ugh, he raised his
hand for a halt. Quickly each man concealed himself behind the largest
tree he could find.

So far they had not been discovered.

Chester glanced quickly around. Everything was ready.

Drawing a bead upon the German soldier who was nearest, Chester at last
gave the command his men had been eagerly awaiting:

"Fire!"

The eleven British rifles cracked out as one, and as many of the enemy
toppled over, for the British, unseen, had approached so close that a
miss was practically an impossibility.

Immediately confusion reigned among the enemy. Taken completely by
surprise, as Chester had intended they should be, the Germans lost all
signs of formation. Before they could recover their scattered wits and
turn upon their new foes, or even seek new shelter, the British had
poured in a second volley.

But the German officers, displaying great skill and bravery, soon had
their men under control, and turned upon the little party of British
in the rear.

Chester perceived what was about to happen and cried out to his men:

"They are going to rush us! Pick 'em off as they come!"

The Germans, at a command, sprang forward, and the British fired full in
their faces.

The Germans reeled, and for a moment it seemed they would seek shelter
once more; but they rallied and came on.

But, as they came, a volley was poured into them from the rear. Hal's
men, on the opposite side of the road, had advanced quickly, and again
the Germans had been surprised.

Caught thus between two fires, and unable to tell the number of their
foe, the Germans were at a great disadvantage. Nevertheless, outnumbering
the British as they did, they fought bravely, jumping quickly behind the
nearest trees, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.

When Hal heard the first sounds of firing, and realized that Chester and
his men had come into position and opened on the enemy, he quickly
ordered his men forward. He himself stopped for a moment to seek out
Stubbs, for fear that the little American might be left behind and fall
into the hands of the enemy.

"Quick, Stubbs!" he cried. "Get up, man, and come on!"

Stubbs scrambled to his feet.

"Where are you going?" he demanded in some anxiety.

"After the Germans," replied Hal. "We are attacking them from two
sides. Come on!"

Stubbs drew back.

"We'll all be killed!" he exclaimed.

"Never mind that," said Hal impatiently. "Are you coming with me or are
you g