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 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 pa.s.sed 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 b.u.t.t 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, sh.e.l.ling 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 b.u.mp on the head. And you?"

"I was luckier than that, although a German did crack me with his rifle b.u.t.t."

"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, sirs?" demanded the British commander.

Hal stepped forward and explained their absence.

"And you were in the midst of the charge?" questioned General French, when the lad concluded.

"Yes, sir!"

"And are not even badly wounded?"

"No, sir!"

"Wonderful!" exclaimed the general. Then, after a few moments'

silence: "You seem to bear charmed lives. I believe you are the two for my mission."

"Yes, sir!" exclaimed Hal eagerly.

"Both of you report to me in an hour," ordered General French.

The two lads saluted again and moved away.

"Wonder what he wants?" said Chester.

"Too deep for me," was Hal's reply.

"He said something about a mission. I guess that means more excitement for us."

"I guess you are right. However, I am sure we can go through with it, no matter what it may be."

"We can try, anyhow. That's the best anyone can do."