out of here before this fellow
brings down the whole German army."

Chester leaned over and again seized Hal by the hands and pulled. Once
more the German below sprang forward and attempted to sink his teeth in
Hal's leg. Hal, realizing what the man was about, kicked out suddenly
before the German could obtain his hold, and the lad's heavy shoe caught
the man squarely in the mouth. One more cry the German gave and then
toppled over.

"Quick Chester!" cried Hal, again.

With an effort Chester dragged Hal from the pit.

Hal stood up and both lads dusted the dirt from their clothes.

"Now the sooner we get away from this spot the better," said Chester.

They advanced directly west toward the extreme German front.

"We'll have to depend on boldness to take us through," said Hal. "It is
unlikely that we shall be questioned until we reach the outposts and then
we'll have to make a break for it."

"Suits me," said Chester.

They walked along leisurely, passing countless German soldiers standing
about; but little attention was paid to them. Occasionally a man nodded
to them and the lads returned the salutation.

Gradually they drew away from the main body of troops and neared the
outposts. Here German troopers were engaged in throwing up breastworks
against a possible attack by the French in the morning.

"Guess we won't have far to go if we can get beyond the outposts,"
muttered Hal. "These preparations indicate the Germans have just won this
ground. The French can't be far away."

Chester nodded in token of assent, and at that moment they came up to the
workers. Casually they stood and watched the German soldiers digging for
a few moments; then wandered in among them, keeping close together.

"When I give the word!" whispered Hal.

Chester nodded.

"Now!"

Hal gave the word suddenly.

Immediately the two lads took to their heels.

For a moment the Germans were stunned by the very audacity of the two
lads. Then entrenching tools dropped to the ground and the men seized
their rifles and fired a volley after the two boys. But in the time it
had taken them to lay aside their tools and pick up their weapons the
lads had disappeared in the darkness and now hurled themselves to the
ground, anticipating such a volley.

In the darkness the Germans could hope to hit them only by accident.

Springing to their feet again, the lads ran forward, bearing off slightly
to the north, and soon felt they were safe.

Th