the enemy pulled up their mounts almost under
the lads' hiding place.

"Which way did they go?" asked a voice.

"They have probably made off through the woods," said a second. "We'll
have to search for them."

The tree in which the lads were hiding was the largest nearby. Up in its
dense foliage the boys were absolutely hidden from the ground below. One
of the Austrians glanced up into the tree.

"They may be hiding up here," he said to his companions.

"Hardly likely," replied a second.

"Well, I'll send up a couple of shots and see," said the first speaker.

His rifle spoke sharply twice. Hal felt a slight stinging sensation in
his left arm. One of the bullets, as it passed, brushed his skin. The
other sang close to Chester's head. But in spite of this, and in spite
of the fact that another shot from below might end one of their lives,
neither boy so much as shifted his position.

After firing the shot into the tree the Austrian became still,
listening, as did his companions. There was no sound.

"They can't be up there," said a voice. "If they were, and even had not
been hit, they couldn't remain still."

"You are right," said another voice. "We shall have to look for them
elsewhere. Scatter out, men, and we'll search the woods."

The Austrians moved from beneath the tree. Waiting until he was sure
that they had gone, Chester whispered to Hal:

"What shall we do now?"

"If possible," replied Hal, "we shall slip down and try to pick out a
couple of fresh horses. Then we can make another dash for it."

"All right," agreed Chester, "but we had better wait here until we can
get down the tree unseen."

Hal nodded in assent, and for perhaps half an hour the lads waited
silently. In the distance they could hear the enemy beating up the
bushes for some trace of them, but these sounds gradually grew farther
away; then died down altogether.

Cautiously Hal peered down from his hiding place. There was no sign of
an enemy. The lad dropped quickly to the ground, and Chester followed
suit a moment later. Then they dashed silently toward the road.

Upon entering the woods in pursuit of the fugitives, the Austrians had
abandoned their horses and were searching afoot. Approaching the edge of
the forest, the lads saw six horses tied to trees. They ran rapidly
toward them. As they did so a single Austrian, who had been left to
guard the animals, stepped suddenly forward, raised his rifle and cried:
"Halt!"

Ther