“Get out of there, you beggars!” cried Dave, as the dogs came still closer, snapping and snarling at him.
He stuck out his torch, and both animals leaped back. But then they began to circle around, as if to attack him from the rear. This was a new peril, and one which Dave realized might prove grave. The dogs were large, and if really starving they might do their best to lay him low.
With the torch in his left hand, Dave gathered up a stone and threw it with all force at one of the beasts. It took the dog in the side, and he leaped back, yelping with pain. Then Dave threw another stone at the other dog, catching him in one of his forelegs. Then he made a leap as if to thrust the torch into the dogs’ faces, and in sudden panic the two animals turned tail and fled down one of the galleries of the mine.
Having thus got rid of the dogs, at least for the time being, the young lieutenant continued on his course. He kept his eyes open for more brushwood, or anything with which he might make a torch, but without avail. He lit the last stick he was carrying with a heavy heart. What should he do when that was consumed?
An hour later found our hero in anything but a satisfied state of mind. He had traveled one gallery after another of the abandoned mines, and hardly knew how to turn or what to do next. The idea of being thus buried underground was horrible. Then, of a sudden, came a change. He reached a turn of a passageway, and far ahead saw a streak of light.
“An opening at last!” he cried joyously, and his heart gave a bound of delight. He fairly ran forward, so eager was he to get out into the open air once more.
And then almost before he realized it the unexpected happened.
Dave found himself close to one of the openings of the abandoned mines, but at a point which was a long distance from the quarters of the engineers. Although he did not know it, he had traveled for several miles under the hills in that vicinity.
“Who goes there?” shouted a voice in German; and a minute later the young lieutenant found himself surrounded by half a dozen of the enemy.