" Hal agreed. "I know we should, for our own safety may depend
upon it, but just the same it goes against the grain."

"If we had something to dig with," said Chester.

"But we haven't," Hal interrupted.

But the two lads were saved the trouble of finding a grave for the
traitor, for suddenly through the woods came the sound of tramping
feet.

For a moment the two lads listened intently. Then Chester grabbed Hal
by the arm.

"Come," he said in a hoarse whisper, "we must find a place of safety."

Hal drew back.

"Wait until I see if Dersi happened to have another gun," he said.

He ran his hand over the dead man and at length rose up with a second
revolver and a belt well filled with cartridges. One of the weapons he
passed to Chester.

"We'll probably need these," he said grimly. "Now, let's see if we
can't find a place to hide."

Cautiously the two lads made their way through the woods. They could
hear the sound of their pursuers, but they had little fear of being
detected in the still uncertain light, as long as they kept the same
distance between themselves and the Germans.

But suddenly a gleam of light showed in the forest. A German soldier
had flashed a pocket searchlight, and the glare of it fell squarely
upon the crouching lads, before they could step behind a tree or any
other place of refuge.

"Run!" cried Hal, suiting the action to the word.

Chester needed no urging, and also took to his heels. But their
presence had been discovered, as was proved by the sharp crack of a
rifle. Neither boy was touched, although the bullet passed
uncomfortably close to Chester's head.

Stumbling along as fast as the semi-darkness would permit, the boys
made a brave effort to escape. But they were not to get off in such
easy fashion. For again the searchlight lighted up the woods and
exposed them to their pursuers. Both lads threw themselves to the
ground, and thus avoided the volley of shots that were fired at them.

As Chester dropped, he heard a startled exclamation from his chum,
and, glancing quickly about, he could see no sign of him. The lad was
non-plussed, but, before he could so much as move, he heard Hal's
voice, apparently below him:

"Quick, Chester! Down here, but be careful how you come."

Cautiously Chester moved in the direction of his friend's voice. But
he was not cautious enough, and a moment later, grasping out wildly
for some means to stay his rapid descent, he was sliding down what