d brought his rifle to bear.

But before he could press the trigger Chester had disappeared in the
darkness of the cave. Evidently believing that the lad would flee from
him, the German, sprawling upon hands and knees, gave chase.

Chester, well back in the cave, judged his pursuer's distance by the
sounds of his awkward movements. He waited until the German got well
within the cave, then raised his automatic and quickly fired twice.

The sound of the explosion was so great that even Chester himself was
frightened. This was the shot that Hal had heard as he grappled with
his opponent.

Fearing a trap, Chester did not move for several moments, keeping his
revolver aimed steadily. But then, as there was no sound from the
German, Chester slowly moved forward.

His outstretched hand touched a soft object, and his exploring fingers
sought out the German's face.

"He'll do no more fighting," was Chester's only comment.

Relieving the German of his arms and ammunition, Chester sat down to
await the approach of the others, who he was certain must have heard
the sound of the shot.

And they were not slow in coming. Suddenly the flame of a match
appeared in the opening, and taking quick aim Chester let fly with his
automatic.

There came a groan of pain from the opening to the cave, but the
exact result of his shot Chester could not determine. The light had
disappeared and the cave was again in darkness. Hal, at his end of the
cave, having serious business of his own to attend to, had not heard
this last shot.

And now Chester stretched himself out on the ground to ward off any
further attack. He was brought suddenly to a sitting posture again by
the sound of a shot from Hal's end of the cave.

Several times he called out but received no answer. He was just on the
point of leaving his post and following after his friend when Hal's
voice came to him.

"Thank God," he exclaimed softly, "Hal is still alive."

He resumed his former position and lay calmly awaiting the next move
of the enemy, with a human shield in front of him, even as Hal had at
his end of the cave.

For hours, it seemed to both boys, they lay there silently, save for
an occasional shout to the other, when the darkness of the cave began
to give way to a faint glow of light. The sun had arisen, and each
boy, at his own end of the cave, breathed more freely.

"It's getting light here, Hal," called Chester.

"And here, too," Hal shouted back.

An