But the lads reached their destination in safety; and here, for the
first time, Hal and Chester were to come in contact with a new method
of fighting.
General Domont, in command at Dead Man's Hill, having read the despatches
the lads carried, announced that they would remain with him during the
day, acting as members of his staff. He ordered Hal forward with
instructions for the troops holding the crest of the hill to the north
and Chester was despatched upon a similar mission to the south.
Hardly had Chester delivered his message when a shout told him the German
infantry was advancing to the attack. The lad glanced around, and as he
did so, a sharp order rang out and a moment later the French troops
clamped queer-looking devices over their faces and heads.
Chester knew what they were--gas masks to protect the defenders from
the poisonous vapors of German gas bombs, which, had the defenders not
been protected by masks, would have killed them instantly. 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 him to put it on.
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