CHAPTER XXI
FLIGHT
It was not Hal's intention to attempt a break for liberty as soon as the Germans entered the tent. He knew that the two men would be on their guard at least until their interest in the game had overcome their vigilance.
Neither Hal nor Chester were proficient in card playing. The game of poker had not been included in their education. Nevertheless, each knew the value of the cards, and they felt that a situation like this would justify their taking a hand, considering the ends in view.
The German with whom Hal had conversed just outside the tent had poor luck from the start, but his companion won. So far the men had made no, attempt to play together, thus taking advantage of their prisoners. But it wasn't long before they did.
There came a time when Gregory noticed this. He grew angry.
"Here!" he exclaimed. "That kind of playing won't go. This is a friendly game, and I don't stand for that kind of work."
The Germans looked up in well-simulated surprise. They indicated by gestures that Gregory was doing them an injustice; the game proceeded.
As time passed both Germans won now, Naturally, both grew more and more interested in the game. And at last the moment for which Hal had been waiting presented itself.
The Germans still had their rifles close to their sides, and from time to time their hands toyed with the revolvers in their belts.
Hal, after a hand had been played out, arose and stretched himself. The German eyed him suspiciously for a moment, but, as he appeared about to sit down again, they turned their attention to the cards, which Chester dealt them.
Suddenly Hal whipped out the revolver he had taken from the German officer earlier, and, taking a quick step forward, covered the two men.
"Hands up!" he exclaimed in German.
The cards fell, to the ground, as Chester and the Canadians got to their feet. The Germans sat still. Then, slowly, their hands went into the air.
"Quick, men!" said Hal. "Get their revolvers and guns."
This was the work of an instant. The six friends now were armed with three revolvers, two rifles, and one long knife.
"What'll we do with these fellows?" demanded Chester.
"We'll tie 'em up and gag 'em," said Hal without hesitation. "We can't afford to have them raise the alarm."
"We've no rope, nor anything that looks like rope," said Chester.
"What'll we tie 'em up with?"
"Their own clothing will have to serve the purpose then," said Hal.
Quickly the Germans were stripped to their underclothing. Their shirts were torn in strips, and they were securely bound. Handkerchiefs were used as gags.
"There," said Hal, when this was accomplished. "I guess that will hold them safe enough."
"It'll have to hold them," said Chester. "Now what?"
"Now to get out of here," said Hal.
"Look here, Lieutenant," said Jackson, "we can't go far in these uniforms, you know."
"Of course I know it," Hal declared. "We can go far enough to tap a few Germans over the head, though, maybe, in which event there will be uniforms enough of the proper kind to go around."
"Right you are, sir," agreed Crean. "Lead the way."
Making sure that the Germans who had been bound would be unable to release the improvised ropes, Hal moved to the entrance of the tent and looked out. It was very dark outside, and Hal could see nothing.
"Guess the way is clear," he whispered, "but it's so dark out there you can't see a thing. However, we'll take a chance, and we'll head toward the front, for that's the direction in which we want to go."
The others followed him from the tent.
For perhaps five minutes they walked along without interruption, but at the end of that time Hal, still in advance, made out a form approaching them. He stopped in his tracks, and the others also stood stock still.
Hal now perceived that there were two figures advancing instead of one. He reached back a hand and pulled Chester to his side. The two lads moved forward together.
In the darkness it was impossible for the men who moved toward them to make out the lads' uniforms, so, though they perceived the approaching figures, they naturally took Hal and Chester for their own kind.
They moved slightly to one side in order that Hal and Chester might pass. Instead, the lads stepped quickly up to them and shoved their guns in their faces.
"Silence!" said Chester quietly. "Silence or you are dead men!"
Chester's tone left no room for doubt, and the Germans stood still without a word. Hal now made out that they were officers—both lieutenants.
"Take off your clothes," said Hal briefly.
The Germans understood the lad's plan, but under the muzzle of two guns, they did not protest, and quickly stripped to their under-garments. Hal and Chester each took possession of one of the officer's revolvers. Then, covering the two men, Hal said:
"Get into one of those uniforms while I keep them covered, Chester."
Chester obeyed promptly, and then he, in turn, covered the men while
Hal changed clothes.
The lads now escorted their prisoners back to where the four Canadians
still stood in the darkness. There they explained the situation.
Willing hands tore the clothes that the two boys had discarded, and the
Germans, still in their underclothing, were hastily bound and gagged.
The party of British moved on again.
"Four more uniforms and a couple of more guns, and we are O. K.," said
Chester quietly.
Fortune again smiled on them a few moments later. A party of three German soldiers approached. These were quickly covered, and the same procedure gone through with. A few moments later all except Gregory were attired in German uniforms.
"Don't worry, old man," said Chester with a laugh. "We'll soon have one for you, too."
"It's not that I am fond of a German uniform," said Gregory, "but I just like to be in style."
The friends now passed several groups of Germans, but the latter were in such large numbers that they did not accost them.
"What we want is just one man, or possibly two or three," said Chester.
"We don't want to tackle so many that there may be a fight."
At length their patience was rewarded. A solitary figure came toward them. Hal stepped forward and accosted him.
With a gun poked under his nose, the German gave back a step.
"What's the matter?" he demanded. "Are you crazy?"
"Not a bit of it," said Hal, "but I want your clothes."
"Well," said the German, "you won't get them. This is no time of the year for a man to be walking around with no clothes."
"Nevertheless, I must have yours," said Hal.
Chester came up at that moment, and his revolver, glistening in the darkness, lent added weight to Hal's words.
"Oh, well, of course, if you insist," said the German.
He quickly stepped from his uniform, which Chester tossed back to Gregory, who donned it hastily. As hastily the German was bound and gagged, and Hal, Chester and the four Canadians moved forward again.
"We're safe enough for the moment," said Hal, as they walked along. "The enemy will have no suspicion that we are other than we pretend to be until daylight, when one look at your Canadian faces will give the whole thing away."
"That means," said Chester, "that we should be beyond the German lines before daylight."
"Exactly," said Hal, "though how we shall do it is still the question."
"We've come along pretty well so far," said Gregory. "We won't give up now."
"Who said anything about giving up?" Chester wanted to know. "Of course, we won't give up. Have you any idea where we are, Hal?"
"Well, I should judge we are pretty close to the town of Cambrai. Personally, I believe the best plan would be to head in that direction. I judge it to be directly south."
"But it is within the German lines," Chester protested.
"True, but once there we may be able to find a hiding place. In the open we wouldn't have much chance if we failed to get beyond the lines before daylight overtook us."
"You may be right," said Chester. "Once in Cambrai, providing we can find a hiding place, we can figure out a means of leaving the German lines."
"Exactly," said Hal, "and with a better chance of success."
"Suit you, men?" asked Chester.
"You're the doctor," said Gregory. "Lead the way. We'll follow." Hal and Chester turned abruptly to the left. "South it is, then," said Hal.