t see that it was any use to us any longer, and it may
dispose of a few more Germans. They are walking up the track in
force."

This appealed to Chester.

"Good!" he cried, and both stopped in their tracks to listen.

A second and there came to their ears a sudden startled shout,
followed by a fearful yell, a moment of silence, and then a crash.

"Good-by engine," said Hal. "That's a good job done. You perished
nobly. Now," to Chester, "let's get away from this spot as fast as we
can."

They turned their faces in the direction from which they had come, and
set out at a brisk pace. They plodded along for an hour through the
open country, finally coming to a dense woods.

"Guess we had better try and lose ourselves in here," said Chester.

"Right you are," agreed Hal.

They entered the friendly shelter of the trees. Here they were forced
to travel more slowly. They made good progress, however, and at the
end of another hour had covered considerable distance.

"I guess we are safe enough as long as we can stay in the woods," said
Chester.

"Don't be too sure," declared Hal. "It's the unexpected that always
happens."

The words were hardly out of his mouth when the truth of them was
proved. As they emerged from where the trees were thickest into a
little clearing a sudden, guttural command brought them to an abrupt
stop.

"Halt!" came a voice. "Halt, or I fire!"

CHAPTER XI.

CAPTURED.

Caught thus unexpectedly Hal immediately threw his hands above his
head; Chester followed his example. It was plain to both lads that
there was not a chance in a thousand to escape, for the German soldier
had his rifle pointed squarely at them.

Of course there was a possibility that by a sudden spring one of the
lads might have succeeded in knocking the man down; but this probably
would have meant the death of the other. Hal and Chester both realized
that it was no time to take such a chance.

"We surrender," called Hal in German, and immediately the soldier
lowered his weapon and approached them.

He passed his hands around their waists and then felt in the pockets
of their coats and relieved them of their weapons. Then he ordered:

"Right about; forward, march!"

The lads obeyed this command, and the German stalked after them,
keeping his rifle in readiness for a quick shot should his prisoners
attempt to escape.

But the lads had no thought of taking to their heels, for they were
fully aware that a b