The Boy Allies On the Firing Line | Page 8

was clearly no match for him. Nevertheless Chester
was giving a good account of himself.
Suddenly his sword was sent spinning from his hand, and as the
weapon came down the point struck a German soldier squarely in the
face. Chester's opponent sprang forward, his blade raised for a death
thrust. But even as he thrust Chester dodged and the sword passed
harmlessly over his head.
From his stooping position Chester seized the German officer by the
knees before he could recover his balance and aim another thrust at him,

and, with a quick heave, sent the officer spinning over his head. The
German hit the ground with a thud, and as he was about to pick himself
up an English trooper ended his fighting days with a thrust of his
bayonet.
Chester seized the officer's sword and sprang forward into the thick of
the conflict again. Side by side, Hal and Chester advanced with the
victorious British troops, striking, cutting and slashing their way
through the dense bodies of the enemy.
Suddenly Chester fell to the ground beneath the feet of the struggling
men. A descending rifle butt had struck him a glancing blow on the
head. Hal, engaged at that moment with another German officer, saw
his friend's plight, and jumped back.
With his sword he swept aside a German bayonet which at that instant
would have been buried in Chester's prostrate form, but as he did so a
heavy blow fell upon the lad's head and he was sent to his knees.
Above him, with poised bayonet, stood a German soldier.
Death stared him in the face and the boy realized it. It was impossible
for him to regain his feet in time to ward off the thrust. Quickly he
threw himself to one side, and as he did so the German toppled on top
of him, lifeless.
Hal scrambled to his feet and saw that the man who had thus saved his
life was none other than Lieutenant Harry Anderson.
"Just in time," said Hal briefly, and turned to where Chester was now
struggling to his feet; and as the battle raged fiercely about them,
unmindful of his own danger, he gave his entire attention to his friend.
Chester, shaking his head several times, announced that he was not
seriously hurt, and with Lieutenant Anderson by their side they again
plunged into the conflict.
But now the German retreat became more rapid. The enemy was unable
to stand under the fierce charge of the British and they were giving way

on all sides. The British pursued the foe rapidly and hundreds upon
hundreds of the enemy were cut down in their flight.
Unable to keep back the English and retreat orderly, the Germans broke
and fled. The retreat had become a rout. For some distance the British
pursued them, and then a halt was called.
The losses of the British troops had been extremely heavy, but not so
great as that of the enemy, who had suffered tremendously.
Now a thunderous roar broke out. The British artillery, unable to be
used while the hand to hand fighting was in progress, was in action
again, shelling the fleeing Germans.
The dead strewed the battlefield, and as Hal, Chester and Lieutenant
Anderson made their way toward the rear, they were forced to climb
over the dead and wounded, many with shattered limbs and maimed for
life. But the Red Cross was at work, and the wounded were being cared
for with the greatest possible haste and gentleness.
"That was some fight, if you ask me," said Hal to Chester, as they
continued their way to the part of the field where they could see
General French and his staff, Lieutenant Anderson having left them to
rejoin his own men, from whom he had become separated.
"It was all of that," replied Chester, "and I can't imagine how we
escaped with our lives."
"Nor I. It doesn't seem possible that anyone in the midst of such terrible
carnage could live, to say nothing of being only slightly wounded. By
the way, are you hurt much, Hal?"
"No; just a scratch on the face and a bump on the head. And you?"
"I was luckier than that, although a German did crack me with his rifle
butt."
"Look at the dead and wounded lying about," said Hal. "It is a terrible

thing--this modern warfare."
"It is, indeed," returned Chester, and the two continued on their way in
silence.
General French noticed their approach. The British commander was
standing as he had stood through the last part of the battle, exposed to
the fire of the enemy, calmly smoking a cigarette!

CHAPTER VI.
THE BRIDGE IS HELD.
At a sign from General French Hal and Chester approached and
saluted.
"Where have you been,