Part 15 (1/2)

”Stay down, Dave!” the English youth shouted above the roar of the little car's powerful engine ”We've ducked enough bullets for one day

Don't be crazy!”

Dave grinned sheepishly and nodded

”That was duht, and thanks!”

As the last left his lips a burst of bullets whined low over the car

Dave gulped and ducked his head

”Thanks, and how!” he yelled ”Boy, those were close If I'd been looking back they ht_Hey!_”

At that ht and seeht up into the air It ca jolt A shower of bush branches slithered down on the boys and they were tossed around in the back of the car like two peas in a pod Puffing and panting, they struggled to brace themselves before they were pitched out head over heels No sooner would they get a fir than the scout car would careen up on its side and go darting off in another direction, and they would be bounced around again

For a good ten ht first this way and then that way Then suddenly the violent jolting ceased abruptly, and the car ran along on an even keel Covered with bumps and bruises from head to toe, the two boys scrambled up off the floor of the car and flopped down on the seat The Belgian Sergeant pushed on the brake and brought the car to a halt under the shelter of over-hanging tree branches He switched the engine off and turned around and smiled at them triumphantly

”We have lost the Boches!” he announced ”Everything is all right, now

When it gets dark ill continue You,sense in ht,” Freddy said and fingered a lueant, even though you cah, please let us know in tiasped and nursed a barked shi+n ”And when you do, I' to juian Sergeant laughed and gestured with his big hands

”But that was nothing!” he protested, ”These little cars, they can go up the side of a cliff That Ger like a snail You should have been with me and the Lieutenant yesterday Ah, that was a ride! For a whole hour,at us froh without a scratch It onderful You should have been there!”

”I think I'ian would not feel hurt ”But what, now? Where are we?”

Before he would reply the Belgian stuck a dirty cigarette between his lips and lighted up

”We wait for the darkness, and that will not be long,” he finally said

Then pointing across the field to the left, he continued, ”One mile in that direction and we strike a road that will lead us straight into the Wavre-Namur road Two hours at the most and we shall be there”

”Unless the Gerian looked at him and snorted

”Impossible!” he said in a decisive voice ”They cannot have advanced that far Don't worry, _et you to Nauns!”

The pounding of guns had suddenly broken out fro sound of long range pieces, but the sharp bark of sarette and stuck it in his pocket and slid out of the car He stood motionless for aintently to the guns

Dave listened, too, trying to tell if they were co closer A strip of woods broke up the sound, and it was ieant and was startled to see the worried look on the ian was trying to convince hiht the lines of his face deepened until it beca under his breath and pulled a Belgian army pistol from the holster at his side

”Ree, and I uns, but perhaps so I will go and look, and return at once Re for either of thelided swiftly away from the car and was almost at once sed up in the shadows cast by the trees Dave looked at Freddy

”What do you think?” he asked ”If that's Ger this e're crazy to stick around Don't you think so?”