Accordingly all plunged into the stream, Marquis swimming behind, and soon reached the opposite shore. Here they drew up in a clump of bushes and sat down to dry off a bit.
“Do you suppose they know which way we came?” asked Hal of Chester.
“I don’t know. However, I suppose they will search in all directions, and they are bound to come upon us sooner or later if we linger around here.”
“You are right. I guess we had better move.”
Soon the little party was in the saddle again, and making off at a rapid trot. Hal, for some unaccountable reason turning suddenly in his saddle, uttered an ejaculation.
“What’s the matter?” demanded Chester.
“Look!” said Hal, pointing back toward the little stream.
Alexis and Chester followed the direction of Hal’s finger. Just plunging into the stream were half a dozen horsemen, and it was plain from that distance that they were German soldiers, and that they had made out the forms of the fugitives.
The three friends put spurs to their horses and, with Marquis loping along behind, soon lost themselves in a little woods. Here they urged their tired horses on, and at last came to a small open space. This they crossed before Alexis’ horse gave out and went to the ground in a heap.
“I am afraid it’s all off,” exclaimed Hal. “How far do you suppose we are from the German border, Alexis?”