THE GERMAN RETREAT BEGUN.
Hal and Chester stood for some minutes grasping their friend by the
hand.
"Major, eh," ejaculated Hal. "I'm glad to hear that!"
"So am I," declared Chester. "I am sure no one deserved promotion more
than you."
"Thanks," laughed the major.
"Tell us," said Hal, "what are you doing here? I thought you were with
the Southern army."
"I am; but I carried dispatches to General French, and if I mistake
not, they are important ones. I believe that plans have been brought
to a head and that we shall take the offensive soon."
"Good!" cried Chester. "We have been retreating long enough."
"But," Hal protested, "we can hardly advance in the face of such odds;
we must have reinforcements."
"Well," said Major Derevaux, "strong reinforcements already are
arriving, and I believe that the advance will be general along our
whole line."
"That will mean severe fighting," said Chester.
"Indeed it will," replied the major. "It will mean fighting such as
the world has never heard of before. It will mean death for thousands
upon thousands. But the Germans must be pushed back."
"And the Kaiser will find that he is not to have things all his own
way," said Hal.
"Exactly," returned the major. "But I must leave you now, boys. I must
return to my own regiment at once. Good luck to you!"
"Good luck!" exclaimed the boys as the major turned on his heel and
strode rapidly away.
The two lads returned to their own quarters and gave themselves up to
rest. So completely were they worn out that it was dark when they
again opened their eyes; and they probably would not have done so then
had not the clear notes of a bugle awakened them.
Rushing into the open, the lads saw that on all sides the troops were
ready to move--whether forward or backward they could not tell as yet.
It was evident, however, that something was afoot.
Hal and Chester made their way to the side of General French and
joined the members of his staff. The gallant British commander was
sitting his horse quietly, his staff grouped about him. Occasionally
one went dashing away with some order, as the general gave a laconic
command.
The boys had hardly taken their places when General French said
quietly:
"Order a general advance!"
A moment later and the small though mighty host of Britain was in
motion, and a loud cheer rang out on the still night air as the troops
perceived that they were going forward--that the retreat had ended.
Swiftly and silently the army advanced. Ahead could be heard the
crack, crack of rifle fire, indicating that the outposts were engaged
with the enemy. Also, from the distance, could be heard the booming of
the great German guns, and as the English advanced still further men
began to fall before the deadly German artillery fire.
But the British did not falter; they plodded on as steadily as before.
Then, after two hours of rapid marching, came the sudden command to
halt. A moment later and a squadron of British cavalry came into view,
retreating before a large force of Germans.
Just in front of the infantry the cavalry halted, and turned their
faces toward the enemy. The advance of the British so far had not been
discovered; but as the pursuing Germans came into view, the command to
fire rang out.
There was a deafening crash as the British infantry hurled their
messengers of death into the compact ranks of the foe; and under this
deadly fire the British cavalry dashed forward. Before the Germans
could recover from their surprise the English horsemen were upon
them, striking, cutting, slashing.
It was deadly and terrible work and the English did not go unscathed.
But struggling thus, hand to hand, the Germans were no match for the
English. Now there came from behind the Germans a large force of
infantry on the run, and before these reinforcements the British
cavalry was forced to retire.
All this was happening right before the eyes of Hal and Chester, in
the very center of the British line. On the right and left the
engagement was of the same fierce kind, and the deafening crashes of
rifles and artillery on either side gave conclusive evidence that the
British were engaged with the enemy all along their entire front.
Still the German cavalry pursued the British cavalry in the center.
Then General French turned suddenly to Hal:
"Tell General Mayo to advance in force!" he commanded.
The general turned to Chester:
"Ask General Samson to bring his artillery into instant action!"
The two lads dashed away on their respective missions; and almost
immediately the results of these two commands were apparent.
As the German infantry advanced in the wake of their cavalry, the
British came to sudden life. Flame burst out from all along the
center and the Germans recoiled. Volley after volley was poured into
the wavering ranks of the enemy, and they turned to flee.
A supporting column was rushed hurriedly to their assistance, and as
they advanced the British artillery opened fire. Great holes were cut
in the advancing German line, but their advance was unchecked. From
their rear reinforcements were coming continually.
The fire of the British artillery and infantry was deadly. Men fell by
the hundreds, were mowed down like chaff before the wind by the
accuracy of the British fire. In the English ranks men also were
dropping on all sides, but the gaps were filled up immediately and the
British, singing and cheering, continued their advance.
The roar of battle could be heard for miles around, but the men
engaged in the conflict were unconscious of it. They had but one sense
left--that of sight--and their rifles continued to deal out death.
At length the German advance was checked, and then they began to fall
back.
There was a rousing cheer from the English, and the advance was more
rapid than before. The retreating Germans halted, turned to face the
English, made a last desperate stand, then fled in disorder.
But as the English broke into a run to pursue their advantage still
closer, they were met with a hail of bullets from a large force of the
enemy's infantry which at that moment advanced, in support of their
comrades, close enough to come into action.
The English reeled for a moment under this terrible fire, but they did
not waver. Support was hurried to them. It was time for prompt action.
General French took in the situation at a glance and gave a quick
command. A moment later the voices of the different officers rang out
along the British line:
"With the bayonet! Charge!"