an himself, was no boxer, and he had little doubt of the
outcome, for the lad was proficient in the use of his fists.

The Russian came forward with a rush. Hal sidestepped neatly, and the
huge fist passed by harmlessly. Hal sent a quick sharp blow to the
Russian's cheek, staggering him a bit. The latter turned and again
rushed at the lad.

Quite a crowd had now collected around the combatants and watched the
contest eagerly. As the Russian rushed at him this time, Hal struck up
the blow with his left forearm, and stepping in close planted his right
over his opponent's heart. The Russian staggered back, and at the same
time Hal sent a series of left and right jabs to his opponent's face.

But the Russian, recovering, bored in again, striking out wildly at the
lad. The latter gave a clever exhibition of footwork, and not a single
blow landed. At the same time he continued to tap the Russian lightly on
either side of the face.

Suddenly the Russian lowered his hands and stepped back.

"I quit," he said, smiling foolishly. "There is no use trying to hit a
man when he runs away all the time. Now with swords or pistols----"

"There will be no swords or pistols used while I am here to prevent it,"
exclaimed Alexis.

At that very instant the clear call of a bugle sounded in the Russian
trenches. Quickly all personal animosities were forgotten, and the men
sprang to their posts.

It was the signal for an advance.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE ATTACK.

The reconnoitering cavalry of the advancing forces gave way to groups of
infantry, scattered in loose formation, feeling their way toward the
German trenches. The points and small flanking parties of the advance
guards, in front of each column of advance, crept along with straining
eyes in search of the enemy's line of observation.

A few hundred yards to the rearward the supports advanced alertly, ready
to scatter into a thin line of skirmishers at the first shot and rush
ahead to where the points halted. In the rear of them the infantry
columns, with one rumble of artillery close to the front, moved and
halted, as the thin line to the front paused for a moment to scan ahead,
then pushed on again.

Out of the stillness of the dew-dripping woods in front, the shot came.
There was no reply for a moment, then two or three closer reports rang
loud in reply; then there came another pause, and as the hurrying
supports deployed and flung themselves behind the nearest cover,