“Be very careful,” cautioned Hal.  “They are likely to be lurking around here some place.”

Quietly the, boys emerged from the cave, and began walking slowly.  But they had hardly gone five paces when there came a command: 

“Halt!”

Swiftly the lads turned in the direction from which the hail had come, and beheld a squad of Germans approaching them with leveled rifles.

The automatics of both lads spoke simultaneously and continued to spout fire for several seconds.  Then they turned and ran hurriedly back to the cave, into which they disappeared before their startled foe could realize what had happened.

Two German soldiers lay on the ground, while a third stood swaying dizzily on his feet.

With all possible haste the lads crawled through the passageway, and soon emerged at the other end.  But now caution was thrown to the wind, for the lads figured that the Germans left to guard this end of the retreat were by this time on the way to aid their companions.

Their revolvers still gleamed in their hands, however, ready for instant use in the event that their plan had miscarried.

But it had not, for there was not a German in sight, and soon the boys were running through the woods as fast as their legs could carry them.  At length Hal pulled up, panting.

“I guess we have given them the slip this time,” he panted.

“Let us hope so,” replied Chester fervently.  “If we ever get back to our own lines, I believe I shall be more careful in the future.”

Hal glanced at his friend with a peculiar smile.

“Anybody that didn’t know you would believe you meant that,” he said.  “But I know you better, so I don’t.”

“Well, perhaps I did make it a little strong,” said Chester with a smile, “but that’s the way I feel about it right now.”

The boys had now regained their breath, and at a word from Hal resumed their journey, walking at a brisk pace.

Now they came to a clearing in the woods, stretching out for perhaps 200 yards, and the end of this another dense forest.  They started across the open ground at a run, for they had no mind to be overtaken by the Germans where there was nothing to offer protection.

They had almost reached the forest on the other side and each was mentally congratulating himself upon giving the pursuers the slip when a shot rang out from behind, and a bullet cut the ground beside Hal.

“Quick!” said Hal, and increased his pace, swerving from side to side as he ran, making it difficult for the Germans to aim accurately.  Chester did likewise, and soon they were safe once more beneath the protection of the great trees.

But now that they had been discovered, the lads knew that it was to be a race for life.  They knew that it was but a question of a few minutes until the remaining Germans would again mount their motorcycles and give chase.  Also they realized that their chances of eluding their pursuers were much more slight in broad daylight than they had been in the darkness.