ank and
began moving along in the black shadows next to overhanging grass.

Slowly the boys inched forward, being careful not to send ripples out
across the water. As they neared the sentry post the water was well
lighted from electric floodlights set on each bank. Stan halted and
flattened himself against the grass.

A sentry was standing on each bank, his rifle butt resting on the
ground. Both were looking down at the canal intently. Stan pulled
O'Malley close to him.

"We'll have to get down until just our heads stick out, then inch
forward," he whispered.

"Inch away," O'Malley whispered back. His teeth rattled louder than his
words.

Stan sank down into the water and they began moving slowly ahead. Inch
by inch they entered the lighted area and moved on. A water rat swam
past them in the middle of the canal. It left a wide ripple behind it,
and the sentries jerked up their guns. One of them laughed and picked up
a rock. He tossed it at the rat. The rat dived with a loud splash. Both
soldiers laughed loudly and one of them lighted a cigarette.

Stan shoved ahead a bit faster. They moved directly under the sentries
and kept on going. Slowly they edged away down the stream. The light on
the water became dimmer and finally faded out.

"How about crossin' over? I'm frozen stiff," O'Malley hissed between
chattering teeth.

"O.K.," Stan answered. They moved out into the canal and waded across.
Climbing out on the bank, they sat shaking and shuddering.

"Wonder where Sim is?" O'Malley asked.

"We better wait here. They may not have moved as fast as we did." Stan
began rubbing his legs to warm them.

They heard no sounds except those coming from the post on the bank of
the canal. Finally Stan moved.

"We stayed in the canal quite a long distance. They may be up or down
the canal. But no matter which way, they are sure to be waiting for us.
We can't stay here because daylight will be breaking very soon. I'll
work my way back toward the border; you move the other way. When we find
them, we'll turn back and meet."

"Good idea," O'Malley agreed. He moved off at once.

Stan headed back along the bank of the canal. He kept as close to the
edge as he dared, because he figured Sim and the German would be sitting
on the bank. After going a few yards he got down on his hands and knees
and crawled. He would be able to go only a few yards more because the
floodlights were growing strong. In a few more minutes he could