The Boy Allies At Verdun | Page 7

it might have been different. I would have had more time."
"We came as fast as we could, sir," said Chester.
"I've no doubt of that," said the general. "Your information is of great value, of course. I suppose you will return to Marseilles?"
"We had rather remain here a while, sir," said Hal.
"So," said the general. "It's fighting you want, eh? Well, I guess I can accommodate you. I probably shall need every man I can get hold of. I shall attach you to my staff temporarily. But tell me, who is this man here?" He pointed to Stubbs.
"War correspondent," replied Hal briefly.
"What?" roared the general, "and in my tent! I'll have him court martialed!"
Stubbs quailed visibly.
"A war correspondent, eh," continued the general, "and walking about within my lines as free as air. He may be a spy. I'll have him shot."
"Look here, general," said Stubbs, "I--"
"Silence!" thundered General Petain. He turned to Hal. "Your name, sir?"
"Paine, sir."
"A lieutenant, I see."
"Yes, sir."
General Petain turned to Chester.
"And your name?"
"Lieutenant Crawford, sir."
"Good. I'll turn this man over to you. You may do as you please with him. I see he is a friend of yours."
"Yes, sir," returned Hal. "He's a good friend of ours, sir. He's rendered us several valuable services. Also, sir, he is to be trusted. He will seek to send out no information which you desire suppressed."
"I never heard of one like that," said the general.
"He's the only one in captivity, sir. His name is Stubbs, sir, of the New York _Gazette_"
"His name will be Mudd, sir, if he doesn't conduct himself properly while within my lines," declared General Petain. "Take him with you. Find Lieutenant Maussapant and tell him to find quarters for you. Report to me at midnight. I probably shall have work for you."
The lads saluted and made their way from the tent. Stubbs followed them. Chester glanced at his watch.
"Great Scott!" he ejaculated. "I had no idea it was so late."
"How late?" asked Chester.
"Ten-thirty."
"Nor I," said Chester. "Where do you suppose we are going to find Maussapant?"
"You've got me. However, here comes a young officer; we'll ask him."
Hal did so.
"That is my name," was the young man's smiling response.
"Then we're in luck," said Hal. "General Petain requests that you find quarters for me."
"As it happens," said the young Frenchman, "two of my brother officers have been transferred and I can ask you to bunk with me."
"How about Stubbs?" asked Hal.
"Stubbs?"
"Yes; our friend here, a war correspondent."
"Oh, I guess we can find room for him. Come with me."
The three friends followed the young Frenchman and presently were installed in a large, comfortable tent.
"Turn in whenever you're ready," said the Frenchman.
"We must report to the general at midnight," was Hal's reply.
"What's up?"
"You've got me," said Hal. "Hope it's something good, though."
"Probably is, or he wouldn't want you at that hour."
"Well," said Stubbs at this point, "you boys can do what you please. I'm going to get a little sleep."
"All right," said Chester. "If we shouldn't be around in the morning, don't worry. We'll turn up sooner or later."
Stubbs nodded and made ready for bed.
At five minutes to twelve o'clock, Hal and Chester started for the headquarters of General Petain.
"Here's where we get busy again, old man," said Chester.


CHAPTER IV
THE BATTLE OPENS
For forty-eight hours the greatest of modern artillery duels had raged incessantly. German guns swept the French positions in all sections of the Verdun region. Fortresses protecting the approach to the city of Verdun had been shattered. The Germans had hurled two and three shells to each one by the French.
But after the first day the French had entrenched themselves behind their earth breastworks, hastily dug and thrown up, and now remained secure. Into these the German guns now poured their fire. The defenders were ready for the first attack by infantry, which it was realized would come soon.
And it came even sooner than was expected.
Hal, with a despatch for the officer in command of the first line troops just to the north of Verdun, was about to return when there came a sudden shout:
"Here they come!"
Hal turned quickly.
There, perhaps half a mile away, stretched out a long thin line, barely visible through the dense cloud of smoke that overhung the ground. Hal took in the situation, instantly. The German infantry was advancing to the charge under artillery support.
Behind the first long line stretched out a second and beyond that a third and a fourth and many more. They advanced slowly in the face of a rain of lead turned on them by the men in the trenches. Men fell to the right and to the left, Hal could see, but the gaps were filled instantly and the long lines pressed forward.
Now they were within three hundred yards and the heavy German guns became silent. The advance now must