d both lads were struck with the same thought.

"At least, we can see what we are doing now."

CHAPTER XVII.

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 simultaneous