"Farewell, comrade, and keep true!"

Next minute the tall lean man had glided past him, and others had
crowded between; it was impossible to get near him again.

On their way back to the prison he again intercepted a glance from
Wolf. His comrade looked cheerful and triumphant, like one who has
shaken off a heavy burden, and sees his future lie clear before him.

The guard that came on duty next morning in the parade-ground wore the
green Jaeger uniform. One of the sentries, a smart young fellow with a
carefully waxed black moustache and quick eyes, had on his breast the
mark of distinction for shooting. He was doing this duty evidently for
the first time, and he looked the prisoners up and down with a curious
glance, as if they were some queer sort of wild beast. Then he took up
his position, and marched stiffly beside the procession as they left
the gate.

A thin mist covered the broad expanse of the big ground, but the sun
soon dispelled the damp vapour, and shone down warm and unclouded.

Vogt looked anxiously at Wolf. But his comrade seemed to have given up
his intention; he was bending diligently over his work, and had not
even taken his place in the outside rank of workers, but was digging
busily among the others. At a little distance from the prisoners the
sentries strolled up and down their beat.

Presently an orderly from head-quarters came riding by on a dark-brown
horse, which he was making step high in a stately manner as if on
parade.

The Jaeger with the black moustache held his gun negligently on his
shoulder and looked on with an interested expression. It was very
boring to be always watching the prisoners messing about in the dirt.

Suddenly a lean figure detached itself from the little group of
workmen--it was Wolf. With long strides he fled behind the sentry in
the direction of the forest. The Jaeger had not even remarked his
flight, and it was only the cry of the sergeant that drew his
attention.

Then he hastily took the gun from his shoulder, made ready to fire, and
cried the first "Halt!"

Wolf ran on without stopping. Then something happened which decidedly
bettered the chances of the fugitive: the mounted orderly felt called
upon to give chase. He set his horse to a gallop and dashed after the
escaping prisoner.

Wolf heard the hoofs behind him and glanced round hastily. The rider
was between himself and the sentry. Only a few more steps and he would
be in the forest and under co