"Wasn't it a good thing we crossed the bridge?" observed Alfred, as the party passed by.
"Now, shall we go on?" asked Ralph.
"I don't know what to do," answered Alfred. "What do you say?"
"Why, go on, of course; we can't stay here," remarked Ralph.
"We ought to have found a place to stay before this; I think we made a mistake; don't you?" said Alfred.
"I think so; but perhaps we can find a good place further on," suggested Ralph.
It was evident that some place of concealment had to be found, so cautiously approaching the bridge they crossed the road and were delighted to observe a narrow piece of woodland which seemed to offer some security to them for the day; so they crossed a stone fence, still keeping the river in sight, and entered the grove.
It may be well to observe that Belgium is a very thickly settled country and they were in the province of Liège, which has a much denser population than any other section in Belgium. During the flight of the boys from the little town of Guareaux, farmhouses were visible at all times in one direction or the other.
They hurried through the wood, and were about to climb the fence which divided it from an open space, when the barking of a dog arrested them. Almost immediately a voice called to them:
"Who are you?"