The lads returned to Captain Eberhardt’s tent, the general ordering him to guard them until they should appear for trial early the following morning.

“I am afraid I cannot be of much help to you,” said the captain.  “I am sorry.”

“Never mind,” replied Hal.  “We are grateful for what you have done for us.  Of course we know that you are governed by a sense of duty in capturing us, and we would have been forced to do the same had we been in your position.”

“I am glad to have you say that.  However, I shall do what I can for you.”

An hour later all turned in and soon were fast asleep.

Hal had been asleep for perhaps three hours when he was suddenly awakened.  Glancing up quickly he was surprised to see Chester standing over the sleeping figure of Captain Eberhardt.  His arms were free and he had untied his legs.

Just before the three had turned in Captain Eberhardt, with an apology for the necessity of his actions, had bound them.  Chester, after sleeping for perhaps an hour, had roused up, and, by holding his hands over the blaze, had loosened the knot that bound them.  Then quickly untying his feet, he had relieved the German officer of his weapons, and in turn had bound and gagged him.  He was just approaching Hal when the latter awoke and saw him.

To untie his chum was the work of a moment.  Then the boys, in low tones, talked over what was best to be done.

“There is no use staying here,” said Hal.  “Every moment brings us that much nearer death.”

“Right,” agreed Chester.  “Therefore, to my way of thinking, the sooner we make a start the better.”

Without further delay the lads stepped cautiously from the hut.  Keeping out of the glare of the small fires on the outside they stole away in the darkness.

At the far end of the camp, toward the river, they came upon a troop of horses picketed.  Silently Hal crept forward, and with his penknife slashed the ropes with which two of the horses were tied.  Leading the animals quietly some distance away, he gave the bridle of one to Chester.

Quickly both lads leaped to the saddles.

Chester now passed one of the weapons he had taken from Captain Eberhardt to Hal, and, grasping a bridle in one hand and a revolver in the other, the lads urged their mounts silently forward.

They passed close to several bodies of moving troops, but were not challenged.

Hal rode his horse close alongside of Chester.

“We had better bear off to the east or west,” he said.  “We may not have so much difficulty in getting across the river there.”

“Right,” Chester agreed.  “They will probably be keeping a careful watch along here, as the result of to-day’s doings.”

The lads turned their horses’ heads to the right, and headed in a direction that eventually would bear them to Coucy, on the French side of the Aisne, should they be able to get through the German line.