On the German side of the road dark faces peered from between the trees and hoarse guttural exclamations issued from these faces as they watched Stubbs struggle with the cats.  While the Germans would not go to Stubbs’ assistance, nevertheless they would not shoot him down as he struggled with his four-footed enemies.

The British also advanced to their side of the road and watched the struggle.

Thus, by mutual consent, a truce had been declared.

It was at this moment that Chester came to Stubbs’ rescue; but before he could take a hand in the fray the figure of a large German, with leveled revolver, accosted the lad.

“Back,” he exclaimed in a deep voice.  “Let the little man fight it out.  This is rare sport.  We will declare a truce until the struggle is over.  Do you agree?”

Chester considered quickly.  He knew that the German officer would be as good as his word, and he knew also that Stubbs, if given time, would dispose of his three enemies.

“I agree,” he said, and made his way back to Hal, where he told him of the strange request and his answer.

As the little war correspondent still struggled with his feline assailants the Germans, from their side of the woods, gradually came out from among the trees to get a closer view of the struggle.  Unconsciously also the British left their shelter and crowded about to get a better view.

With his right hand Stubbs succeeded in grasping the cat that had bitten him by the back of the neck, and in spite of the animal’s frantic clawing and scratching he raised it in the air and brought its head against the ground violently.  The cat lay still.

But while Stubbs was thus engaged with one of the enemy, the other two were busy.  Stubbs had now jumped to his feet, and one of the animals had succeeded in crawling to his shoulder, where it was making desperate efforts to reach the war correspondent’s eyes with its claws.  Stubbs protected his eyes with one upraised arm, and groped blindly for the cat.

At last he grasped it securely by the neck and raised it aloft; the other now was biting so fiercely at the back of his neck that he did not take time to dash the first one to the ground, but still holding it aloft with his left hand sought to pluck the other away with his right.

He was unsuccessful in this, for he could not obtain a good hold on the last cat.  With a cry of rage he suddenly dashed the cat he held aloft to the ground, and then threw himself to the ground backward, pinioning the cat beneath him.

The cat screamed angrily, and succeeded in squirming from beneath Stubbs; but instead of running away it launched itself directly at Stubbs’ face.  Stubbs threw up his arm just in time and caught the animal by the neck.  Then he walked over to a tree, the Germans allowing him to pass, and dashed the animal’s head against the trunk.

The fight was over.  The truce was ended.