Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/74

52 situation farthest removed from the headquarters of commander Valdez.

The camp had very much the appearance of a little city of mushroom growth—rows  upon rows of tents, and here and there a hut  of larger proportions hastily constructed of  boards. In the middle of one tented street had been erected a rude shrine protected by  an awning, at which knelt a priest celebrating the early morning mass. The tinkle of the silver bell calling to service was the only  sound that broke the silence. Gysbert proceeded cautiously, rejoicing at every step that took him unmolested on his way, when  suddenly a rough command arrested his progress:

“Halt! The password! What art thou doing here?”

“Requesens!” answered Gysbert glibly, thanking his stars that the burgomaster had  not failed to inform him of the Spanish password for the day. Van der Werf had two or three trusted spies in the Spanish army,