CHAPTER XVIII--RUNNING THE GAUNTLET
The sound of the starting car brought two of the troopers up at agallop. The sight of the Uhlan helmets did not at first inspire themwith distrust, but merely with curiosity that Uhlans should have beenemployed in unusual work. The three men left in front of the house,however, came running to the gates, shouting somewhat incoherently. Thewords "Spionen!" and "Belgen!" were distinguishable. Their cries weretaken up by the troopers, and vociferated to their comrades ridingleisurely along. At the prospect of a spy hunt they pricked theirhorses to a gallop, and set off in chase of the car, now almost out ofsight.
"The German camp is in this direction, you told us?" said Kenneth toGranger.
"Yes; there is a by-road just before we reach it. The enemy are notlikely to be coming towards us."
The road was heavy and deeply rutted from the recent passage of cumbroustransport wagons and artillery. Kenneth found the acceleration of thecar slow, and in any case the weight of the armour with which its vitalparts were protected would have rendered it incapable of high speed.For a time the horsemen appeared to gain on it, and Pariset, who hadtaken charge of the machine gun, swung it round to cover the rear, readyto open fire if they drew too near.
"Don't fire if you can help it," Granger said. "It would be a pity todisturb the camp ahead."
After a few minutes the car began to draw away. Pariset saw one of thetroopers rein up, and expected him to fire over the holster of hissaddle. But the man dismounted, and just as the car swung out of sightat a bend of the road, he was clambering up a telegraph pole. Parisethurriedly informed his friends.
"We must stop and cut the wires," said Kenneth, jamming on the brakes.
Lifting the lid of the tool box, he seized a pair of nippers.
"Evidently meant for the job," he said.
"Give them to me," cried Granger. "You stick to the car."
He sprang out, and swarmed up the nearest pole with an agilitysurprising in a man of his venerable aspect. Before he was half way up,however, the head of the column rounded the corner.
"There's no help for it," said Pariset. "Here goes!"
Next moment there was a sharp metallic crack. The car trembled.
"Three horses down!" cried Pariset. "The rest are swinging in to theside of the road. If Granger is quick--ah! he has done it. They arenot coming on again yet."
Granger slid down the pole, jumped into the car, and again they wereoff.
"We shall have to cut it again in another mile or so," said Pariset.
"If we don't meet the enemy before then," rejoined Granger. "Or we canpretend we are chased by Belgians and dash through."
But in less than a mile they found that the wires left the road and ranacross country.
"We can't navigate fields of stubble," said Kenneth. "The only thing tobe done is to go ahead at full speed, and trust to luck. Let's hopethat before any message they send can take effect we shall have reachedthat by-road. Where does it lead to?"
"To Durbuy, I think," said Granger. "There's a bridge across theOurthe. The Germans may be there; they move so confoundedly fast; butthat's our only chance of reaching the Belgian lines."
In a few minutes they reached the by-road to the left. It was narrow,but, to Kenneth's joy, not so deeply rutted as the main road. He wasgetting the utmost out of the car, which thundered along at forty milesan hour, the engine knocking furiously whenever it was called upon tobreast an incline.
For some distance they neither met nor passed any traffic. When at lastthey overtook an empty farm cart, the driver had barely time or space todraw into the side to avoid them. A few yards further on in rounding acurve Kenneth saw a heavy motor transport wagon ahead, going in the samedirection. At the sound of the horn the driver looked round, and seeingthe armoured car manned apparently by Uhlans he drew in hastily to thebank, no doubt supposing that it was engaged in urgent work. Kennethslowed down slightly to avoid a collision, scraped past, then raced onas before.
In less than half a minute afterwards he gave a cry of dismay. At thefoot of a short hill two heavily laden carts were drawn full across theroad. Kenneth jammed on the brakes, foot and hand; Granger, renderedsuspicious by the position of the carts and the absence of horses, stoodup and in a moment shouted to Pariset, his voice rising above thegroaning and shrieking of the mechanism.
"Germans in bushes!"
Pariset had seen them almost as soon as Granger. Before the car hadcome to a standstill within a dozen yards of the obstruction, themachine gun began to spit bullets in reply to the fusillade that rattledon the armoured sides of the car and the shield of the gun. A fewseconds of brisk firing; then the deadly hail from the machine guncrashing through the foliage into the ranks of the ambuscaders madetheir position hopelessly untenable, and a remnant of the HorseGrenadiers who had lain in hiding there fled helter skelter over theadjacent fields.
The three men sprang out of the car, and tried to drag the carts out ofthe way. They failed to move them, and Granger discovered that theywere chained together.
"A hammer!" he cried.
But the hammer snatched from the toolbox proved useless. The links ofthe chain had been flattened by some heavy instrument. After repeatedblows it was evident that the chain was unbreakable.
"What on earth is to be done?" cried Kenneth, looking helplessly at thecarts, while Pariset and Granger kept on the watch for any sign of theenemy returning. A shot from the machine gun would probably beineffective, even at short range; the bullet would hardly dent thechain, much less shatter it and release the carts.
At this critical moment the transport wagon which they had passed someway back appeared on the crest of the hill behind them, and sounded itshorn. Kenneth had a flash of inspiration.
"Look out for the Grenadiers, Remi," he cried. "There's no sign ofthem, but they may come back. If they do, turn the gun on to them."
"What are you going to do?" shouted Pariset, as Kenneth ran up theincline towards the halted wagon.
"Commandeer the wagon for a battering ram. There's apparently noescort. Back the car well away to the right."
Reaching the wagon, he said to the driver:
"The rascally enemy has blocked the road, as you see. The carts thereare chained together. Get out, quickly!"
The three infantrymen in the wagon were obviously amazed, not so much atbeing ordered about by a Uhlan, as at the apparent purposelessness ofthe command. They got out, however, and were still more astonished whenthe masterful Uhlan mounted into their place, and after a glance at thecar below, released the brakes, let in the clutch, and sent the wagonlumbering down the hill. For a few seconds, while the vehicle wasgathering speed, Kenneth steered straight; then, turning the wheel so asto give a slight tendency to the left, he sprang off, fell sprawling,jumped up and ran after the wagon, watching its course eagerly.
On it thundered, every moment faster. Would it reach the foot of thehill, or swerve into the bank on the left? On, and on--and then, at aspeed of twenty miles an hour, it struck the left-hand cart with aterrific crash, and threw both cart and itself in a pile of wreckage upthe bank and into the field beyond. The chain connecting the carts hadsnapped like rotten cord.
CLEARING THE ROAD]
"Bravo!" shouted the two men waiting beside the motor-car.
Rushing forward, they helped Kenneth to draw the released cart to oneside, leaving a clear space between it and the wreckage. Then theyleapt into the car, waved their hands to the astonished motormen above,and started forward towards Durbuy and safety.
"We are all right now--unless the Germans are in greater force than Ibelieve," said Granger, taking a map from his pocket. "If we can crossthe river at Durbuy, we can run due west to Dinant, where we shallprobably find the Belgian, or maybe the French lines. Then we can swingnorthwards, and get to headquarters somewhere between Tirlemont andBrussels."
A run of a few miles brought them within sight of the river winding awayto the eas
t, and the little town--a mere village in point of size--ofDurbuy. But here they perceived with dismay that the course they hadplanned was not feasible. Along the road between Barvaux and Durbuy alarge German force was on the march. Their leading companies werealready crossing the quaint old bridge, covered by troops of Hussars onboth banks.
"Pull up," said Granger. "We shall have to go back and make a round.News of us has no doubt been flashed by this time to every German forcein the neighbourhood."
Kenneth was backing the car when Granger noticed signs of movement amongthe cavalry on the near bank. A squadron formed up, faced towards theslight hill, and started at a canter in the direction of the car.
"There's no time to lose," cried Granger. "Reverse and turn round."
But at that moment Kenneth observed, just ahead, a narrow road runningeast for a few yards, then curving to the north.
"Better try and cut across them," he said. "If we go back we may runinto another lot and be caught between two fires."
"Very well. The road isn't marked on my map, but we'll chance it."
Kenneth had already brought the gear lever from reverse to first. Helet in the clutch; the car started forward again, and before theadvancing horsemen were half way up the hill the fugitives swung roundinto the by-road. When the Hussars reached the turning the car was twoor three hundred yards ahead and rounding the curve.
"I'm afraid we've done for ourselves," said Kenneth ruefully. "The roadis awful."
It was indeed scarred with deep ruts, almost like the furrows in aploughed field, and thick with mud from the recent rain. The car swayedviolently, jumping in and out of the ruts. In spite of its powerfulbuild, Kenneth doubted whether the axles and springs would stand thestrain. The wheels, moreover, sank so deep into the mud that the speedof the car fell away to what seemed to the occupants little more than acrawl.
The Hussars were galloping hotly after them. Some were deploying acrossthe open fields on both sides of the road, to gain time at the windingsof the latter. The distance between car and horsemen was steadilylessening; it seemed that for once muscle was about to conquermechanism.
Kenneth was wholly occupied with the steering of the car. Pariset kepthis eyes fixed on the pursuers. They were about fifty in number, at adistance no match for the machine gun, but if they were allowed to closeup, especially if they got ahead, the occupants of the car would be attheir mercy in the event of any sudden check. He watched for afavourable moment for bringing the gun into play.
After innumerable short windings the road ran straight for aconsiderable distance. The leading horsemen, now within a hundred yardsof the car, began to fire as they rode. Pariset instantly replied,working the gun in a long arc from left to right. It was not fornothing that the German staff had made the machine gun one of thepredominant features of their armament. Under the pitiless hail ofbullets horses and men went down like grass under the scythe. TheHussars behind slowed down, allowing the car to increase its lead, butstill keeping it in view, hoping no doubt that an accident, an obstacle,a piece of clumsy steering, would bring its career to an end. They mightthen close upon it and surround it without having to face that terriblemachine gun again. Pariset, for his part, anxious not to attract theattention of any enemies who might be ahead, ceased fire as soon as thepursuit slackened.
Their direction was towards Liege. Now and then they caught sight ofthe Ourthe, winding below them on their left, but there was no sign of abridge. Mile after mile passed. The road was a continual up and down;on each side was a variegated landscape of meadows, richly wooded slopesand frowning cliffs. The sight of the railway crossing the riverreminded Kenneth that they were approaching the scene of their exploit;but Pariset had no eyes for anything but the helmets of the Uhlansbobbing up and down on the road far behind.
Presently they dashed past a battalion of infantry marching in the samedirection. The men all looked dead tired, and took little or no noticeof the car as it passed at increased speed. A few minutes later theyskirted the chateau of Hamoir, then ascended a steep hill, the engineknocking alarmingly, and rushing through the village of Louveignesuddenly came in sight of an immense military encampment. Far to leftand right of the road stretched the lines of the Germans encirclingLiege. Tents, carts, caissons, batteries of artillery, men on horse andon foot extended as far as the eye could reach.
But there was no sign of active operations. Troops were drilling onopen spaces, practising the ridiculous goose-step; men off duty werestrolling about. Smoke ascended from innumerable travelling kitchens.Horsemen were riding this way and that: a motor cyclist was dashing awayto the east.
When this spectacle flashed upon the view, Kenneth slowed down. Hisface was pale.
"Push through and trust to luck?" he said to Granger at his side.
"There's nothing else for it, with pursuers hot on our track," repliedGranger. "Speed about ten miles, but be ready to let her out."
They went on. Curious glances were thrown at them by troops of cavalryoff-saddled by the roadside. Uhlans in an armoured car! They must beon special service. With his heart in his mouth Kenneth followed theroad for a full mile through the lines. The country became clearer ofmen as they proceeded, but as Kenneth was again increasing speed henoticed a strong force of infantry posted ahead of them at some distanceto the right of the road.
"They are supports," said Pariset. "We shall find a battery ahead."
In less than two miles they came to a number of ammunition and transportwagons, parked in the rear of a battery of six guns. A patrol on theroad signalled to them to halt. Kenneth pulled up, but before thesergeant could address him, he asked urgently:
"Where is the commandant? Quick! I haven't a minute to lose."
The man pointed to a spot about half a mile in front. Kenneth, withoutwaiting for more, opened out, and the car quickly gained speed.
"It's touch and go now," he said, almost in a whisper.
"The guns are unlimbered for action," said Pariset. "If we pass they'llknow we are enemies."
"Nothing else for it," replied Kenneth, setting his teeth. "We musttrust to our speed. Keep a look-out, Granger."
Thenceforth he concentrated all his attention upon the car. It sped on,crossed a small bridge over a rivulet, and swept up a short hill on thenear side of which six guns were emplaced.
"Eight inchers," murmured Granger. He had his eye fixed on the officerwho had been pointed out as the commandant, and who, at this moment, waslistening at the receiver of a field telephone. As the car approachedhe dropped the receiver and gave an order. The soldier next him rantowards the guns, shouting to the artillerymen, who appeared to belaying their weapons.
"The game is up!" said Granger. "He's had word of us. Press her,Amory."
Kenneth opened the throttle to the utmost, and the car leapt forwardlike a living thing. It dashed past the commandant, past the group ofgunners, topped the rise, and thundered down the slope beyond. A fewrevolver shots rattled on the armour.
"We're safe for a little, while they alter the range," said Granger,assuring himself at a glance that no one had been hit.
The car was now running at a furious pace, the road having recently beenrepaired, no doubt for the easier passage of the guns. Kenneth knewthat he was directly in the line of fire of the battery. On his leftwound the Ourthe, with the railway almost parallel with it beyond; andas the car rushed between two clumps of woodland Pariset called over hisshoulder that he had just caught sight of Fort de Boncelles, two orthree miles to the west, and Fort d'Embourg a little nearer to the east.
"Which shall we make for?" gasped Kenneth.
"Boncelles," replied Granger. "It is nearer the French lines. We cancross by the iron bridge just below Tilff."
On they went. Second after second passed; a minute, two minutes. Theyswept round to the left towards the bridge. There was still no shotfrom the guns.
"They were trained on Boncelles," said Granger. "We are too near th
emstill."
He had scarcely spoken when there was a moaning in the air, followedinstantly by a roar and crash, and a thick cloud of black smoke sprangup some four hundred yards to the right. They all crouched low in thecar, which dashed across the throbbing bridge at forty miles an hour.Another shell plunged into the river, a third struck the road a fewyards behind them, as they entered the railway arch, bespattering themwith earth. No sooner had they emerged on the other side than stillanother shell burst ahead of them, in the field beside the road. Theyall caught their breath: if it had fallen a few yards to the right, itwould have dug a hole large enough to engulf the car.
Shells now began to explode, as it seemed, all around them. The sky wasdarkened by the smoke, poisonous fumes almost choked them. Only thegreat speed of the car and the slight changes in its direction due tothe windings of the road preserved them from annihilation. The thoughtthat flashed through Pariset's mind was that if the Germans had usedshrapnel instead of shell they must almost certainly have beendestroyed, for he could not doubt that the whole battery was now playingupon them.
With shells hurtling around at intervals of a few seconds Kenneth, sointent upon his work as to be scarcely conscious of them, steered thecar up the road, taking the curves at a pace that would have made hishair stand on end at less critical times. It almost seemed that he andhis companions had charmed lives. At moments, as the road wound, thefort came in sight beyond the ruined village--burnt by the Belgians toclear their line of fire. Would they reach it in safety? The nearerthey approached it, the greater their danger. The gunners had the rangeof the fort; a shell falling short even by a few yards might strike thecar at the very moment when escape seemed sure.
"Only half a mile more!" Pariset said, in a hoarse whisper from hisparched lips.
Two seconds afterwards there was a stunning report and a blinding flash,apparently from beneath the car. It spun round and round like ateetotum, then fell over to one side with a crash.
For a few moments the three men were too much shaken to move. In theconsciousness of them all those moments were a blank. They lay on theroadside where they had been thrown, like dead men. Then they realisedwith a shock of surprise that they were alive. Pariset was up first.Before he had time to stagger to the others, Kenneth sprang to his feet.Granger moved more slowly, and when he too stood erect, it was seen thathis false beard was gone.
"I feel cold," he said, touching his chin, and smiling, though he waspale as death.
They glanced at the car. The off front wheel had disappeared; the offhind wheel was buckled; the bonnet and radiator were a mass of twistediron. It was a complete wreck.
A shell bursting little more than a hundred yards away warned them to begone, and they started to run towards the fort.
"Hellwig!" exclaimed Kenneth suddenly.
They ran back. The spy, the man whom the Kaiser delighted to honour,lay huddled in the bottom of the car, under the machine gun. It hadbroken his neck.
"Poor devil!" murmured Granger.
They turned hastily, and ran on silently, each thinking his ownthoughts. Pariset was the least concerned at Hellwig's fate. To himHellwig was merely a German and a spy, who had met with his deserts.Granger, whatever his private animus against Hellwig, could not butremember that they were members of one profession, who faced the sameperils and might suffer the same end. Kenneth was the most deeplyaffected. He had disliked Hellwig, and had the average Englishman'scontempt and hatred of spying. It was the one thing that alloyed hisliking for Granger. But, as he said to Pariset afterwards:
"If there must be spying, and I suppose there must, it is something tospy like a gentleman, and that I am sure Granger does."
The three men came to the glacis. A roar startled them and made themduck instinctively. The fort had opened fire on the German battery.They raced up, past empty trenches, still followed by shell; but theynow presented an inconspicuous mark to the gunners more than three milesdistant. It was a long uphill climb, but they panted on towards thedoor of safety.
Was it safety? Their way across the moat was barred by a group ofBelgian engineers with rifles, amazed at the appearance of two men inUhlan uniform. Pariset held up his hands.
"Lieutenant Montoisy!" he shouted. "Is he here?"
The men lowered their rifles and advanced. Pariset hastened to meetthem.
"We are friends," he said. "Tell Lieutenant Montoisy that LieutenantPariset is here."
One of the men ran back. A shell burst on the wall some distance to theright.
"Come inside, messieurs," said another of the men.
And as they entered, Lieutenant Montoisy, the second in command, abegrimed haggard figure, met them.
"Pariset!" he exclaimed. "You were in the car? Mon Dieu! You have hadan escape! Come in: what is the meaning of it?"