boys could see figures sprawled on the ground. It was a German
force sleeping. There was not the sign of a light, a tent, or a hut.
Here and there the boys could make out the dim form of a sentry
flitting about.

"We have certainly got into a mess," whispered Hal.

"We have that," replied Chester. "Shall we make another detour?"

Hal thought for a few moments.

"I believe the best way is to try and go right through them without
being seen," he replied at length. "There is no telling how far this
line stretches out, and if we didn't get around them by daylight it
would be all off with us."

"But the sentries?" asked Chester.

"Well, we shall have to dispose of anyone who sees us without being
heard. That's all there is about it."

"All right, then," said Chester. "We might as well move at once."

The plan was outlined to the men and they went forward. A moment and
they were in the midst of the sleeping Germans. It was plain now that
the line of sleepers stretched out for some distance, but that it was
not very deep. Three minutes undiscovered and they would be through
safely.

Silently they crept between the sleeping soldiers. There was a
certain amount of safety in the very boldness of the plan, for it was
unlikely, should a sentry see them moving about, he would take them
for English; and even if he did now, they would be able to make a dash
with some hope of success. The German soldiers, tired and completely
exhausted, slept heavily, and not one so much as moved in his sleep.

The little party was now at the last line of sleepers, and just as
Hal, believing they had accomplished their difficult task, drew a
breath of relief, a form suddenly appeared from the darkness before
them. It was a German sentry.

Before he could make an outcry Chester and Hal both leaped forward.
The former's hands grasped the German by the throat, stifling the
sound of his voice, and Hal quickly delivered two hard blows to the
man's face. The German fell limply into Chester's arms, and the boy
laid him quietly on the ground.

Then they moved forward again. The sounds of the scuffle had aroused
no one. But suddenly there was the sound of a fall behind. Turning
his head quickly, Hal perceived the cause of this commotion which
caused such a racket in the stillness of the night.

One of the English soldiers had tripped over the body of a sleeping
German and had fallen across him. He was up in a moment, but so was
the German, slee