They entered the friendly shelter of the trees. Here they were forced to travel more slowly. They made good progress, however, and at the end of another hour had covered considerable distance. "I guess we are safe enough as long as we can stay in the woods," said Chester. "Don't be too sure," declared Hal. "It's the unexpected that always happens." The words were hardly out of his mouth when the truth of them was proved. As they emerged from where the trees were thickest into a little clearing a sudden, guttural command brought them to an abrupt stop. "Halt!" came a voice. "Halt, or I fire!" CHAPTER XI. CAPTURED. Caught thus unexpectedly Hal immediately threw his hands above his head; Chester followed his example. It was plain to both lads that there was not a chance in a thousand to escape, for the German soldier had his rifle pointed squarely at them. Of course there was a possibility that by a sudden spring one of the lads might have succeeded in knocking the man down; but this probably would have meant the death of the other. Hal and Chester both realized that it was no time to take such a chance. "We surrender," called Hal in German, and immediately the soldier lowered his weapon and approached them. He passed his hands around their waists and then felt in the pockets of their coats and relieved them of their weapons. Then he ordered: "Right about; forward, march!" The lads obeyed this command, and the German stalked after them, keeping his rifle in readiness for a quick shot should his prisoners attempt to escape. But the lads had no thought of taking to their heels, for they were fully aware that a bullet would stop one of them at least should they make even one false move. They continued their walk, and presently came in view of what appeared to be a large German camp. Here their captor marched them directly to the tent of the commanding officer. "What are you doing within our lines?" was the latter's first question after the soldier had related how he had made his capture. "Well," said Hal, "we were accidentally carried through your lines by a locomotive which we happened to be running when the rest of the train was blown up. We couldn't get back, so we went ahead. We finally lost the engine, so we were making our way back to our own lines." "Lost the engine? What do you mean?" asked the officer. "Why," Chester broke in, "we sent it over a precipice that it might not fall into the hands of the Germans." "You did, eh?" said the German officer. "Well, I shall attend to your case in the morning. Orderly! See that these prisoners are carefully guarded, and have them brought to me the first thing in the morning. Perhaps they may be induced to give me the information I require." "You won't get any information out of us," said Chester angrily. "Won't I?" replied the officer, with a sneer. "We shall see. Take them away." The two lads were led to a small field tent and thrust inside, with a guard on the outside.