"We'd better get away from here before we're discovered, though," said
Chester. "Catch those horses, some of you."
This was an easy matter, for the horses stood still as two of the French soldiers approached them.
"Hook 'em up," cried Chester.
This, too, was the work of a moment.
"I'll do the driving," said Chester. "You fellows climb aboard."
The others needed no urging and a moment later this strange battery moved toward the French lines at a gallop.
The Germans in pursuit of the French were still in plain view and Chester intended to keep close behind. He reasoned that the distance was too great for the Germans to make out the uniforms of the men on the gun and he intended to turn off the roadway at the first sign that the Germans were ready to give up the chase.
Along the road ran a fringe of trees, sparse in some places and thicker in others. It was Chester's plan to wheel the gun in among the trees at the proper moment and open on the foe when they came back.
And the plan was to be put in execution sooner than the lad had hoped for.
Chester saw the Germans slow down. Then they turned and came toward him. The lad could not make out at once the cause of their sudden decision to retreat, but it came to him a moment later with the sound of heavy rifle firing. Apparently, French infantry had advanced to the support of the cavalry and the Germans were not strong enough in numbers to contest effectively.