"Follow me, single file," he called to his men, "until I give the word to close up. Then range right alongside of me. We will go as swiftly as possible, and try to get through the German lines without a fight, if by any chance it is possible. However, if we have to make a quick dash and fight, it would be better to do it side by side, and plow right into the enemy. Do you understand?" The driver of each car signified that he understood perfectly, and Hal started his car off slowly. The others fell in line, and soon all were moving along at a brisk pace. Hal found time to call back over his shoulder to Chester: "How is the captain?" "I fear he is in pretty bad shape," was the reply; but, even at that moment, the captain showed signs of returning consciousness. He stirred a little and moaned feebly. Then he raised his head. "Where am I?" he demanded. Slowly and carefully Chester explained the situation to him. "And was the raid a success?" he asked. "Were the German aëroplanes destroyed?" "Yes, every one of them," replied Chester. "Good! Now, give me a rifle, or a revolver, or something. I know we can't get through the Germans without a fight, and I want to do my part." In vain did Chester protest. Captain Anderson insisted, and at length Chester was forced to comply. As the five automobiles, containing not more than a hundred British all told, approached the center of the German force, each man determined to get through to the allied lines or to die in the attempt. CHAPTER XXVIII. A DASH FOR LIBERTY. Swiftly the high-powered armored motor-cars rushed on, drawing closer and closer to the solid ranks of the enemy. Not expecting trouble from within their own lines, the Germans were not on the lookout for this spectacular dash, and so were caught unprepared. Hal gave the prearranged signal. The other cars increased their speed and drew up to him, two on either side. At a second signal they increased their speed to the utmost, and dashed forward. The Germans lay sprawled about, the close formation having been more or less broken following the morning fight. The five speeding monsters were upon them almost before they realized it. As the cars approached the first irregular line of troopers, the British in the machines opened fire. In spite of their terrific speed, their aim was good. Germans tumbled right and left, or fell back as they attempted to rise. Then the machines plowed in among them, hurling them helter-skelter on all sides, the occupants continuing their destructive fire. But now the Germans opened fire, and, in spite of the fact that the speed of the flying automobiles made accurate shooting impossible, the British did not escape scot-free. Three men in one of the machines to the left of the one driven by Hal dropped their rifles and sank to the bottom of the car. In one on the opposite side a soldier threw up his hands and tumbled from the car.