"Why in the world not?" asked Franz, in some amazement. "Didn't
he tell us to go south, and don't we pretty well know that in that
direction would be the most logical place for our troops to be?"

"I grant that," replied Jimmy. "But if our lines are to the south, why
did Captain Dickerson, who appears to be an American officer, go to
the north! Why didn't he come with us?"

"That's starting the whole question over again," declared Bob. "I say
let's take a chance and go south. The captain wouldn't send us wrong
after he went to all that trouble to save us alive."

"Perhaps you're right," admitted Jimmy. "Well, though I'm leader I'm
willing to abide by the majority rule. Since you all want to go to the
south, the south it shall be."

"Don't you think that's the best way?" asked Roger.

"Well, it's as good, perhaps, as any other," was the reply. "I think
we're pretty well surrounded by Germans, and it doesn't really make
much difference which way we go. So the south is as good as any."

"Then lead on!" exclaimed Bob.

"Yes--hike!" added Roger.

And once more they started off.

Their way lay through what had once been a beautiful farming country.
In places, still, there were fields under cultivation--that is, they