Army Boys on the Firing Line; or, Holding Back the German Drive

stunned. The flying arms and legs straightened out and lay qu

nt's body. But even as Frank looked down upon him, his foe showed signs of revi

the quicker and in an instant his knife w

rad,'" he

but a tiny prick of

he growle

u needn't take the trouble of handing it to me," he continued, as he saw a vicious expression in his captive's eyes. "You just keep your hands stretc

ures to indicate his meaning, and the hands went up and stayed up, while Frank searched his p

e fight was still going on. Now it was quite dark, and Frank rose to his fee

him commands shouted in hoarse guttural accents. The sounds of battle had died down and it was evi

as threatening to become a rout. The battle would probably be resumed on

etting ready to take him into the American lines. Now he was himself in the enemy lines, liab

a twinkling. But then another thought ca

pped down beside him a shout arose from the German's lip

uirmed and struggled, but his bound hands made him powerless, and Frank soon made a g

ied to think. And his thoug

re probable. Little short of a miracle would prevent his capture if he stayed there much longer. In the morning, discov

or the sake of those who have not read the preceding volumes of this series, to tell bri

ts owned considerable property. They had died since their daughter's marriage, and in the natural course of things she would have inherited the estate. But legal difficulties had developed in regard to the will, and Frank's parents were contemplating a trip to France to st

ut. But he was intensely patriotic, and wanted to volunteer as soon as it became certain that America would enter the conflict. For a time he held back on account of his mo

ank's special chum and a fine type of young American, and Tom Bradford, loyal to the core. Poor Tom, however, was rejected on account of his teeth, but was afterward accepted in the draft, and by a stroke of luck rejoined Frank and Bart at Camp Boone, whe

nemy of Frank, whom he cordially hated, and the two had been more than once at the point of blows. Rabig was of German descent, although born in this country, and before the war began he had been

what he deserved at the hands of Frank; what adventures they met with and how they showed the stuff they were made of when they came in conflict

d from the French officer encouraging news about his mother's property. The four friends had a thrilling experience when they were chased by Uhlan cavalry, plunged into a river from a broken bridge only to find when they reached the other side

expect it. To have a feeling of perfect comfort and security would hardly have seemed natural. But now he freely owned to

he German who shared the hole with him. Frank could not see his face

ere turned. It'll be a mighty good joke to tell your cronies at mess tomorrow how the Yankee schweinhund thought he had you and t

might stumble into the hole and the game would be up. Or a flare from a star-shell might reveal him c

another thought told him how he might exercise the power that the fortun

ns who surrounded him. His only chance would be to make a dash, and although h

German

e in the hole r

e started at once to put it into execution. But

t would be just as an ordinary prisoner, enti

be regarded as a spy and would be shot or hanged offh

for he knew that life or death migh

about him. In the faint light that came from lanterns disposed at various places he could see men m

ings and move away, apparently without attracting noti

uld not answer without revealing his ignorance of German. But perhaps he

t once while there were many about. If he waited until things w

ce of being shot he would take the chance. If worse came to worst

is captor was in no mind to stand any nonsense and he lay quiet. It was hard work because the man was heavy and the quarters were cramped. The coat had t

as hateful and brutal in warfare. It made him feel soiled. But he comforted himself with the thought that the

s bonds had not relaxed. Then as a last reminder he laid the back of his

away," he said to himself. "He knows that

training, Frank lifted himself out of the hole and lay flat on the ground near

tion of the American lines, he yawned, stretched and rising slowl