Page 131 - A Hero of Liége

"We have seen nobody for the last three miles," he said. "The whole
country is deserted. What is doing about here?"

"The spies came down in that aeroplane yonder, and escaped into the

wood."

"Teufel! I see no aeroplane."

"It is in ruins; the fellows blew it up. It was one of ours, too, a Taube. They

stole it."

"There will be fine shooting when they are caught. These Belgians are the

very deuce. Half my regiment are down. My horse was shot. I'm going to
take one of these cart horses when we get to Spa. They are rather heavy, but

one must take what one can get. Horses are scarce."

The Uhlan who had spoken came round to the back of the wagon, and

pulled out an armful of hay for his horse. The fugitives shivered. If others
of the troop did the same thing, their screen would be removed, detection

was inevitable.

"Not too much," called the trooper in front, standing up and peering round

the corner of the load. "Don't get me into trouble. I was ordered to bring
back a full load, and the Herr Major is a terrible man in his anger."

"Where did you get it from?" asked the Uhlan, now joined by several of his
comrades who had been left in charge of the horses of those searching the

wood.

"From a farm about two hours' journey back, somewhere about Theux, I
think they call it. It's an out-of-the-way place, but we got the tip from a
Hussar who lodged with the farmer for a year or two; there wasn't much he

didn't find out; and he knew exactly how much fodder he had."

"Did you leave any?"