for six miles without a stop. Then there was a halt and a long wait at Grand Halleux. Thus, at every telegraph station there was a wait, and it was nearly noon before the train had gone twelve miles. They were still several miles from the junction, Trois Ponts, the main line of which led northeast to Liège, when the first disquieting rumors were29 heard by Pierre and the boys. The Germans had cut the direct road to Liège, below Tilft. Jacques appeared at the door of the compartment, and hurriedly said: 29 "We are trying to reach the main road and go north to Rivage. The trains behind have returned to Bovigny. We may be able to make it before their scouting parties can cross the country." The junction was reached, and the train continued to the north without stopping. Five miles north of the junction Ralph was the first to notice a peculiar moving dust cloud a mile or so distant east of the train. He called Pierre's attention to it. A turn in the road gave them a better view of the phenomenon. "That is a troop of cavalry," said Pierre, in excitement. Jacques burst in and cried: "The Germans are to head us off. I suppose you and I will have to make a run for it." "I am sorry for that," said Pierre, looking at the boys. "But you will be safe here. You are Americans, and they will not molest you." "If you go we will go, too," said Alfred. Pierre smiled and shook his head, as he replied: "They know we are Belgians, and will suspect we are going to join our regiments. If they capture us we will be sent to Germany. It is different with you. Insist on your right to go to Antwerp." The train had just passed a small village, Le Gleize, and was slowing down. That was a bad sign, and Jacques eagerly glanced toward Pierre. 30 30 "Now is the time," nodded Pierre, as he opened the door and glanced out. For a moment he stood on the running board and suddenly dropped to the side of the roadway, followed by Jacques. The boys watched them as they crossed the ditch and quickly entered a thick copse of brush. Not until they disappeared did the boys recover their shock. The train was now moving along scarcely faster than a walk. The place
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