Chapter 17

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.