The Boy Allies in the Trenches | Page 7

their rifles pointing over their prostrate comrades, while
above them protruded the weapons of the third line, standing erect.
At a shouted word of command from Hal the British cavalry scattered,
and bore down on the enemy from three directions. Here and there a
rider dropped to the ground as a German bullet found its mark; but in
spite of these losses and the withering German fire, the rest dashed on.
Right up to the muzzles of the German rifles the British charged, and
leaning over their horses did terrible havoc among the enemy with
downward sweeps of their heavy swords. They rode their horses right
in among them, the hoofs of the chargers trampling the foe to death.
Some sprang to their feet and darted toward the rear, only to encounter
the British troopers who had ridden around behind them.
The engagement was short and decisive. Soon the majority of the
Germans lay dead upon the ground, and at a cry of "Surrender!" from
Chester, the rest now threw down their arms.
But the British had not escaped without great loss. Exposed to the fire
of the enemy as they had charged upon the solid triple line of rifles,
many had fallen. Less than half the original troop now remained, and of
these at least half were wounded, though none seriously.
During the fight the flames that had enveloped the barn had gained
great headway and were now raging fiercely. Hal looked quickly about
for some sign of the man whom he knew had been within. He believed
that the man must have come forth, when he was aware that assistance
was at hand, for he realized that to remain in the burning structure
would have probably meant death.
But in the troop he saw no sign of a stranger; nor had Chester nor any
of the men seen anyone leave the barn.

"Great Scott! He'll burn to death in there!" Hal cried.
"Well, why didn't the big chump come out?" said Chester.
"Maybe he was hit by a bullet and killed," said Hal.
"Yes; or perhaps he is wounded, and unable to drag himself out," said
Chester.
"By Jove!" said Hal. "I never thought of that!"
Quickly he unstrapped his sword belt and drew off his coat.
"What are you going to do?" cried Chester in alarm.
"I'm going in after him," replied Hal grimly.
"But you'll be killed!" expostulated Chester. "You couldn't live in that
seething mass of flame!"
"Nevertheless, I am going to try and bring him out," said Hal quietly.
He drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and quickly wetting it from
his canteen, tied it over his mouth and nose. Then, brushing aside the
protests of Chester and the men, he plunged through the door of the
burning building.
Inside he could dimly make out his surroundings. Quickly he scanned
the floor for a sight of the occupant, but saw no sign of him. Then, at
one side of the barn he made out a ladder, leading to a loft. He ran to it
quickly, and as quickly mounted it to the floor above. Once more he
turned his eyes upon the floor and peered about.
The heat was intense, and the lad now got his breath with difficulty, so
dense was the smoke. He likewise realized that the floor, already
blazing, must give way in a few moments, in which event he would be
buried in the fiery ruins.
Glancing quickly about he saw there was no window nor opening from

which he could jump. He must go out by the way he had come in.
Suddenly his eye lighted upon an object on the floor at the far end of
the barn. Quickly he ran toward it and stooped over. The object was a
figure of a man, lying upon his face, apparently unconscious. The lad
wasted no time in thought. Exerting his utmost strength, he succeeded
in hoisting the limp body across his shoulder.
Carrying his human burden he staggered to the ladder and began his
descent. It was slow work, for the lad was near exhaustion. He realized
that a slip would probably mean death, and in spite of the fact that he
realized the necessity for haste, descended slowly.
At last his feet touched the bottom, and turning toward the open door
he staggered on.
As he reached the open door the barn behind him collapsed with a
terrible crash; but before he lapsed into unconsciousness he saw the
face of the man he carried.
"Anderson!" he cried, and tumbled over in a dead faint.

CHAPTER IV.
CAPTAIN HARRY ANDERSON.
When Hal returned to consciousness he lay upon the hard ground and
Chester was bending over him. Shifting his position slightly the lad saw
what was left of his troop