CHAPTER VIII.
IN TROUBLE AGAIN.
All night long the four companions continued their way without adventure.Twice they saw lights of nearby towns, and upon each occasion they borefarther away from these signs of habitation.
The first gray dawn streaked the eastern sky before they drew rein at alittle brook, where they sat down to rest for a few moments, and to allowtheir horses to quench their thirst.
"How far do you suppose we have come?" asked Hal.
"I don't know," replied the Frenchman; "but we have coveredconsiderable ground."
"Do you think we are out of danger?"
"We are never out of danger as long as we are in Germany," put in thelieutenant. "We may be safe from pursuit, but we are not out of the woodsyet, by any means."
"How long should it take us to get out of the country?" asked Chester.
"With luck, five days."
"Well, let's hope for luck, then," said Hal. "I have had enoughexcitement to last me for a long time to come."
"Same here," declared Chester.
They remained in their retreat for some time, and then, mounting, movedforward once more. An hour later they succeeded in purchasing breakfastat a farmhouse. As all were draining their second cup of coffee therecame from without the sound of galloping. The four jumped to their feet.
"What's that?" cried Chester, in alarm.
"We'll see," replied the young lieutenant briefly, and stepped to awindow. The others also advanced and peered over his shoulder.
"Looks to me like a body of Black Hussars," remarked Captain Derevaux.
"And so it is," said the lieutenant, as the horsemen drew closer to thefarmhouse.
"Do you suppose they are looking for us?" queried Chester.
"I do not think so. It's hardly likely they have heard of our escapefrom Stettin."
"Had we better remain here and trust to their passing by, or shall wemake a run for it?"
"I believe we had better stay here. They may not stop."
And, indeed, it seemed that the lieutenant's prophecy would provecorrect.
The squadron came on without checking their speed; but, just as theyswept by the farmhouse, a squad of a dozen men, headed by an officer,detached themselves from the main body, and headed toward the house.
"We are in for it again," remarked Hal, and drew his revolver.
"Put that away!" exclaimed the young captain quickly. "One shot and thewhole troop will be on us!"
Hal dropped his weapon back into his pocket.
At that instant there came a loud knock at the front door.
The good housewife hastened forward to answer the knock, but wasintercepted by the Frenchman.
"Do not answer!" he commanded.
The woman stared at him aghast.
"Why," she exclaimed, "it is probably my husband. He is a cavalryofficer, you know," and she smiled, and made as if to pass.
But the captain again blocked her way.
"Nevertheless," he said, "I must ask you not to go to the door."
The woman gazed at him a moment in astonishment; then a queer look passedover her face.
"I see!" she exclaimed. "You are spies!"
With a scream she evaded the captain and rushed to the door.
"Come!" cried Captain Derevaux, his effort having failed. "I guess weshall have to make a run for it!"
"Out the back door!" exclaimed Lieutenant Anderson, and the four ranthrough the house, went down the steps three at a time, and rushed towardtheir horses in the stable nearby.
Hardly had they leaped into their saddles and dashed from the stable,when the woman and a German officer appeared in the back door of thefarmhouse, while from around the house came the dozen troopers afoot.
With a shout the riders charged directly at them, bowling the soldiersover on all sides, and for a moment it looked as though they might maketheir escape.
Then a shot rang out, and Chester's horse stumbled and went to his knees.Chester was flung from his saddle, over his horse's head, and struck theground with stunning force. He lay still.
Hal leaped to the ground and stooped over Chester. The captain and theyoung lieutenant pulled up their mounts.
As Hal tried to lift Chester to his feet, a second shot was heard, and abullet whistled over Hal's head. Hal dropped Chester to the ground, anddrew his revolver.
He turned his face toward the enemy.
"Come on!" he shouted, his eyes flashing, "I'll drop one or two of youbefore you get me!"
But at that moment, the lieutenant's voice rang out.
"Don't shoot!" and Hal stayed his hand.
At the same instant, Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson raisedtheir hands in token of surrender; and it was well that they did so, forby that time the entire body of troopers had their rifles leveled.
To have missed at that distance would have been impossible, and thelieutenant had realized it.
"Throw your weapons on the ground," came a command, and the captain andlieutenant obeyed.
Hal made as if to raise his revolver again, and the rifles of thetroopers were turned on him.
Again the lieutenant called:
"Don't be a fool. Throw that gun down!"
Hal obeyed.
The officer in command of the troop approached and spoke:
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Travelers," replied Lieutenant Anderson.
"Where are you going?"
"Brunswick."
"Why did you run at our approach?"
The lieutenant made no reply.
"Well," said the German officer, after a pause, "if you are bound forBrunswick you will get there all right That is our destination."
Captain Derevaux and Lieutenant Anderson had dismounted, and by this timeChester had recovered consciousness.
Calling two of his men, the German officer ordered the four companionsbound. Then Chester's saddle was taken from his wounded horse and putupon another, which was brought from the stable. The four companions wereassisted to the backs of their animals, and the troop proceeded forward,the prisoners in the center.
The country through which they now traveled was rough and hilly, andrapid progress was impossible. From time to time they passed detachmentsof troops hurrying in the opposite direction. They did not overtake themain body, of which their captors were a part, until they reachedPrenzlau, where the troop was quartered.
There the prisoners were led before the commanding officer, ColonelWaldstein. Lieutenant Anderson spoke.
"Colonel," he said, "I am Lieutenant Anderson, of the British army, andthis," indicating the young captain, "is Captain Derevaux, of theFrench army." Then, pointing to Hal and Chester: "These two boys are inno way concerned in our affairs, and I hope that you will see fit torelease them."
"How do they come to be in your company, then?" asked the colonel.
The lieutenant explained the circumstances.
The German officer was silent for some moments, meditating. Then heturned to an aide.
"Summon Lieutenant Schmidt!" he ordered.
Presently an old soldier entered the general's quarters and saluted.
"Lieutenant," said Colonel Waldstein, "take these two lads," indicatingHal and Chester, "and quarter them in your home. You may remain here," hetold the boys, "until I have made inquiries and learned what to do withyou. You are so young that I can hardly believe you are spies."
"Thank you, colonel," said Lieutenant Anderson.
"But, as for you two," continued Colonel Waldstein, speaking to CaptainDerevaux and Lieutenant Anderson, and his voice grew grave, "the factthat I have found you within our lines in civilian attire would justifyme in having you shot at once. But I shall not dispose of your casesuntil we reach Brunswick, for which place we leave to-night by train. Youmay have valuable information. I shall turn your cases over to mysuperiors."
Hal and Chester shook hands with their two friends.
"I don't know why you should do this for us," said
Hal; "but weappreciate your self-sacrifice more than we can tell you."
"Indeed we do," agreed Chester.
"That's all right, boys," replied the lieutenant. "Now, take my advice,and make no further efforts to get out of the country until you are givena safe escort, which, I am sure, will be within the course of a week."
"That is excellent advice," agreed the young captain. "To get through thecountry now is practically impossible, as we have proved."
"But what will they do with you?" asked Hal.
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders.
"Shoot us, I suppose."
Up to this moment the colonel had not interfered with the conversation,but now he called a halt.
"That's talk enough," he declared. "Take the prisoners away."
Hal and Chester followed the old lieutenant from the tent.
"Good-by, good-by!" they called to their two friends, as they passed out.
"Good-by," was the response; "remember our advice."
The lieutenant escorted the boys some distance into the town, thenturning into a lane, marched them into a yard, in which, far back, sat alarge frame house.
"This is my home," he said; "and as long as you stay you will be welcome.My wife is fond of boys, and will be glad to see you. You will have thefreedom of the grounds, but remember, any attempt to leave the townwithout a permit probably will end in your being shot. Take my advice anddon't try it"