"Is that so? Why isn't it?"
"Well, I don't know why," said Chester, "but it's a fact."
Hal was about to make a warm retort, but at that moment they came to the
entrance to General Rhodes' quarters.
"Here we are," said Chester. "I hope he has something worth while for
us to do."
"Same here," agreed Hal.
They went in.
*CHAPTER XI*
*A NEW MISSION*
"Sit down, gentlemen," said General Rhodes as Hal and Chester entered
his quarters. "I'll be ready for you in a moment."
The lads obeyed.
For perhaps half an hour they sat quietly while their commander gave
dozens of orders to others of his staff who appeared hurriedly every
moment or so and disappeared again just as hurriedly.
At last the room was cleared with the exception of General Rhodes, Hal,
Chester and the general's private orderly. General Rhodes motioned the
lads to approach.
"Before I ask if you are willing to undertake rather a dangerous
mission," he said, "I must explain a few points to you."
The lads stood at attention, but said nothing.
"As you know," said General Rhodes, "we are not more than a dozen miles
from Sedan, which is our immediate objective. To the north, General
Lejeune has advanced practically to within the same distance of the
town. When the time comes for the deciding blow, we plan to strike
simultaneously, General Duncan at the same time to hurl the
Eighty-second division upon the city from the north and west. Also, as
you know, a part of our division, under Colonel English, has wormed its
way to the east of the town and will strike from that direction. Do you
follow me?"
"Yes, sir," said Hal.
"Very well. Now an unforseen obstacle has arisen. The enemy,
apparently forseeing our plans, by a sudden counter attack has driven a
wedge between General Lejeune's division and my own. Telephone
communication has been cut. For more than twenty-four hours I have been
unable to get in touch with General Lejeune, and yet it is imperative if
the final attack is to be successful that I communicate with General
Lejeune."
"I understand, sir," said Chester. "You wish us to make an effort to
get through."
General Rhodes nodded.
"That is it exactly," he replied. "But I must tell you a little more.
The wedge driven by the enemy is less than a mile wide. If a man got
through, he should be able to carry word to General Lejeune and return
within six hours. Yet I have already dispatched three messengers and
none has returned."
"You mean that they have failed, sir?" asked Hal.
"So it would seem. In each case I emphasized the necessity of haste.
Had one of my previous messengers got through safely, he should have
reported to me ere this. I fear they have been either killed or fallen
into the hands of the enemy."
"In which event the enemy may have become familiar with your plans,
sir," said Chester.
"No," returned General Rhodes, "they carried no written dispatches. The
word that I sent to General Lejeune was verbal. Now my idea is this. If
you, Major Paine, and you, Major Crawford, are willing to volunteer for
this hazardous duty, I shall repeat the message to you. I have called
you both because the matter is urgent. One of you may get through where
the other fails. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly, sir," said Hal quietly, "and I am sure I speak for my friend
as well as myself when I say we are not only willing, but anxious, to
volunteer for the task."
"Indeed we are, sir," Chester agreed.
"Very well, then," said General Rhodes. "The message I would have you
carry to General Lejeune is this: Attack in full force at 6 o'clock on
the evening of November 6, which is day after tomorrow. I shall lay my
plans accordingly, going upon the supposition that one of you will get
the message through."
"We shall do the best we can, sir," said Hal quietly.
"And that is the best any man can do," said General Rhodes. "As I say,
I shall act upon the supposition that one of you will get through and I
shall attack at that time whether I hear from you again or not. If you
can, come back, but if you deem it more prudent, remain with General
Lejeune's division until after the battle. That is all, gentlemen."
Hal and Chester saluted and took their departure.
"Rather a ticklish piece of work, if you ask me," was Chester's comment
as they made their way back to their own quarters.
"Right you are," Hal agreed, "but the harder the job the more
satisfaction when you have accomplished it successfully."
"What would you suggest?" asked Chester. "Shall we keep on our own
uniforms or shall we disguise ourselves as Germans?"
"We'll keep our own," said Hal. "There is no use risking being caught
as a spy unless absolutely necessary. If we're captured in American
uniforms they'll make us prisoners of war. In German clothes, we would
probably be shot. I'm against the German uniform this trip."
"I guess you're right. Besides, according to General Rhodes, we shall
have to pass through less than half a mile of German territory. Now
I'll make another suggestion."
"What is it?"
"My idea is that it will be better if we do not go together. I'll start
an hour ahead of you, or you can start an hour ahead of me. We'll lay
out our route in advance so the one who goes last will know about how
far ahead the other should be. He might even be able to lend a helping
hand should whoever goes first get into trouble."
"Not a bad idea," Hal agreed. "Then I elect to go first."
Chester shrugged.
"Any way suits me," he said. "And when will you start?"
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Eight o'clock now," he said. "I'll start at nine."
"Then I shall start at ten," said Chester.
"Right," said Hal. "Now, as we have nothing to do in the meantime,
suppose we take a walk about the camp."
"I'm agreeable," said Chester. "Come on."
For perhaps an hour they strolled about, looking over the huge
encampment with critical eyes. Men slept on their arms that night, had
been sleeping on them for a week, for there was no telling at what hour
might come the order to advance.
Cavalry horses pawed the ground restlessly in that part of the field
where they were picketed. The troopers slept or sprawled on the hard
ground nearby. To the south were parked the American batteries, while
on all sides infantrymen were to be seen by the thousands.
Suddenly, from the direction of General Rhodes' quarters, came a loud
hurrah. It was taken up on all sides, and directly the camp became a
pandemonium.
"Wonder what's going on?" said Hal.
"Don't know," replied Chester. "We'll find out."
The lads hurried toward the general's quarters. Toward them came a crowd
of shouting men, throwing their hats in the air and cheering wildly.
Hal stopped one of them.
"What's all the excitement?" he asked.
"Haven't you heard the news, sir?" he asked.
"No," said Hal. "What is it?"
"A truce has been signed with Austria," replied the soldier. "Hurrah!"
"Hurrah indeed," said Hal fervently. "And have you heard the nature of
the truce?"
"Yes, sir. An armistice has been signed to become effective to-morrow
morning at 9 o'clock. The armistice extends for thirty days in which
time the allies will draw up terms of peace to be presented to Austria,
sir."
"That is good news indeed, my man," said Hal. "I am obliged to you."
The soldier saluted and rejoined his companions. Together they continued
their parade of the camp; spreading the glad tidings as they went from
place to place.
"So Stubbs was right after all," Hal mused.
"It seems so," said Chester, "but I wonder where he got his
information?"
"It's too deep for me," declared Hal, "but he got it all right. I hope
he lands his scoop, as he calls it."
"So do I. He deserves it."
Hal glanced at his watch.
"Well," he said, "you can stay here awhile and help the others
celebrate. I've work to do and it's time to be moving."
"Wish I were going with you," said Chester, "but I am convinced we have
agreed on the best plan."
Hal nodded.
"It seems best to me."
"Then I shall follow the directions we agreed upon," said Chester.
"I'll start in exactly an hour."
"And remember," said Hal, "that one of us must get through, no matter
what happens."
"Right," Chester agreed. "Should you get into trouble, I'll lend a
helping hand should I come across you and find that it is possible
without endangering my own chances of getting through. Otherwise, you
will have to shift for yourself."
"That's the spirit," declared Hal. "Help if you can without
compromising yourself, but always remember that one of us must get
through. Now I'm off."
He held out his hand, which Chester grasped warmly.
"I'm hoping nothing happens," said the latter quietly. "But you never
can tell. Good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Hal.
He gave Chester's hand a parting grip, turned on his heel and strode
away. Chester stood looking after him for some moments. Then he moved
on slowly.
"By Jove! I hope nothing happens to Hal," he muttered.
It seemed to Chester that the next hour would never pass, but at last
the hands of his watch showed 10 o'clock.
"Time to be moving," the lad told himself.
He produced his pair of revolvers and examined them carefully.
"All fine and dandy," he muttered. "Well, I guess there is no reason
for waiting longer."
He turned and strode off in the direction Hal had gone just a short hour
before.
*CHAPTER XII*
*HAL MEETS AN OBSTACLE*
Hal made rapid progress through the American lines. It was almost an
hour after he left Chester that he reached the most advanced American
outposts toward the north. He was challenged there, but after confiding
to the officer in charge of operations there that he was on a mission
for General Rhodes, he was allowed to pass.
The German lines, Hal learned, were perhaps two hundred yards ahead.
There the enemy had hurriedly dug a temporary line of shallow trenches
and settled down to hold them. It was Hal's business to get into and to
pass through them.
Fortunately, the night was very dark so the lad had no hesitancy in
stepping from the protection of the American lines. The officer in
command at that point walked with him as far as he felt prudent. To him
Hal confided the fact that Chester would be along presently, and the
officer volunteered to speed the latter's progress in any way he could.
"Good luck," he called, as Hal disappeared in the darkness.
Hal made no response, but moved slowly and silently off through the
night.
The first hundred yards he covered standing and without fear of
detection. It was so dark that he knew his presence in No Man's Land
would not be noticed unless the enemy chanced to turn one of their
powerful searchlights in that direction. In that event, too, the lad
knew it would make little difference whether he was standing or crawling
across the open.
After covering what he judged was a hundred yards, Hal dropped to his
hands and knees and proceeded more cautiously. Voices in the German
lines became audible now and Hal was perfectly well aware that a pair of
German eyes might discover him. However, there was no help for it. It
was his business to take such chances.
He wormed his way along slowly.
In this manner he came at last to the edge of the German trenches.
There he paused a moment, listening intently. He heard voices. They
seemed directly ahead of him. The lad crawled to his left. After
progressing in this manner for perhaps a hundred yards he paused and
listened again. He could still hear voices, but they were some distance
to his right. There was no sound directly ahead of him.
Silently the lad got to his feet. His head came just above the top of
the trench. He peered around quickly. Some distance to the right he
perceived a little knot of men apparently engaged in heated argument.
It was apparent that they were so busy with their dispute that they
would not notice the alien figure in their midst. To the lad's left,
too, perhaps fifty yards away, were half a dozen German soldiers. But
they were not looking in Hal's direction.
Slowly the lad drew himself to the top of the trench, then dropped
quietly inside. There he crouched for a moment, his hands on his
revolvers, ready to fight or run as occasion should demand.
But his presence was unnoticed and Hal drew a breath of relief.
"Safe for a minute, at least," he told himself.
But Hal knew that he could not hope to escape discovery long in this
exposed position. Besides, he had no time to spare. It was his
business to pass through the German Lines as quickly as possible.
Little light showed in the German trenches. Here and there a lantern
flickered as a sentinel passed along his post. Also candles, sheltered
from the breeze by improvised shades, showed where little groups of
Germans had gathered to chat before turning in for the night.
Hal perceived that his best hope of avoiding discovery lay straight
ahead, toward the center of the German camp. The enemy would be looking
for no enemies there. Besides, Hal's destination lay in that direction.
Leaving the shelter of the trench, he crawled forward. He stopped once
or twice and flattened himself into the ground, as footsteps approached.
But the footsteps turned off each time without coming close to him, and
Hal proceeded.
Tents had been pitched in improvised streets and Hal heard the sound of
deep snores from within. The German camp, except for sentries and some
few others, was asleep.
It was very dark. Hal rose to his feet and proceeded more swiftly. He
felt confident now that he would be able to pass through the camp
without discovery, but he realized that the hardest work cut out for him
would be to leave the German lines on the other side.
Nevertheless, it had to be done, so the lad pressed on.
Walking boldly along the little camp street, he at last passed beyond
the long row of tents. Not more than a hundred yards ahead now, he
knew, he would come upon more trenches thrown up as a protection to the
enemy against the forces of General Lejeune of the Second division.
Now the lad went more cautiously, and at last he came within view of the
trenches. Here and there a sentinel flitted by in the darkness. In the
trenches, Hal saw several groups of the enemy gathered in circles within
the glow of light cast by lanterns and candles. He approached very
cautiously.
The lad no longer stood erect. He was crawling on his hands and knees.
With each inch advanced he knew his danger increased; but he knew, too,
that every foot of ground he covered brought him that much closer to
success.
"I'll get through quietly if I can," he told himself, "but if I'm
discovered I'll make a run and a fight for it. Once in the darkness of
No Man's Land beyond I've as much chance of getting away as the boches
have of catching me."
The lad halted suddenly. Footsteps were coming toward him, and a moment
later Hal made out the figure of a German sentry approaching. The lad
squirmed quickly but silently to one side and the German passed without
seeing him.
"Close shave," the lad muttered to himself.
He moved forward again.
Other footsteps now approached and Hal made himself as small as possible
on the ground. Looking up, he perceived the figures of half a dozen men
only a few feet away. They were coming directly toward him. Hal
realized that if he didn't act promptly, he would probably be stepped
on.
He tried to squirm out of the way silently, but haste was too urgent for
extreme caution and the sound of the lad's body gliding over the ground
carried to the ears of the enemy.
"What's that?" demanded one of them, and all halted.
"What's what, Hans?" asked a second voice.
"I heard something moving there," said the man called Hans.
"And what of it?" demanded the second voice. "Probably a rat."
"Made too much noise for a rat," was the response. "Sounded more like a
man."
"Ha!" said another voice. "You talk as if you feared enemies right in
the heart of our own camp, Hans."
"Can't trust these Americans," was the reply. "They're not afraid of
anything. One of them is as likely to be here as any place else."
"Some truth in that, Hans," said another voice. "We'll have a look."
The Germans spread out fanwise and moved forward again. This was what
Hal had been afraid of, and he knew now that concealment was no longer
possible.
"I'll have to make a dash for it," he told himself grimly.
Still stooping, he produced his pair of automatics and paused, ready for
action as soon as he should be discovered. And as he had feared,
discovery was not long coming.
"Hello! What's that?" said a German voice.
"What's wh--" began a second voice.
Hal waited to hear no more. He knew he had been discovered, and he
decided to act before the Germans completely recovered from their
surprise.
Springing to his feet, the lad dashed forward with a cry.
"Out of my way!" he shouted in German.
For a moment it seemed that the Germans would obey this command, so
startled were they by its suddenness and Hal's appearance from out of
the ground, apparently.
But they recovered their wits in a moment and closed in on the lad with
guttural cries of anger.
Hal raised both revolvers.
"Crack! Crack!"
Two Germans reeled back and the others gave ground. Before they had
time to recover from this unexpected attack, Hal was among them. Twice
more his revolvers spoke. The targets were so close that a miss was
impossible and two more Germans crumpled up on the ground. The
remaining two skipped promptly out of harm's way.
Hal leaped for the trenches, revolvers still in hand. Once beyond the
enemy's lines he felt he would be comparatively safe.
But the sounds of the revolver shots had aroused the camp. Men streamed
forth from all directions.
Hal found his progress barred by a dozen men who seemed to appear from
out of the ground. The lad raised his revolvers again and emptied them
into his foes, then sprang in among them, his revolvers clubbed.
With both hands he laid about him lustily, the while endeavoring to push
through the enemy and reach the trench beyond. But the weight of
numbers was too great and directly Hal went to the ground under a blow
from a rifle butt.
He dragged himself to his feet and again mixed in with his foes. For a
moment it seemed that he might fight his way clear, so desperate were
his efforts. Reinforcements continued to arrive, however, and at last
the lad was overpowered.
Strong hands seized him from behind, rendering further struggling
futile. Hal relaxed his efforts and grew quiet.
"You've got me," he said quietly, "but I'd have got away if there hadn't
been half a hundred of you."
"Tie him up," said a German voice.
No sooner said than done. A moment later Hal's arms were bound
securely.
"Bring him up to the light," said another voice. "The colonel wants a
look at him."
Hal felt himself propelled toward the trench. There a lantern was thrust
in his face and a man attired as a German colonel of infantry surveyed
the lad.
"So we've caught you, you American pig!" he exclaimed.
"So it seems," returned Hal quietly. "What are you going to do with me?
That's the next question?"
"Brave man, aren't you," sneered the German. "Well, you won't be so
brave when I get through with you. Lieutenant Steinz!" he called.
"Now what's up, I wonder?" Hal muttered to himself.
*CHAPTER XIII*
*CHESTER TO THE RESCUE*
Chester, after leaving the American lines, proceeded with the same
caution that had characterized Hal's movements. He made no better time
creeping across No Man's Land than had Hal. However, he was just as
fortunate as his chum in penetrating the German trench. He reached them
an hour later than had Hal and for this reason he did not see as many
figures. Most of the enemy in the trenches facing the Americans on the
south had turned in for the night.
Chester's passage through the German camp was considerably quicker than
Hal had been able to proceed. Nearing the German outposts toward the
north, however, he found it necessary to advance with greater caution.
Suddenly he came to a stop and threw himself flat on the ground. A
short distance away he saw a faint light, cast by several lanterns, and
he heard German voices.
"They're not all asleep here, at all events," the lad told himself.
"I'll have to be careful."
He wormed his way toward the light and when he came close enough to
ascertain what was going on, he gave an exclamation of pure alarm.
"Great Scott! They've nabbed Hal," he muttered.
Unmindful of danger now, he crept forward more swiftly and at last drew
close enough to distinguish what was said.
"So you won't tell what you are doing here?" came a coarse voice in
German.
"I will not," was the reply in a voice that Chester recognized as Hal's.
"Then I'll have to find a way to loosen your tongue," said the German
voice. "Lieutenant Steinz, do your duty again."
Chester strained his eyes to see. He made out the form of a big man who
stepped toward a figure that Chester made out as Hal. The man's arm
drew back and flashed forth. Chester saw Hal stagger back, but the lad
made no outcry.
Chester's blood boiled.
"So that's the kind of men we have to deal with, eh?" he muttered.
"Well, I guess I'll have to take a hand in this game."
With Chester to think was to act. Nevertheless, he realized the need of
caution if he were to extricate Hal from his present difficulty.
"I'll have to be pretty careful," he told himself; "otherwise, they'll
snare me, too."
Chester's first impulse, of course, had been to dash forward, guns in
hand, and wreak what damage he could among his enemies. He thought
better of this, however, and continued to creep forward carefully and
silently.
"If he hits you again," he said, speaking to Hal but muttering the words
to himself, "it can't be helped; but we'll repay those blows with
interest."
Hal, standing erect before his captors, did not flinch as Lieutenant
Steinz drew back his arm for another blow. But his eyes flashed
dangerously.
"You'll be sorry for this, my friends," he said quietly.
"Threats, eh?" sneered the German. "You're in no position to threaten,
pig."
"Perhaps not," admitted Hal, "but just the same I am warning you."
There was something so menacing in the lad's voice, that for a moment
the German hesitated; but for a moment only, then he drew back his arm
and struck.
Once more Hal staggered under the blow, but he did not flinch.
The German raised his arm and would have struck again but for a sudden
interruption.
When Chester saw the German strike Hal a second time, it was more than
his blood could stand. He forgot, for the moment, his mission, that his
first duty was to pass beyond the German camp. He threw caution to the
winds.
With a wild cry he leaped to his feet and dashed forward, a revolver
levelled in each hand.
Startled, the Germans turned to face their new foe. One look at
Chester's angry features and they recoiled involuntarily.
At the same moment Chester fired--both weapons at once. Two of the
enemy toppled over in their tracks.
Now Hal had a quick mind. At Chester's first cry he knew what was up
and he grew instantly alert, ready to take advantage of the first
opportunity that presented itself.
The opportunity was not long coming.
Lieutenant Steinz, turning to get a view of Chester, for a moment left
Hal unguarded. In that instant Hal sprang. Both hands he locked about
the German's throat, and squeezed with all his strength. In vain the
Teuton squirmed, struck and kicked.
Suddenly Hal released his right hand and drove it into the man's face.
At the same moment his left hand shot out and seized the German's
revolver. Then he stepped quickly back, levelled the weapon and fired.
"Come on, Chester!" he shouted.
Chester needed no urging.
In a few quick strides he was at Hal's side.
"Let's get out of here," he cried. "It's getting too warm."
Together the lads dashed toward the trench.
A cry of alarm went up from the Germans behind.
"Shoot them!" cried a voice that Hal recognized as that of the German
colonel.
"Zig-zag, Chester!" cried Hal, and suited the action to the word.
Chester followed his chum's example and the first volley from behind
failed to find a mark.
By this time the lads were at the edge of the trench.
"Up and over with you, quick!" cried Chester.
Hal leaped to the top of the trench and toppled to the ground beyond
even as half a score of bullets sang across the spot where his head had
been a moment before.
Chester also sprang for the top of the trench. But he had leaped too
soon, and instead of reaching the top he fell short, and dropped down
inside the trench again.
Germans were almost upon him when he regained his feet.