Part 28 (2/2)

As time pa.s.sed both Germans won now, Naturally, both grew more and more interested in the game. And at last the moment for which Hal had been waiting presented itself.

The Germans still had their rifles close to their sides, and from time to time their hands toyed with the revolvers in their belts.

Hal, after a hand had been played out, arose and stretched himself.

The German eyed him suspiciously for a moment, but, as he appeared about to sit down again, they turned their attention to the cards, which Chester dealt them.

Suddenly Hal whipped out the revolver he had taken from the German officer earlier, and, taking a quick step forward, covered the two men.

”Hands up!” he exclaimed in German.

The cards fell, to the ground, as Chester and the Canadians got to their feet. The Germans sat still. Then, slowly, their hands went into the air.

”Quick, men!” said Hal. ”Get their revolvers and guns.”

This was the work of an instant. The six friends now were armed with three revolvers, two rifles, and one long knife.

”What'll we do with these fellows?” demanded Chester.

”We'll tie 'em up and gag 'em,” said Hal without hesitation. ”We can't afford to have them raise the alarm.”

”We've no rope, nor anything that looks like rope,” said Chester.

”What'll we tie 'em up with?”

”Their own clothing will have to serve the purpose then,” said Hal.

Quickly the Germans were stripped to their underclothing. Their s.h.i.+rts were torn in strips, and they were securely bound. Handkerchiefs were used as gags.

”There,” said Hal, when this was accomplished. ”I guess that will hold them safe enough.”

”It'll have to hold them,” said Chester. ”Now what?”

”Now to get out of here,” said Hal.

”Look here, Lieutenant,” said Jackson, ”we can't go far in these uniforms, you know.”

”Of course I know it,” Hal declared. ”We can go far enough to tap a few Germans over the head, though, maybe, in which event there will be uniforms enough of the proper kind to go around.”

”Right you are, sir,” agreed Crean. ”Lead the way.”

Making sure that the Germans who had been bound would be unable to release the improvised ropes, Hal moved to the entrance of the tent and looked out. It was very dark outside, and Hal could see nothing.

”Guess the way is clear,” he whispered, ”but it's so dark out there you can't see a thing. However, we'll take a chance, and we'll head toward the front, for that's the direction in which we want to go.”

The others followed him from the tent.

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