At that moment a volley of shots rang out.  The whizzing bullets again flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood, as they smashed into the rear of the auto.

All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as possible over the steering wheel.

Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased altogether.

Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom of the car and resumed their seats.

“That’s what I call great work, boys,” declared the lieutenant, putting his hand on Hal’s shoulder.  “If it hadn’t been for you, I guess the captain and I would be locked up by this time.  Isn’t that so, captain?”

“It certainly is,” was the reply.  “And had it not been for the prompt action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain of rifles.”

Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise.

“That’s all right,” Hal called over his shoulder.  “You would have done the same for us.”

At this moment the chauffeur, who had been almost forgotten in the excitement, stirred.

“Hello,” ejaculated the captain.  “Our friend is getting better.  Guess we had better see what we can do for him.”

He raised the head of the wounded man to his lap, and wiped the blood stains from his face, while the lieutenant prepared a bandage.  In a few minutes the chauffeur had recovered sufficiently to drink a little water and to eat several sandwiches the lieutenant produced from a small but well-filled hamper.

“Well, I guess we are safe for a little while, at any rate,” remarked Hal.

“It looks like it,” replied the lieutenant; “but, as I said before, you never can tell.”

They rode cautiously along in silence for a long time; in fact, until the first streak of dawn appeared in the east.  Then, suddenly, the sound of chug-chugging came from behind.

Chester turned his head and jumped to his feet with a cry: 

“We are pursued!  Speed up, Hal!  Speed up!”

It was true.  Far back could be seen a pursuing automobile, and, even from that distance, it was apparent it was gaining.

Hal “speeded up” and in a short time the pursuing car was out of sight.  Nevertheless, the speed was not diminished.

“I guess they have learned that we can travel some, anyhow,” remarked Hal happily.

And just at that moment there was a loud explosion—­the car rocked crazily, and Hal brought it to a stop.

“Tire blown out,” exclaimed the French captain, in despair.  “Now we are up against it.  What shall we do?”

“Fix it,” retained Chester briefly.

He got out, and the rest, including the wounded chauffeur, followed suit.

At that moment Chester bethought himself of the pursuing machine, and said: 

“We haven’t time.  Our pursuers will be upon us.”