"Quick!" shouted the lieutenant. "To the machine!" And, with Hal and
Captain Derevaux, he made a rush for the auto.
Chester had stopped to gather up the two revolvers that lay on the
ground.
"Go ahead!" he shouted. "I'm coming!" And, picking up the last revolver,
he ran up to the automobile and swung himself aboard, just as Hal, who
had climbed into the driver's seat, threw in the clutch, and the machine
leaped forward.
At that moment a volley of shots rang out. The whizzing bullets again
flew around the car, and there was again the sound of splintering wood,
as they smashed into the rear of the auto.
All but Hal dived into the bottom of the car, and he bent as low as
possible over the steering wheel.
Soon the sound of firing became less audible, and finally ceased
altogether.
Chester, Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Derevaux arose from the bottom
of the car and resumed their seats.
"That's what I call great work, boys," declared the lieutenant, putting
his hand on Hal's shoulder. "If it hadn't been for you, I guess the
captain and I would be locked up by this time. Isn't that so, captain?"
"It certainly is," was the reply. "And had it not been for the prompt
action of Chester in that encounter, France would have lost a captain
of rifles."
Hal and Chester were embarrassed by all this praise.
"That's all right," Hal called over his shoulder. "You would have done
the same for us."
At this moment the chauffeur, who had been almost forgotten in the
excitement, stirred.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42