Hal once more jumped aboard the locomotive, unheeding Chester’s cry of wonder, released the brakes, and threw the throttle wide open.  Then he dropped sprawling to the ground, while the engine dashed madly down the track.

Hal was not badly hurt and was quickly on his feet.

“What’s the matter?” asked Chester in alarm.

“Matter is that the Germans are coming this way,” answered Hal.  “Come, let’s get away from here while we have a chance.  We may be able to escape in the darkness.”

“But why did you start that engine down the track like that?”

“Well, I couldn’t see that it was any use to us any longer, and it may dispose of a few more Germans.  They are walking up the track in force.”

This appealed to Chester.

“Good!” he cried, and both stopped in their tracks to listen.

A second and there came to their ears a sudden startled shout, followed by a fearful yell, a moment of silence, and then a crash.

“Good-by engine,” said Hal.  “That’s a good job done.  You perished nobly.  Now,” to Chester, “let’s get away from this spot as fast as we can.”

They turned their faces in the direction from which they had come, and set out at a brisk pace.  They plodded along for an hour through the open country, finally coming to a dense woods.

“Guess we had better try and lose ourselves in here,” said Chester.

“Right you are,” agreed Hal.

They entered the friendly shelter of the trees.  Here they were forced to travel more slowly.  They made good progress, however, and at the end of another hour had covered considerable distance.

“I guess we are safe enough as long as we can stay in the woods,” said Chester.

“Don’t be too sure,” declared Hal.  “It’s the unexpected that always happens.”

The words were hardly out of his mouth when the truth of them was proved.  As they emerged from where the trees were thickest into a little clearing a sudden, guttural command brought them to an abrupt stop.

“Halt!” came a voice.  “Halt, or I fire!”

CHAPTER XI.

Captured.

Caught thus unexpectedly Hal immediately threw his hands above his head; Chester followed his example.  It was plain to both lads that there was not a chance in a thousand to escape, for the German soldier had his rifle pointed squarely at them.

Of course there was a possibility that by a sudden spring one of the lads might have succeeded in knocking the man down; but this probably would have meant the death of the other.  Hal and Chester both realized that it was no time to take such a chance.

“We surrender,” called Hal in German, and immediately the soldier lowered his weapon and approached them.

He passed his hands around their waists and then felt in the pockets of their coats and relieved them of their weapons.  Then he ordered: