d no time in thought. Exerting his utmost strength, he succeeded in
hoisting the limp body across his shoulder.

Carrying his human burden he staggered to the ladder and began his
descent. It was slow work, for the lad was near exhaustion. He realized
that a slip would probably mean death, and in spite of the fact that he
realized the necessity for haste, descended slowly.

At last his feet touched the bottom, and turning toward the open door he
staggered on.

As he reached the open door the barn behind him collapsed with a terrible
crash; but before he lapsed into unconsciousness he saw the face of the
man he carried.

"Anderson!" he cried, and tumbled over in a dead faint.

CHAPTER IV.

CAPTAIN HARRY ANDERSON.

When Hal returned to consciousness he lay upon the hard ground and
Chester was bending over him. Shifting his position slightly the lad saw
what was left of his troop standing idly about. At the same moment he
felt a hand grasp his and heard a well-known voice exclaim:

"I owe my life to you, Hal. It seems that you bob up wherever you are
needed most."

Hal turned and gazed at the speaker. He was Captain Harry Anderson, of
His British Majesty's Royal Dragoons, whom the lad had last seen in the
hands of the Germans. Then the fight, the burning barn, and his
recognition of Anderson just before he had lost consciousness, all came
back to him in a flash, and he pressed the hand that grasped his.

"Lieutenant--I mean Captain Anderson!" he exclaimed. "I thought you were
safe in the hands of the Germans."

The lad arose slowly to his feet, supported by the captain's arm. He
staggered a trifle; but, after inhaling a few breaths of the cold,
invigorating air, was soon himself again.

"And I," said Captain Anderson, answering Hal's exclamation, "thought you
also were safe in the hands of the Germans."

"Well," said Hal, with a faint smile, "it seems that the enemy did wrong
to believe they had any of us safely."

"It does, indeed," the captain smiled back; "but come, tell me how you
escaped. I have asked Chester, but he has been so worried about you that
he has failed to do so."

"We haven't time now," replied Hal. "We are on a reconnaissance, and must
proceed immediately."

"It will be unnecessary," replied Anderson dryly. "I have just come from
that way and am in a position to tell you, or General French, either, for
that matter, all you desire to know."

"Are you sure?" asked Hal.

"Pos