The Boy Allies On the Firing Line | Page 6

"No," replied the gallant Frenchman, with a smile. "Major Derevaux, if
you please!"

CHAPTER IV.
THE GERMAN RETREAT BEGUN.
Hal and Chester stood for some minutes grasping their friend by the
hand.
"Major, eh," ejaculated Hal. "I'm glad to hear that!"
"So am I," declared Chester. "I am sure no one deserved promotion
more than you."
"Thanks," laughed the major.
"Tell us," said Hal, "what are you doing here? I thought you were with
the Southern army."
"I am; but I carried dispatches to General French, and if I mistake not,
they are important ones. I believe that plans have been brought to a
head and that we shall take the offensive soon."
"Good!" cried Chester. "We have been retreating long enough."
"But," Hal protested, "we can hardly advance in the face of such odds;
we must have reinforcements."
"Well," said Major Derevaux, "strong reinforcements already are
arriving, and I believe that the advance will be general along our whole
line."

"That will mean severe fighting," said Chester.
"Indeed it will," replied the major. "It will mean fighting such as the
world has never heard of before. It will mean death for thousands upon
thousands. But the Germans must be pushed back."
"And the Kaiser will find that he is not to have things all his own way,"
said Hal.
"Exactly," returned the major. "But I must leave you now, boys. I must
return to my own regiment at once. Good luck to you!"
"Good luck!" exclaimed the boys as the major turned on his heel and
strode rapidly away.
The two lads returned to their own quarters and gave themselves up to
rest. So completely were they worn out that it was dark when they
again opened their eyes; and they probably would not have done so
then had not the clear notes of a bugle awakened them.
Rushing into the open, the lads saw that on all sides the troops were
ready to move--whether forward or backward they could not tell as yet.
It was evident, however, that something was afoot.
Hal and Chester made their way to the side of General French and
joined the members of his staff. The gallant British commander was
sitting his horse quietly, his staff grouped about him. Occasionally one
went dashing away with some order, as the general gave a laconic
command.
The boys had hardly taken their places when General French said
quietly:
"Order a general advance!"
A moment later and the small though mighty host of Britain was in
motion, and a loud cheer rang out on the still night air as the troops
perceived that they were going forward--that the retreat had ended.

Swiftly and silently the army advanced. Ahead could be heard the crack,
crack of rifle fire, indicating that the outposts were engaged with the
enemy. Also, from the distance, could be heard the booming of the
great German guns, and as the English advanced still further men began
to fall before the deadly German artillery fire.
But the British did not falter; they plodded on as steadily as before.
Then, after two hours of rapid marching, came the sudden command to
halt. A moment later and a squadron of British cavalry came into view,
retreating before a large force of Germans.
Just in front of the infantry the cavalry halted, and turned their faces
toward the enemy. The advance of the British so far had not been
discovered; but as the pursuing Germans came into view, the command
to fire rang out.
There was a deafening crash as the British infantry hurled their
messengers of death into the compact ranks of the foe; and under this
deadly fire the British cavalry dashed forward. Before the Germans
could recover from their surprise the English horsemen were upon them,
striking, cutting, slashing.
It was deadly and terrible work and the English did not go unscathed.
But struggling thus, hand to hand, the Germans were no match for the
English. Now there came from behind the Germans a large force of
infantry on the run, and before these reinforcements the British cavalry
was forced to retire.
All this was happening right before the eyes of Hal and Chester, in the
very center of the British line. On the right and left the engagement was
of the same fierce kind, and the deafening crashes of rifles and artillery
on either side gave conclusive evidence that the British were engaged
with the enemy all along their entire front.
Still the German cavalry pursued the British cavalry in the center. Then
General French turned suddenly to Hal:
"Tell General Mayo to advance in force!" he commanded.

The general turned to Chester:
"Ask General Samson to bring his artillery into instant action!"
The two lads dashed away on their respective missions; and almost
immediately