noon
Then I suppose you 'll laugh . '' By this time Hal had the German officer securely bound , and at his command the rest of the enemy still upon their feet also were tied up . Then , with their prisoners in the center , the British once more set out upon their march to the British lines , Stubbs trailing along behind . Before noon they came within sight of the first British outposts , and soon had passed to safety . Here they procured horses , and made all haste back toward their own division , where they arrived several hours later . When those of the British troop who had gone forth with the two lads returned to their own regiment , and the lads , with Captain Anderson , took their departure , they raised three lusty cheers for each of the officers in farewell . The three , accompanied by Stubbs , immediately made their way to the headquarters of General French .