Chester’s blood boiled. "So that’s the kind of men we have to deal with, eh?" he muttered. "Well, I guess I’ll have to take a hand in this game." With Chester to think was to act. Nevertheless, he realized the need of caution if he were to extricate Hal from his present difficulty. "I’ll have to be pretty careful," he told himself; "otherwise, they’ll snare me, too." Chester’s first impulse, of course, had been to dash forward, guns in hand, and wreak what damage he could among his enemies. He thought better of this, however, and continued to creep forward carefully and silently. "If he hits you again," he said, speaking to Hal but muttering the words to himself, "it can’t be helped; but we’ll repay those blows with interest." Hal, standing erect before his captors, did not flinch as Lieutenant Steinz drew back his arm for another blow. But his eyes flashed dangerously. "You’ll be sorry for this, my friends," he said quietly. "Threats, eh?" sneered the German. "You’re in no position to threaten, pig." "Perhaps not," admitted Hal, "but just the same I am warning you." There was something so menacing in the lad’s voice, that for a moment the German hesitated; but for a moment only, then he drew back his arm and struck. Once more Hal staggered under the blow, but he did not flinch. The German raised his arm and would have struck again but for a sudden interruption. When Chester saw the German strike Hal a second time, it was more than his blood could stand. He forgot, for the moment, his mission, that his first duty was to pass beyond the German camp. He threw caution to the winds. With a wild cry he leaped to his feet and dashed forward, a revolver levelled in each hand. Startled, the Germans turned to face their new foe. One look at Chester’s angry features and they recoiled involuntarily. At the same moment Chester fired—both weapons at once. Two of the enemy toppled over in their tracks. Now Hal had a quick mind. At Chester’s first cry he knew what was up and he grew instantly alert, ready to take advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself. The opportunity was not long coming. Lieutenant Steinz, turning to get a view of Chester, for a moment left Hal unguarded. In that instant Hal sprang. Both hands he locked about the German’s throat, and squeezed with all his strength. In vain the Teuton squirmed, struck and kicked. Suddenly Hal released his right hand and drove it into the man’s face. At the same moment his left hand shot out and seized the German’s revolver. Then he stepped quickly back, levelled the weapon and fired. "Come on, Chester!" he shouted. Chester needed no urging. In a few quick strides he was at Hal’s side. "Let’s get out of here," he cried. "It’s getting too warm." Together the lads dashed toward the trench. A cry of alarm went up from the Germans behind. "Shoot them!" cried a voice that Hal recognized as that of the German colonel.