The lads obeyed this command, and the German stalked after them,
keeping his rifle in readiness for a quick shot should his prisoners
attempt to escape.

But the lads had no thought of taking to their heels, for they were fully
aware that a bullet would stop one of them at least should they make even
one false move.

They continued their walk, and presently came in view of what appeared to
be a large German camp. Here their captor marched them directly to the
tent of the commanding officer.

"What are you doing within our lines?" was the latter's first question
after the soldier had related how he had made his capture.

"Well," said Hal, "we were accidentally carried through your lines by a
locomotive which we happened to be running when the rest of the train was
blown up. We couldn't get back, so we went ahead. We finally lost the
engine, so we were making our way back to our own lines."

"Lost the engine? What do you mean?" asked the officer.

"Why," Chester broke in, "we sent it over a precipice that it might not
fall into the hands of the Germans."

"You did, eh?" said the German officer. "Well, I shall attend to your
case in the morning. Orderly! See that these prisoners are carefully
guarded, and have them brought to me the first thing in the morning.
Perhaps they may be induced to give me the information I require."