“They have probably fallen in with some of these guerillas,” said one voice. “If so, we shall have hard work to find them.”
Close upon his words came a scream from outside, and straining their ears, the party inside made out the sound of a distant pistol shot.
“One more gone,” said Stephan briefly.
There came a volley from outside the cave, as the Germans fired at their unseen assailant.
“Not much chance of their hitting anybody,” said Stephan calmly.
From outside the cave came the sound of rapidly retreating hoofbeats. The Germans were moving away. Alexis, having thus quickly learned the way of the guerillas, cautiously poked his head from the cave, reached back and picked up his brother’s rifle, and fired after the retreating foe.
“Another one,” he said grimly, returning the weapon to Stephan.
“Just how long do you suppose you can keep this work up?” Chester asked of Stephan.
“Not much longer, I am afraid,” was the reply. “I figure it is only a question of days now until the Germans send out a force strong enough to search the woods thoroughly. In that event, we shall try to make our way back over the border to safety.”
From a corner of the cave Stephan now produced a small quantity of food, which he set out. All fell to and it was soon disposed of. Then they ventured from the cave and, walking slowly, made their way northward.