m their burning homes. There were
white-faced, frightened children, too, tucked in the corners of the
carts or perched upon the piled-up goods, and their faces seemed to
express mute wonder that such things could be.

It was indeed a sight to make any beholder furious with indignation, but
on the unwitting causes of the trouble it acted with fourfold force. An
instant reprisal was demanded by all the band, and Corporal Shaw, as
angry as any of them, promised that they should have it, and that
without any more loss of time than he could avoid.

CHAPTER XVIII

Reprisals

Dale was at one with the soldiers in desire for reprisals, but Max was
dead against the whole idea. It was not that he was less indignant at
the cruel wrong just inflicted upon innocent peasants, but he feared
that any more such acts would react upon the country people in precisely
the same manner. A reprisal which brought fresh trouble upon yet another
set of innocent folk would, he felt, be worse than useless, and he spoke
his mind freely to Corporal Shaw on the subject.

"You've done no good," he ended, "by attacking the line and tearing up a
few rails. Your methods were too wild to bring about any real damage.
All you have done is to make it additionally hard for me to get you
safely out of the country."

"Humph!" grunted the Corporal rather sourly. "I know you've done some
neat little things in Liege, but could you manage a better affair out
here? I give you leave to try. As for getting us out, I don't see much
prospect of that coming off, my lad."

"I'll get you out if you'll drop all these wild-cat exploits," replied
Max firmly. "Is it a bargain?"

The Corporal consulted with his men for a few minutes. "No," he said,
shaking his head emphatically, "the men refuse to sneak out of the
country before they have what they call redressed the wrong done those
poor villagers. They want one more good cut at the Germans to make that
good, and then they are ready to make tracks for home, if you think you
can get us there."

"Will you let me plan the reprisal attack as well as arrange to get you
out?" asked Max quickly.

The Corporal opened his eyes a little.

"So _you_ do think you can do better? Well, I don't mind; you shall plan
the reprisal and then get us out of the mess. Done!"

"Done!" replied Max firmly, and it was thus settled that he should, from
that time forward, practically take command of the little band, subject
only to t