still came the sounds of
firing.

"Evidently they have not given up the pursuit," said Hal.

"No; and they are probably mounted. Let's turn off into this little
woods," replied Chester.

They did so, and followed by the remaining eight troopers continued on
their way.

As they came to the edge of the woods, Hal, who was slightly in
advance, stopped suddenly, and raised a warning hand. The little party
halted.

"What's the matter?" asked Chester in a whisper.

"Germans!" replied Hal briefly.

Chester approached closer and peered over his friend's shoulder. Less
than three hundred yards ahead he could dimly make out moving forms.

"Perhaps they are not Germans," said Chester hopefully. "How did they
manage to get behind us?"

"I don't know," replied Hal. "But I am sure they are Germans. Some
way, I can feel it."

"Well, what are we going to do?"

"We shall have to try and go round them without letting them hear us.
Otherwise we are likely to be killed or captured."

Making a wide detour, the little party continued on their way. For an
hour they walked along unmolested, and then, suddenly, from almost
directly before them, came a cry, in German:

"Halt!"

CHAPTER III.

WITH THE ARMY AGAIN.

In the dimness of the little woods in which they stood, the boys, at
first, could not see the man who had accosted them.

At a word from Hal the little party came to a halt.

"Who goes there?" came the question from the darkness.

"Friends!" replied Hal in German, which he spoke like a native.

"Advance!" came the reply, and the shadow of a German soldier, with
his rifle raised, ready to fire, suddenly appeared before them.

It was too dark for the German soldier to make out their uniforms
until the English were upon him. Then he started back with a cry.

"English!" he exclaimed in surprise.

His amazement, slight though it was, proved his undoing. For as he
staggered back Hal sprang forward, and the butt of his upraised rifle
fell with stunning force upon the German's head. The soldier dropped
to the ground with a slight moan.

"We'll have to get away from here quick!" exclaimed Chester. "Come
on, men, follow us!"

Silently the little party, bearing off slightly to the right, went
forward. Suddenly Chester stopped and clutched Hal by the arm.

"Great Scott!" he whispered. "Look! We are right in the middle of
them!"

It was true. Ahead of them, in a long line running in each direction,
the