retreating ranks.

"By Jove, I wish we could borrow a few of their horses!"

"Might buck you off, my son," said Desmond. "Come on."

A little wood showed before them presently, and Desmond sighed with
relief.

"That's our place, I think." He looked at the map again. "We've got
to make for the south-west corner and find a big, hollow tree."

They brushed through the close-growing firs, starting in fear as an
owl flew out above them, hooting dismally. It was not easy to find
anything, for the moonlight was scarcely able to filter through the
branches. Jim took the lead, and presently they scattered to look for
the tree. Something big loomed up before Jim presently.

"It should be about here," he muttered, feeling with his hand for the
hollow. Then, as he encountered a roughly-tied bundle, he whistled
softly, and in a moment brought them all to his side.

There were four rough suits of clothes in the package; a big bag of
bread, meat, and chocolate; and, most precious of all, a flat box
containing maps, compasses, and some German money. They changed
hurriedly, thrusting their uniforms deep into the hollow of the tree
and covering them with leaves; and then divided the food. There was a
faint hint of dawn in the sky when at length their preparations were
complete.

"Well, you know your general direction, boys," Desmond said to Marsh
and Fullerton. "Get as far as you can before light, and then hide for
the day. Hide well, remember; they'll be looking for us pretty
thoroughly to-day. Good luck!" They shook hands and hurried away in
different directions.

Desmond and Jim came out into open fields beyond the wood, and settled
down to steady running over field after field. Sometimes they
stumbled over ploughed land; sometimes made their way between rows of
mangolds or turnips, where their feet sank deeply into the yielding
soil; then, with a scramble through a ditch or hedge, came upon grass
land where sheep or cows gazed stolidly at the shadowy, racing
figures. The east brightened with long streaks of pink; slowly the
darkness died, and the yellow circle of the sun came up over the
horizon, and found them still running--casting anxious glances to
right and left in search of a hiding-place.

"Hang these open fields!--will they never end!" Desmond gasped. "We
should be under cover now."

Behind a little orchard a farm-house came into view; they were almost
upon a cow-house. It was daylight; a windo