A crowd of privates, shouting vociferously, was approaching from the direction of the road.  A few words were distinguishable in the babel. "This way, governor."  "Two to one on the long un."  And as the throng turned into the lane between the huts, among the khaki figures appeared Philemon Noakes and his fur-coated companion, trotting along in feverish haste.  The soldiers fell back as they neared the commandant’s hut, and the two civilians advanced alone.