way of purchasing or begging food.
Fortunately the difficulty was solved very suddenly and unexpectedly.

"'Alt!" came a hoarse command just as they were about to enter a
somewhat thick belt of timber well supplied with undergrowth.
Simultaneously a rifle protruded from the bushes right in front of them,
and a wild, famished-looking face followed it.

Max and Dale stopped dead.

"What d'ye want poking about 'ere?" the man demanded in Cockney English
in a surly tone. "I don't understand your lingo, but say something, or
I'll let go."

The man had a fierce and reckless look, and fingered his rifle as though
ready enough to keep his word. Hastily Max replied:

"It's all right; we're friends. Put down your gun, there's a good
fellow."

[Illustration: "IT'S ALL RIGHT; WE'RE FRIENDS"]

"Huh! Friends--eh? Fust I've seen for many a long day. 'Ere, boys,
'ere's a Johnny wot speaks English says he's a friend--in this
outlandish place."

In response to this summons, five other men pushed through the
undergrowth and confronted Max and Dale. Four of them were English
soldiers and one was a Scot--that much could be seen at a glance,
although their uniforms were in such a state of muddiness and rags that
little of the original colour or cut remained. Nine other soldiers, who
were equally clearly Frenchmen, joined them, attracted by the sense that
something was going on, although they did not understand the language.
These fifteen men apparently formed the whole of the band, so far as Max
could see, and seemed on very good terms with one another. All the men
wore side-arms, although only five or six rifles were to be seen among
the lot.

A man wearing corporal's stripes pressed forward, shoved the Cockney
soldier aside, and planted himself straight in front of Max with his
hands on his hips.

"Who are you?" he demanded at once. "And what do you here?"

"We are two Englishmen--at least I'm half English--and we have come to
warn you that the Uhlans are after you."

"That's nothing new, lad. The Uhlans have been after us these three
weeks past, but they haven't caught us yet."

"Aye, but it's a special beat this time," replied Max, and Dale
emphasized his words. "They've brought in a lot more men, and are
determined to make an end of you. There is a tale going about that you
have looted two wagons full of stores, and it is that, they say, that
has so upset the Germans."

There was a burst of laughter from the English so