The Boy Allies At Verdun | Page 9

the circle of spectators and derived as much amusement as the others from the proceedings. At length, tiring of their present victim, the men lowered him to the ground. One of them, a large, strapping fellow, perhaps thirty years of age, cast his eye around the circle of faces.
"Let's get another one," he shouted.
There was a chorus of assent from the others and all six set to looking about for a victim who would not prove too willing. As Hal said to Chester, apparently there was no fun tossing a man who took it good naturedly.
At last the big fellow gave a howl of delight and dashed forward. Hal gazed after him. As the big fellow bounded forward, a slight figure in the first row turned and ran. But the big fellow overtook him and dragged him back.
"Here's one, men," he cried. "See, he doesn't want to come with me. He doesn't know what a good time he is going to have. We'll give him a good one."
The others lent a hand and dragged the unwilling captive forward. As they would have put him on the blanket, the youngster--for such the captive proved to be--protested.
"Some other time, fellows," he said. "I'm sick to-night. I hadn't ought to be out at all, but I couldn't stay in the tent any longer. I'll let you toss me in the blanket some other time, but please let me alone to-night."
From where Hal and Chester stood it was plain to see that the boy was telling the truth. His face was deathly pale and he looked very ill.
"Great Scott," said Hal, "they shouldn't torment him. He is telling the truth."
"Certainly he is," Chester agreed. "I believe the boy is very ill."
But the young French boy's protest fell on unheeding ears.
With loud guffaws the men grabbed hold of the blanket and sent the captive spinning aloft. Two, three times he rose and fell, and upon the last was still in the blanket. Apparently the men who held the blanket had not noticed this, however, for they were preparing to toss him aloft again. But Hal had detected the lad's condition. He decided it was time for some one to interfere, and as no one else apparently was ready to call a halt on the proceeding, he determined to take a hand himself.
Quickly he shed his overcoat and then tossed off his jacket and passed them to Chester.
"Hold 'em!" he said, and sprang forward.
At the edge of the circle he halted and gazed at the big Frenchman, who had chanced to turn in his direction.
"Let the boy go," he said. "Can't you see that he is unconscious?"
The big Frenchman grinned at him. When Hal had taken off his coat, he had removed all signs of his rank and the soldier had no means of knowing he was an officer.
"One more toss," said the Frenchman.
Hal stepped close to him.
"The boy is unconscious," said the Frenchman, and added: "Then we'll take you."
He nodded to the others in signal that it was time to toss; but before he could move, Hal had seized him by the wrist and whirled him around.
"You heard me," the lad said quietly. "I meant what I said."
He gave the Frenchman's arm a quick twist and the man dropped his hold on the blanket. The Frenchman's hold on the blanket released, the lad upon it tumbled to the ground, where he lay still. Instantly several others bent over and gave their attention to bringing him to. The man whom Hal had confronted turned on him angrily.
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
"I told you to let the boy alone and I meant it," said Hal quietly.
For answer the Frenchman struck at him. Hal dodged the blow and stepped back. He would have avoided a fight if possible. But the Frenchman stepped after him and struck again. Again Hal dodged and the blow passed harmlessly over his head. The lad struck out quickly with his right and caught the Frenchman a hard blow upon the side of the neck. Big man though he was, the Frenchman toppled over. Hal walked back to where he had left Chester, donned his coat and the two moved away.
Behind them, as the big Frenchman staggered to his feet there was a howl of merriment. The Frenchman shook a fist angrily at Hal's back.


CHAPTER V
THE BLACK PEAS
The howling without continued when Hal and Chester reached their own quarters.
"Well, you've made another enemy, Hal," said Chester.
"Can't help that," was his chum's reply. "It had to be done. By the way, I wonder what's happened to Stubbs?"
"Oh, I guess he is spooking around some place. He'll turn up before long."
The lad was right. Hal and Chester had hardly composed themselves to sleep when the flap to the tent was lifted and Stubbs'