"Then the best thing we can do is to get out of here quick," was Chester's decision. "Let's go."
Slowly Hal led the way along the low passageway, and, reaching the opening again, poked his head out. This time he was doomed to a disappointment. Hardly had his head emerged from the hole in the ground when he drew it in quickly again.
"What's the matter now?" demanded Chester.
"Matter is," said Hal quietly, "that there are six Germans standing about five yards from the entrance."
"Exactly," said Hal; "if you don't believe it have a look for yourself."
"Oh, I don't want to look," said Chester, bitterly disappointed. "I can take your word for it. What are we going to do now?"
"Well," said Hal, "it looks to me like a good time to get out the other end."
"Yes, but there are likely to be a few of them hanging about there, also," said Chester.
"That's so, too," agreed Hal. "Well, I'll tell you what: You sneak back there and investigate, and I'll stay here and guard this end, in case one of them tries to get in."
Slowly Chester crawled away. Reaching the opposite end of the cave, he cautiously poked his head out and looked around. In the dim light he could see no one. But he was afraid to call out to Hal--his voice might be overheard--so he took his tedious way back to where he had left his friend.
"Good," said Hal. "Let's get out of here, then."
They crawled back along the dark passageway as rapidly as the darkness and the condition of the ground would permit, but before leaving their place of refuge, Chester thought it advisable to peep out once more.
And it was well that he did so. For, standing almost at the entrance of the cave three figures loomed up against the sky. Quickly Chester drew back in again.
"Three of 'em out there," he informed Hal briefly. "What are we going to do now?"
"You've got me," replied Hal. "Can't you pick 'em off with your gun?"
"Oh, I can pick a couple of 'em off, all right. But what then? We would probably have a whole brigade upon us in two shakes of a lamb's tail."
"I guess you are right," Hal agreed. "But we have got to do something."
"So we have," replied Chester; "but the question is, what?"
Hal was silent for several minutes, thinking. Finally he said:
"Well, I guess the best thing to do is to wait and see what happens. Perhaps they may leave before broad daylight and not discover this cave. In that case we shall be safe enough. Now you stay here and guard this end, and don't move unless I call. I'll do the same at the other end."
