In spite of the superior numbers of the enemy the French swam rapidly toward them. The first to arrive struck the man that grasped Hal a stunning blow. Immediately the lad felt his arm freed, but it was immediately grasped again by a second German, who held on while his comrades swam on to drive back the French.
Knives were drawn and the battle in the water continued with desperation.
The four Frenchmen gave a good account of themselves, and two German soldiers disappeared beneath the water to come to the surface no more.
But the weight of numbers told at last; and, when two of the French had been severely wounded, the other two, realizing the futility of further fighting in the face of overwhelming odds, drew off, and, supporting their wounded companions, returned to the far sh.o.r.e.
Hal and Chester had put forth their best efforts to free themselves from the hands of their captors, but in spite of their frantic struggles, they were overpowered and were soon dragged back to the bank on the German side.
A German trooper had dived beneath the water and succeeded in grasping the collar of the boys" late prisoner and dragging him to sh.o.r.e, where several men were now at work trying to restore him to consciousness.
The men who had captured the boys stopped to watch this operation. Soon the German began to gasp for breath, and ten minutes later he was able to sit up and look about. His gaze rested on the two lads.
He was a pitiful-looking object, but in spite of this the lads were forced to smile as he glanced at them. The man arose and approached them, leaning heavily upon the arm of a brother officer.
"So you didn"t get away after all?" he said.
"No," said Hal quietly, "we are still here."
"And here you"ll stay, if I have anything to do with it," was the response. "You are tough customers, and no mistake, but I guess there are enough here to keep you quiet now."
The German officer turned to his fellow-officer.
"I"ll take charge of them," he said quietly. "Give me a couple of dry guns; mine are no good."
The other did as requested, and, pointing his two weapons at the lads, the German ordered:
"March!"
CHAPTER XI.
A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
Chilled to the bone by their cold swim the boys marched along with chattering teeth. Their clothes froze to them until they were stiff, and the lads moved with difficulty.
"Where are you taking us?" asked Hal, shaking with cold.
"To my quarters right now," was the reply, "where I shall let you warm up a bit before taking you before General Steinbach."
It was a long walk to the quarters of Captain Eberhardt, for as such the captain later gave his name, and when they reached there both lads were blue with cold.
Captain Eberhardt"s condition was just as bad, and once inside the hut all three shed their frozen garments and drew close to the fire. Here they thawed out quickly, and the German officer motioned them to seats.
"You are both brave lads, as I learned a long time ago," he said, "and it pains me that I must turn you over to my commanding officer. I bear you no grudge for anything you have done against me, and if I could do otherwise I would. But my duty is clear. The necessity of war demands that you be tried by court-martial."
"Tried by court-martial!" exclaimed Chester. "What for?"
"You were found within our lines in civilian clothes. Had you been in uniform you would have been treated as prisoners of war. As it is--"
The captain broke off and shrugged his shoulders expressively.
"True," said Hal quietly. "I forgot."
"So we are to be shot as spies, eh?" said Chester.
"I am sorry," replied Captain Eberhardt. "I will speak a word for you, but I doubt if it will do any good."
"Thanks," said Hal.
They sat about the little fire for several hours, when the German officer, arising, said:
"Well, whenever you are ready I shall conduct you before General Steinbach."
"We are ready any time," replied Chester.
The lads followed the captain from the tent, and at last stood before the German commander. Here Captain Eberhardt briefly explained the details of the capture.
"And you say they were in civilian attire?" asked the general.
"Yes, sir."
"Then they shall be given a trial, but unless they can show good reason for their actions they will be shot."
"But, General," said the captain, "I have told you that they wore civilian attire simply to get through our lines. I can vouch for the fact that they are not spies."
"You can make your statement before the trial board, sir," replied the commander briefly. "I may as well say, however, that I do not believe you will be able to do them much good. You know our rules are ironclad."
The lads returned to Captain Eberhardt"s tent, the general ordering him to guard them until they should appear for trial early the following morning.
"I am afraid I cannot be of much help to you," said the captain. "I am sorry."
"Never mind," replied Hal. "We are grateful for what you have done for us. Of course we know that you are governed by a sense of duty in capturing us, and we would have been forced to do the same had we been in your position."
"I am glad to have you say that. However, I shall do what I can for you."
An hour later all turned in and soon were fast asleep.
Hal had been asleep for perhaps three hours when he was suddenly awakened. Glancing up quickly he was surprised to see Chester standing over the sleeping figure of Captain Eberhardt. His arms were free and he had untied his legs.
Just before the three had turned in Captain Eberhardt, with an apology for the necessity of his actions, had bound them. Chester, after sleeping for perhaps an hour, had roused up, and, by holding his hands over the blaze, had loosened the knot that bound them. Then quickly untying his feet, he had relieved the German officer of his weapons, and in turn had bound and gagged him. He was just approaching Hal when the latter awoke and saw him.
To untie his chum was the work of a moment. Then the boys, in low tones, talked over what was best to be done.
"There is no use staying here," said Hal. "Every moment brings us that much nearer death."