“Out the back door!” exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ran through the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed toward their horses in the stable nearby.

Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable, when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of the farmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot.

With a shout the riders charged directly at them, bowling the soldiers over on all sides, and for a moment it looked as though they might make their escape.

Then a shot rang out, and Chester’s horse stumbled and went to his knees.  Chester was flung from his saddle, over his horse’s head, and struck the ground with stunning force.  He lay still.

Hal leaped to the ground and stooped over Chester.  The captain and the young lieutenant pulled up their mounts.

As Hal tried to lift Chester to his feet, a second shot was heard, and a bullet whistled over Hal’s head.  Hal dropped Chester to the ground, and drew his revolver.

He turned his face toward the enemy.

“Come on!” he shouted, his eyes flashing, “I’ll drop one or two of you before you get me!”

But at that moment, the lieutenant’s voice rang out.

“Don’t shoot!” and Hal stayed his hand.

At the same instant, Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson raised their hands in token of surrender; and it was well that they did so, for by that time the entire body of troopers had their rifles leveled.

To have missed at that distance would have been impossible, and the lieutenant had realized it.

“Throw your weapons on the ground,” came a command, and the captain and lieutenant obeyed.

Hal made as if to raise his revolver again, and the rifles of the troopers were turned on him.

Again the lieutenant called: 

“Don’t be a fool.  Throw that gun down!”

Hal obeyed.

The officer in command of the troop approached and spoke: 

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“Travelers,” replied Lieutenant Anderson.

“Where are you going?”

“Brunswick.”

“Why did you run at our approach?”

The lieutenant made no reply.

“Well,” said the German officer, after a pause, “if you are bound for Brunswick you will get there all right That is our destination.”

Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had dismounted, and by this time
Chester had recovered consciousness.

Calling two of his men, the German officer ordered the four companions bound.  Then Chester’s saddle was taken from his wounded horse and put upon another, which was brought from the stable.  The four companions were assisted to the backs of their animals, and the troop proceeded forward, the prisoners in the center.

The country through which they now traveled was rough and hilly, and rapid progress was impossible.  From time to time they passed detachments of troops hurrying in the opposite direction.  They did not overtake the main body, of which their captors were a part, until they reached Prenzlau, where the troop was quartered.