Several times he called out but received no answer.  He was just on the point of leaving his post and following after his friend when Hal’s voice came to him.

“Thank God,” he exclaimed softly, “Hal is still alive.”

He resumed his former position and lay calmly awaiting the next move of the enemy, with a human shield in front of him, even as Hal had at his end of the cave.

For hours, it seemed to both boys, they lay there silently, save for an occasional shout to the other, when the darkness of the cave began to give way to a faint glow of light.  The sun had arisen, and each boy, at his own end of the cave, breathed more freely.

“It’s getting light here, Hal,” called Chester.

“And here, too,” Hal shouted back.

And both lads were struck with the same thought.

“At least, we can see what we are doing now.”

CHAPTER XVII.

Safe.

Gradually it became more light and at length a beam of sunlight shot into Hal’s end of the cave.  But still the lads kept silent vigil, being afraid to leave their places of concealment, and believing that the Germans on the outside were still on the watch for them.

Nor were they wrong, for at both entrances to the cave, or at least standing nearby, were two groups of German soldiers, patiently waiting for the boys to emerge from their retreat.  The Germans rightly surmised that they would not remain idle long after daylight.

At length Hal could endure the suspense no longer.  Silently he quitted his end of the cave and made his way cautiously back toward his friend.

“What’s up?” was Chester’s greeting.

“I don’t know,” replied Hal.  “The Germans may have gone away, but I believe they are still loitering on the outside.  However, this inaction is getting monotonous.  We’ve got to do something, and we’ve got to do it right away.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Chester agreed.  “But what?”

“Well, I don’t know exactly.  We shall have to figure out something.”

There was a long silence, which was finally broken by Chester.

“There is but one way I can think of,” he said.

“What is that?” demanded Hal.

“Well, suppose we make a dash out of this end, shooting as we go.  Those guarding the other end will naturally think we are trying to escape, and will come to the aid of their companions.  Then we can run back into the cave, crawl through as rapidly as possible and make a run for it out the other end.”

Hal was somewhat dubious of this plan, but after some further talk, in which neither was able to hit upon a better one, the boys finally decided to act upon Chester’s suggestion.

Accordingly, with drawn revolvers, they slowly made their way to the entrance of the cave, and Chester peered out cautiously.

“No one in sight,” he whispered to his friend.  “Perhaps they have gone.”