The Boy Allies at Verdun; Or, Saving France from the Enemy

following day, and therefore were unable to learn more than

en he returned, several hours later, Hal and Ch

des had driven the defenders back along practically the entire front. Here, with the coming of night, they had taken a brace with the a

had fled. The town had been swept by the great German guns until hardly one stone remained upon another. North of the city,

the approach on all sides; and now the German Prince had determined up

at battle. They bore despatches from General Petain and each bestrode a high-powered motorcycle, which the

paving the way for an infantry advance, which was to come a few hours later. It was risky business upon which the lads were bent, for the great s

and here, for the first time, Hal and Chester were

uld remain with him during the day, acting as members of his staff. He ordered Hal forward with instructions for t

ancing to the attack. The lad glanced around, and as he did so, a sharp order rang out and

ly. A passing officer said something unintelligible to the lad as he passed and pointed to the ground. Glancing down, the lad perceived a mask and then understood that the officer had meant for

d huge bombs that sent up dense vapors-the deadly gasses of the foe-but they caused little harm, for the French were protected. Now and then a man fel

hour to gain a foothold in the French lines they withdrew. But a second attack followed a f

te of repeated counter assaults by the French. Bravely the men charged, but they could make no impre

d to retreat toward t

tly upon the enemy, but the invaders r

imself almost in the first line. He was sadly disappointed, for he had f

nd Chester, returning from their first missions of the day, found themselves again near the front. The orders to the various French divisio

ited the wo

ch, still wearing their gas masks, hur

rms were fired point blank into the very faces of the foe and then t

roops. So close was the fighting that had it not been for the difference in un

ho was endeavoring to bring the lad to earth by fierce sweeping bl

evaded the blow. Before the German could recover himself, Hal moved quickly forward. There

t his head. The lad ducked and the ball passed harmlessly over his head. Before th

trooper who had sought to bring his rifle butt down on the lad's head and was

d as he did so Chester took advantage of his misfortune to strike with his sword. But the second German prot

ped flat on the ground and seized one of the man's legs. The German dropped his bayonet and crashed to the ground. Ch

the lad was at a disadvantage and the German grinned as he stepped forward to end the combat. His bayonet

both arms. He spun on his heel and then fell to the ground without an outcry. A stray bull

cely. All this time the French were gradually being forced back, and o

ts went home. Chester felt a sting in his left shoulder. The bayonet of a German trooper had pricked him slightly. Chester whirled about and sei

n the faces of the foe who pressed in about him. It struck one

t he wore impeded his progress somewhat, for it was strange to his head and felt uncomfortable.

German brought his rifle butt down upon the lad's sword and the weapon snapped off

stars flash through the air; then he threw up his arms

ter's gas helmet and the lad was a