in low tones. They looked up in surprise at the
sight of Hal and Chester, but Alexis they greeted with a nod. The latter
stepped forward and greeted them in their native tongue. The lads could
not make out all he said, but the looks of suspicion on the faces of
some vanished immediately, and they moved a bit to let the newcomers
join the circle.

Plainly it was the opinion of most of the men that the guerilla warfare
had been carried far enough. Some were in favor of making a last
desperate raid upon the enemy before attempting to get back across the
Russian border, while others were in favor of attempting to get back
immediately.

For an hour the discussion waged and then it was rudely interrupted. The
man left to guard the entrance to the cavern rushed in.

"Germans approaching in great force!" he cried.

Immediately all were on their feet, and one man rushed to the narrow
entrance. He started through but fell back, a bullet in his head. A
second, rifle in hand, also advanced, but Hal, springing quickly to his
feet, stopped him.

"Wait!" he cried. "They can pick us off one at a time as we go out. Some
other plan will have to be found."

Stephan and Alexis took their stand by the lad's side, and faced the men
who would have rushed to certain death.

"The lad is right," said Stephan. "Out the other end of the cave, men,
and scatter!"

Rapidly this order was obeyed, and soon none were left in the first
compartment but Hal, Chester, Alexis, Stephan and Marquis.

Now Hal also dashed after the others. But the lad was not bent upon
flight, leaving his friends to face the enemy alone. Quickly he hurried
through the three compartments of the cavern, casting a keen eye here
and there. Clear to the far entrance he went, and then turned back. As
he made his way along, he stumbled over something and fell heavily. He
was up in a moment, however, and glanced curiously at the object over
which he had tripped. Then a smile lighted up his face. He made his way
back to his friends.

"How many do you suppose there are out there?" asked Alexis.

"We have no means of telling," replied Chester. "However, there are
probably no less than two or three hundred."

"If we stand here and fire as they attempt to enter, we may have some
success," said Stephan.

"Yes," said Alexis, "but the detonations may occasion the falling in of
the cavern. At the first shot from outside a piece of falling rock
grazed my shoulder."

"We must d