least twenty-five men."
A few moments later Hal was back in General French's headquarters.
"General," he said, "I should like to have your permission to pick twenty-five men, and permission to use one of the highest power automobiles in the army."
The general looked at him in silence for a while before speaking, but finally said:
"You have my permission. Here," turning to his desk and writing a few words, "is a written order. I shall not ask the nature of your plan. Good luck to you."
"I shall let you pick the men," said Hal to Lieutenant Anderson, when he was again back in the latter's quarters, "and, so far as they know, you are in command."
"Very well," was the reply; "but remember that it is not so. On this expedition I waive my rank, and will act under your orders."
Half an hour later Chester and Hal inspected the men selected by Lieutenant Anderson, to whom the boys were introduced as scouts. A likely body of men they were, strong and sturdy, and not a man of them under six feet in height.
"Look like they could give a good account of themselves," muttered Chester to himself.
At length all were piled in a great motor truck, and a second later, in response to Hal's directions were speeding southward.
For two hours the great motor truck continued its journey southward at top speed. Then Hal called a halt.
Quickly the men clambered out, and with Hal in the lead marched in the direction of the river.
The place where Hal had ordered the men from the car could not have been better selected, for, on the opposite side of the river, though Hal did not know it then, there was a considerable open space between the German forces.
The troopers followed the lad to the bank of the river, and then, as there was not a shot from the opposite side, all walked boldly along the shore. At length they came upon a number of small boats, evidently having been placed in readiness by some of the British forces.