With the chief's sibilant warning the boys softly laid down the tools and motor parts they were handling, and stood at attention. Schneider drew a revolver from his belt.
Roque, in crouching attitude, held an ear close to the frozen earth surface, and the others took example.
"There's a cavalry troop headed this way," hoarsely whispered Schneider. The pounding of many hoofs, growing louder and louder, was a sound apparent to each listener.
Then as a new diversion, out in the open field to the right of the road, down which the horsemen were galloping, rang out the rapid blows of pikes and spades on the ice-covered soil.
"They're throwing up kneeling trenches."
Schneider had a true ear for war moves.
The grating noise of the closing of a gun breech preceded a tense moment.
By the shifting of sound it was impressed upon the listeners that the oncoming cavalry had left the road and had swung into the plain on the left.
"We'll be between two fires in a minute or so."