his feet, let out right and
left, and by sheer good luck hit his men hard. He scrambled out of the
hole, reached his horse, broke the rope by which it was tied to a
stake, cutting his hands as he did so, sprang into the saddle and was
galloping away at a great pace before his guard recovered from the
shock. They dare not fire for fear of being discovered in the act of
letting the prisoner go. The two roused their sleeping comrade,
explained the situation, then marched off toward the enemy's lines.
They preferred surrender to the death awaiting them if they remained.

CHAPTER XXV

ALIVE AND WELL

Alan was far from being out of the wood, there was danger on every
side, and it was light. Fortune favored him, for the enemy had
suffered terrible losses and were occupied in beating a hasty retreat,
what was left of them. The ground was covered with dead, dying, and
wounded. As he rode rapidly to the right he got clear of them; several
shots were fired and missed him.

A feeling of exultation possessed him as he neared his lines a couple
of miles away. Once there he was safe, his perilous mission
accomplished.

His horse shied. Looking ahead he saw half a dozen forms hidden behind
some stunted bushes. The enemy again. Rifles were pointed at him. It
meant death if he went on.

He halted and faced his enemies, but showed no signs of giving in. The
men crept forward, still covering him with their rifles. He was angry
at the thought of being taken prisoner again. If recognized he would
be shot off-hand. This was not at all likely although he was not aware
of it.

Providence intervened in the shape of a shell which hurtled into the
midst of the creeping men. There was a terrific explosion. Alan
reeled in the saddle, recovered by a great effort, and managed to
control his frightened horse. He was struck on the forehead but
fortunately the peak of his cap saved him. Still the effect was
stunning, stupefying. A whistling in the air and another shell burst,
throwing up a cloud of mud and dirt round him, thus lessening the
danger of being badly hit.

His enemies were cut up, shattered; but he had to ride for his life to
avoid the shells. He was in danger from his friends.

The horse was equal to the emergency and sped across the open space at
a great pace.

The solitary horseman seemed to puzzle the gunners, for they ceased
firing. Probably he had been recognized as an officer escaping from
th