ments were rushed forward to aid the hard-pressed men in
the first line trenches. More Germans poured in. The struggling mass
surged backward and forward. Then the French broke and fled, and Hal
found himself among a panic-stricken mass of humanity, running for life
for the protection of the second line trenches. From behind, the
victorious Germans fell to their knees and poured a steady rifle fire
upon the vanquished. Over the heads of their fleeing countrymen the
second line French troops returned the fire.

Hastily the Germans fell to work throwing up earthworks facing the second
French line. Under experienced hands the breastworks sprang up as if by
magic. They entrenched calmly under the rifles of the French infantry and
the heavy guns of the French batteries, though men fell upon all hands.

Far away, but coming closer, the German batteries now opened fire on the
second French trenches, firing above the heads of the victorious German
infantry. The infantry action subsided. The duel of big guns was resumed.

Chester, who had been despatched by General Petain with orders, arrived
there to witness a scene similar to the one Hal had seen in the center.
The German assaults had been successful all along the line. The French
had lost their first line trenches on a front of approximately twelve
miles. Only at one or two isolated spots had the Germans met reverses;
and these few points that the French still held were doubly dangerous
now. They could not be given the proper support. Later in the day they
were abandoned.

Hal and Chester returned to their posts about the same time. Each was
sadly disappointed at the result of the first infantry fighting. For
several hours they were kept on the jump carrying despatches, and it was
after dark before they found themselves alone together after the
strenuous day.

"Pretty hard," said Hal, shaking his head sadly.

"I should say so," Chester agreed. "It seems to me that those fellows
could have been stopped."

"It doesn't to me," declared Hal. "The way they swept into our trenches
seemed to me beyond human power to stop. I'm glad they stopped when they
did. They probably could have gone farther."

"They'll try again to-morrow," said Chester positively.

"I'm afraid so," agreed Hal; "and if they do, I'm afraid they'll drive us
back again."

"And what's the reason?" demanded Chester.

Hal shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know," he said. "Of course they can only progres