ndly
Bavarian boys.

As they came within the shadow of the bridge they bent lower and went
much more slowly. Strange thrills, the product of excitement and not of
fear, ran down John's back. This was no play, no game of make-believe,
he was running for his life, and a world which had been all peace a few
days ago was now all war. It was impossible, but it was happening and it
was true. He could not comprehend it all at once, and he was angry at
himself because he could not. These emotions went fleeting by, even at
the moment, when they passed under the bridge.

They paused directly beneath the superstructure, and hugged the bank.
John could see the two sentinels above, one at either end. Lannes and he
had come thus far in safety, but beyond the bridge the shadows were not
so deep, and the banks of the canal were lower.

"I think that luck has favored us," whispered Lannes.

"I hope it will continue to do so."

"It will. It usually goes one way for a little while. Come!"

They passed from the shelter of the bridge and ran down the old canal.
Luck favored them for forty or fifty yards, and then one of the
sentinels caught a glimpse of John's figure. Hastily raising his gun he
fired.

John felt a rush of air past his face, and heard the thud of the bullet
as it buried itself in the soft bank. A cold chill ran down his spine,
but he said nothing. Lannes and he increased their speed. The sentinels
did not fire again. Perhaps they thought imagination had been tricked by
a shadow.

A hundred yards farther on, and the canal passed through woods, where it
was so dark that one could not see far. Lannes climbed the bank and
threw himself down among the trees. John imitated him.

"Are you hit?" asked Lannes.

"No, but I felt the wind from the bullet."

"Then you've had your baptism of war, and as it was a German bullet that
was seeking you you're one of us now."

John was silent.

Both lay a while on the grass in the dense shadow of the trees, until
their panting passed into regular breathing. The darkness did not
decrease, and no sound came from the fields. It was evident that they
had not been followed. John felt that all his strength had returned, but
he waited patiently for Lannes to lead the way.

The Frenchman rose presently and went to the edge of the grove.

"The coast is clear," he said, "and we might as well depart. Come,
Monsieur John. You've shown great power over your curiosity, and I'll
ask you to