Rapidly the enemy advanced, firing volley after volley as they
approached; then, at a word from Hal, the British poured forth their
answer. And such an answer! Before the aim of these few British troopers,
accounted among the best marksmen in the world, the Teuton cavalry went
down in heaps.

There was a perceptible slackening in the speed of the approaching
horsemen. Then, as the English continued their work, firing with
machine-like precision and deadly accuracy, the Germans came to a halt.

"What are they stopping for?" cried Chester. "There are enough of them to
overwhelm us!"

"I believe they fear a trap," replied Hal. "They are afraid we are trying
to ambush them with a larger force. We must keep up the delusion if we
expect to get away."

So saying, he ordered the men to the ground, and the little force
advanced to the extreme edge of the woods. So far not a man had been even
wounded, for the Germans, unable to see that their foe had climbed into
the trees, had aimed too low.

From the edge of the woods the British poured several volleys, and then,
as the enemy finally began an advance, they retreated slowly, firing as
they flitted from tree to tree.

Apparently, Hal had rightly guessed the cause of the enemy's indecision.
They advanced slowly and warily; and when they finally gained the edge of
the woods there was not a Briton in sight; but from further in among the