"Don't do that!" cried Noel, as he grasped the barrel of his companion's gun. "Don't do it! We must n't let them know any more about us than they do now. We've got to take our chances and run down the hill to the woods! I don't believe they will follow us if we once can get inside the border. It's going to be a hard chase for us, though, to cover those yards ahead of us. I would give every dollar I own if I was only there."
"Niver you fear me, lad. 'Fortune favors the brave.' Have you niver heard that?"
"I have," answered Noel, as he glanced again at the men who were seen in the distance. "The sooner we start the better. Come on, Dennis!"
Acting upon his own suggestion, the young soldier led the way, and crouching low ran swiftly toward the shelter of the woods. His heart seemed to be beating so loudly and rapidly as almost to interfere with his efforts. He was afraid, but his fear only served to increase his speed.
Part of the distance had been covered before the flight of the two young soldiers was discovered by their enemies. At the sight there was a loud cry which served to increase the speed of both fugitives.
"Spread out!" whispered Dennis hoarsely. "Spread out!"
Instantly acting upon the suggestion, as far as it was possible for two to "spread out," Noel ran swiftly toward a low oak tree, which stood on the border of the woods, while his companion with equal speed was striving to gain the shelter of another tree, the name of which Noel did not know, which stood conspicuously about twenty yards distant from the one that he was seeking.
Before the boys could gain the shelter, the report of guns was heard, but fortunately neither of the young soldiers was hurt.
To Noel it seemed as if the few intervening yards were almost endless. His feet seemed to be held back, as if heavy weights were attached to them. His feeling was not unlike that which he had experienced when he had suffered from an attack of nightmare.
In spite of these things, however, both young soldiers were making excellent time, and in a brief interval successfully gained the refuge they were so eagerly seeking.