Hal thought for a few moments.

"I believe the best way is to try and go right through them without being
seen," he replied at length. "There is no telling how far this line
stretches out, and if we didn't get around them by daylight it would be
all off with us."

"But the sentries?" asked Chester.

"Well, we shall have to dispose of anyone who sees us without being
heard. That's all there is about it."

"All right, then," said Chester. "We might as well move at once."

The plan was outlined to the men and they went forward. A moment and they
were in the midst of the sleeping Germans. It was plain now that the line
of sleepers stretched out for some distance, but that it was not very
deep. Three minutes undiscovered and they would be through safely.

Silently they crept between the sleeping soldiers. There was a certain
amount of safety in the very boldness of the plan, for it was unlikely,
should a sentry see them moving about, he would take them for English;
and even if he did now, they would be able to make a dash with some hope
of success. The German soldiers, tired and completely exhausted, slept
heavily, and not one so much as moved in his sleep.

The little party was now at the last line of sleepers, and just as Hal,
believing they had accomplished their difficult task, drew a breath of
relief, a form suddenly appeared from the darkness before them. It was a