“All right!” Hal shouted back. “Keep up the pace!”
In their haste in seizing upon two horses, the lads had not had time to look the animals over and it soon developed that they had made a bad choice. The animals which the boys bestrode had returned only an hour before from a long and tedious journey, and consequently were almost exhausted. Under the spur they put forth their best efforts, but finally they began to tire, and despite the urging of the lads, faltered in their stride.
Hal was the first to notice this.
“I am afraid it is all up!” he shouted to Chester.
Right in the face of his oncoming enemies he drew rein. Chester followed his example, and then both lads quickly dismounted.
At this spot there was a small clump of trees. Slapping their horses across the flanks with their hats, the lads plunged in among the foliage while the tired horses made off slowly.
“Up into these trees quick,” shouted Chester. “It has saved us before; it may again!”
Quickly the lads clambered up among the branches, where they lay perfectly still. The sound of the approaching Austrians grew nearer, and at last half a dozen of the enemy pulled up their mounts almost under the lads’ hiding place.
“Which way did they go?” asked a voice.
“They have probably made off through the woods,” said a second. “We’ll have to search for them.”