e 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 space 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 pricked 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.

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