more slight in broad daylight than they had been in
the darkness.

Therefore they ran at top speed. While they were not afraid and had
not lost a whit of their nerve, they realized that discretion was the
better part of valor, and their feet continued to hit the ground at
breakneck speed, until again came to their ears the first faint
sounds of the pursuing motorcycles. Gradually the sounds became more
distinct, this telling the boys that their pursuers were gaining
rapidly, although the rough condition of the ground made it impossible
for the motorcycles to travel very fast.

Finally, when he could run no more, Hal threw himself to the ground,
and Chester immediately followed his example. For a few moments they
lay there, panting, their tongues literally hanging out like worn out
dogs.

Then they sprang to their feet again, and making an abrupt turn to the
right plunged into the underbrush right where it was the most dense.
Here Hal espied a large tree, with low hanging branches. With Chester
by his side he rushed for it.

Hal stood aside while Chester grabbed the lowest branch and swung
himself up, and then he followed suit. High up in the tree the lads
climbed, the close set branches affording an excellent screen.

Half a minute later six motorcycle riders hove into sight, hardly a
hundred yards from where the boys were perched.

Chester's fingers twitched on his revolver, but Hal, who had noticed
the set expression on his friend's face, uttered a low warning.

And the sound of Hal's voice was almost their undoing. For the Germans
had come to a pause and Hal's words carried plainly in the silence to
their ears.

For a moment the Germans glanced about hurriedly, seeking out their
prey. Then they sprang behind trees themselves, their rifles ready to
fire. They had not yet discovered the boys' hiding place, and were
fearful of a shot from ambush.

Then one, raising his eyes, saw Hal, and quickly raised his rifle. But
Hal's eye was keen also, and before the German could press the trigger
Hal's revolver spoke and the German tumbled to the ground.

Chester fired at the same moment as did Hal, and a second German
clapped his hand to his head and reeled. But before the other pursuers
could raise their rifles, there came from ahead a sound that brought a
loud "Hurrah" from Hal and Chester, and a moment later, on the dead
run, came a small body of British infantry.

Quickly the Germans leaped onto their motorcyc