Chester had stopped to gather up the two revolvers that lay on the ground.
"Go ahead!" he shouted. "I'm coming!" And, picking up the last revolver, he ran up to the automobile and swung himself aboard, just as Hal, who had climbed into the driver's seat, threw in the clutch, and the machine leaped forward.
At that moment a volley of shots rang out. The whizzing bullets again flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood, as they smashed into the rear of the auto.
All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as possible over the steering wheel.
Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased altogether.
Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom of the car and resumed their seats.
"That's what I call great work, boys," declared the lieutenant, putting his hand on Hal's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, I guess the captain and I would be locked up by this time. Isn't that so, captain?"
"It certainly is," was the reply. "And had it not been for the prompt action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain of rifles."
Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise.
"That's all right," Hal called over his shoulder. "You would have done the same for us."