"Well," said Hal, "near my bunk are two hand grenades. My idea is this! Place them close to the fallen roof where we have been digging, come back here and pot them with our revolvers. The explosion should blow the roof off." "Or bury us a little deeper," said Chester grimly. "Of course," said Hal. "However, it's the only chance I see. What do you say?" "Try it, of course," said Chester promptly. "It's the only way. Get out your bombs." Hal did so, and a moment later he had placed them to his satisfaction. "Guess I can hit one in the dark," he said. "Hug down close, Chester." Chester did so and Hal made himself as small as possible. A moment later there was a sharp report, followed by a heavy explosion. CHAPTER III NEW FRIENDS Hal's last conscious moment was filled with the roar that followed his shot aimed at the hand grenades in the far corner of his underground tomb. When again he was able to realize that he still lived his first thought was of Chester, who had been near when he pressed the trigger of his automatic in his desperate attempt to escape. The lad was very dizzy as he staggered to his feet. First he felt himself over carefully. He found he uninjured except from shock. "Chester," he called. There was no answer. Again and again Hal called to his friend, meanwhile moving through the debris that littered the ground, until at last he came upon the unconscious form of Chester fully a hundred yards from the spot where he himself had come to life. Quickly Hal bent over and raised Chester's head to his knee. He still breathed and as the lad glanced around he noted a pool of stagnant water. Laying Chester down on the ground carefully, Hal hurried to the pool. There he soaked his handkerchief and hurried back to his friend. After some effort on Hal's part Chester showed signs of returning consciousness as the cold water began to have its effect. Then Chester sat up. "Where am I?" he asked, moving his head feebly in a vain attempt to pierce the darkness with his eyes. Hal was forced to smile at this remark. "I guess you are not in such bad shape after all," he said. "Anybody that can wake up and start off with a question like that is not going to die for some time to come." Chester struggled from Hal's arms and got to his feet. He surveyed the ruins of the erstwhile dugout in the darkness and then said: "You're getting to be a pretty fair shot with that gun of yours, Hal." "Thanks," said Hal dryly. "You were so still and quiet when I found you, though, that I had begun to think I had done a pretty bad job." "Well," said Chester, "we're on the outside again, at all events. I don't feel as well as I might, either, and I vote that we get away from here. I'd like to lay my hands on the Boche who is responsible for interrupting my sleep like this. I'd show him a thing or two." "Not in your present condition, I guess," was Hal's rejoinder.