Part 16 (1/2)

SAFE AT LAST

McKenzie's arms went up again--not shoulder high--just to his hips. For McKenzie, in his early days, had been reckoned in the Canadian northwest as the most deadly shot in the country. He fired from his hips and aimed by instinct and not by sight.

Each automatic flashed once and two more of the foe fell to the ground. McKenzie staggered a bit as a German bullet plowed into his shoulder. Then his revolvers spoke again.

As he fought, the Canadian gave ground slowly. He seemed to bear a charmed life. Two other bullets struck him--one in the arm and the other in the thigh, but no one reached a vital spot.

Hal, Chester and Stubbs, in the meantime, had reached and crossed the Dutch border. There they were immediately taken in charge by order of'

the Dutch officer in command. Hal addressed the officer quickly.

”Can't you do something for my friend?” he demanded, pointing to where McKenzie was still battling against heavy odds.

The Dutch, officer shook his head.

”I would if I could,” he said, his face flushed.

”He is a brave man, and it is a pity for him to die thus. But Holland is neutral. To interfere might embroil us.”

”But if I can show you how?” asked Hal eagerly.

”If you can show me how, yes!” exclaimed the Dutchman. ”Talk quickly.”

”We carry Dutch pa.s.sports,” said Hal quietly. ”That should suffice.

However, cannot you send your men forward under the pretext that the Dutch border at this point extends an additional one hundred yards?

That will be enough.”

”But--”

”Oh, I know it doesn't, but that will be up to others than you. It will be the subject of diplomatic negotiations. Will you?”

For a moment the Dutch officer hesitated. Then he commanded an officer who stood near him.

”Captain Hodden! You will move forward with your company and inform the foe that if he persists in firing on Dutch soil we shall be forced to return it!”

The Dutch captain seemed only glad for this excuse. He dashed away, and a moment later Dutch troops advanced onto German soil.

McKenzie, meanwhile, found that he had but two shots left in his weapons. He glanced backward, and as he did so the Dutch troops advanced.

”If I can reach them,” the man thought.

He whirled, emptied his automatics into the face of his enemies, dashed the now useless weapons after the bullets, and took to his heels, zigzagging as he ran.

The bullets in his body impeded his progress, but he reached the advancing Dutch troops safety. There was a cry of anger from the German lines as McKenzie found shelter among the Dutch troops. The Germans halted, and an officer advanced.

”I must ask you to deliver that man to me,” he said to Captain Hodden.

”I am sorry, but what you ask is impossible,” was the reply. ”This is Dutch territory, and you advance further at your peril.”