CHAPTER XIIHAL MEETS AN OBSTACLEHal 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 XIIICHESTER TO THE RESCUEChester, 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.Chester realized that a second leap was out of the question at the minute, so guns in hand he turned and faced his foes."Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"His automatics spoke angrily and all four bullets found human targets.Hal, meanwhile, safely over the trench, looked around for Chester. When he failed to see him he realized on the instant what had happened."What shall I do?" he asked himself. "Duty says to hurry to a place of safety, but friendship says help Chester."He wasted little time in thought.He scrambled back to the top of the earthen embankment and took in the sight about him.There Chester stood at bay, his automatics held in steady hands. Hal drew his own weapons."Jump up here quick, Chester!" he called. "I'll cover you.""Don't bother about me," Chester called back. "Get away from here. Remember you must get through. I'll hold 'em off.""Don't be a fool," shouted Hal, discharging his revolver at a big German who was about to shoot Chester down with his rifle. "Come up here."Chester paid no further heed to his chum.Hal gritted his teeth, dropped one revolver in his pocket, and reaching down grasped Chester by the shoulder."Come on," he called.Chester shook off his chum's hand."Let me alone." he shouted angrily. "I'll get a few of these boches before they down me."His revolvers spoke as he talked, and two Germans dropped.Meanwhile bullets were striking on all sides of the two lads, and it seemed a miracle that they were not touched.Hal considered the situation in a flash."There's one chance," he said.Deliberately he sheathed his other revolver, thus leaving himself unarmed in the face of his foes. Then, bracing himself as best he could on the embankment, he reached down and seized Chester by both shoulders.Putting forth all his strength, Hal heaved mightily, and drew his chum to the top of the embankment with him. There he released him and drew his revolvers again.Came a cry of rage from inside the trench as the Germans saw their prey about to escape. Two men dropped on their knees and sighted their rifles carefully.But before they could fire Hal had accounted for one and Chester for the other.Again a howl of rage went up from the German trench."Kill them! Kill them!" screamed the German colonel. "What a lot of dunderheads! Can't you shoot?"He seized a revolver from a young officer close by and dashed forward himself.Hal, in the act of tumbling from the embankment, smiled slightly and faced the colonel, unmindful of all other dangers."So you're the man responsible for those blows a moment ago, eh?" he muttered. "Well, you'll never do it again. Take that!"He sighted carefully and fired.The German colonel staggered in his onward rush, reeled crazily, threw up his arms, casting his revolver a dozen paces away, then fell to the ground."So much for you," Hal muttered. "You won't bully another American, I'll bet on that.""Come on," said Chester, who had stuck close to his chum all the time. "It's too warm here. Let's move.""Right. Suits me," said Hal quietly."Down we go, then," said Chester.He rolled rather than leaped to the ground on the outside of the trench. Hal did likewise.Both lads were slightly bruised by this method of descent, but they were not injured seriously. They scrambled to their feet."Now, let's see you run!" shouted Hal to Chester.They ran.CHAPTER XIVTHE CLOSING OF THE NETBullets flew thick and fast after the two lads as they clashed for the shelter of the American lines beyond. Fortunately, however, none touched them.The Germans, it appeared, were so bewildered by the suddenness of Chester's appearance, single-handed attack and the flight of the two chums that followed, that they forgot all about their searchlights, which would have made it possible for them to have picked off fugitives at will; or else they had no searchlights in that section of the field.Zig-zagging from right to left, the lads ran at top speed. For a time bullets whistled unpleasantly close, but soon they became few and far between.Hal slowed down. Chester followed his example."Whew!" said Chester. "Pretty close, but we're safe enough now, I guess.""By George! I hope so," declared Hal. "But there is just one job that I would have liked to complete before getting away from there.""What's that?" demanded Chester."I would like to have let a little lead into that big German lieutenant who battered me up with his fist.""Don't blame you," said Chester. "I'd like a shot at him myself.""Well," said Hal, "I left my mark on his throat, and that's some satisfaction. Also, I disposed of the colonel who was responsible, and there's more satisfaction there, too.""I saw you," replied Chester. "It was a neat shot.""Well," said Hal, "we've done something that a couple of other couriers sent out by General Rhodes failed to accomplish—we have passed through the German lines. The general's plans will not go wrong if we can help it.""Right," agreed Chester. "And I figure that the sooner we report to General Lejeune the better.""Correct as usual. But I don't know that I care to try and repeat the feat of getting through. Besides, we have General Rhodes' permission to stay here until after the big battle if we like.""And I vote that we stay," said Chester."Think I'll cast my own ballot that way," declared Hal. "We'll stick, unless something turns up to change our minds.""Now for the American lines, then," said Chester.They hurried on through the darkness and directly the dim outline of the American trenches loomed up ahead."Here we are," said Hal. "Now to get over."As they would have climbed up, however, the figure of a soldier appeared above them. He saw them instantly and levelling his rifle cried:"Halt! Who goes there?""Friends," said Hal briefly."Advance, friends, and be recognized," said the sentinel.Hal and Chester obeyed and the sentinel scanned them closely."You look all right," he growled at last, "but I'm not sure of you.""Do you think we'd be coming in here if we didn't belong?" demanded Chester."I don't know about that; but I can't see any good reason why you should be prowling around out in No Man's Land if you are not bent on mischief.""Don't be absurd, man," said Hal. "We come from General Rhodes with a message for General Lejeune.""A likely story," said the sentry. "How'd you get through the Germans?""Walking and running," said Chester. "But are you going to keep us standing here all night? I tell you we bear an important message from General Rhodes.""What'd you both come for?" the sentry wanted to know."That," said Chester, thoroughly exasperated, "is none of your business, my man! Will you call the sergeant of the guard, or shall I?""Oh, I'll call him," said the sentry, "but I'll tell you right now I don't think it will do you any good. Kindly step up here, will you?"Hal and Chester did so. Then, for the first time, the sentry saw that they were officers in the American army. He looked flabbergasted."I—I—I beg pardon, gentlemen," he said. "I didn't know you were officers. Why didn't you tell me?""You didn't give us a chance," said Hal shortly. "Kindly summon the sergeant of the guard."The sentry argued no longer. He raised his voice in a shout that brought the sergeant of the guard on the dead run."What's the matter with you, you bonehead?" demanded the sergeant as he came lumbering forward. "Want to arouse the whole camp?""It's all right, sergeant," said Hal. "He only did as ordered. We have come from General Rhodes with an important message for General Lejeune. Will you direct us to his quarters?"The sergeant saluted stiffly."Follow me, sirs," he said briefly.Five minutes walk brought the three to the headquarters of the commander of the Second American division. There the lads were accosted by a member of the general's staff, Colonel O'Shea."We desire to see the general at once on a very urgent matter," said Hal.Colonel O'Shea scowled."The general left orders that he was not to be disturbed unless upon a very important matter," he replied."But this is urgent," said Chester. "We are instructed by General Rhodes to deliver the message at once.""But how am I to know the matter is so urgent?" asked the colonel."Because I say so, sir," said Hal quietly. "I am not in the habit of lying, nor of having my word doubted.""Oh, is that so," said the colonel, though somewhat taken aback. "Well, I'm not sure the general will care to be disturbed. You may deliver your message, and then I shall consider whether your business is of such importance as to justify waking the general.""We were not instructed to deliver our message to you, sir," said Hal simply. "I have to request again that we be given immediate audience of General Lejeune."The colonel hesitated. Apparently he was on the point of refusing to arouse the general, but he thought better of it, shrugged his shoulders and turned away."One moment," he said brusquely.He returned a moment later, however, followed by a second figure, attired in a suit of pajamas and rubbing sleepy eyes."General Lejeune?" asked Hal."Yes," was the sharp reply. "What is it?""We bear a message from General Rhodes, sir," said Hal."Well, let's have it, let's have it," exclaimed the general. "I've got to get back to bed and get some sleep.""First, sir," said Hal, "I must explain that we came through the German lines where two or three other couriers lost their lives. General Rhodes wishes you to understand, sir, that the success of the campaign depends upon your acting in accordance with his message.""I have no doubt of it," said General Lejeune. "I have been unable, since the German wedge was driven between our forces, to get into communication with General Rhodes or other divisional commanders. I am isolated here, but at the same time I consider my position impregnable, so I am standing pat."Hal and Chester bowed in understanding of the general's explanation, and the commander of the Second division added:"Come, sirs, what is the message you bring?""General Rhodes' message, sir," said Hal, "is that he requests you to attack the enemy before Sedan in full force on the evening of November 6, the attack to begin precisely at 6 o'clock.""Very well," said General Lejeune, "and just what is at the bottom of this plan—what is to be gained by it?""That I do not know, sir," said Hal. "General Rhodes simply asked us to carry that message. He said that the success of the campaign against Sedan depended upon you doing your part.""Well, I'll do it, never fear," said General Lejeune. "I've got one of the best fighting units in France, and there's not a man in it who's not dead anxious to get another chance at the Huns. You may take back word to General Rhodes for me, that I shall act in accordance with his wishes.""If it is all the same to you, sir," said Chester with a slight smile, "we're not going back—not, at least, until the battle of Sedan is over.""How's that? How's that?" asked the general in some surprise."Why, sir," said Chester, "General Rhodes gave us permission to stay with you if we deemed it imprudent to try and pierce the enemy's lines again.""And you think it would be imprudent?" asked General Lejeune with a slight smile."In view of the trouble we had getting here, yes, sir," replied Chester."Very well, then," said the general, "you may remain with us. Colonel O'Shea, will you find quarters for these gentlemen? By the way, I did not catch your names.""Crawford, sir," said Chester."Paine, sir," said Hal."Very well," General Lejeune continued, "Colonel O'Shea, will you please see that Major Paine and Major Crawford are provided with suitable quarters? And will you both report to me at 8 o'clock in the morning, gentlemen? I may have need of you. The Second division is an hospitable unit, but you'll find that guests are required to work as well as home folks.""We shall be more than glad to do our parts, sir," said Hal."Very well. Now you have kept me out of bed long enough. I'll leave you both to the good graces of Colonel O'Shea, and if he doesn't find suitable quarters for you, you let me know and I'll have him court-martialed."With this, and a smile on his face, the good-natured commander took his leave."By George!" said Hal, as the lads followed Colonel O'Shea from the general's quarters, "he's the most lively commander I ever did see.""Full of 'pep' eh?" said Chester with a laugh."Yes," Hal agreed, "and I'll bet he's full of the same old 'pep' when it comes down to business."And Hal was right.CHAPTER XVTHE CAPTURE OF SEDANThe American advance against Sedan was in full blast. All night the fighting had raged. Promptly at 6 o'clock on the evening of November 6 General Lejeune had hurled the Second division forward in accordance with the plans outlined by General Rhodes of the Forty-second.Apparently the Germans had anticipated the attack, for they were braced to receive it when the first Yankee troops began to move. The enemy stood firm—and was continuing to stand firm almost twelve hours after the assault was launched.There was a slight chill in the early November air as it grew light. The air was filled with shrieking shells and shrapnel. Rifle and machine-gun fire rose even above the noise of the field and siege guns. Shrill whistles punctuated intervals of seeming silence as American officers gave orders to their men. In the midst of battle, whistles are depended upon mainly for signals—also there are signals given with the hands. The confusion is usually too great to permit verbal orders being understood.At the same time that General Lejeune attacked the enemy, General Rhodes, to the south, also had advanced. But the enemy was holding stubbornly in that section of the field also, and at 6 o'clock on the morning of November 7 the American forces had made only slight progress. However, they were still hammering hard at the German lines.With a gallantry not exceeded in the annals of the war, the Second division kept at its task. When one enemy machine-gun nest was captured, they found themselves targets for others, whose gunners, discovered, had withheld their fire until the moment when it would be the most effective.Another grand assault was ordered by General Lejeune.The Germans made a determined resistance. They put in fresh troops and subjected the American lines to a terrific artillery bombardment of high explosives and gas shells. Directly in the path of the advancing Americans was a large wood. Although the wood was not yet cleared of the enemy, the American line here was farther advanced. Many prisoners had been taken.A third attack resulted in the capture of still more prisoners and many machine-guns. In the meantime the Ninth infantry, on the right of that part of the field where Hal and Chester found themselves, had advanced its position to the northern edge of the Bois de la Jardin and was digging in to beat off a possible counter-attack. In fact, the entire Third brigade, assisted by a battalion of the Second engineers, was strengthening its lines as well as possible under heavy enemy machine-gun and artillery fire.The defensive part played by this brigade was very difficult. Its losses were heavy as a result of enemy shell fire and gas bombardments, to which the Third brigade could not at the moment reply. Its duty now was to hold its lines. Its present action was confined to a rifle and machine-gun duel with the enemy.To the south, the First brigade also was hotly engaged. It had advanced in the face of a terrible artillery and machine-gun fire until at hand grips with the foe. Then ensued one of the fiercest struggles of the war.As in other encounters, the Germans proved no match for the Yankees at hand-to-hand fighting. They resisted desperately, but gradually were driven back. The Americans, with wild cheers, pursued them closely.General Lejeune's center, composed of the Second brigade, with an additional battalion or two of artillery, also was meeting with greater success than the Third brigade, which, for the moment, had been checked.The advance was pushed with desperate energy, and the Germans could not hold their ground in the face of the withering American fire. The German center faltered, then broke.Taking advantage of this success, General Lejeune pushed Brigadier General Abernathy's Second division into the breach. Immediately, also, he ordered the First brigade forward in an effort to break through to the south, while orders were rushed to the hard-pressed Third brigade to make a final effort.The task of the Third brigade was easier now. Bereft of its supports, the German center was obliged to yield ground to the Third brigade or risk being cut off and surrounded.The Germans gave ground slowly.To the south, the First brigade also began to drive the foe more swiftly. It appeared for a moment that the Germans would suffer a rout. Under the direction of their officers, however, they braced perhaps half a mile farther back, and again showed a determined front.Trenches dug by the Americans were abandoned now as the Yankees poured forth in pursuit of the enemy. Not a man in the whole Second division who was not sure that the trenches would never be needed for defensive purposes. No one knew better the morale of the American troops than did the men themselves.Nevertheless, the advance slowed down in the face of the resistance being offered by the enemy. For a time it appeared that the fighting had reached a deadlock.The deciding touch to the battle was furnished by General Rhodes.Sweeping up from the south, the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh brigades of the Forty-second division bore off a trifle to the east and then turned north again, thus catching the enemy on the left flank.This maneuver, apparently, had not been anticipated by the enemy's general staff, for it took the Germans by surprise. True, they received warning in time to wheel machine-guns into position and to place big guns to rake the Americans as they dashed forward. But the warning had not been received in time to permit the general staff to alter its plan of defense, and for this reason proved the blow that broke the backbone of the enemy's resistance.The enemy, closely pressed by General Lejeune, had no time to make changes in his defensive plan necessitated by General Rhodes' sudden attack. Reinforcements could not be sent to check General Rhodes without weakening the front opposed to General Lejeune.General Schindler, after a hasty conference with his staff, ordered a retreat to the lines just before Sedan. The Germans fell back rapidly.Neither General Rhodes nor General Lejeune was content to rest with this advantage, but each decided to push on.During all this time, the enemy had been successful in keeping a wedge between the Second and Forty-second American divisions. General Schindler realized that if he hoped to extricate his men from the trap sprung by the Americans he must prevent a juncture of the Second and Forty-second at all hazards.Now, however, as the attack seemed on the verge of success, General Lejeune decided that the German wedge separating him from General Rhodes must be pierced.Accordingly, without permitting the advance to slacken elsewhere, he threw the First brigade against it.For perhaps fifteen minutes the fighting was fast and furious. In vain the Germans tried to stem the tide in khaki that rushed forward against them. General Schindler further weakened his center to rush reinforcements in order to retain the wedge intact.But it was no use. The Americans were not to be denied. They fought with the courage and desperation of lions. Little heed did they pay to the hail of machine-gun bullets that swept them as they advanced. Artillery and explosive shells failed to stop them. Rifle fire was no more effective.Suddenly from the German lines sallied a regiment of cavalry. The American infantry braced to receive the charge.At the same time Hal found himself before Colonel Taylor of the First brigade with dispatches from General Lejeune. He had just delivered them as the German cavalry sallied forth."Great Scott! What a chance to take!" the lad muttered under his breath. "The Germans must be licked. This move can be for no other purpose than to give infantry time to withdraw."The American infantry stood firm as the German cavalry hurled itself upon them. Not an inch of ground did they give. Horses and men fell in heaps. Other chargers reeled back, throwing their riders beneath their hoofs. At the same time the Yankee infantry poured in a hail of rifle fire.The Germans retired a pace, reformed and charged again. The result was the same. Not an inch did the Americans give, and the execution in the enemy's ranks was fearful to behold."I guess that will stop that," Hal told himself.He was right.When the enemy's cavalry withdrew a second time it did not reform for a third charge. Instead, it fell back upon its infantry and artillery supports, apparently fearing that the American infantry would pursue and annihilate it."I thought so," said Hal.In the meantime, the German retirement in other parts of the field had become more rapid. The lines before Sedan were abandoned gradually and at last there was nothing to keep the Americans from entering the city save the cannonading of the German artillery from far to the rear of the town.But although the bulk of the German army had retired safely to the east of Sedan, fortune had not been so kind to the two brigades which had formed the wedge between the Second and Forty-second American divisions.When General Lejeune's men had pushed back the cavalry attack, General Rhodes, to the south, had gained an inkling of what was going on. Accordingly he had ordered an attack upon the hard-pressed foes.Caught thus between two fires, the Germans tried first to hold their ground, and, finding this could not be done, to retreat orderly.But they had delayed too long.Three regiments of the First brigade of General Lejeune's division had been hurried forward to cut off a movement, and the Germans, when they found flight blocked, became disheartened. In spite of the fact that they outnumbered the little force between them and the bulk of their army, thousands of men threw down their arms and surrendered. This forced the others to follow suit or be annihilated.Less than two hours later, with German shells still falling among them, American troops entered Sedan.And the French population, virtual prisoners for many months, received them with wild acclaim. It was a joyous day for the citizens, indeed.
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.
Chester realized that a second leap was out of the question at the minute, so guns in hand he turned and faced his foes.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
His automatics spoke angrily and all four bullets found human targets.
Hal, meanwhile, safely over the trench, looked around for Chester. When he failed to see him he realized on the instant what had happened.
"What shall I do?" he asked himself. "Duty says to hurry to a place of safety, but friendship says help Chester."
He wasted little time in thought.
He scrambled back to the top of the earthen embankment and took in the sight about him.
There Chester stood at bay, his automatics held in steady hands. Hal drew his own weapons.
"Jump up here quick, Chester!" he called. "I'll cover you."
"Don't bother about me," Chester called back. "Get away from here. Remember you must get through. I'll hold 'em off."
"Don't be a fool," shouted Hal, discharging his revolver at a big German who was about to shoot Chester down with his rifle. "Come up here."
Chester paid no further heed to his chum.
Hal gritted his teeth, dropped one revolver in his pocket, and reaching down grasped Chester by the shoulder.
"Come on," he called.
Chester shook off his chum's hand.
"Let me alone." he shouted angrily. "I'll get a few of these boches before they down me."
His revolvers spoke as he talked, and two Germans dropped.
Meanwhile bullets were striking on all sides of the two lads, and it seemed a miracle that they were not touched.
Hal considered the situation in a flash.
"There's one chance," he said.
Deliberately he sheathed his other revolver, thus leaving himself unarmed in the face of his foes. Then, bracing himself as best he could on the embankment, he reached down and seized Chester by both shoulders.
Putting forth all his strength, Hal heaved mightily, and drew his chum to the top of the embankment with him. There he released him and drew his revolvers again.
Came a cry of rage from inside the trench as the Germans saw their prey about to escape. Two men dropped on their knees and sighted their rifles carefully.
But before they could fire Hal had accounted for one and Chester for the other.
Again a howl of rage went up from the German trench.
"Kill them! Kill them!" screamed the German colonel. "What a lot of dunderheads! Can't you shoot?"
He seized a revolver from a young officer close by and dashed forward himself.
Hal, in the act of tumbling from the embankment, smiled slightly and faced the colonel, unmindful of all other dangers.
"So you're the man responsible for those blows a moment ago, eh?" he muttered. "Well, you'll never do it again. Take that!"
He sighted carefully and fired.
The German colonel staggered in his onward rush, reeled crazily, threw up his arms, casting his revolver a dozen paces away, then fell to the ground.
"So much for you," Hal muttered. "You won't bully another American, I'll bet on that."
"Come on," said Chester, who had stuck close to his chum all the time. "It's too warm here. Let's move."
"Right. Suits me," said Hal quietly.
"Down we go, then," said Chester.
He rolled rather than leaped to the ground on the outside of the trench. Hal did likewise.
Both lads were slightly bruised by this method of descent, but they were not injured seriously. They scrambled to their feet.
"Now, let's see you run!" shouted Hal to Chester.
They ran.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CLOSING OF THE NET
Bullets flew thick and fast after the two lads as they clashed for the shelter of the American lines beyond. Fortunately, however, none touched them.
The Germans, it appeared, were so bewildered by the suddenness of Chester's appearance, single-handed attack and the flight of the two chums that followed, that they forgot all about their searchlights, which would have made it possible for them to have picked off fugitives at will; or else they had no searchlights in that section of the field.
Zig-zagging from right to left, the lads ran at top speed. For a time bullets whistled unpleasantly close, but soon they became few and far between.
Hal slowed down. Chester followed his example.
"Whew!" said Chester. "Pretty close, but we're safe enough now, I guess."
"By George! I hope so," declared Hal. "But there is just one job that I would have liked to complete before getting away from there."
"What's that?" demanded Chester.
"I would like to have let a little lead into that big German lieutenant who battered me up with his fist."
"Don't blame you," said Chester. "I'd like a shot at him myself."
"Well," said Hal, "I left my mark on his throat, and that's some satisfaction. Also, I disposed of the colonel who was responsible, and there's more satisfaction there, too."
"I saw you," replied Chester. "It was a neat shot."
"Well," said Hal, "we've done something that a couple of other couriers sent out by General Rhodes failed to accomplish—we have passed through the German lines. The general's plans will not go wrong if we can help it."
"Right," agreed Chester. "And I figure that the sooner we report to General Lejeune the better."
"Correct as usual. But I don't know that I care to try and repeat the feat of getting through. Besides, we have General Rhodes' permission to stay here until after the big battle if we like."
"And I vote that we stay," said Chester.
"Think I'll cast my own ballot that way," declared Hal. "We'll stick, unless something turns up to change our minds."
"Now for the American lines, then," said Chester.
They hurried on through the darkness and directly the dim outline of the American trenches loomed up ahead.
"Here we are," said Hal. "Now to get over."
As they would have climbed up, however, the figure of a soldier appeared above them. He saw them instantly and levelling his rifle cried:
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"Friends," said Hal briefly.
"Advance, friends, and be recognized," said the sentinel.
Hal and Chester obeyed and the sentinel scanned them closely.
"You look all right," he growled at last, "but I'm not sure of you."
"Do you think we'd be coming in here if we didn't belong?" demanded Chester.
"I don't know about that; but I can't see any good reason why you should be prowling around out in No Man's Land if you are not bent on mischief."
"Don't be absurd, man," said Hal. "We come from General Rhodes with a message for General Lejeune."
"A likely story," said the sentry. "How'd you get through the Germans?"
"Walking and running," said Chester. "But are you going to keep us standing here all night? I tell you we bear an important message from General Rhodes."
"What'd you both come for?" the sentry wanted to know.
"That," said Chester, thoroughly exasperated, "is none of your business, my man! Will you call the sergeant of the guard, or shall I?"
"Oh, I'll call him," said the sentry, "but I'll tell you right now I don't think it will do you any good. Kindly step up here, will you?"
Hal and Chester did so. Then, for the first time, the sentry saw that they were officers in the American army. He looked flabbergasted.
"I—I—I beg pardon, gentlemen," he said. "I didn't know you were officers. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't give us a chance," said Hal shortly. "Kindly summon the sergeant of the guard."
The sentry argued no longer. He raised his voice in a shout that brought the sergeant of the guard on the dead run.
"What's the matter with you, you bonehead?" demanded the sergeant as he came lumbering forward. "Want to arouse the whole camp?"
"It's all right, sergeant," said Hal. "He only did as ordered. We have come from General Rhodes with an important message for General Lejeune. Will you direct us to his quarters?"
The sergeant saluted stiffly.
"Follow me, sirs," he said briefly.
Five minutes walk brought the three to the headquarters of the commander of the Second American division. There the lads were accosted by a member of the general's staff, Colonel O'Shea.
"We desire to see the general at once on a very urgent matter," said Hal.
Colonel O'Shea scowled.
"The general left orders that he was not to be disturbed unless upon a very important matter," he replied.
"But this is urgent," said Chester. "We are instructed by General Rhodes to deliver the message at once."
"But how am I to know the matter is so urgent?" asked the colonel.
"Because I say so, sir," said Hal quietly. "I am not in the habit of lying, nor of having my word doubted."
"Oh, is that so," said the colonel, though somewhat taken aback. "Well, I'm not sure the general will care to be disturbed. You may deliver your message, and then I shall consider whether your business is of such importance as to justify waking the general."
"We were not instructed to deliver our message to you, sir," said Hal simply. "I have to request again that we be given immediate audience of General Lejeune."
The colonel hesitated. Apparently he was on the point of refusing to arouse the general, but he thought better of it, shrugged his shoulders and turned away.
"One moment," he said brusquely.
He returned a moment later, however, followed by a second figure, attired in a suit of pajamas and rubbing sleepy eyes.
"General Lejeune?" asked Hal.
"Yes," was the sharp reply. "What is it?"
"We bear a message from General Rhodes, sir," said Hal.
"Well, let's have it, let's have it," exclaimed the general. "I've got to get back to bed and get some sleep."
"First, sir," said Hal, "I must explain that we came through the German lines where two or three other couriers lost their lives. General Rhodes wishes you to understand, sir, that the success of the campaign depends upon your acting in accordance with his message."
"I have no doubt of it," said General Lejeune. "I have been unable, since the German wedge was driven between our forces, to get into communication with General Rhodes or other divisional commanders. I am isolated here, but at the same time I consider my position impregnable, so I am standing pat."
Hal and Chester bowed in understanding of the general's explanation, and the commander of the Second division added:
"Come, sirs, what is the message you bring?"
"General Rhodes' message, sir," said Hal, "is that he requests you to attack the enemy before Sedan in full force on the evening of November 6, the attack to begin precisely at 6 o'clock."
"Very well," said General Lejeune, "and just what is at the bottom of this plan—what is to be gained by it?"
"That I do not know, sir," said Hal. "General Rhodes simply asked us to carry that message. He said that the success of the campaign against Sedan depended upon you doing your part."
"Well, I'll do it, never fear," said General Lejeune. "I've got one of the best fighting units in France, and there's not a man in it who's not dead anxious to get another chance at the Huns. You may take back word to General Rhodes for me, that I shall act in accordance with his wishes."
"If it is all the same to you, sir," said Chester with a slight smile, "we're not going back—not, at least, until the battle of Sedan is over."
"How's that? How's that?" asked the general in some surprise.
"Why, sir," said Chester, "General Rhodes gave us permission to stay with you if we deemed it imprudent to try and pierce the enemy's lines again."
"And you think it would be imprudent?" asked General Lejeune with a slight smile.
"In view of the trouble we had getting here, yes, sir," replied Chester.
"Very well, then," said the general, "you may remain with us. Colonel O'Shea, will you find quarters for these gentlemen? By the way, I did not catch your names."
"Crawford, sir," said Chester.
"Paine, sir," said Hal.
"Very well," General Lejeune continued, "Colonel O'Shea, will you please see that Major Paine and Major Crawford are provided with suitable quarters? And will you both report to me at 8 o'clock in the morning, gentlemen? I may have need of you. The Second division is an hospitable unit, but you'll find that guests are required to work as well as home folks."
"We shall be more than glad to do our parts, sir," said Hal.
"Very well. Now you have kept me out of bed long enough. I'll leave you both to the good graces of Colonel O'Shea, and if he doesn't find suitable quarters for you, you let me know and I'll have him court-martialed."
With this, and a smile on his face, the good-natured commander took his leave.
"By George!" said Hal, as the lads followed Colonel O'Shea from the general's quarters, "he's the most lively commander I ever did see."
"Full of 'pep' eh?" said Chester with a laugh.
"Yes," Hal agreed, "and I'll bet he's full of the same old 'pep' when it comes down to business."
And Hal was right.
CHAPTER XV
THE CAPTURE OF SEDAN
The American advance against Sedan was in full blast. All night the fighting had raged. Promptly at 6 o'clock on the evening of November 6 General Lejeune had hurled the Second division forward in accordance with the plans outlined by General Rhodes of the Forty-second.
Apparently the Germans had anticipated the attack, for they were braced to receive it when the first Yankee troops began to move. The enemy stood firm—and was continuing to stand firm almost twelve hours after the assault was launched.
There was a slight chill in the early November air as it grew light. The air was filled with shrieking shells and shrapnel. Rifle and machine-gun fire rose even above the noise of the field and siege guns. Shrill whistles punctuated intervals of seeming silence as American officers gave orders to their men. In the midst of battle, whistles are depended upon mainly for signals—also there are signals given with the hands. The confusion is usually too great to permit verbal orders being understood.
At the same time that General Lejeune attacked the enemy, General Rhodes, to the south, also had advanced. But the enemy was holding stubbornly in that section of the field also, and at 6 o'clock on the morning of November 7 the American forces had made only slight progress. However, they were still hammering hard at the German lines.
With a gallantry not exceeded in the annals of the war, the Second division kept at its task. When one enemy machine-gun nest was captured, they found themselves targets for others, whose gunners, discovered, had withheld their fire until the moment when it would be the most effective.
Another grand assault was ordered by General Lejeune.
The Germans made a determined resistance. They put in fresh troops and subjected the American lines to a terrific artillery bombardment of high explosives and gas shells. Directly in the path of the advancing Americans was a large wood. Although the wood was not yet cleared of the enemy, the American line here was farther advanced. Many prisoners had been taken.
A third attack resulted in the capture of still more prisoners and many machine-guns. In the meantime the Ninth infantry, on the right of that part of the field where Hal and Chester found themselves, had advanced its position to the northern edge of the Bois de la Jardin and was digging in to beat off a possible counter-attack. In fact, the entire Third brigade, assisted by a battalion of the Second engineers, was strengthening its lines as well as possible under heavy enemy machine-gun and artillery fire.
The defensive part played by this brigade was very difficult. Its losses were heavy as a result of enemy shell fire and gas bombardments, to which the Third brigade could not at the moment reply. Its duty now was to hold its lines. Its present action was confined to a rifle and machine-gun duel with the enemy.
To the south, the First brigade also was hotly engaged. It had advanced in the face of a terrible artillery and machine-gun fire until at hand grips with the foe. Then ensued one of the fiercest struggles of the war.
As in other encounters, the Germans proved no match for the Yankees at hand-to-hand fighting. They resisted desperately, but gradually were driven back. The Americans, with wild cheers, pursued them closely.
General Lejeune's center, composed of the Second brigade, with an additional battalion or two of artillery, also was meeting with greater success than the Third brigade, which, for the moment, had been checked.
The advance was pushed with desperate energy, and the Germans could not hold their ground in the face of the withering American fire. The German center faltered, then broke.
Taking advantage of this success, General Lejeune pushed Brigadier General Abernathy's Second division into the breach. Immediately, also, he ordered the First brigade forward in an effort to break through to the south, while orders were rushed to the hard-pressed Third brigade to make a final effort.
The task of the Third brigade was easier now. Bereft of its supports, the German center was obliged to yield ground to the Third brigade or risk being cut off and surrounded.
The Germans gave ground slowly.
To the south, the First brigade also began to drive the foe more swiftly. It appeared for a moment that the Germans would suffer a rout. Under the direction of their officers, however, they braced perhaps half a mile farther back, and again showed a determined front.
Trenches dug by the Americans were abandoned now as the Yankees poured forth in pursuit of the enemy. Not a man in the whole Second division who was not sure that the trenches would never be needed for defensive purposes. No one knew better the morale of the American troops than did the men themselves.
Nevertheless, the advance slowed down in the face of the resistance being offered by the enemy. For a time it appeared that the fighting had reached a deadlock.
The deciding touch to the battle was furnished by General Rhodes.
Sweeping up from the south, the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh brigades of the Forty-second division bore off a trifle to the east and then turned north again, thus catching the enemy on the left flank.
This maneuver, apparently, had not been anticipated by the enemy's general staff, for it took the Germans by surprise. True, they received warning in time to wheel machine-guns into position and to place big guns to rake the Americans as they dashed forward. But the warning had not been received in time to permit the general staff to alter its plan of defense, and for this reason proved the blow that broke the backbone of the enemy's resistance.
The enemy, closely pressed by General Lejeune, had no time to make changes in his defensive plan necessitated by General Rhodes' sudden attack. Reinforcements could not be sent to check General Rhodes without weakening the front opposed to General Lejeune.
General Schindler, after a hasty conference with his staff, ordered a retreat to the lines just before Sedan. The Germans fell back rapidly.
Neither General Rhodes nor General Lejeune was content to rest with this advantage, but each decided to push on.
During all this time, the enemy had been successful in keeping a wedge between the Second and Forty-second American divisions. General Schindler realized that if he hoped to extricate his men from the trap sprung by the Americans he must prevent a juncture of the Second and Forty-second at all hazards.
Now, however, as the attack seemed on the verge of success, General Lejeune decided that the German wedge separating him from General Rhodes must be pierced.
Accordingly, without permitting the advance to slacken elsewhere, he threw the First brigade against it.
For perhaps fifteen minutes the fighting was fast and furious. In vain the Germans tried to stem the tide in khaki that rushed forward against them. General Schindler further weakened his center to rush reinforcements in order to retain the wedge intact.
But it was no use. The Americans were not to be denied. They fought with the courage and desperation of lions. Little heed did they pay to the hail of machine-gun bullets that swept them as they advanced. Artillery and explosive shells failed to stop them. Rifle fire was no more effective.
Suddenly from the German lines sallied a regiment of cavalry. The American infantry braced to receive the charge.
At the same time Hal found himself before Colonel Taylor of the First brigade with dispatches from General Lejeune. He had just delivered them as the German cavalry sallied forth.
"Great Scott! What a chance to take!" the lad muttered under his breath. "The Germans must be licked. This move can be for no other purpose than to give infantry time to withdraw."
The American infantry stood firm as the German cavalry hurled itself upon them. Not an inch of ground did they give. Horses and men fell in heaps. Other chargers reeled back, throwing their riders beneath their hoofs. At the same time the Yankee infantry poured in a hail of rifle fire.
The Germans retired a pace, reformed and charged again. The result was the same. Not an inch did the Americans give, and the execution in the enemy's ranks was fearful to behold.
"I guess that will stop that," Hal told himself.
He was right.
When the enemy's cavalry withdrew a second time it did not reform for a third charge. Instead, it fell back upon its infantry and artillery supports, apparently fearing that the American infantry would pursue and annihilate it.
"I thought so," said Hal.
In the meantime, the German retirement in other parts of the field had become more rapid. The lines before Sedan were abandoned gradually and at last there was nothing to keep the Americans from entering the city save the cannonading of the German artillery from far to the rear of the town.
But although the bulk of the German army had retired safely to the east of Sedan, fortune had not been so kind to the two brigades which had formed the wedge between the Second and Forty-second American divisions.
When General Lejeune's men had pushed back the cavalry attack, General Rhodes, to the south, had gained an inkling of what was going on. Accordingly he had ordered an attack upon the hard-pressed foes.
Caught thus between two fires, the Germans tried first to hold their ground, and, finding this could not be done, to retreat orderly.
But they had delayed too long.
Three regiments of the First brigade of General Lejeune's division had been hurried forward to cut off a movement, and the Germans, when they found flight blocked, became disheartened. In spite of the fact that they outnumbered the little force between them and the bulk of their army, thousands of men threw down their arms and surrendered. This forced the others to follow suit or be annihilated.
Less than two hours later, with German shells still falling among them, American troops entered Sedan.
And the French population, virtual prisoners for many months, received them with wild acclaim. It was a joyous day for the citizens, indeed.