h a quick leap Hal was in the automobile, and was grappling with
the German trooper. The German, unable to use his rifle at such close
quarters, struck out with his fist. Hal dodged and his opponent drew
back with a cry of pain. His fist had struck the steel side of the
car, and his arm was now useless.

The two were now on even terms. The German reached out and attempted
to entwine his fingers in Hal's throat, but the lad was too quick for
him. Dodging suddenly, he came up under the other's chin, and sent him
spinning head over heels from the car, so fierce was the contact.

Then the lad turned his eyes to other sections of the field. He could
see no signs of an enemy. Evidently the Germans had had enough, or
were awaiting the arrival of reinforcements before renewing the fight,
for they had no way of determining the strength of the British
attacking party.

In any event, Hal realized that there was no time to lose. Leaping
from the car, he ordered the few men who were left to man the waiting
automobiles, quickly ascertaining that there were enough men capable
of driving them. Then he set out to hunt Chester and Captain Anderson.

He found Chester on his knee, supporting the unconscious form of their
friend.

"Hurry, Chester, get him into this car," he ordered. "We'll have to
get out of here at once."

He helped the men lift the unconscious British officer into one of the
automobiles, leaped in himself, and took the wheel.

Five of the other cars also were ready to go, each containing twenty
men, all that was left of the thousand who had made a dash for the
farmhouse in the morning.

Hal gave his orders slowly and tersely.

"Follow me, single file," he called to his men, "until I give the word
to close up. Then range right alongside of me. We will go as swiftly
as possible, and try to get through the German lines without a fight,
if by any chance it is possible. However, if we have to make a quick
dash and fight, it would be better to do it side by side, and plow
right into the enemy. Do you understand?"

The driver of each car signified that he understood perfectly, and Hal
started his car off slowly. The others fell in line, and soon all were
moving along at a brisk pace.

Hal found time to call back over his shoulder to Chester:

"How is the captain?"

"I fear he is in pretty bad shape," was the reply; but, even at that
moment, the captain showed signs of returning consciousness.

He stirred a litt