He was rewarded by another groan of anguish and a moment later by the sound of a falling body. Quickly the lad leaped forward, his weapon held ready to strike again. But there was no need of a second blow. The German was unconscious.
By great exertion Hal succeeded in turning his wounded adversary over and pushed him slowly along the passageway, using him as a shield in case he encountered another of the enemy.
At length he came to the end of the passageway, and pushed his prisoner out. Even as he did so a bullet whistled by his head and he heard the crack of a German rifle. Hal lost no time in getting back into his hiding place.
But now he discovered that even this was not far enough, for a bullet came whizzing into the cave after him. It hit the side of the wall and went skimming over his head.
With all possible haste the lad retreated around the little bend, and throwing himself upon his face held his revolver ready to fire at the first sign of an advancing foe.
He lay perfectly still, not making the slightest noise, and after some moments heard the sound of voices.
“I tell you I must have hit him. I never miss at that distance,” said one. “And, besides, if he were in there we could hear him.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” came a second voice. “He’s liable to be there waiting for you.”
“Well, I am going in after him anyhow,” said the first speaker.
A moment later Hal heard the German approaching. He half arose to his knee and trained his revolver at the darkness ahead of him.