The Boy Allies On the Firing Line | Page 7

the results of these two commands were apparent.
As the German infantry advanced in the wake of their cavalry, the
British came to sudden life. Flame burst out from all along the center
and the Germans recoiled. Volley after volley was poured into the
wavering ranks of the enemy, and they turned to flee.
A supporting column was rushed hurriedly to their assistance, and as
they advanced the British artillery opened fire. Great holes were cut in
the advancing German line, but their advance was unchecked. From
their rear reinforcements were coming continually.
The fire of the British artillery and infantry was deadly. Men fell by the
hundreds, were mowed down like chaff before the wind by the
accuracy of the British fire. In the English ranks men also were
dropping on all sides, but the gaps were filled up immediately and the
British, singing and cheering, continued their advance.
The roar of battle could be heard for miles around, but the men engaged
in the conflict were unconscious of it. They had but one sense left--that
of sight--and their rifles continued to deal out death.
At length the German advance was checked, and then they began to fall
back.
There was a rousing cheer from the English, and the advance was more
rapid than before. The retreating Germans halted, turned to face the
English, made a last desperate stand, then fled in disorder.
But as the English broke into a run to pursue their advantage still closer,
they were met with a hail of bullets from a large force of the enemy's
infantry which at that moment advanced, in support of their comrades,
close enough to come into action.

The English reeled for a moment under this terrible fire, but they did
not waver. Support was hurried to them. It was time for prompt action.
General French took in the situation at a glance and gave a quick
command. A moment later the voices of the different officers rang out
along the British line:
"With the bayonet! Charge!"

CHAPTER V.
THE CHARGE.
For the smallest fraction of a second there was an awesome silence, and
then the British swept forward with a rush. Neither the bullets from the
thousands of rifles nor the steady fire from the great guns of the
German field batteries checked them.
The infantry covered the open space at a quick trot, and in almost less
time than it takes to tell, it was at hand grips with the enemy, who stood
braced to receive the shock of the charge.
The impact was terrific. The Germans stood gallantly to their work,
encouraged by the shouts of their officers, but they were no match for
the British troops in hand-to-hand fighting.
As the British closed upon them, the Germans poured in one fierce
volley; but they had no time for more. Down went Teutons and English
in struggling heaps, but the British poured over them and continued
their deadly work.
All along the line the Germans gave ground slowly, their enemies
pursuing them relentlessly and cutting them down as they retreated.
The engagement became a slaughter.
Now Hal and Chester found themselves in the midst of the battle, in the
fiercest of the fighting. Sent forward with orders, they found

themselves in the center of the sudden charge. Neither was minded to
turn back, but they managed to single each other out and soon were
fighting side by side. Blood streamed from a wound in Hal's cheek,
where a German bayonet had pricked him slightly. Chester was
unwounded.
Suddenly Hal found himself engaged with a German officer. With a
swift move he swept aside his opponent's blade and felled him to the
earth. At the same moment a tall German soldier, thinking to deprive
the lad of his weapon, brought his rifle down upon Hal's sword.
But the boy's grip was firm and the sword snapped off near the hilt.
Quickly Hal sprang forward, and before the German soldier could
recover himself, the lad cut him down with his broken sword. Then,
stooping, he picked up the sword which had fallen from the hands of
the German officer, and sprang to the aid of Chester, who was fiercely
engaged with two of the enemy, one an officer, the other a trooper.
One swift stroke of the boy's sword and the soldier was laid low. At the
same instant Chester's sword slipped through his opponent's guard and
the latter went to the ground, a deep wound in his side.
"Good work!" Chester found time to pant to Hal, and a second later
both lads were once more too busy for speech.
Now Chester found himself engaged with a foeman worthy of his steel.
The latter, a German lieutenant, was pressing the lad severely. At
sword play the lad