VICTORY
Appalled by the fury in the face of Sergeant Bowers, the Germans
retreated along the wall, two to one as they were.
"Nail 'em, Timothy!" shouted Bowers to the marine who was nearest him.
Timothy grinned and pulled the trigger of his rifle again. The other
marines also poured a volley into the compact ranks of the foe. Three
Germans dropped.
"Good boy!" yelled Bowers. "At 'em again!"
With wild cries, the Germans broke and fled for the steps at the end of
the hall. Up these they climbed pell-mell.
"After 'em, men!" shouted Bowers. "I'll lick the man who lets one of 'em
get away!"
Up the steps after the Germans piled the marines.
At the top of the stairs, the Germans turned and poured a volley into
the marines. One man staggered, but recovered himself and went forward
again. At the end of the hall was a small ladder which led to the roof
of the building. Fear lent wings to the Germans, who shot up the ladder
with swiftness and dispatch. There was a loud bang as the trap door
above was dropped into place even as Bowers' head would have passed
through the opening. The result was that Bowers bumped his head against
the door.
"Drat 'em!" exclaimed the sergeant. "They've got clear. Well, we've got
to get 'em; that's all there is about that. Timothy, you and the others
hop out of here and head 'em off if they try to get down through the
house to the left. I'll stay here in case they come back this way."
"But----" began Timothy.
"You heard me, didn't you?" demanded Bowers angrily. "Who's the sergeant
here, I want to know, huh?"
"All right. It's your funeral," said Timothy with a shrug. "Come on,
fellows."
He led the way from the house.
Meanwhile, Hal and his men, who had entered the house to the right of
that in which Sergeant Bowers now stood guard alone, had encountered
stiff opposition within. They found the Germans outnumbered them
greatly, but Hal was not disposed to give up.
The Germans, of course, were not able to make sure of the number of the
Americans and for this reason they retreated upstairs when the front
door was knocked in. They fired at the first head to show itself in the
opening, but not a bullet struck home.
From the second floor, these Germans also climbed to the roof and closed
the trap-door, thus balking Hal and his men of their prey.
"They went up," said Hal. "They'll have to come down some time."
"They may pass on to the next house and go down that way, sir," one of
the men suggested.
"They'll find Sergeant Bowers there," replied Chester significantly.
"They may go the other way, sir."
"They can't," said Hal. "I noticed as we came in that there are only
three houses whose roofs are close enough to be jumped. The only danger
of our losing them is that they will pass the next house and descend in
the one at the end. You men get out of here quick and guard the end
house."
"You mean to stay here alone, sir?"
"Exactly," said Hal. "Now hurry."
"Guess I'll try it," he said at last.
The men waited no longer.
For some moments Hal stood quietly at the foot of the ladder debating
whether he should await the return of the Germans there or whether he
should risk a shot and open the trap door.
He mounted the ladder rapidly and cautiously pushed up the trap-door. A
strange sight met his eyes.
A dozen figures sprang from the farthest building to the one next to the
lad. Behind them came three or four American marines. Hal realized at
once that Sergeant Bowers had taken the same precautions he had to
prevent the escape of the enemy and had sent his men, or some of them,
into the far house.
The foremost German caught sight of Hal's head and with a cry stopped
short on the roof of the middle building.
"Down this way!" he cried, and lifted the trap-door of the building on
which he stood.
He leaped down. Others piled after him.
"Going to be quite a scrap there," muttered Hal. "Guess I'd better take
a hand."
With no thought of the risk he was running, he sprang to the roof and
dashed toward the enemy. From the last of the three houses, the marines
also advanced on the run.
At the foot of the ladder where he had stationed himself, Sergeant
Bowers was not caught unprepared when the trap-door was flung suddenly
open and the first German leaped down.
"Thought you'd be back," he muttered.
His fist shot out as the German reached the floor and the man dropped in
his tracks.
"One!" said the sergeant with a half smile. "Next!"
But the Germans came down the ladder so swiftly now that Sergeant Bowers
was smothered beneath them. In vain he struck out right and left. Two
men went down under his sledge-hammer blows, but the enemy arrived
faster than Bowers could dispose of them.
Directly the sergeant found himself at bay, fully a dozen Germans
circling about him with ugly gleams in their eyes.
It seemed that the foes had run short of ammunition; otherwise Bowers
must surely have perished where he stood before help could reach him.
But no shot was fired. Nevertheless, the Germans were armed with knives
and daggers, while Bowers had no weapons save his two great fists.
It was apparent, however, that the cowardly foes had a wholesome respect
for these fists. Each appeared afraid to close in--each waited for the
next man to strike the first blow. Sergeant Bowers stood with his back
to the wall and taunted them.
"Come on, you cowards!" he called. "Come in here and meet an American
marine!"
The Germans muttered angrily, but no man seemed anxious to be the first
to attack.
Still, it was plain to Sergeant Bowers that they must attack soon or be
caught like rats in a trap. The position where the sergeant stood at bay
had a certain advantage; for the Germans to reach the steps leading to
the floor below it would be necessary to pass within a few feet of him.
And Sergeant Bowers had decided with himself that he would never allow
the Germans to pass there while he remained alive.
The Germans now began to realize the need of haste; and this haste
became greater as a marine came sliding down the ladder from the roof.
With bellows of fury they sprang upon Sergeant Bowers and the new
arrival.
The sergeant and the private fought as best they could. They struck out
right and left with all their strength.
But gradually they felt themselves being pushed back. Bowers felt a
slight pain in his left forearm as a knife found its mark. A moment
later a shining blade grazed his forehead. With an angry bellow, the
sergeant sprang into the very midst of his foes.
It was at this moment that Hal reached the opening in the roof and came
scrambling down to the aid of the hard-pressed Americans below. From the
roof of the adjoining building, the other marines now streamed to join
the fight.
Realizing that the game was up in this direction, the Germans turned to
flee. Bowers and the first marine to come to his assistance had been
forced to give ground enough to permit the enemy the access of the
stairs leading to the ground floor.
Down these the Germans dashed madly, each man upbraiding the other for
blocking his progress. At the bottom of the stairs, they hurried toward
the broken front door.
Even as the first man would have stepped out, a figure in khaki appeared
in the doorway, a revolver in his hand.
It was Chester, who, now that the enemy had been driven from Chateau
Thierry, had come to make sure of the safety of Hal and his companions.
"Hah!" cried the foremost German, and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Hands up!" cried Chester in German.
Instead of obeying this command, however, the Germans inside turned
quickly and dashed into a room on the first floor. Quickly they locked
and barred the door before either Chester or the Americans descending
from above could halt them.
Chester stopped before this door. His eyes searched the steps at the end
of the hall down which the marines, headed by Bowers, now ran.
"Hal!" he cried.
"All right," came his chum's voice from above. "I'm here, but don't you
let those fellows get away."
"Not a chance," laughed Chester as Hal, Bowers and the others came up to
him. "They're in this room here, and I guess they'll stay there until
they get ready to surrender."
"But the windows?" suggested Sergeant Bowers.
"Guarded," replied Chester briefly. "By Jove, sergeant! You look like
you had been in a fight."
"So I have, sir," declared the sergeant grimly, "but if you'll bother to
go to the top of yonder steps you'll find half a dozen men who look a
whole lot worse than I do."
"I've no doubt of it, sergeant," laughed Chester. "But you'd better have
those wounds dressed."
"Not until we've rounded up the gang in there, sir," said Sergeant
Bowers, pointing.
"Well, that should be simple enough," declared Hal. "Break in the door,
men!"
Three marines laid their shoulders to the door and heaved lustily. There
was the sound of splintering wood, and the door flew open. The marines
dropped hastily to the floor, anticipating a volley of rifle bullets,
but no such volley came.
Instead, Hal and Chester, looking into the room, beheld an amusing
sight.
Facing the door, their hands high above their heads, their faces bearing
every appearance of the utmost terror, were twelve Germans, the sole
survivors of the enemy force that had defended the two houses now in the
possession of the marines.
Their faces blanched as Hal, Chester and Sergeant Bowers took a step
forward.
"Kamerad!" they cried. "Kamerad! Kamerad!"
It was the work of only a few minutes to make prisoners of these men,
after which, under guard, they were marched out and turned over to the
proper authorities.
The fighting in Chateau Thierry had ceased. The duel of big guns still
raged, but the American mastery of Chateau Thierry and the whole of
Belleau Woods no longer could be disputed.
It was 10 o'clock that night when Hal and Chester found themselves alone
in their temporary quarters in Chateau Thierry.
"Well, we went through 'em, old boy," said Hal quietly.
"Of course," said Chester. "And from this time we'll go through 'em
almost at will. And it was the Prussian Guard we licked. Think of that!
The pride of the German emperor--the best troops he boasted."
"Mark my words," said Hal, "while the fighting is by no means over, this
is the beginning of the end. We've met the best the enemy had to offer
and it wasn't good enough. They've lost thousands upon thousands. Their
morale is shattered at last. Oh, they'll probably fight on and on, but
from this time forward there can be no doubt of the ultimate result."
"Right." Chester agreed. "As our friend Bowers would say, 'They're
through!'"
And, as it developed, the lads were right. It was at Chateau Thierry
that American marines struck the blow that broke the backbone of German
resistance. However, there was to be more severe fighting and in it both
Hal and Chester were to play their parts. Their later adventures will be
found in a succeeding volume, entitled, "THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE GREAT
ADVANCE; OR, DRIVING THE FOE THROUGH FRANCE AND BELGIUM."
THE END
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_SAVE THE WRAPPER!_
If you have enjoyed reading about the adventures of the
new friends you have made in this book and would like to
read more clean, wholesome stories of their entertaining
experiences, turn to the book jacket--on the inside of
it, a comprehensive list of Burt's fine series of
carefully selected books for young people has been
placed for your convenience.
_Orders for these books, placed with your bookstore or
sent to the Publishers, will receive prompt attention._
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boy Allies
(Registered in the United States Patent Office)
With the Army
BY CLAIR W. HAYES
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
In this series we follow the fortunes of two American lads unable to
leave Europe after war is declared. They meet the soldiers of the
Allies, and decide to cast their lot with them. Their experiences and
escapes are many, and furnish plenty of good, healthy action that every
boy loves.
THE BOY ALLIES AT LIEGE; or, Through Lines of Steel.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE FIRING LINE; or, Twelve Days Battle Along
the Marne.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS; or, A Wild Dash Over the
Carpathians.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE TRENCHES; or, Midst Shot and Shell Along
the Aisne.
THE BOY ALLIES IN GREAT PERIL; or, With the Italian Army in the
Alps.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN; or, The Struggle to Save
a Nation.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE SOMME; or, Courage and Bravery Rewarded.
THE BOY ALLIES AT VERDUN; or, Saving France from the Enemy.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES; or, Leading the
American Troops to the Firing Line.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH HAIG IN FLANDERS; or, The Fighting
Canadians of Vimy Ridge.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH PERSHING IN FRANCE; or, Over the Top at
Chateau Thierry.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE GREAT ADVANCE; or, Driving the Enemy
Through France and Belgium.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH MARSHAL FOCH; or, The Closing Days of the
Great World War.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid
on receipt of price by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET
NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boy Allies
(Registered in the United States Patent Office)
With the Navy
BY ENSIGN ROBERT L. DRAKE
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
Price, 50 CENTS EACH
Postage 10c extra
Frank Chadwick and Jack Templeton, young American lads, meet each other
in an unusual way soon after the declaration of war. Circumstances place
them on board the British cruiser, "The Sylph," and from there on, they
share adventures with the sailors of the Allies. Ensign Robert L. Drake,
the author, is an experienced naval officer, and he describes admirably
the many exciting adventures of the two boys.
THE BOY ALLIES ON THE NORTH SEA PATROL; or, Striking the First
Blow at the German Fleet.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER TWO FLAGS; or, Sweeping the Enemy from the
Sea.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON; or, The Naval Raiders
of the Great War.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE TERROR OF THE SEA; or, The Last Shot of
Submarine D-16.
THE BOY ALLIES UNDER THE SEA; or, The Vanishing Submarine.
THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALTIC; or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid
the Czar.
THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND; or, The Greatest Naval Battle of
History.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH UNCLE SAM'S CRUISERS; or, Convoying the
American Army Across the Atlantic.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE SUBMARINE D-32; or, The Fall of the
Russian Empire.
THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE VICTORIOUS FLEETS; or, The Fall of the
German Navy.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid
on receipt of price by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23rd STREET
NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOY SCOUT SERIES
By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
A lively, interesting series of stories of travel, life in camp,
hunting, hiking, sports and adventure. No boy should miss these tales of
self-reliance, resourcefulness and courage, in which every enjoyment
known to scout activity is accurately depicted.
Attractively Bound in Cloth.
THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL
A speed boat race and an old sea captain give the Eagle Patrol a busy
summer.
THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE
Rob Blake and his friends among the cowboys and Indians in Arizona.
THE BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP
The Hampton Academy boys discover a plot to steal Government airplane
plans.
THE BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN CAMP
The Boy Scouts find a band of "Moonshiners," a lost cave and a hidden
fortune.
THE BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM
The trial trip of a new submarine, a strange derelict and a treasure
hunt.
THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
Hunting and exploring in the tangled forests of Panama.
THE BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO
Searching for General Villa in War-torn Mexico.
THE BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS
Between the lines in Belgium during the World War.
THE BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE
Raiding Uhlans, spies and air-raids in War-wrecked France.
THE BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
The adventures of four scouts at the Exposition in San Francisco.
THE BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS
The Boy Scouts' exciting experiences while searching for stolen
Government property.
THE BOY SCOUTS' CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS
The Eagle Patrol on duty in a Government munition plant.
For Sale by All Booksellers, or Sent Postpaid
on Receipt of Price by the Publishers
A. L. BURT COMPANY
114-120 EAST 23d STREET
NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Golden Boys Series
BY L. P. WYMAN, PH.D.
Dean of Pennsylvania Military College.
A new series of instructive copyright stories for boys of High School
Age.
Handsome Cloth Binding.
PRICE, 50 CENTS EACH
POSTAGE 10c EXTRA
THE GOLDEN BOYS AND THEIR NEW ELECTRIC CELL
THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE FORTRESS
THE GOLDEN BOYS IN THE MAINE WOODS
THE GOLDEN BOYS WITH THE LUMBER JACKS
THE GOLDEN BOYS RESCUED BY RADIO
THE GOLDEN BOYS ALONG THE RIVER ALLAGASH
THE GOLDEN BOYS AT THE HAUNTED CAMP
THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE RIVER DRIVE
THE GOLDEN BOYS SAVE THE CHAMBERLAIN DAM
THE GOLDEN BOYS ON THE TRAIL
For Sale by All Booksellers, or Sent Postpaid
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The Rex Kingdom Series
By GORDON BRADDOCK
A fine series of stories for boys of High School age, written in an
interesting and instructive style.
Rex Kingdon, the hero, a real, wide-awake boy, interested in outdoor
games, enters into the school sports with enthusiasm. A rattling good
baseball story holds the interest to the very end. Rex and his
Ridgewood friends establish a campfire in the North woods; there,
mystery, jealousy and rivalry enter to menace their safety, fire their
interest and finally cement their friendship.
Stories boys will want to read.
CLOTHBOUND. JACKETS IN COLORS.
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REX KINGDON OF RIDGEWOOD HIGH
REX KINGDON IN THE NORTH WOODS
REX KINGDON AT WALCOTT HALL
REX KINGDON BEHIND THE BAT
REX KINGDON ON STORM ISLAND
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The Ranger Boys Series
BY CLAUDE H. LA BELLE
A new series of copyright titles for Boys 12 to 16
years telling of the adventures of three boys with
the Forest Rangers in the state of Maine.
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THE RANGER BOYS TO THE RESCUE
THE RANGER BOYS FIND THE HERMIT
THE RANGER BOYS AND THE BORDER SMUGGLERS
THE RANGER BOYS OUTWIT THE TIMBER THIEVES
THE RANGER BOYS AND THEIR REWARD
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The Jack Lorimer Series
BY WINN STANDISH
For Boys 12 to 16 Years.
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CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of Millvale High.
Jack Lorimer is a fine example of the all-around American high-school
boys. His fondness for clean, honest sport of all kinds will strike a
chord of sympathy among athletic youths.
JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake.
There is a lively story woven in with the athletic achievements, which
are all right, since the book has been O. K'd. by Chadwick, the Nestor
of American Sporting journalism.
JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp.
It would be well not to put this book into a boy's hands until the
chores are finished, otherwise they might be neglected.
JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team.
On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling, and
tobogganing. There is a good deal of fun in this book and plenty of
action.
JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth.
Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable happenings into an
exciting freshman year at one of the leading Eastern colleges. The
book is typical of the American college boy's life, and there is a
lively story, interwoven with feats on the gridiron, hockey,
basketball and other clean honest sports for which Jack Lorimer
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