Accordingly they turned to retrace their steps. But at that moment Chester caught the sound of a cry in English.
"Help!" came the voice.
"Hear that, Hal?" he demanded.
"Yes; sounds like one of our own men in trouble."
"Then orders or no orders," said Chester, "we've got to help him out."
"Come on then," cried Hal.
The lads turned quickly and dashed toward the river.
Rounding a corner, they came upon a crowd of struggling figures. Apparently, three men in the center of the crowd were fighting for their lives against a mob of German soldiers, who were armed with clubs and knives. (Under the terms of the armistice, certain soldiers had been deprived of all but their side arms.)
Against the weapons of their assailants, the lads saw that the figures in the center offered two revolvers each. With these they were attempting to stand off their assailants without firing.
"Why don't they shoot?" demanded Chester, as he dashed forward, Hal at his side.