SAFE.
Gradually it became more light and at length a beam of sunlight shot
into Hal's end of the cave. But still the lads kept silent vigil,
being afraid to leave their places of concealment, and believing that
the Germans on the outside were still on the watch for them.
Nor were they wrong, for at both entrances to the cave, or at least
standing nearby, were two groups of German soldiers, patiently waiting
for the boys to emerge from their retreat. The Germans rightly
surmised that they would not remain idle long after daylight.
At length Hal could endure the suspense no longer. Silently he quitted
his end of the cave and made his way cautiously back toward his
friend.
"What's up?" was Chester's greeting.
"I don't know," replied Hal. "The Germans may have gone away, but
I believe they are still loitering on the outside. However, this
inaction is getting monotonous. We've got to do something, and
we've got to do it right away."
"My sentiments exactly," Chester agreed. "But what?"
"Well, I don't know exactly. We shall have to figure out something."
There was a long silence, which was finally broken by Chester.
"There is but one way I can think of," he said.
"What is that?" demanded Hal.
"Well, suppose we make a dash out of this end, shooting as we go.
Those guarding the other end will naturally think we are trying to
escape, and will come to the aid of their companions. Then we can run
back into the cave, crawl through as rapidly as possible and make a
run for it out the other end."
Hal was somewhat dubious of this plan, but after some further talk,
in which neither was able to hit upon a better one, the boys finally
decided to act upon Chester's suggestion.
Accordingly, with drawn revolvers, they slowly made their way to the
entrance of the cave, and Chester peered out cautiously.
"No one in sight," he whispered to his friend. "Perhaps they have
gone."
"Be very careful," cautioned Hal. "They are likely to be lurking
around here some place."
Quietly the boys emerged from the cave, and began walking slowly. But
they had hardly gone five paces when there came a command:
"Halt!"
Swiftly the lads turned in the direction from which the hail had come,
and beheld a squad of Germans approaching them with leveled rifles.
The automatics of both lads spoke simultaneously and continued to
spout fire for several seconds. Then they turned and ran hurriedly
back to the cave, into which they disappeared before their startled
foe could realize what had happened.
Two German soldiers lay on the ground, while a third stood swaying
dizzily on his feet.
With all possible haste the lads crawled through the passageway, and
soon emerged at the other end. But now caution was thrown to the wind,
for the lads figured that the Germans left to guard this end of the
retreat were by this time on the way to aid their companions.
Their revolvers still gleamed in their hands, however, ready for
instant use in the event that their plan had miscarried.
But it had not, for there was not a German in sight, and soon the boys
were running through the woods as fast as their legs could carry them.
At length Hal pulled up, panting.
"I guess we have given them the slip this time," he panted.
"Let us hope so," replied Chester fervently. "If we ever get back to
our own lines, I believe I shall be more careful in the future."
Hal glanced at his friend with a peculiar smile.
"Anybody that didn't know you would believe you meant that," he said.
"But I know you better, so I don't."
"Well, perhaps I did make it a little strong," said Chester with a
smile, "but that's the way I feel about it right now."
The boys had now regained their breath, and at a word from Hal resumed
their journey, walking at a brisk pace.
Now they came to a clearing in the woods, stretching out for perhaps
200 yards, and the end of this another dense forest. They started
across the open ground at a run, for they had no mind to be overtaken
by the Germans where there was nothing to offer protection.
They had almost reached the forest on the other side and each was
mentally congratulating himself upon giving the pursuers the slip when
a shot rang out from behind, and a bullet cut the ground beside Hal.
"Quick!" said Hal, and increased his pace, swerving from side to side
as he ran, making it difficult for the Germans to aim accurately.
Chester did likewise, and soon they were safe once more beneath the
protection of the great trees.
But now that they had been discovered, the lads knew that it was to be
a race for life. They knew that it was but a question of a few minutes
until the remaining Germans would again mount their motorcycles and
give chase. Also they realized that their chances of eluding their
pursuers were much more slight in broad daylight than they had been in
the darkness.
Therefore they ran at top speed. While they were not afraid and had
not lost a whit of their nerve, they realized that discretion was the
better part of valor, and their feet continued to hit the ground at
breakneck speed, until again came to their ears the first faint
sounds of the pursuing motorcycles. Gradually the sounds became more
distinct, this telling the boys that their pursuers were gaining
rapidly, although the rough condition of the ground made it impossible
for the motorcycles to travel very fast.
Finally, when he could run no more, Hal threw himself to the ground,
and Chester immediately followed his example. For a few moments they
lay there, panting, their tongues literally hanging out like worn out
dogs.
Then they sprang to their feet again, and making an abrupt turn to the
right plunged into the underbrush right where it was the most dense.
Here Hal espied a large tree, with low hanging branches. With Chester
by his side he rushed for it.
Hal stood aside while Chester grabbed the lowest branch and swung
himself up, and then he followed suit. High up in the tree the lads
climbed, the close set branches affording an excellent screen.
Half a minute later six motorcycle riders hove into sight, hardly a
hundred yards from where the boys were perched.
Chester's fingers twitched on his revolver, but Hal, who had noticed
the set expression on his friend's face, uttered a low warning.
And the sound of Hal's voice was almost their undoing. For the Germans
had come to a pause and Hal's words carried plainly in the silence to
their ears.
For a moment the Germans glanced about hurriedly, seeking out their
prey. Then they sprang behind trees themselves, their rifles ready to
fire. They had not yet discovered the boys' hiding place, and were
fearful of a shot from ambush.
Then one, raising his eyes, saw Hal, and quickly raised his rifle. But
Hal's eye was keen also, and before the German could press the trigger
Hal's revolver spoke and the German tumbled to the ground.
Chester fired at the same moment as did Hal, and a second German
clapped his hand to his head and reeled. But before the other pursuers
could raise their rifles, there came from ahead a sound that brought a
loud "Hurrah" from Hal and Chester, and a moment later, on the dead
run, came a small body of British infantry.
Quickly the Germans leaped onto their motorcycles and turned to run.
But now the advancing British were in full view, and a voice of
command rang out:
"Fire!"
A volley rang out. Not in all the world were there better marksmen
than those British troopers. Four Germans reeled in their saddles and
tumbled to the ground.
Hal and Chester descended from their place of refuge.