Page 134 - A Hero of Liége

his ignorance. Kenneth whispered that the wagon was not to be unloaded
yet; he dared not say more at the moment, with so many enemies within

hearing.

The sky was becoming overclouded. The wagoner took the horses out, and
led them to loose boxes in the stables. The trooper Schmidt had sprung
down and entered the house, where all the Uhlans except three left on guard

over the prisoners had assembled for the good dinner prepared by the
women of the farm under the eye of their truculent visitors.

The wagon having been left standing at the gate, Kenneth ventured to
repeat to Pariset the gist of the conversation he had heard. The Belgian

swore under his breath.

"We must get out while they are at dinner," Kenneth whispered.

"Those three brutes would see us," said Pariset, eyeing the three Uhlans

savagely through his peephole.

"I'm afraid they would," Kenneth agreed. "But we are bound to be
discovered when they unload."

"Well, we'll get away if we see half a chance. We must wait. I wish we
could do something for those poor wretches in the yard. These Germans

have much to answer for, Ken; and they shall pay--they shall pay!"

They lay in their stuffy shelter, listening to the sounds of

merriment--heavy-hoofed merriment--from within the house, the grumbles
of the Uhlans who had been left outside and were losing the fun, the sobs of

the women at the wall. The sky grew blacker and blacker, rain began to fall.
The Uhlans on guard turned up their collars and swore.

Presently there was a diversion. The two Uhlans who had been out
rounding up the missing farmer had caught him and a second man, and

were bringing them along at a trot, prodding them with their lances to make
them keep up with the horses. There were cries of dismay from the herded