81 81 "I wonder what they are stopping for?" A new order was given, and the command moved on to the west. In another instant two figures faintly appeared close to the stream, at a bend below them. They came on, directly toward them. The boys grasped each others hands. The figures were now only ten feet away, and the boys then saw that they were not enemies but friends. "Don't be afraid of us," said Ralph, rising. The men, thus suddenly arrested, started back, but quickly recovering inquired who they were. "We are trying to get to Antwerp," said Alfred, "if the Germans will let us." "Well, we are trying to get away from home, and they don't want us to do even that," said one of the men. "Were they after you?" inquired Alfred. "Yes, for the last hour." "Is that a road beyond?" asked Ralph. "That is the main road leading to Vise." "We should have struck the creek considerably south of the road," said Alfred. "It is fortunate that you did not reach it on the other side, because every foot of the road is patrolled. That is what caused us the trouble during the last hour,—trying to get across." "But we made a run for it at last, and that is what caused the rumpus. If they know we are on this side they will surely follow along the stream, so we had better move up toward the Meuse, as fast as possible." 82 82 One of the men now went ahead, the others following at a distance which enabled them to barely make out the advancing form. As they advanced the valley of the stream grew narrower and more rugged. The man with the boys turned to them and said: "We are now less than a half mile from the Meuse. The railway track ahead will be the most dangerous part of our journey."
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