like that of skaters on ice, and
the three waited to see what was behind, as the rumbling grew louder.

The cyclers passed, then came the strong smell of gasoline, puffing
sounds and the head of a great train of motor cars appeared. Most of the
motors were filled with soldiers, others drew cannon and provision
wagons. They were a full hour in passing, and at the rear were more than
a hundred armored cars, also crowded with troops, some of them carrying
machine guns also.

"I wish we were in one of those armored cars," said John, "then we
wouldn't miss our horses."

"Well, why not get in one of them," said Carstairs.

"While we're about it why not wish for everything else that we can think
of?"

"I mean exactly what I say. I didn't speak until I saw an opportunity.
One of the cars seems to have something the matter with it and is
drawing up by the side of the road not fifteen feet from us. The others
have gone on, expecting it of course to catch up soon."

"Do you really mean what you suggest, Carstairs?" asked Wharton.

"I certainly do."

"Then what an Englishman suggests Yankees will perform."

"But with the help of the Englishman. Jove, what luck! There are only
two men with the car. One is standing beside it, and the other is
crawling under it. The machine is almost in the shadow of the hedge, and
if we're smooth about it we can slip through, and be upon it, before
we're seen."

"We must time ourselves. What's the plan?" asked Wharton.

"We'll assume when the man comes out from under the machine that he's
fixed it. Then we'll make our rush, knock down the other fellow, jump
into it and away. I'm an expert chauffeur, and I don't ask a better
chance. Oh, fellows, what luck!"

"It's certainly favoring us," said Wharton, "and we must push it. It
would be a crime to quit with such luck as this leading us on."

They slipped noiselessly through the hedge, and stood in its heavy
shadow only a few feet from the car. They heard the man under it tapping
with metal on metal. The other standing with his back to the three said
a few words and the man replied.

"He says it's only a trifle, and it's all right now," whispered
Carstairs, who understood German. "He's coming out from under the car.
Now, fellows, for it!"

John struck the man standing beside the car with the butt of his rifle,
but he did not make the blow hard--he could not bring himself to kill
anybody in that manner. But the man fell senseless, and,