pily hurling imprecations at the disturber of his
slumber.

Before the German soldier was able to arouse himself, the Englishman
dealt him a heavy blow over the head with his rifle butt. But the
noise had brought another to the scene. There was the sharp crack of a
rifle, and the English soldier who had caused all the trouble pitched
to the ground. To the right Hal and Chester saw another sentry, a
smoking rifle in his hands.

At the sound of the shot the whole German camp sprang to life as if by
magic; and at the same instant Hal shouted:

"Run!"

At full speed the little party, only nine now, dashed forward. The
other man lay dead in the German camp. There was a hoarse German cry
of command, and a hail of bullets followed the fugitives into the
woods. No man fell, though two groaned, and one dropped his rifle. The
darkness made accurate shooting by the Germans impossible.

Not pausing to return the fire of the enemy, the fugitives stumbled on
through the woods. Another and another volley came from the pursuing
Germans, but they were firing at random now, and the fact that Hal and
Chester had led the way well to the right augured well for their
chance of safety.

But as the darkness made accurate shooting by the Germans impossible,
so it made speed by the fugitives impossible also. They stumbled along
as well as they could, now and then tripping over a fallen limb or
tumbling into a hole. Tired and almost exhausted, they at length
emerged into the open, and broke into a weary run.

"We have got to get under cover of some kind before they reach the
edge of the woods, or we are gone goslings," panted Hal.

Suddenly, in the darkness, they came upon another clump of trees, and
as they stumbled into their shelter another volley rang out. One man
groaned and stumbled. A comrade lent a supporting hand and dragged him
into the woods.

"We'll stop here a moment and pick off a few of 'em," said Hal grimly.

The Germans were now advancing across the open space. Lying upon the
ground, the nine opened fire. They aimed carefully and not a shot was
wasted, and so rapid was their fire that the Germans halted.

"They don't know how many of us there are," said Hal, "and they are
afraid to take a chance. One more volley, men, and then up and run for
it again."

A final volley was delivered with telling effect, and the English
sprang to their feet and darted through the woods. The Germans gave
them a parting shot, but ther