Part 13 (2/2)

”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 e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.

”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 pa.s.sed 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--h.e.l.lo!”

He broke off suddenly. From above there had come muttered exclamations of alarm, two bodies came hurtling through s.p.a.ce 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 s.p.a.ce were nothing less than German soldiers who had failed to see the opening above.

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 b.u.t.t.

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