Part 23 (1/2)

”You will ride after your friend,” he said, ”and present this to General Adamson. Then you had better turn, in for the night. You may stay with General Adamson's command and lend what a.s.sistance there you can.”

Chester was soon speeding after Hal.

General Adamson recognized Hal instantly when the lad reported to him, and professed pleasure at seeing him again. He also saluted Chester, when the latter arrived a short time later.

”And so you are going to stay with me, eh?” he said. ”Well, I have no doubt I shall be able to make use of you. However, you'd better turn in now. I suppose we'll be at it bright and early in the morning.”

General Adamson proved a good prophet.

Hal and Chester met several men whom they had known when they were with the Canadian troops at the capture of Vimy Ridge, and these expressed delight at seeing the lads again. A young officer invited the lads to spend the night in his quarters, and they accepted gratefully.

They followed General Adamson's injunction and turned in early. They were very tired, and they were asleep the moment they hit their cots.

It seemed to Hal that he had just closed his eyes when he was aroused by the sound of a bugle. It was the call to arms, and the lad sprang to his feet and threw on his clothes. Chester also was on his feet, and the two lads dashed from the tent together.

They made their way to General Adamson's quarters, where they stood and awaited whatever commands, he might give them.

The Canadian troops were all under arms. Each and every man was eager for the fray. They had not been in the battle the previous day, but they had heard full accounts of British success and they were determined to give a good account of themselves when the time came.

And the time came soon.

It was just growing light when the British army launched the second day's drive.

Along the whole forty-mile line the troops under General Byng advanced simultaneously. This time, however, the Germans were not caught napping. They antic.i.p.ated the second attack by the British, and a terrific hail of sh.e.l.ls and bullets greeted the Allied troops, as they moved across the open ground.

But these men were not raw troops. Hardly a man who could not be called a veteran. They advanced as calmly under fire as though on parade. Men went down swiftly in some parts of the field, but as fast as one dropped, his place was instantly filled. The lines were not allowed to break or be thrown into confusion.

The Canadian troops advanced calmly and with a sprightliness that seemed strange for men used to the grim work of war. There was something in their carriage that told their officers that they would give a good account of themselves this day.

General Adamson eyed his men with pride, as they moved off in the semi-light. He dispatched Hal with a command to Colonel Brown, commander of one regiment, and Chester to Colonel Loving, commander of another. As it chanced, these two regiments were marching together, so the two lads once more found themselves together in the midst of an advancing army.

Their messages delivered, they did not return to General Adamson, and without even asking permission of their superiors, ranged themselves behind. Colonel Loving, and pressed forward with the troops.

Colonel Loving and Colonel Brown, besides Hal and Chester, were the only mounted men with the Canadian advance. Ten minutes after the lads had gone forward, Colonel Loving dismounted and turned his horse over to one of his men, who led it toward the rear. Colonel Brown followed suit. Hal and Chester did likewise.

”Good idea,” commented Chester. ”We make too good targets there.”

Hal nodded, and looked toward the front.

The British tanks again led the way. Bullets whistled over the heads of the Canadians. Hal saw that the first-line German defenses were less than 200 yards away.

”Good.” he told himself. ”Now for the battle.”

The first British tank nosed into the German trench.

CHAPTER XVIII

TANK FIGHTING

The early stages of the morning fighting were repet.i.tions of the first day's advance. Success perched upon British standards from the first.