d French
soldiers left their hiding-places they were able, in the darkness, to
mingle with the Germans and go about their final work almost
unchallenged. In only two instances were German officers or
non-commissioned officers inconveniently inquisitive, and those
difficulties were solved by an instant attack with the bayonet. Even
these conflicts were insufficient to attract special attention amid the
general turmoil. Any who noticed the actions might readily enough have
concluded that they were the result of a quarrel or of some demented
victim of the accident attacking an imaginary foe.

The work which still kept Max and his auxiliaries on the dangerous scene
of their successful exploit was that of bringing down great bundles of
straw and dead wood, prepared some time beforehand, from the top of the
railway cutting where they had been hidden in readiness. The wagons,
which Max had ascertained to be indeed full of shells, were what they
were after, and against these the bundles were piled. Almost unmolested
the exulting men made all ready for the final blow which should set the
seal upon their terrible reprisal.

And yet, when it came to the point, Max hesitated to give the order to
fire the pyre. There might yet be some unfortunate men pinned alive
beneath the wreckage, and he was unwilling to add to their miseries the
dreadful fate of being burned alive. For ten, fifteen, and almost twenty
minutes he waited, until he could feel satisfied that none were likely
still to remain alive beneath the pile. His own men indeed, well knowing
what was coming, had busied themselves in dragging out their fallen foes
from the certain fate which would otherwise have befallen them,
forgetting their desire for reprisals in their pity for wounded and
helpless men.

At last the moment arrived. Max gave the word, the straw was fired, and
the band beat a hasty retreat to the shelter of the bushes on the north
side of the cutting.

A loud cry of warning and alarm arose from the German soldiers as the
flames shot up into the air, illuminating the track for many yards
around. A harsh command rang out, and a number of men dashed forward to
beat or stamp out the flare.

"Those men must be kept away, Corporal," cried Max quickly. "We must not
leave until the fire has got firm hold."

"Bayonets, men," cried Corporal Shaw sharply. "Get ready to charge
home."

"No, no, Corporal," cried Max, seizing him by the arm; "no bayonet
fighting th