ks of the
party desultory firing had commenced. The sentries posted along the
frontier had doubtless been attracted by the sound of the fighting at
their head-quarters and were straggling inwards, exchanging dropping
shots with the men on the outskirts of the band. As their numbers
increased, a regular battle would ensue, finally compelling the band to
surrender, or to cross the frontier and be interned.

Max had no mind to be interned, whatever Shaw felt on the subject. His
great task of guarding the Durend workshops was still waiting for him to
complete, and were he put out of action it was certain that no one else
would carry it on. Shaw had made a great mistake, but it was possibly
not irretrievable. At any rate, Max believed it could be set right by
prompt and resolute action.

"Come, then," he said firmly. "If you still wish to fight again for your
country, follow me, and I will do my best to keep you from losing the
chance. You must be silent and watchful and make the best speed
possible. Exert yourselves to the utmost for three or four hours, and
then I hope we may be safe again. Come--fall in in single file, with the
prisoners in the centre, and follow me. Exchange no shots unless I give
the word. If you are attacked, use the bayonet, and the bayonet only."

There was a murmur of general assent and a quick bustle as the men fell
in. Several were slightly wounded, but only two sufficiently so to need
any assistance. Two men took their stand by each of these, and as Max
led the way inland from the frontier, through the open country, these
assisted them to keep up with the others.

Max kept the German farmer close by his side. The man knew the country
well, and Max gave him to understand that his comrades would be very
glad indeed of an excuse to strafe him. The man certainly had no reason
to disbelieve him. The wild, fierce looks of the men, the assured way in
which they marched through an enemy's country, and the pitched battle,
ending in the burning of a German post, just fought were enough to
convince him that he had to deal with men who were nothing if not
determined. At any rate, Max had no trouble with him, and found him a
ready and reliable guide all through the night.

For nearly two hours the band moved obliquely inland. Then Max turned
and aimed once more at the frontier at a point at least ten miles away
from the place where the previous attempt had been made.

The German patrols were fewer here,