“Run!” cried Hal, suiting the action to the word.
Chester needed no urging, and also took to his heels. But their presence had been discovered, as was proved by the sharp crack of a rifle. Neither boy was touched, although the bullet passed uncomfortably close to Chester’s head.
Stumbling along as fast as the semi-darkness would permit, the boys made a brave effort to escape. But they were not to get off in such easy fashion. For again the searchlight lighted up the woods and exposed them to their pursuers. Both lads threw themselves to the ground, and thus avoided the volley of shots that were fired at them.
As Chester dropped, he heard a startled exclamation from his chum, and, glancing quickly about, he could see no sign of him. The lad was non-plussed, but, before he could so much as move, he heard Hal’s voice, apparently below him:
“Quick, Chester! Down here, but be careful how you come.”
Cautiously Chester moved in the direction of his friend’s voice. But he was not cautious enough, and a moment later, grasping out wildly for some means to stay his rapid descent, he was sliding down what seemed to be a steep embankment.
He brought up abruptly at the bottom, and felt Hal’s hand upon his arm.
“Great Scott!” he ejaculated. “Where are we? Down in the bottomless pit?”
Hal clapped his hand over Chester’s mouth, for his keen ears had detected the sounds of footsteps above.
“Quiet!” he whispered.