"Well, we'll divide up with them as long as we have any," said Frank, "though I know mighty well they wouldn't do it with us if the case were reversed." "You bet they wouldn't," answered Tom, "I've been a prisoner in their hands, and I know what I'm talking about." They made coffee and distributed food, giving to their prisoners as much as they ate themselves. Then Frank lined up the prisoners and directed them to go ahead in the general direction he pointed out, warning them sternly that he would not hesitate to shoot at the least sign of resistance or any attempt to escape. The storm had ceased, although a bitter wind was still blowing and heaping the snow in drifts. Still this had some advantages, for while it piled the snow deep in places it swept other spots almost clean and they made fairly rapid progress. The prisoners marched sulkily but steadily, with a wholesome respect for the rifles behind them and the men who held them. They had been marching for perhaps an hour through the bleak forest, when Bart gave a sudden exclamation. "See those black dots on the snow?" he said, pointing ahead and a little to the right. "They're moving and they're coming this way! I'll bet it's some of our fellows sent out to find us." Frank looked hard and long, and as he looked his face grew grave. He did not seem to share his comrade's jubilation. "Guess again, Bart," he said. "Why?" asked Bart. "Because," replied Frank, "those fellows are wearing German uniforms. They're probably a lot of disbanded soldiers on their way home. I rather think, boys, that we're in for a fight." CHAPTER VII A CLOSE CALL There was a stir among the Army Boys as they crowded around their leader. "Are you sure, Frank?" asked Billy. "Positive," answered Frank. "I can tell by their uniform and by their walk. I could even make out that some of them were wearing the uniform of the Jaeger regiments. They fought against us in the Argonne, and you'll remember that they're pretty tough birds. If it comes to a scrap we'll have our work cut out for us." "But why should there be any scrap?" questioned Tom. "Germans are arrested every day in Coblenz and no one tries to rescue them." "That's different," replied Frank. "The people know there that we've got powerful forces right at hand that could crush any attempt at rescue. But that doesn't count much out in the wilderness. If these fellows have an officer with them, he'll probably have sense enough to know that it doesn't pay to buck up against the United States army. But if they're just traveling along without organization, they feel so sore at us that they may be willing to take a chance and mix in." "How many do you make them out to be?" asked Billy. "About fifteen, I should judge," was the answer. "What are you going to do?" asked Bart.