Rounding a corner, they came upon a crowd of struggling figures. Apparently, three men in the center of the crowd were fighting for their lives against a mob of German soldiers, who were armed with clubs and knives. (Under the terms of the armistice, certain soldiers had been deprived of all but their side arms.) Against the weapons of their assailants, the lads saw that the figures in the center offered two revolvers each. With these they were attempting to stand off their assailants without firing. "Why don’t they shoot?" demanded Chester, as he dashed forward, Hal at his side. Hal did not reply, but the reason was clear. The three Americans, for such the figures proved to be, did not fire for fear of arousing greater resentment among the Germans. They were perfectly cool, and it was plain they would shoot if it became necessary. As Chester came closer he realized what stayed the fingers of the American officers. Nevertheless, he produced his own revolvers before dashing into the crowd. Hal followed suit. "Don’t shoot unless you have to, Chester," the latter warned. The crowd gave ground as Hal and Chester, bringing football tactics into play, bore down on them; and soon the lads were beside the officers in the center of the circle. "Well, there are five of us now," said one of the officers, "but you would have shown better judgment, Major, had you gone for reinforcements rather than coming to our aid." "I didn’t stop to think of that," Hal confessed. "But you are right, sir." "Never mind," said another. "We can fight our way out of here if it becomes necessary." "But we don’t want to use force," said the first speaker. "It would be much more wise to overawe them with a show of force." "It’s no time to talk about that now," said the other. "But come, I’m in favor of getting out of here." "And I," agreed the third man. "See, the crowd is increasing." "I’ll tell you," said Hal. "Five of us should be able to fight our way through that crowd without shooting. We’ll club our revolvers, and make a break for it, keeping as close together as possible." "As good a way as any," agreed the first officer, a colonel of infantry. "As I am the senior of this party, I suppose it is up to me to take command. All ready, gentlemen?" "All ready, sir," came the reply from each of the other four. "Then let’s go. Forward!" With revolvers upraised, but without a sound, the five Americans stepped forward. They did not seem to hurry; they were perfectly cool. But it was apparent to every German in the crowd that they were in deadly earnest. For a moment the crowd gave way; then closed in again. Knives flashed in German hands; clubs were raised. Hal, walking close to Chester’s side, caught a slashing knife arm with his left hand, still gripping his revolver, and twisted sharply. There was a screech from the German, followed by a snap that announced the man would not use the arm for some time to come.