e was no pursuit.

"That was pretty close," said Chester.

"It was, indeed," replied Hal, "and there is one more of our men gone.
Was anyone wounded?" he asked, turning to the others.

"Shot in the shoulder, sir," replied a man named Brown.

"They got me in the arm," said another.

"Anyone else?" questioned Hal.

There was no reply, and Hal asked:

"Are you two men able to go on without assistance?"

"Yes," was the reply.

"Good! Then come on."

All night long the little party continued on their march, and it was
not until the first gray streak of dawn showed them, in the distance,
the first British line that the boys felt entirely safe.

Their report made, they were returning, later in the day, to their
quarters to seek a much needed rest, when a well known voice
exclaimed:

"Well, boys, how are you?"

The lads turned quickly about; then each gave a cry of delight and
grabbed the man who had accosted them by the hand.

"Captain Derevaux!" they exclaimed in a single voice.

"No," replied the gallant Frenchman, with a smile. "Major Derevaux, if
you please!"

CHAPTER IV.

THE GERMAN RETREAT BEGUN.

Hal and Chester stood for some minutes grasping their friend by the
hand.

"Major, eh," ejaculated Hal. "I'm glad to hear that!"

"So am I," declared Chester. "I am sure no one deserved promotion more
than you."

"Thanks," laughed the major.

"Tell us," said Hal, "what are you doing here? I thought you were with
the Southern army."

"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 l