Taking advantage of this lull, Chester made a dash, and succeeded in reaching a tree behind which Hal and Captain Anderson had taken shelter.

“What are we going to do?” he demanded.  “Surely we can’t stay here much longer.”

“Well, what shall we do?” demanded Hal.  “At the first break the Germans will shoot us down.”

“We must do something,” replied Chester.  “Wait a moment”—­as Hal turned away—­“I have an idea.”

“What is it?” demanded Hal.

“Yes, let’s have it,” said Captain Anderson.

“Well, why can’t a few of us—­say ten men—­crawl toward the rear, and, when out of sight, make a detour and catch the Germans from the rear?  Those who are left here will fire only at intervals, so that when we open from the rear the enemy will believe that the major part of our men are there.  Naturally they will present their strongest front there.  Then you can take them by surprise from this side.”

“By Jove!” ejaculated Captain Anderson.  “That’s not a half-bad idea.”

“It’s a good idea,” said Hal.  “It shall be acted upon at once.  Now, who shall go and who shall stay here?”

“Well,” said Chester, “as it was I who suggested the plan, I guess I am the one to head those who go.  Detail ten men, Hal, and I’ll start at once.”

The men placed at his disposal Chester made ready to go; but, before he left, he called to Hal: 

“By the way, when you leave here don’t forget Stubbs.  He’s lying behind a tree over there,” pointing.

“I’ll get him,” Hal called back, “if I have to carry him on my shoulder.”

Dropping to all fours Chester and his ten men soon disappeared in the distance.

Feeling sure that he was out of sight in the thick underbrush, Chester jumped to his feet.  The ten men did likewise, and turning to the left all dashed off through the brambles as fast and as quietly as possible.  Among the bushes it was very dark, and for this reason the little party was unable to make much speed; but, nevertheless, they pushed on as rapidly as possible.

Finally, feeling that he had gone far enough, Chester turned once more sharply to the left, and pushed on in the way he had come.

At length they came again to the road, and, making sure that there was no German in sight, Chester silently led his men across the highway to the German side.  Here they pushed straight on for a considerable distance, until the lad felt certain that they had penetrated to the rear of the German line.  He then led his men sharply to the left again.

If his calculations were correct he must now be behind the enemy.

The little band of British crept forward silently now and more slowly.  It was ticklish work, and not a soldier but recognized the fact as, very cautiously, they pressed on.

Chester halted abruptly.  Directly ahead, perhaps fifty yards, he made out the form of a single figure.  Silently the lad crept closer.  It was as he had expected.  The man was a German, and undoubtedly one of the force which had so recently attacked them.