tance came the sound of tramping feet--many of them. Gradually
they drew nearer and directly Frank could hear voices. Heavy, guttural
voices they were and the tongue they spoke was German.

Up to that moment Frank had not been at all sure in his own mind that the
Germans would return to the cabin, as they had told the Cutlips.
Nevertheless, here they were, and the lad's heart leaped high.

"They must be pretty close to starvation to take such chances," the lad
muttered to himself. "Wonder why they don't try a raid on one of the
nearby towns? Guess they don't want to stir up any more trouble than
possible, though. Well, we'll get 'em."

Frank peered from his hiding place. The Germans were in sight now, and
approaching the house four abreast.

"Four, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty-four," Frank counted.

"That's not so many. We can grab them easy enough."

But a moment later additional footsteps were heard. Again Frank counted
moving figures to himself.

"Twenty more," he muttered. "Where on earth did they all come from? By
George! They certainly are taking a long chance marching around like this.
Well, the more we can get the better."

At the door of the cabin the Germans halted. Three of their number stepped
forward and went inside. This was not at all in line with Frank's plans,
and he realized now that the situation of young Cutlip, inside, was
dangerous in the extreme. Something must be done to protect him.

As the Germans went inside the house, the others, meanwhile, standing
guard, Frank gave the signal agreed upon, a soft whistle, like the call of
a bird of the night. The British began to move from their hiding places
and to draw closer to the Germans, standing there in the open.

"Well," Frank muttered to himself at last, "I guess the sooner we get busy
the better."

He sprang to his feet and leaped forward.

CHAPTER XX

THE BATTLE

Meanwhile, inside the cabin young Cutlip was facing the Germans cooly
enough. He rose to his feet as the door opened and the first German stuck
his head inside. The latter surveyed the interior rapidly, and seeing a
single figure there, advanced quickly, gun in hand.

"Oho! It's the boy," he said in clumsy English. "And where is your
father?"

"I don't know," answered the boy. "He went away."

"But did he get the food?"

Cutlip motioned to the sacks of provisions on the floor.

"Good!" said the German, rubbing his hands.

He returned his revolver to his