CHAPTER XVII.
SAFE.
Gradually it became more light and at length a beam of sunlight shotinto Hal's end of the cave. But still the lads kept silent vigil,being afraid to leave their places of concealment, and believing thatthe Germans on the outside were still on the watch for them.
Nor were they wrong, for at both entrances to the cave, or at leaststanding nearby, were two groups of German soldiers, patiently waitingfor the boys to emerge from their retreat. The Germans rightlysurmised that they would not remain idle long after daylight.
At length Hal could endure the suspense no longer. Silently he quittedhis end of the cave and made his way cautiously back toward hisfriend.
"What's up?" was Chester's greeting.
"I don't know," replied Hal. "The Germans may have gone away, butI believe they are still loitering on the outside. However, thisinaction is getting monotonous. We've got to do something, andwe've got to do it right away."
"My sentiments exactly," Chester agreed. "But what?"
"Well, I don't know exactly. We shall have to figure out something."
There was a long silence, which was finally broken by Chester.
"There is but one way I can think of," he said.
"What is that?" demanded Hal.
"Well, suppose we make a dash out of this end, shooting as we go.Those guarding the other end will naturally think we are trying toescape, and will come to the aid of their companions. Then we can runback into the cave, crawl through as rapidly as possible and make arun for it out the other end."
Hal was somewhat dubious of this plan, but after some further talk,in which neither was able to hit upon a better one, the boys finallydecided to act upon Chester's suggestion.
Accordingly, with drawn revolvers, they slowly made their way to theentrance of the cave, and Chester peered out cautiously.
"No one in sight," he whispered to his friend. "Perhaps they havegone."
"Be very careful," cautioned Hal. "They are likely to be lurkingaround here some place."
Quietly the boys emerged from the cave, and began walking slowly. Butthey had hardly gone five paces when there came a command:
"Halt!"
Swiftly the lads turned in the direction from which the hail had come,and beheld a squad of Germans approaching them with leveled rifles.
The automatics of both lads spoke simultaneously and continued tospout fire for several seconds. Then they turned and ran hurriedlyback to the cave, into which they disappeared before their startledfoe could realize what had happened.
Two German soldiers lay on the ground, while a third stood swayingdizzily on his feet.
With all possible haste the lads crawled through the passageway, andsoon emerged at the other end. But now caution was thrown to the wind,for the lads figured that the Germans left to guard this end of theretreat were by this time on the way to aid their companions.
Their revolvers still gleamed in their hands, however, ready forinstant use in the event that their plan had miscarried.
But it had not, for there was not a German in sight, and soon the boyswere running through the woods as fast as their legs could carry them.At length Hal pulled up, panting.
"I guess we have given them the slip this time," he panted.
"Let us hope so," replied Chester fervently. "If we ever get back toour own lines, I believe I shall be more careful in the future."
Hal glanced at his friend with a peculiar smile.
"Anybody that didn't know you would believe you meant that," he said."But I know you better, so I don't."
"Well, perhaps I did make it a little strong," said Chester with asmile, "but that's the way I feel about it right now."
The boys had now regained their breath, and at a word from Hal resumedtheir journey, walking at a brisk pace.
Now they came to a clearing in the woods, stretching out for perhaps200 yards, and the end of this another dense forest. They startedacross the open ground at a run, for they had no mind to be overtakenby the Germans where there was nothing to offer protection.
They had almost reached the forest on the other side and each wasmentally congratulating himself upon giving the pursuers the slip whena shot rang out from behind, and a bullet cut the ground beside Hal.
"Quick!" said Hal, and increased his pace, swerving from side to sideas he ran, making it difficult for the Germans to aim accurately.Chester did likewise, and soon they were safe once more beneath theprotection of the great trees.
But now that they had been discovered, the lads knew that it was to bea race for life. They knew that it was but a question of a few minutesuntil the remaining Germans would again mount their motorcycles andgive chase. Also they realized that their chances of eluding theirpursuers were much more slight in broad daylight than they had been inthe darkness.
Therefore they ran at top speed. While they were not afraid and hadnot lost a whit of their nerve, they realized that discretion was thebetter part of valor, and their feet continued to hit the ground atbreakneck speed, until again came to their ears the first faintsounds of the pursuing motorcycles. Gradually the sounds became moredistinct, this telling the boys that their pursuers were gainingrapidly, although the rough condition of the ground made it impossiblefor the motorcycles to travel very fast.
Finally, when he could run no more, Hal threw himself to the ground,and Chester immediately followed his example. For a few moments theylay there, panting, their tongues literally hanging out like worn outdogs.
Then they sprang to their feet again, and making an abrupt turn to theright plunged into the underbrush right where it was the most dense.Here Hal espied a large tree, with low hanging branches. With Chesterby his side he rushed for it.
Hal stood aside while Chester grabbed the lowest branch and swunghimself up, and then he followed suit. High up in the tree the ladsclimbed, the close set branches affording an excellent screen.
Half a minute later six motorcycle riders hove into sight, hardly ahundred yards from where the boys were perched.
Chester's fingers twitched on his revolver, but Hal, who had noticedthe set expression on his friend's face, uttered a low warning.
And the sound of Hal's voice was almost their undoing. For the Germanshad come to a pause and Hal's words carried plainly in the silence totheir ears.
For a moment the Germans glanced about hurriedly, seeking out theirprey. Then they sprang behind trees themselves, their rifles ready tofire. They had not yet discovered the boys' hiding place, and werefearful of a shot from ambush.
Then one, raising his eyes, saw Hal, and quickly raised his rifle. ButHal's eye was keen also, and before the German could press the triggerHal's revolver spoke and the German tumbled to the ground.
Chester fired at the same moment as did Hal, and a second Germanclapped his hand to his head and reeled. But before the other pursuerscould raise their rifles, there came from ahead a sound that brought aloud "Hurrah" from Hal and Chester, and a moment later, on the deadrun, came a small body of British infantry.
Quickly the Germans leaped onto their motorcycles and turned to run.But now the advancing British were in full view, and a voice ofcommand rang out:
"Fire!"
A volley rang out. Not in all the world were there better marksmenthan those British troopers. Four Germans reeled in their saddles andtumbled to the ground.
Hal and Chester descended from their place of refuge.
Boy Allies on the Firing Line; Or, Twelve Days Battle Along the Marne Page 17
