Page 158 - A Hero of Liége

CHAPTER XVIII

--RUNNING THE GAUNTLET

The sound of the starting car brought two of the troopers up at a gallop. The
sight of the Uhlan helmets did not at first inspire them with distrust, but

merely with curiosity that Uhlans should have been employed in unusual
work. The three men left in front of the house, however, came running to

the gates, shouting somewhat incoherently. The words "Spionen!" and
"Belgen!" were distinguishable. Their cries were taken up by the troopers,
and vociferated to their comrades riding leisurely along. At the prospect of

a spy hunt they pricked their horses to a gallop, and set off in chase of the
car, now almost out of sight.

"The German camp is in this direction, you told us?" said Kenneth to
Granger.

"Yes; there is a by-road just before we reach it. The enemy are not likely to

be coming towards us."

The road was heavy and deeply rutted from the recent passage of cumbrous

transport wagons and artillery. Kenneth found the acceleration of the car
slow, and in any case the weight of the armour with which its vital parts

were protected would have rendered it incapable of high speed. For a time
the horsemen appeared to gain on it, and Pariset, who had taken charge of
the machine gun, swung it round to cover the rear, ready to open fire if they

drew too near.

"Don't fire if you can help it," Granger said. "It would be a pity to disturb
the camp ahead."

After a few minutes the car began to draw away. Pariset saw one of the
troopers rein up, and expected him to fire over the holster of his saddle. But

the man dismounted, and just as the car swung out of sight at a bend of the
road, he was clambering up a telegraph pole. Pariset hurriedly informed his
friends.