Evans held forward the weapon referred to as he spoke.
“I have a pistol, too, that belonged to the guard who fell into our tunnel,” Phil remarked by way of reminder.
“That’s so,” said Evans. “I forgot about that. We’re well armed. Come on, and we’ll have our game all bagged before the Crown Prince can say papa twice.”
CHAPTER XXVI
TURNING THE TABLES
Evans and Turner, who were making a circumambulating inspection of the prison quarters while Phil engaged in desperate combat with a boche soldier in a dark pocket of the earth, led the way to another sentry post on the east side of the large building and there found a second guard decidedly under the influence of liquor. He was seated on a low concrete fence that marked the dividing line between yard and the cul-de-sac, or little used stub of a street, that ran up to the edge of the thicket which covered the hill adjoining the big sandpit.
The guard was no longer a guard. His gun was lying on the ground and his head hung almost between his knees. He was snoring.
“No need o’ disturbing him,” said Evans, as he picked up the rifle and handed it to Phil. “He’s dreamin’ about the iron cross the kaiser’s about to bestow on him for faithful service.”
They passed on to the next post, but there found a more lively minion of the Prussian War Lord. He was evidently “under the influence,” but not so much so that he was unable to spring to his feet in alarm as he heard footsteps near him. The next instant he was looking into the muzzles of three rifles and three very determined faces which must have resembled, in his startled imagination, the weapons and merciless countenances of a trio of highwaymen.
“You keep him right where he is,” said Evans, addressing Tim, while the latter took charge of the fellow’s gun and cartridge belt.
Tim did as directed and his companions continued their rounds. They found one more guard dead drunk and still another in a condition similar to that of Tim’s prisoner. They took possession of their guns and then returned with another staggering prisoner to the place where the young corporal stood guard over Semi-Drunk Number 1. The two captives were also relieved of their cartridge belts.