sand dunes now and then permitted an unobstructed view. The party was at
the extreme north of the long battle line that stretched away to the
south, clear through Belgium and France.

For perhaps half an hour the troop rode rapidly on, but finally Hal
called a halt. He listened attentively. There was no sound to break
the stillness, other than the faint boom of heavy guns in the
distance, telling that the long-range artillery duel, farther south,
was still in progress.

But, as Hal was about to give the word for a further advance, from almost
directly ahead, though still some distance away, came the sound of a
single pistol shot. Just one shot; that was all. In vain did the lads
strain their ears to catch a possible reply to the shot. None came.

Hal ordered his men to advance at a slow trot, and the troop moved
forward once more.

Now they came to a woods. They advanced rapidly and the woods became less
dense, and the darkness caused by the heavy overhanging trees gave way to
more light. Hal again called a halt, and himself rode forward to
investigate. Twenty yards ahead he came to a clearing in the woods,
stretching out for a possible quarter of a mile.

In the very center of this clearing the lad made out a strange sight. His
eyes fell upon a detachment of German troops--about fifty all
told--dancing about what Hal finally made out to be a barn.

As Hal looked a sheet of flame sprang up. It was plain to the lad in an
instant that the enemy had set the wooden structure afire.