They were taken by surprise when two forms leaped on them below, but they put up a fight.

“Tap ’em over the head with your gun!” shouted Chester.

He had drawn his revolver as he leaped forward and now suited the action to the word.  The German toppled over with a groan.

Hal, however, had not drawn his weapon, and was now locked in the arms of the second German, as they rolled over and over in the bottom of the pit.  Weakened by his recent experience he was getting the worst of it.

Chester took in the situation at a glance and leaped forward.  At the moment Hal was on top and the German stared up at Chester.  Seeing a second foe he raised a loud cry for help.

This was what Chester had been afraid of.  He didn’t want any more Germans down there if he could help it.

“Turn him over, Hal!” he cried.  “Let me get a whack at him with my gun.”

By a desperate effort Hal obeyed and the German rolled on top of him.  One more loud cry he gave and then Chester silenced him with a sharp blow of his revolver butt.

Chester stepped back with an exclamation of relief and Hal dragged himself from beneath his now unconscious adversary.

“A tough customer, that fellow,” he remarked.

“You’d have done for him if you hadn’t been so weak,” Chester replied.  “I didn’t think we might have callers down here.”

“Neither did I,” returned Hal, “but I’m glad they came.”

“Why?” demanded Chester in surprise.

“We can borrow their uniforms if it’s necessary,” Hal explained.

“By Jove!  I hadn’t thought of that,” exclaimed Chester.  “A good plan.”

“Of course it may not be necessary,” said Hal.  “If the Germans should be driven back it would be unnecessary.  We’ll wait until after dark and see.”

“In the meantime we had better tie these fellows up,” said Chester.  “One of them is coming to now.  He may not know when he’s properly licked and want to continue the fight.”

“Better gag ’em, too,” said Hal.  “I noticed that one fellow had pretty good lungs.”

The lads removed their belts and with these bound the hands of their captives.  They had nothing to tie their legs, but they didn’t feel there was much danger of the men crawling out of the pit with their arms bound.  They gagged them with their handkerchiefs.

A few moments later one of the Germans staggered to his feet and gazed at the two lads in astonishment.  The second also soon regained consciousness and apparently was no less surprised.  Both lads kept their revolvers handy, for they weren’t sure whether the Germans might not attack them, bound and gagged as they were.

Hal addressed them.

“We expect to keep you company for some time,” he said, “and we don’t want any foolishness.  The first false move will be your last.  Get over there in the corner.”

The men obeyed, growling to themselves.