ten o'clock
They were both nearly dead-beat , covered with mud from head to foot , and with their clothes torn half off their backs . It seemed a risky business to let themselves be seen anywhere in that condition , but finally Max chose a lonely farm-house , and , after cleaning himself up as much as possible , managed to make a purchase of a good supply of food . They then tramped on for another mile or two , ate a good meal , hid themselves in a dry ditch , and instantly dropped asleep . It was ten o'clock when they awoke , and after some discussion they decided to make the few miles between them and the border at once , and then to purchase cycles and press for home . This they did exactly as they planned , and , though often delayed and compelled to make wide detours to avoid bodies of German cavalry , they managed to reach Liége safely in the evening of the same day . The sights that met their gaze on the latter part of their journey made them doubly eager to get within the safety of the ring of forts surrounding Liége . Peasants were fleeing from the frontier villages , and their tales of what the Germans had done to their homes and dear ones made the blood of Max and his friend alternately freeze with horror and boil with rage .