Apparently the Germans had not prepared for such a move on the part of the enemy, for they gave ground rapidly. The skirmish was brief, with success to the British. The Germans in flight, Captain Anderson, Hal and Chester soon found the Viviers road, and led their men along at double time. The two miles were covered quickly, and finally the three could make out in the darkness what appeared to be a factory. Closer approach showed that this what it was. "Must be a temporary affair," said Captain Anderson, in a low voice. "And what are those objects nearby?" Hal peered through the darkness. "Look like armored automobiles to me," he said. "And so they are," declared Chester. "And there must be twenty of them. Seems to me an act of providence must have put them there. We couldn't want anything better to escape in." "You are right," declared the captain. The captain now divided his men into three forces, one of which he commanded, the other two being led by Hal and Chester. The first column approached to within fifty yards of the automobiles before being discovered. Then the cry of a German sentry rang out. At the word of command, the British opened fire, and again charged with fixed bayonets. But the German guard was strong, and evidently had been on the alert against a possible surprise. A rapid-fire gun stationed near the automobiles opened fire. The first column of men was literally annihilated, Captain Anderson himself going to the ground with a severe wound in his chest. Not one of the troopers reached the automobile. Seeing what had happened to the first column, Hal and Chester were more wary. They approached from two directions, and, before the machine-gun could be turned upon them, were at hand grips with the enemy. A squad of men hurled themselves upon the German gunners, and this weapon spoke no more. Then the British advanced upon the aviators, who stood near to guard their machines. Both sides were fighting in small groups, and at once began a fierce interchange of shots at a distance of fifteen yards. The airmen, who were crouching along the edge of the road, answered the British fire with great bravery and vigor. While this fighting was in progress, the detachments of engineers, which had been in the extreme rear of the British columns, armed with improvised tools, hurled themselves upon the aëroplanes. With sure blows from their rifle butts, and whatever other implements they could lay hands on nearby, they destroyed the motors, the gasoline reservoirs and the running gear of the German machines. At this moment one of the armored automobiles burst into flames. A fierce red glare shot high into the air, lighting up the scene of carnage with great brilliancy.