When
he gained the summit of the tableland which runs parallel with the
coast and the Langfuhr road, he paused for breath.
"When I crawl, crawl. When I run, run," he whispered again; and led
the way. He went up the bed of a stream, turning his back to the
coast, and at a certain point stopped and by a gesture of the hand
bade Desiree crouch down and wait till he returned. He came back
and signed to her to quit the bed of the stream and follow him.
When she came up to the tableland, she found that they were quite
close to a camp-fire. Through the low pines she could perceive the
dark outline of a house.
"Now run," whispered Barlasch, leading the way across an open space
which seemed to extend to the line of the horizon. Without looking
back, Desiree ran--her only thought was a sudden surprise that
Barlasch could move so quickly and silently.
When he gained the shelter of some trees, he threw himself down on
the snow, and Desiree coming up to him found him breathlessly
holding his sides and laughing aloud.
"We are through the lines," he gasped, "name of a dog, I was so
frightened. There they go--pam! pam! Buz . . z . . z . ."
And he imitated the singing buzz of the bullets humming through the
trees over their heads. For half a dozen shots were fired, while he
was yet speaking, from behind the camp-fires. There were no more,
however, and presently, having recovered his breath, Barlasch rose.
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