Russians fell into rough line, knelt, and opened fire upon the routed
enemy, while the supporting batteries dashed to the trenches, unlimbered
and belched fire and iron into the fleeing mass.

The standards of the Russians, which had changed hands a dozen times,
during the course of the assault, were planted on the works; the troops
themselves, exhausted and spent by the might and fury of their efforts,
threw themselves into tired heaps as other brigades came up to hold the
position.

The trenches were won!

CHAPTER XX.

THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.

Hal, Chester and Alexis had been in the midst of the fray, where the
fighting was the thickest. Not in the first line of attack, they had
advanced with the first reserves. And beside them, snapping, biting and
snarling, strode Marquis.

Now the herculean prowess of the giant Cossack stood them all in good
stead. More than once Hal or Chester would have gone down, or been
trampled under foot by the troops behind, had not the quick eye of
Alexis signaled out their danger and his powerful arm come to their aid.
Guarding himself perfectly from the sword and bayonet thrusts of the
enemy, after the fighting became hand to hand, the Cossack fought like a
madman, as did others of his race, hurling himself upon his foes with
almost superhuman ferocity.

For the first time the two lads had the experience of digging trenches
as they advanced upon the enemy, and in spite of the fact that they were
officers, they did not shirk the work. Just before reaching the parapet,
the first line of reserves--to which the friends were attached--joined
the original first line and sprang into the trenches together.

There they fought with desperation. Not a word was exchanged between
them, although they fought side by side. There was no time for
conversation. The press was too thick, and death too near.

But now that the Germans had turned to flee, the Russians sent up a wild
cry of triumph. Hal, Chester and Alexis rested upon their weapons,
watching the troops pour a hail of lead into the flying foe. Marquis
advanced several paces ahead of the farthest Russian troops, stood up on
his hind legs and let out a bark of joy. Bullets flew around him, and
Chester, realizing the dog's danger, whistled sharply. Marquis turned
and wagged his tail at his friend, and opened his mouth in one more
joyful bark.

It was at that moment that a German bullet struck him. Without a sound
the noble animal