Hal was breathing faintly.

Chester uttered a cry of relief and proceeded to uncover the rest of his friend’s body.  This done, he set about reviving Hal, who was unconscious.

Chester rubbed Hal’s hands vigorously, and was at last rewarded by hearing Hal sigh.  A moment later Hal spoke.

“What’s happened?” he asked.

“Well, it looks like the world caved in on you,” returned Chester.  “Fortunately, appearances are deceitful.  I yanked the log loose from above and you were buried in the dirt.  Fortunately, I got you out in time.  How do you feel?”

“I don’t feel very chipper,” was the faint reply; “but I guess I’m all right.”

“Can you get up?”

“Don’t know; I’ll try.”

He made the effort, and with Chester’s assistance, soon stood leaning against one side of the pit.  He looked up.

“Quite a ways up there,” he said.  “How are we going to make it?”

“Think you can climb up on my shoulders, pull yourself out and then lend me a hand?”

“I don’t believe so.  Guess I can brace myself while you climb up, though.”

“Good, we’ll try it.”

Once more Chester climbed to Hal’s shoulder while the latter braced himself against one wall of the pit.  He took a firm hold on the edge above and drew himself up with little difficulty.  He was about to reach down and lend Hal a hand when he happened to look toward the east.

“Good night!” he exclaimed and disappeared into the pit in a hurry.

“What’s the matter?” demanded Hal, who had not overheard his friend’s ejaculation.

“Matter!” echoed Chester.  “There are about ten millions coming this way on the dead run.  The French have retreated!”

“Hm-m-m,” said Hal; “and what are we going to do?”

“Bide here for a spell, I expect,” was Chester’s answer.

“Guess you’re right.  They may not notice us down here.  We’ll play we’re a couple of mice and see how still we can keep.”

“Good!  Listen!  I hear ’em coming!”

Above them, to one side, they could hear the trampling of many feet as the Germans passed the pit.

“Guess we’re safe enough so long as we stay down here,” said Chester.

“But we’re going to have trouble reaching the French lines if the Germans are permitted to camp out hereabouts,” declared Hal.

“Well, maybe the French will chase them back again,” said Chester, hopefully.

“Maybe,” Hal repeated, “and then maybe not.  Now, if we—­hello!”

He broke off suddenly.  From above there had come muttered exclamations of alarm, two bodies came hurtling through space and struck the bottom of the pit with loud thumps.

“Grab ’em, Hal!” shouted Chester, and leaped across the pit.

Hal followed suit, for the two bodies that had tumbled through space were nothing less than German soldiers who had failed to see the opening above.