Page 163 - A Hero of Liége

"Pull up," said Granger. "We shall have to go back and make a round.
News of us has no doubt been flashed by this time to every German force in

the neighbourhood."

Kenneth was backing the car when Granger noticed signs of movement
among the cavalry on the near bank. A squadron formed up, faced towards
the slight hill, and started at a canter in the direction of the car.

"There's no time to lose," cried Granger. "Reverse and turn round."

But at that moment Kenneth observed, just ahead, a narrow road running
east for a few yards, then curving to the north.

"Better try and cut across them," he said. "If we go back we may run into

another lot and be caught between two fires."

"Very well. The road isn't marked on my map, but we'll chance it."

Kenneth had already brought the gear lever from reverse to first. He let in

the clutch; the car started forward again, and before the advancing
horsemen were half way up the hill the fugitives swung round into the
by-road. When the Hussars reached the turning the car was two or three

hundred yards ahead and rounding the curve.

"I'm afraid we've done for ourselves," said Kenneth ruefully. "The road is
awful."

It was indeed scarred with deep ruts, almost like the furrows in a ploughed
field, and thick with mud from the recent rain. The car swayed violently,

jumping in and out of the ruts. In spite of its powerful build, Kenneth
doubted whether the axles and springs would stand the strain. The wheels,
moreover, sank so deep into the mud that the speed of the car fell away to

what seemed to the occupants little more than a crawl.

The Hussars were galloping hotly after them. Some were deploying across
the open fields on both sides of the road, to gain time at the windings of the