"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 hors.e.m.e.n 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 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 a.s.sistance, 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 s.p.a.ce 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 p.r.i.c.ked 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.