A stray bullet had done what Chester had been
unable to accomplish, and for the moment the lad was safe.
The second trooper now returned to the attack and engaged Chester
fiercely. All this time the French were gradually being forced back, and
of a sudden Chester found himself the center of a mass of German troops.
But the lad had no mind to give up. Throwing caution to the winds, he now
struck out swiftly and sharply with his sword. Once or twice the thrusts
went home. Chester felt a sting in his left shoulder. The bayonet of a
German trooper had pricked him slightly. Chester whirled about and seized
the bayonet with his left hand. A powerful wrench and it was wrested from
the hands of the German soldier, who had been caught off his guard.
Without taking time to reverse the weapon, Chester hurled it in the faces
of the foe who pressed in about him. It struck one man squarely on the
forehead and he toppled over with a groan.
Again Chester laid about him with his sword, retreating slowly as he did
so. The gas helmet that he wore impeded his progress somewhat, for it was
strange to his head and felt uncomfortable. Now the lad realized for the
first time that the Germans before him also wore the heavy helmets.
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