Page 164 - A Hero of Liége

latter. The distance between car and horsemen was steadily lessening; it
seemed that for once muscle was about to conquer mechanism.

Kenneth was wholly occupied with the steering of the car. Pariset kept his

eyes fixed on the pursuers. They were about fifty in number, at a distance
no match for the machine gun, but if they were allowed to close up,
especially if they got ahead, the occupants of the car would be at their

mercy in the event of any sudden check. He watched for a favourable
moment for bringing the gun into play.

After innumerable short windings the road ran straight for a considerable
distance. The leading horsemen, now within a hundred yards of the car,

began to fire as they rode. Pariset instantly replied, working the gun in a
long arc from left to right. It was not for nothing that the German staff had

made the machine gun one of the predominant features of their armament.
Under the pitiless hail of bullets horses and men went down like grass
under the scythe. The Hussars behind slowed down, allowing the car to

increase its lead, but still keeping it in view, hoping no doubt that an
accident, an obstacle, a piece of clumsy steering, would bring its career to

an end. They might then close upon it and surround it without having to
face that terrible machine gun again. Pariset, for his part, anxious not to
attract the attention of any enemies who might be ahead, ceased fire as soon

as the pursuit slackened.

Their direction was towards Liege. Now and then they caught sight of the
Ourthe, winding below them on their left, but there was no sign of a bridge.
Mile after mile passed. The road was a continual up and down; on each side

was a variegated landscape of meadows, richly wooded slopes and
frowning cliffs. The sight of the railway crossing the river reminded

Kenneth that they were approaching the scene of their exploit; but Pariset
had no eyes for anything but the helmets of the Uhlans bobbing up and
down on the road far behind.

Presently they dashed past a battalion of infantry marching in the same

direction. The men all looked dead tired, and took little or no notice of the
car as it passed at increased speed. A few minutes later they skirted the