Part 8 (1/2)

Hal gave a loud cry, which was stifled by his gas helmet, for he felt sure that it was Chester.

It was at that moment the German bugle sounded the recall.

Hal dashed toward the spot where Chester had fallen. A score of enemy troops, perceiving his approach, stayed their retreat and offered him battle. Hal was nothing loath. He dashed toward them at top speed.

Other French troops, seeing one of their numbers das.h.i.+ng forward, and perceiving his peril, jumped to the rescue. Still more Germans turned and more French dashed forward. For a moment it seemed that the struggle would be renewed in spite of the order for a German recall.

Hal dashed among the foe with sword flas.h.i.+ng aloft. Right and left he slashed and the Germans gave way before his fury. Then they closed in.

Almost at the same moment the French troops came to his a.s.sistance.

Again the recall was sounded from the German rear. The few of the foe who apparently had Hal at their mercy heeded this second call reluctantly. They drew off slowly, opening upon the advancing French with their rifles as they did so. The French returned the fire and the Germans retreated faster.

Apparently it was not the plan of General Domont to follow up the retreating Germans, for there came no order for a charge. Instead, the French commander apparently was satisfied with having broken down the German attack. He had no intention of sacrificing more of his men in a useless pursuit that would bring them again under the mouths of the big German guns.

Quickly Hal bent over Chester. The latter had fallen with his face on the ground, and this fact undoubtedly had saved his life. He was unconscious and his nose was buried in the dirt. He had almost suffocated, but this fact had saved him from the poisonous gases. Hal stripped the gas helmet from a dead French soldier and slipped it over Chester's head. Then he lifted his chum from the ground and started toward the rear, supporting the unconscious figure as well as he could.

Several French troopers ran to his a.s.sistance. Hal lowered Chester to the ground and put both hands under his chum's head. He motioned one of the French soldiers to take Chester's feet, and in this manner they carried Chester from the danger zone.

Hal did not rest easily until after a French surgeon had p.r.o.nounced Chester little the worse for his experience. Two bayonet wounds in the lad's arm were found to be mere scratches.

”He'll pull round in a day or two,” said the surgeon. ”In the meantime it would be well to keep him as quiet as possible, though he is in no danger.”

Hal thanked the surgeon, and leaving Chester in safe hands, sought out General Domont and explained the circ.u.mstances to him.

”And I would like to get him back to my own quarters,” he concluded.

”Very well,” said General Domont. ”I shall place an automobile at your disposal.”

The French officer was as good as his word and in a high-power motor car Hal and Chester, the latter having regained consciousness, were soon on their way to headquarters, Hal bearing General Domont's report on the morning's encounter.

Hal went first to the quarters of General Petain, where he delivered General Domont's report; then he accompanied Chester to their own quarters, where he made Chester as comfortable as possible.

He was just about to leave Chester alone, when another figure entered the tent. It was Stubbs.

”h.e.l.lo, Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester from his cot. ”Where have you been all summer?”

”Summer?” said Mr. Stubbs, removing his overcoat. ”This is the month of February.”

”All right; have it your own way,” said Chester.

”Well, I've just been having a look around,” said Stubbs.

”Find out anything more about the conspiracy?” asked Hal.

”What conspiracy?” demanded Stubbs.

”Why, the one you were telling us about the other night,” exclaimed Chester.

Stubbs looked at the lad critically.

”Wounded to-day, weren't you?” he asked.