THE DEATH OF A HERO.
For almost a week now the strong Liège fortresses had withstood the
fierce bombardment of the great German guns. Attack after attack had been
beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides. Time after time the German
cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire
of the Belgians.
But the forts had not gone unscathed. The heavy German guns had done
great damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had taken
shelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as to
whether the fort could withstand another assault.
General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind to
blow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy. Many prisoners had
been captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupying
every inch of available space. And now the next assault of the Germans
was at hand.
Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued. Under the
protection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to the
attack. Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many times
were they driven back, with fearful losses. With the fall of darkness
they had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm.
But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on the
morrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them. He
made his plans accordingly.
Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearest
fort, more than a mile away. Then he ordered all civilians to the safety
of the other fortifications.
His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands of
the enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them. He examined the
magazine and had everything in readiness. Then he ordered all his troops
to report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuse
to the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait.
Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable manner
had been left behind. Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utter
desolation of the place.
"Strange," muttered Hal. "Where has everyone gone?"
"You've got me," declared Chester, "but there must be someone around some
place. Let's go up to the general's quarters."
Now, when the soldiers and civilians had been ordered to leave the fort,
no one knew it was General Simon's intention of blowing it up. They
thought he was abandoning it because he believed it no longer capable of
resistance. But the commander had planned more deeply and heroically. He
did not intend the fort to fall into the hands of the enemy, that they
might repair it and turn its guns against his countrymen.
"A German flag shall never wave over this fort," he had muttered
to himself.
The general was sitting calmly at his desk, awaiting the end, when the
lads entered his room. He sprang to his feet with an exclamation.
"Leave the fort instantly!" he commanded. "Waste a moment and you are as
good as dead!"
Hal and Chester stared at him in surprise.
"I have fired the magazine, and the fort will be blown to pieces in a few
minutes," said the general hastily. "Fly for your lives!"
"But you, general?" demanded Hal, quietly.
"I? I shall die at my post! But go, instantly! You have not a
moment to lose!"
"We shall go when you do, general!" said Chester.
The old commander whipped a revolver from the table before him. He
leveled the weapon at Hal.
"If you do not go immediately, I shall fire!" he threatened.
Hal smiled.
"The result would be no different than that of the explosion," he said
quietly. "Come with us. We have still a chance of escape."
The general lowered his pistol.
"You are right," he said. "But here," a sudden thought having come to
him. "I have still a message for the Belgian people."
He sat down and wrote rapidly. Rising, he handed Hal a paper.
"See that this reaches the commander of Fort No. 5!" he ordered. "You
have my command! See that it is carried out! Go!"
"That is simply a ruse to get rid of us, general," said Chester.
The general whirled upon him.
"I am still the commander of this fort!" he cried. "Obey my command!"
The boys saluted the gallant old general for the last time; then they
turned on their heels and left him, alone.
Once out of his room, they ran for the outer wall of the fortification
with all speed; and they did not pause until they were far beyond the
fort. Still there was no explosion.
"Perhaps when General Simon finds something has gone wrong, he will
follow us," said Hal hopefully.
"He is a brave old man," replied Chester. "Let us hope he thinks better
of his decision while there is yet time."
But, hardly had the words left his mouth, when there was a terrific
roar, followed by a great flash of light. Turning, the boys saw the
fort leap into the air as though it were some live thing. High in the
air it burst and spread like a huge skyrocket; and then for miles
around there descended pieces of iron, great lumps of steel, like rain
from the heavens.
Great pieces of these fell on all sides of the boys, but, as though by a
miracle, they were unharmed.
Hal lifted his cap from his head, and looked for a long time toward the
spot where the great fort had stood.
"A brave soldier and a gallant gentleman!" he said finally. "May he rest
in peace!"
"Aye!" replied Chester softly. "He has given his life for his country!"
Slowly the boys resumed their walk to the other fortress. Great
excitement prevailed. The appalling loss of the great fort, and the
unaccountable absence of General Simon were causing great anxiety and
speculation. The general belief was that the fort had been destroyed by a
German shell.
In Fort No. 5 the boys made their way at once to the quarters of the
commander. They were admitted into his presence almost immediately.
Silently Hal handed him the last words written by the heroic general.
Gravely the commander glanced over the paper; then read aloud to the
members of his staff, who surrounded him:
"I regret I have but one life to give for my country!"
Every officer in the room rose and bared his head. There was silence for
some minutes; then the commander of the fort said quietly:
"Peace be with him! On the next roll call he shall be marked: 'Absent but
accounted for.' He is with the heroes!"