s so far.
They'll wear themselves out by their own exertions. They lost a great
deal more heavily than we did to-day; but certainly it seemed as if
nothing could stop them."

There was little rest for Hal and Chester that night. It seemed to both
that they had hardly closed their eyes when they were again summoned to
General Petain. Assembled there they found the entire staff. The French
commander was reviewing the events of the day and issuing orders and
instructions rapidly. He realized that there would be more and probably
harder fighting on the next day and he was laying his plans
accordingly. Hal and Chester received their instructions for the morrow
along with the rest.

Returning to their own quarters again, they were attracted by the sound
of confusion a short distance away.

"Something up," said Chester. "Let's have a look."

Nothing loath, Hal followed his chum.

In the light of a large camp fire they made out a crowd of soldiers
gathered about in a large circle. Howls of amusement and hilarious
laughter rose on the air. Hal and Chester pushed closer and were able to
ascertain the cause of merriment.

In the center six French soldiers held a blanket and in the center of
this blanket was a man. He rose and fell as the six men alternately
released the blanket and then drew it taut again. He was yelling at the
top of his voice to be let alone and threatening dire vengeance on his
tormentors when he would be able to get at them. But he was laughing and
taking the joke good naturedly.

Hal and Chester joined the circle of spectators and derived as much
amusement as the others from the proceedings. At length, tiring of their
present victim, the men lowered him to the ground. One of them, a large,
strapping fellow, perhaps thirty years of age, cast his eye around the
circle of faces.

"Let's get another one," he shouted.

There was a chorus of assent from the others and all six set to looking
about for a victim who would not prove too willing. As Hal said to
Chester, apparently there was no fun tossing a man who took it good
naturedly.

At last the big fellow gave a howl of delight and dashed forward. Hal
gazed after him. As the big fellow bounded forward, a slight figure in
the first row turned and ran. But the big fellow overtook him and
dragged him back.

"Here's one, men," he cried. "See, he doesn't want to come with me. He
doesn't know what a good time he is going to have. We'll give him a
good o